User Guide

THREAT WARNING INDICATOR (TWI, OR RAW SCOPE)
The TWI is located to the left of and below the HUD. It is a passive radar emission receiver composed
of an antennae network and computer-enhanced signal analysis equipment, located in the skin of
the plane. It determines the direction, intensity and type of radar waves striking your plane at all
times. It then displays this information in the form of icons. The position of the icons on the display
correlates with the hostile radar’s direction and distance from your plane. The icons will “rotate”
around the display when you turn.
If you set the RAW scope in “smart” mode using the option screens (see Option Screens, p. 24), all
radar emitters will be displayed, whether they are facing your aircraft or not.
Aerial Threats
The TWI also shows rough distance. As a rule, if you
can see it on your threat display you can turn towards
it and see it on the radar. Triangles represent enemy
planes. There will be one to three dots along the base of
the triangle; the number of dots indicates the
“generation” of the fighter whose radar is illuminating
your plane. Primitive radars, or first generation,
will have one dot. There aren’t many primitives still
flying in 2011, but you never know. Two dots in the
triangle indicate a second generation radar. The
most advanced radars are represented by three dots.
Air-to-air missiles (and radar-guided SAMs) are
represented by a diamond.
Ground Threats
Ground-based missile radar is represented as a square with a number inside it. The number
denotes the numerical designation of the SAM most commonly associated with it. For example, an
SA-6 radar will show up as a little square with a “6” in it. Gun radar is represented by a circle. A dot
in the circle indicates a fixed AAA; a circle without a dot means a mobile AAA gun is down there.
Remember, while airborne radar will be located on a plane, ground-based radar can be remote from
the weapons it operates.
Regardless of the icon’s shape, if it suddenly glows brightly, the radar in question has switched from
acquisition mode to tracking mode. A bright icon means a hostile radar is tracking you!
RADAR AND IR MISSILE WARNING LIGHTS
The Radar and IR Missile Warning lights are located just above the TWI (Threat Warning indicator)
in the cockpit. When a missile is tracking you, the light appropriate to the missile’s guidance system
will come on. The red (right) light indicates a radar-guided missile has locked on to you, while the
yellow (left) light denotes an IR-guided threat. (IR recognition technology was developed in 2004.)
39
Fixed AAA (locked)
1st Gen.
Fighter
(locked)
SAM (locked)
Ist Gen. Fighter
3rd Gen.
Fighter
Missile
Mobile AAA (locked)