First Scenario - May 4th, Attack on the Sheffield

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Permalink Reply by Gorka L Martinez-Mezo on December 16, 2009 at 11:56am

Well, SOME British radars were very good, like the Type 1022 used in the INVENCIBLE. But the most abundant radar systems (Type 965 for long range search and Type 992 target indicator) were old and had poor characterisitics. Looks like INVENCIBLE was the one detecting the SE which attacked SHEFFIELD, while SHEFFIELD remained unaware.

Radar warning sets were very good, specially the later models.

The basic AM39 Exocet was a bit primitive and could be easily fooled by chaff. The British had access to French data and thus developed chaff patterns known to be useful against the Exocet models used by the Argentines (not to mention both nations used the basic MM38 model surface to surface model). Looks like one of the two Exocets fired against SHEFFIELD was fooled and got lost, as was the last one used in the INVENCIBLE attack. ATLANTIC CONVEYOR was hit probably by two missiles fooled by chaff carrying ships, having a large radar signature and no decoys herself she was a perfect Exocet target.

Argentina had two Type 42 DDGs and thus perfectly new the weapon system and their known limitations against low flying targets. Super Etendards were among the few Argentine planes fitted with RWR and thus knew when they were being illuminated by a radar. In any case, as you mention they prefered to play safe and, lacking situational awareness, shoot as soon as a target appeared where one was expected.....

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Permalink Reply by John Kantor on December 16, 2009 at 1:29pm

Thanks. I've been a bit busy, but I'm going to get back to this.

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Permalink Reply by Gorka L Martinez-Mezo on December 16, 2009 at 3:53pm

Me too! Don`t worry!
Falklands war is more difficult to game that it appears!

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Permalink Reply by Gorka L Martinez-Mezo on December 16, 2009 at 1:10pm

Hre`s some data on the SHEFFIELD attack:

The British picket line was detected and tracked by an Argentinean SP-2H Neptune patrol aircraft. This had pretty crude electronic systems, including a long range APS-20 search radar and basic ESM equipment, enough to ID one big and two medium sized targets.

An attack was planned, the main element being two Exocet armed Super Etendards. These were supoorted by one KC-130 tanker aircraft, one LearJet acting as diversionary target and the Neptune.

After launching from Rio Grande, the SE refuelled from the KC-130 and proceed at high altitude to the target area to save fuel.

They descended to around 12.000 feet later on and using the data obtained from the Neptune and knonw data on British radar coverage, they descended to low altitude for the final leg.

While proceeding at Vlow altitude, the Neptune radioed updated information, confirming onew big and two medium targets at S 52º33’ W 57º40’ and another medium target at S 52º48’ / W 57º31’, about 30mn from the first group.

Both planes corrected their headng and proceeded at Vlow altitude for a few more miles before making small forays over the radar horizon to use their own Agave radar (this being a lightweight, short range search radar optimized for over water use). In the second attempt one big and three medium sized targets were detected and both chose the bigger one to aim their Exocets. These were launched at some 50km and both planes inmediatly turned away back to the mainland, keeping at Vlow atititude before climbing to an economical cruise altitude once at a safe range, both recovering successfully.

We know at least one missile chose SHEFFIELD as its target, while the other one dissappeared, although it may have been seem crossing the HMS YARMOUTH bow before dissapearing.

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