Sensors & Detection (War on the Sea)

Here is some information about the **sensors & detection** in *War on the Sea*:

## Unit Viewer Sensors & Armor Tab

For insights into a ship's sensors and detection characteristics, refer to the Sensors & Armor tab in the Unit Viewer (F6).

## Visual (Vis.) Horizon

Defines how far a ship can visually perceive. Taller ships enjoy an extended range, allowing large contacts to be seen beyond the visual horizon.

## Visual (Vis.)/Radar Detection

Reflects the ease with which a ship can be visually or radar-detected. Smaller ships pose a greater challenge for visual and radar identification.

## Surface/Air Radar

Indicates the range at which the radar on the ship can detect other ships or aircraft under optimal conditions.

## Noise Level

Expresses the ship's noise level in decibels. Higher noise levels make passive sonar detection more likely.

## Active Detection

Measures the ship's susceptibility to detection by active sonar. Larger hulls are more prone to being detected by active sonar.

## Passive/Active Sonar Strength

Specifies the range of the sonar models on the ship under ideal conditions. Note that sonar cannot detect aircraft.

## Environmental Conditions

Utilize F5 or the Menu button to access the Menu panel and review environmental conditions affecting visual, radar, and sonar detection.

## Visibility Conditions

Base visibility is influenced by light level, weather, and sea state. Light level is contingent on the time of day, weather conditions impact visibility, and rough seas impede contact detection.

## SEA

Visual detection of sea units is modified by factors such as observer height, contact size, contact speed, land obstacles, illumination, and the submerged status of submarines.

## AIR

Visual detection of air units depends on conditions, contact size, land obstacles, and altitude.

## SMOKE SCREENS

On the Orders panel (F7), use "Lay Smoke" to initiate or cease laying smoke screens. Viewing through a smoke screen incurs a penalty to solution calculations. Ships laying smoke or observing such a ship are considered to be viewing through smoke.

## RADAR CONDITIONS

Base radar detection is affected by sea state and weather. Rain or snow dramatically reduces radar detection.

## SEA

Radar detection of sea units is influenced by conditions, strength of surface radar, contact size, and land obstacles.

## AIR

Radar detection of air units is influenced by conditions, strength of air radar, contact size, land obstacles, and altitude.

## RADAR DETECTION

Radar can detect contacts at extended ranges, but emitting radar waves discloses the observer's presence. Sea units using radar may be detected at a distance proportional to the sum of Surface Radar strengths.

## SONAR

Sonar utilizes sound propagation through the ocean to detect submarines and ships, excluding aircraft.

## Conditions

Sonar range is affected by sea state, rain or snow, layer depth, layer strength, duct strength, and the presence of a layer.

## PASSIVE SONAR

Detection of sea units through passive sonar is influenced by conditions, strength of passive sonar, noise level of the target, contact speed, observer speed, baffles, and land obstacles.

## ACTIVE SONAR

Detection through active sonar depends on conditions, strength of active sonar, contact speed, observer speed, baffles, contact facing, and land obstacles.