
Electronic Warfare

Electronic warfare, or EW, is simply the interception and analysis of 
radar signals. Different types of radar are used for different tasks, such
as search, acquisition, targeting and lock-on. By analyzing what type of 
radar is being used, you can often determine what the "intention" is of 
the target emitting the radar. This information allows you to choose an 
appropriate response for either offensive or defensive measures.

In AEGIS, you will have access to the powerful SLQ-32 Electronic Support 
Measures (ESM) receiver set. This device passively listens for radar 
signals, processes and analyzes the intercepted signal and displays a 
symbol that represents the type of target (or platform) radiating the 
signal. These symbols represent hostile, friendly or unknown air, surface 
and, occasionally, sub-surface contacts. The symbols are known as NTDS 
symbology, which is based on the Naval Targeting Data System. You can also
use the SLQ-32 to deploy different types of countermeasures, which are 
used to confuse an enemy and his weapon systems. Onboard your ship, your 
radar system lets you "see" the targets around you. However, your 
adversary also has EW systems that tell him where you are and whether you 
have detected him yet. This deadly game of cat and mouse is part of the 
secret world that surrounds today's modern naval warfare. Stealth is hard 
to achieve for today's warship, and you will have to learn when and where 
to use your radar in order to successfully complete your missions.

