74 THE DEVELOPMENT OF WEAPONS SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 



not, in this case, approach the task force from the side farthest from enemy 

 bases. 



Carrier deck space and AEW aircraft cycle time limitations dictate that 

 the required coverage be provided by a maximum of 3 AEW aircraft. 

 Another systems consideration governs the choice of detection character- 

 istics of the early warning radars: back-up or overlapping coverage where 

 the loss of an AEW aircraft due to enemy action or equipment failure leaves 

 the task force undefended. 



The required detection range and AEW aircraft spacing for the assumed 

 system may be analyzed by the simple geometrical model of Fig. 2-18. 



Range Requirement 



, Reserve \ 

 AEW #1 / AEW \ AEW #2 



-^1 ^ ]^ 



\ (Nonradiating) ; 

 During Normal Operation 



Guided Missile 



Fig. 2-18 



Possible AEW Aircraft Detection Range, Coverage, and Disposition 

 to Provide 255-n.mi. Early Warning Range. 



The arrangement shown represents one possible answer to the hypothetical 

 system requirements. This deployment shows 2 AEW aircraft, each capable 

 of detecting enemy targets at ranges of 150 n.mi. with a 360° search sector. 

 The two operating AEW aircraft are positioned with respect to task force 

 center so that detection occurs at a distance of 255 n.mi. or more from 

 task force center in the directions from which enemy raids are expected. 

 A third AEW aircraft is positioned as shown for use as a back-up or 

 ready replacement for either of the other two aircraft. This aircraft does not 

 radiate during normal operation, in order to make its detection and de- 

 struction by the enemy more difficult. 



