Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)

The RWR display is designed to provide at-a-glance information about nearby threats. The RWR display actually combines information from two different systems:

The Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) detects and identifies incoming radar emissions.
The Missile Warning System (MWS) detects all types of nearby missile launches and incoming missiles based on their heat signature.

Together these systems can allow the pilot to remain aware of nearby threats and quickly identify and react to incoming missiles.

Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)

The RWR detects, identifies, and displays sources of radar emissions. Initialisms identify the radar platform, while symbols help the user prioritize and respond to threats. The display updates a source every time a radar ping hits the aircraft.

The RWR will only display hostile radar returns, with the exception of any friendly player controlled aircraft, the E-4 Overlord/AEW-50 Bulwark and either of the Early Warning Radars.

Example Scenario

This is a brief example of what the RWR panel of a defending aircraft shows when a hostile SAM S/A Radar (DS) is detected, locks on and fires/guides a semi-active BSM-66 to its target.

Note: The "launch warning" and associated flashing yellow arc on the display are part of the Missile Warning System.

Symbology

Symbol	Definition
	The threat that the RWR has identified as the primary threat. This is dependent on several factors and may not always be your current top priority; generally, airborne and long-range radars that are close to you are considered more dangerous.
	The marking for the most recently detected radar threat. This may also help with target prioritization.
	The radar threat is airborne.
	The radar threat is locked on and tracking you. Listen for a radar spike (lock-on) warning tone. A lock-on by itself does not instantly indicate a missile launch, but rather that one may be imminent.
	The SARH Guidance Indicator. Indicates that a Semi-Active Radar Homing missile such as an AIM-7 has been fired and is guiding towards you.^[1]
	The ARH Guidance Indicator. Indicates that an Active Radar Homing missile such as an AIM-120C has aquired you with its own radar seeker and is guiding towards you.^[2]

Acronyms

The RWR can identify a radar source and display an abbreviation denoting the type of unit whose radar is detected. The known abbreviations are as follows:

Unit Type or Description	Threat Level / Range	Air / Ground / Naval
Any active radar-guided missile.	(1) Very high, imminent threat	Airborne
The radar seeker of an air launched Anti-Ship Missile.	(1) Very high, imminent threat	Airborne
The MAD-4 Radar.	(1) Very high, long-range	Ground
Located underneath the Aft MC Radar on the NMSS Cruiser. Coordinates long-range missiles.	(1) Very high, long-range	Naval
The ASF-58.	(1) Very High, long-range	Airborne
The ASF-30 or ASF-33.	(2) High, long-range	Airborne
The SAM S/A Radar (Enemy).	(2) High, long-range	Ground
The Fire Control Radar.	(2) High, long-range	Ground
The SL-MRM Radar.	(2) High, medium	Ground
The NMSS Cruiser's Air and Sea radars, coordinating its Vertical Launch System. Used for both the Aft Sea-to-Air and Fore Sea-to-Sea radar.	(3) Medium, medium	Naval
The SAAW.	(3) Medium, 8km	Ground
The Drone Carrier or DMS Cruiser.	(3) Medium (VLS), medium	Naval
The Manta UCAV.	(4) Low, short-range (gun)	Airborne
The NFP Carrier.	(4) Low (CIWS turret), low	Naval
Short-range Anti-Air Artillery targeting radars. Used by Z20x2 AAA, CIWS Turret and C-RAM Truck	(4) Low, 3.2km	Ground
The Missile Warning Radar. A purely defensive emplacement that will target incoming missiles.	n/a, Short - medium	Ground
The allied E-4 Overlord AWACS.	n/a, long-range	Airborne
The enemy AEW-50 Bulwark AWACS.	n/a, long-range	Airborne
The enemy Early Warning Radar.	n/a, long-range	Ground

The following RWR acronyms are only seen in Multiplayer:

Multiplayer RWR Symbols
Allied (Team A)	Enemy (Team B)	Radar Source
		F/A-26B
		F-45A
		AH-94
		T-55
		EF-24G
		Allied Aircraft Carrier Allied Assault Carrier
		Allied Cruiser
		Allied Fire Control Radar
		Allied S/A Radar
		Watchman Truck
		Backstop Radar
		Early Warning Radar
		Missile Warning Radar

Missile Warning System (MWS)

The Missile Warning System (MWS) uses infrared sensors to detect nearby missile launches or incoming missile threats, and provides a direction toward those threats. Audio cues from the MWS should be treated as a high priority and be met with immediate evasive action. Weapon Callouts should be communicated by teammates to help reduce confusion, as their weapon launches are also registered by the MWS.

The MWS system has two components in the form of a launch warning and an incoming missile warning.

For most aircraft (F/A-26B, AH-94, T-55, EF-24G, AV-42C), the MWS system has a large blindspot directly above the aircraft. It will not warn the pilot of launches or incoming missiles from this aspect. In a dogfight where IR missiles are available, it is recommended to frequently visually check overhead for potential incoming missiles. While F-45A does not suffer from an overhead blindspot, it does have some much smaller ones on the sides around the 2 and 10 o'clock positions. These are far less of a concern in combat.

Example Scenario

This is an example of the Missile Warning System in action, detecting a missile launch at the 7 o'clock and tracking an IR homing missile on approach.

Launch warning

The launch warning component detects nearby missile launches from the flash of heat they generate. It alerts the pilot to all detected launches, regardless of the source or the orientation of the launch. Most missile launches are detectable from up to 10 miles.

The feedback of the launch is presented in these forms:

A flashing yellow "LAUNCH WARNING" box next to the RWR display.
A flashing yellow arc on the RWR display in the direction of the launch.
An audio alert of three beeps followed by the words "Missile launch".

Incoming missile warning

The incoming missile warning component detects missiles that are on an approximate intercept course with the aircraft. Incoming missiles are detected by their heat signature. If a missile glides for a long distance after concluding its motor burn, it may cool down enough to become undetectable by the MWS. As this component detects all missiles on an approximate intercept, it may show false-positive alerts for missiles tracking targets that are near or behind this aircraft.

The feedback of an incoming missile is presented in these forms:

A flashing orange "MISSILE WARNING" box next to the RWR display.
A pair of flashing orange arcs on the RWR display in the direction of the incoming missile.
An audio alert of a longer beep followed by a continual series of beeps.
(Optional) An orange line on the RWR display further clarifying the direction of the missile.