How do they know when to activate air sirens?

371 views

Radars, word of mouth? No clue, anyone fill me in?

In: 5

2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Well, I’m assuming that you’re talking about the current “peacekeeping” operation in Ukraine.

The most likely explanation is that they are using radar and activating it when they detect a threat heading in their direction or they believe that they will head in their direction.

In the past, say WW2, they combined both radar and spotting with like binocs and the like. This was because radar was a bit crap (it’s argued that a lot of the times it still can be) and planes moved really slow so even using eyes to spot some planes could give a lot of warning.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Mainly radar, and sometimes observers with binos or sound-detection equipment. Air forces have liaison officers whose job is to pass on warnings to civil authorities, telling people when to take shelter and when it’s safe to come back out.

In rare cases, you can get warnings from satellite surveillance – 24 bombers were in/near their hangars two hours ago and now they’re not – but it’s easy for sat information to arrive too late.