In movies and video games, fighter jets and other similar vehicles need to chase their opponent and have them in target long enough to get a lock on, but why can’t they just be in range if radar works in all directions? Do they need to chase opponents like this in real life?

Question

In movies and video games, fighter jets and other similar vehicles need to chase their opponent and have them in target long enough to get a lock on, but why can’t they just be in range if radar works in all directions? Do they need to chase opponents like this in real life?

In: Technology

Answer 1

imagine radar is a flashlight, when you turn on the flashlight, it will light a wide area, but the area near the center of the flashlight will be brighter than on the edge. radar works the same. to get the best signal, you need to point the dish towards the enemy. you need the best radar reflection when you want to launch a radar guided missile.