Can radar detect flying animal?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the detection of flying animals, particularly fictional dragons, by radar systems. Participants explore the capabilities of military and civilian radar, the implications for air traffic control, and the potential for missile targeting in a fictional context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that military radar can detect large birds, while civilian radar may not be capable of detecting smaller flying animals.
  • Historical references are made to WWII radar systems that detected unknown objects, later identified as migrating birds.
  • One participant proposes that a dragon with a radar cross-section of around 1 square meter could be detected by military radar from several hundred miles away.
  • There is a humorous exchange regarding the type of dragon and its carrying capacity, indicating a playful tone in the discussion.
  • Participants discuss the feasibility of missile targeting on dragons, considering their potential heat signatures and flight patterns.
  • Some argue that fire-breathing dragons would be good targets for heat-seeking missiles, while others suggest that radar and infrared sensors could be effective for tracking.
  • One participant speculates on the tactical advantages of dragons avoiding major cities and military zones due to radar detection.
  • Concerns are raised about the effectiveness of dragons in combat scenarios against modern military technology, with some participants suggesting that dragons would struggle against Apache helicopters.
  • There are conflicting views on the probability of successfully hitting a dragon with a missile, with some suggesting it would be a difficult shot while others argue it would be relatively easy.
  • Participants express skepticism about the biological plausibility of dragons flying and their ability to evade detection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features multiple competing views regarding the detection capabilities of radar, the effectiveness of missiles against dragons, and the plausibility of dragons in combat scenarios. No consensus is reached on these topics.

Contextual Notes

Participants express various assumptions about the biology and behavior of dragons, including their size, weight, and ability to evade detection. The discussion remains speculative and does not resolve the technical feasibility of dragons existing or their interactions with military technology.

Who May Find This Useful

Writers and creators interested in integrating realistic technology and logic into fantasy narratives, particularly those involving aerial creatures and military scenarios.

  • #31
Still a damn fine tactical move.

You'll also find it matches pocahontas perfectly too.
 
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  • #32
if by tactical you mean stupid, i would have to agree. whoever was in charge of tactics should have been shoved out of the airlock.
 
  • #33
stooch said:
if by tactical you mean stupid, i would have to agree. whoever was in charge of tactics should have been shoved out of the airlock.

So far as the marines were concerned, certainly.

But it doesn't change the fact it was a damn fine tactical move on the part of the Na'Vi, waiting for them to enter the area where their targeting systems were ineffectual.

If you're on the back of a dragon, which is p*ss poor against anything remotely resembling a targeting / weapons system, do you fly at them and engage at their own base or do you wait for them to come to you in an area where their instruments and targeting are useless?
 
  • #34
There were no tactics! the naavi won because they were supposed to. its a rehash of dances with wolves. This is a physics forum and we are talking about realistic military right?



this is a ciws. it uses a combination of radar and optical tracking and can take out mortars flying through the air, and supersonic missiles skimming 5 ft above water. This is over 20 year old technology. a complement of these would annihilate any naavi up to 3miles away. They wouldn't even have to worry about the tree of life, just set one up on their bulldozers and drive over the naavi house.

anything living would be obliterated by a hail of 30mm depleted uranium/explosive shells before it even realizes that its about to die.

this is supposed to be in the future right? i would expect for them to have even more advanced weapons, lasers, rail guns, active area denial systems, etc. Physically speaking, it would be a slaughter.

better yet, they knew enough about naavi biology to engineer remote controlled clones... all they had to do was design a virus or a pesticide that targets only the naavi and clean out the area without breaking so much as a twig.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Denial_System

this is a microwave based system that causes extreme pain via nerve receptors without even damaging the targeted subjects, all they had to do was turn it on and aim it in the general direction and the naavi would voluntarily vacate the premises.

avatar was not an exercise of realistic science fiction, its a rehashed fairy tale.
 
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  • #35
Well...sorry for being fantasy.

for me, Human 'must not think' that they technology can overcome every species, nature have unlimited way to beat human tech to mere scarp.

plot of my novel.
If human developed brain and knowledge and create magnificent thing.
Dragon is also developed their body to close all gap.

so I deiced that human weapon and dragon can fight 'on par'. result is depend of situation and environment.

.........

and last
Thank you for all comment, I have a lot of idea for my work :)
 
  • #36
stooch said:
avatar had some of the sloppiest and dumbest writing ever. its a remake of dances with wolves

No, its a remake of Pocahontas.

[PLAIN]http://failblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/epic-fail-avatar-plot-fail.jpg
 
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  • #37
Stooch, you can name all the tech you like, but it comes down to what they did / didn't have. They didn't have anything you pointed out.

Also, it's the future, so what? I get trapped on a desert island tomorrow, looking at what I could potentially have with me is irrelevant to the situation at hand. I could survive for years and fend off a number of attacks from various creatures with nothing but a spear. To look at my situation and say "hang on, this is the future, in 'reality' he'd have guns and explosives." just doesn't work.

Regardless, I hated Avatar. Didn't enjoy it at all. Not a bad soundtrack though, so it gets a plus for that.

Now, Chitose, the only way to match humans is to equal us or become more advanced. Whether that is via evolution (think X-Men) or via better technology.

The dragons in your story would need to be extremely stealthy, a skin capable of defending against AA rounds and topped off with an exceptional amount of brain power to work it all into a workable plan.
 
  • #38
umm... wait, there two more question remain.

1. can missile make U-turn move to re engage target?
2. If we let computer do the aiming, can it compute delay aim for zigzag target?

.........
well, sorry about dragon, cause every comment say that dragon will be killed no matter what.
It seem spec of dragon in my mind are different for you guys :)

my dragon are not stealth but they skin are as tough as 'Dragon skin armor' newly bullet proof vest.

if dragon (or bird) fly low altitude in middle of cities (like new york, cite with a lot of high building) or grand canyon or jungle, If they dig their claw and stick with building wall and wait for ambush can radar detect them?

I just though
 
  • #39
Chitose said:
1. can missile make U-turn move to re engage target?
2. If we let computer do the aiming, can it compute delay aim for zigzag target?

To answer both of those in one: it doesn't matter. If you can get enough missiles or rounds in the air you won't have to. You just saturate the air to the point you can't miss it. Simply exploding a missile near to the target will be enough to take it out. It doesn't have to directly hit.

And yes, some systems can attempt to predict movements.
well, sorry about dragon, cause every comment say that dragon will be killed no matter what.
It seem spec of dragon in my mind are different for you guys :)

Give us the spec you are thinking of then and we'll tell you whether or not it would be. Secondly, as my previous post says, unless they have equal or greater tech then it isn't much of a challenge to take out the dragon.
my dragon are not stealth but they skin are as tough as 'Dragon skin armor' newly bullet proof vest.

The dragon skin armour you are referring to are only good against bullets. It won't stop a missile and won't defend against an explosion - look up the effects of an explosion on the human body.
if dragon (or bird) fly low altitude in middle of cities (like new york, cite with a lot of high building) or grand canyon or jungle, If they dig their claw and stick with building wall and wait for ambush can radar detect them?

If they have a radar return image of the normal landscape without it, yes - they would see something irregular on the new returns. Of course, it is irrelevant given it would attract attention from people who would see it.

Plus, the dragon would have to get there in the first place which would attract a lot of attention along with flagging the radar screens.
 

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