yep, the range of the firefinders are about 50km....so unless sg gets a better upgrade, it won't be so effective against MLRS 90km away. Moreover, how does it performs against massive rocket attack.....will the large numbers of rockets overload the computing power of the system ?
Visual targetting from the air is more realistic....but then only after launching can you see the huge smoke cloud.
Tho RSAF is the top dog in SEA, its still no where near the capability of the USAF in Iraq where they had total supremacy over the airspace plus a whole host of satelites and JSTARS to help them in '91. Even with this, Scud hunting was not really a resonding success. M'sia thick vegetation is far more challenging compared to Iraq's desert terrain.
Even with the above challenges, and to his credit, the M'sian General has not ignored the possibilty of air attack. Hence, the 2nd part of the news release where he mentioned about the induction of new Shorads and manpads system.
Clearly, the entire demostration was a PR exercise and to serve as a warning that the capability gap will be narrowed. Expect more arm purchases to be announced end this year at Lima '03.
sorri ah. wrong tread.....