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Message: <blockquote data-quote="overscan (PaulMM)" data-source="post: 8439" data-attributes="member: 1"><blockquote>F15C032 - NON-COOPERATIVE TARGET RECOGNITION (NCTR) UPDATES - MAX(OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY)DESCRIPTION: A software change to the APG-63(V)1 and APG-70 radar to identify approximately 14 target types. Includes improvements to NCTR algorithms to reduce incorrect identification and improve performance. This program requires changes to the radar Operational Flight Programs (OFPs) and the Central Computer OFP in F-15 Suite 6. Common with F-15E.JUSTIFICATION: Failure to update the aircraft NCTR capability with these 14 target types will limit the pilot/aircrew to visual target identification, decreased survivability, and restricted weapon employment.PROGRAM ELEMENT: PE 27130F.ISSUES: NCTR upgrade MAX will be incorporated in Suite 6 OFP software. 164 F-15C/D aircraft will be retrofitted with APG-63(v)1 radars and receive the OFP update.</blockquote>My take - NCTR is real, but its not infallible. The 1970s "Musketeer" program did not "count blades" as such, but detected beat frequencies (?) induced by the rotating blade elements in fan and turbine. These presumably depend on (a) number of blades and (b) rotational speed of the engine.The NIIP Bars radar determines the identity of targets with an (as yet unspecified) algorithm matching "the parameters of the signal reflected from the target". As supplied to India, the ID mode gives only general target class; large target, medium sized target, small target, group target, transport, helicopter, jet. They provided India with the ability to load in the spectral characteristics of individual types, after which the radar would be able to identify specific types, but Russia did not provide any of this data.</blockquote>

Verification: What company designed the famous Spitfire?