The Following Questions Address the Air Power system Play Aids enclosed with this issue. 1. What is a PPL #? PPL stands for DDS program protection level. Instead of placing decoys on the map, players with DDS equipped aircraft choose a protection level in terms of points (from 1 to 6) that the DDS will provide the aircraft over the course of a game-turn when a DDS program is running. The PPL # may be different for each type of decoy carried, but must be set before play. For example, a DDS carrying 8 chaff and 8 flares has a PPL of "4-2". This indicates 4 chaff and 2 flare clusters will be dispensed over a turn when the program is running. The level of protection applies over the entire turn and is also the number of decoys expended. PPL#s have varying effects as indicated on the game charts. The effects are mostly in terms of die roll modifiers. 2. What is a BJM? A BJM is the monicker for a barrage jammer pod. The BJM in second edition equates to a first edition AJM. AJMs in second edition are now defensive pods which affect search and lock-on die rolls against the AIM equipped aircraft. Against early SAMs, an AJM may also be capable of breaking lock-ons. 3. How are BJMs used? BJMs may be used in one of two modes; as stand-off jammers which attack specific radars, and as noise jammers which project noise into specific angle-off arcs affecting radars in those arcs. Stand-off jamming is how radars are jammed. Noise only provides modifiers to search and lock on attempts by radar. The ability of jammers to switch from stand off to noise within a game is detailed in the play aid. 4. I noticed on the second edition aircraft data cards that DJMs and AJMs now have a number following their letter code, what is this for? This is the strength or effectiveness rating of the jammer. To determine AJM modifiers to search or lock-on attempts and DJM probability of breaking a lock-on you typically subtract the opposing radar's ECM rating from the Jammer rating. A positive result indicates the modifier, or die roll or less number to break lock. If the ECCM rating of the radar is higher, the jammer is inneffective. ECCM is now provided for A/C radars on the data card. For SAM TIRs use the SAM missile's ECCM rating. 5. What the heck is a mini-jammer? Mini-jammers are actually a mid-1980's development to counter sophisticated radars that use frequency agility and MTI to see past chaff. A mini jammer is an expendable decoy loaded in the same DDS slots as a cluster of chaff expendables. When released the mini-jammer has a battery which lasts about 10 seconds or so and sends false echo's to the guiding radar. In essense, a mini-jammer acts as a decoy which appears to be another aircraft on a radar screen. Several released at once can pull a lock-on off there al target and such. Minijammers are not as versatile as chaff, much more costly and less available, but more effective against missiles. Back to Table of Contents -- Air Power # 16 Back to Air Power List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1991 by J.D. Webster This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com