- Military aircraft primarily use onboard radar to lock and track enemies, with modes like search (scanning) and track (focusing on one target).
- Radar provides data like aspect angle, heading, airspeed, and closure rate in track mode, enhancing target awareness but reducing broad situational data.
- Situational awareness modes combine scanning and tracking to monitor multiple targets, but involve tradeoffs like reduced scan range.
- Radar lock isn't always needed for weapons: guns use 'death dot' for locked targets or funnel aiming without lock; missiles vary (heat-seekers use tone, radar-guided rely on radar).
- Aircraft detect radar signals via RWR (radar warning receiver), identifying threats by direction, signal strength, and audio cues for search, lock, or missile launch modes.
- Other locking technologies include targeting pods (visual/IR cameras for tracking) and laser-guided systems, with laser warning systems similar to RWR.