Plot (radar) explained

In naval terminology, a plot is a graphic display that shows all collated data from a ship's on-board sensors, i.e. radar, sonar and EW systems. They also displayed information from external sources - for example, other vessel or aircraft reports. There are four different types of plot, each with varying capabilities, i.e. range, depending on their role;^[1]

• Air plot: Used for tracking air contacts, i.e. planes and EW information.
• Surface plot: Used for tracking contacts on the surface of the water, i.e. other ships.^{[2] [3] [4]} It can also perform a variety of roles such as:
  • Providing a trace of a ship's own course and speed over time.^{[2] [4]}
  • Plotting the position of a man overboard.^[2]
  • Can be used in naval gunfire support missions to plot unidentified contacts and keep track of friendly forces.^[3]
  • It also plays an important part in anti-submarine warfare operations and using torpedoes.^[3]
• Sub-surface plot: Used for tracking contacts below the surface of the water, i.e. submarines.
• General operations plot: Used for tracking shipping on a large-scale chart. Was also used to display exercise boundaries, airplanes and other significant features of maritime interest. In the Royal Australian Navy, the scale used was generally 5or per .

Notes and References

1. Book: Friedman, Norman . Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems (Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems) . US Naval Institute Press . 2006 . 85 . 1-55750-262-5 . 2008-12-11.
2. Web site: INFORMATION SHEET. www.fas.org. Federation of American Scientists. Federation of American Scientists. 2008-12-11.
3. Web site: CHAPTER-16-G. www.eugeneleeslover.com. NAVAL ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY VOLUME 2, FIRE CONTROL (1958). 2008-12-11.
4. Web site: Radar Bulletin No. 6, (RADSIX), CIC Manual. www.history.navy.mil. United States Navy. United States Navy. 2008-12-11.