& REFERENCEThe game
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THE VIDEO LIBRARY
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Short lessons, deeper explainers and full developer sessions. Choose a lesson to find its companion answers and available language editions.
Game training
1:59Start here
Welcome to Air Defender
Meet Allan and discover the experience behind the simulation and its training course.
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1:01Game training
Radar Basics 001: Plots and tracks
Start making sense of the marks, lines and information on your radar scope.
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2:51Game training
Radar Basics 002: Reading tracks and missile launches
Understand origin shapes, identity letters and the new contact that can signal a missile launch.
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2:35Game training
Radar Basics 003: Electronic warfare, Nimrod and AWACS
Read EW bearings and diamonds, then use airborne sensors to understand gaps in the radar picture.
Watch lessonReal-world explainers
1:01Real-world concept
How does radar detect aircraft?
A clear visual introduction to a radar pulse, its return and the picture that follows.
Watch lesson2:01Real-world concept
What is the difference between primary and secondary radar?
Echoes, transponder replies, squawk codes and IDENT — explained without assuming prior radar knowledge.
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2:53Real-world concept
Why does radar lose low aircraft?
See how Earth’s curvature, radar height and the atmosphere shape what a radar can detect.
Watch lessonWatch a full session
54:22Walkthrough
Developer walkthrough: the basics
Follow a developer walkthrough of reading tracks, calling ATC, launching QRA and sending the fighters to a tanker afterwards.
Watch lesson17 minWalkthrough
Developer walkthrough: my strategy
Watch Allan’s approach to a session, alongside the shorter lessons that explain the console.
Watch lessonEarlier tutorials
Recorded with an earlier interface. Use the newer lessons first and check controls against the current game guide.
2:25Earlier tutorial
Call ATC
An earlier demonstration of calling air traffic control from Air Defender.
Watch lesson3:53Earlier tutorial
Radar controls
An earlier demonstration of the game’s radar controls.
Watch lesson5:03Earlier tutorial
Getting started
An earlier introduction to the console and the game.
Watch lesson2:38Earlier tutorial
Flight Information panel
An earlier tour of the information available for a selected flight.
Watch lesson2:42Earlier tutorial
Plots and tracks
An earlier explanation of plots and tracks on the scope.
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