SPICE azimuth not working?
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Hey, so I loaded up four SPICE bombs and configured them with four different targets (within the same nuclear facility) and four different attack azimuths. I set the Release Pulse setting to 4 so they would all drop with a single pickle. I waited until the caret was well within the DLZ staple (about halfway into the staple), then pickled. All four bombs hit their target, but according to TacView, they all flew straight to the target. I had hoped that since I was so far into the DLZ they would set up with the correct attack azimuth.
Some notes:
- I never saw the LAR(2) staple, only the LAR(1) staple.
- I did see the correct attack azimuth on the SMS page for my first bomb.
Anyone have any advice?
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It gets weirder. I tried a similar setup with pre-planned JDAMs in an F-16I (mode-3 JDAM software).
First attempt - 8 bombs, 8 targets, 8 different azimuths, with 8 release pulses. Pickled once, all 8 bombs came off, hit their targets, but no azimuth steering. They all flew directly there. Well within the DLZ inner bracket.
Second attempt got really weird. This time I tried a release pulse setting of 1, but left the JDAM mode in AUT for automatic cycling. I pickled 8 times and all 8 bombs came off the rack and hit their designated targets. BUT – when I look at the replay in TacView – the first two bombs accelerated(!) to Mach 2 then set up for the correct azimuth, and the remaining six bombs just flew directly to their targets. Again, was comfortably within the inner DLZ bracket the entire time.
Starting to definitely think this is a bug.
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OK I went ahead and produced my tutorial video anyway; perhaps someone who has done this successfully can watch the video and let me know if I did anything wrong…
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I don’t see you doing something realy wrong, but you’re using a wide range of azimuth angles, that might be the problem.
I remembered reading something in the training manual about that:
If the impact azimuth requires impossible turns for a ballistic bomb the weapon will override the impact azimuth and fly direct to the target.
and
In this case our flight approaches the target from the South East on a 300° heading. The targets are slightly right of the route and orientated East/West. In that configuration, if you request an impact azimuth of 090° for instance, the bomb will have to turn 150° to the right to comply. That will seriously decrease your range from target, preventing the LAR2 from being displayed in the HUD and will almost certainly force the bomb to override the settings and fly direct to the target. To ensure a good envelope you must try to plan for an offset of no more than 60° from the target bearing.