Profile attack pup-to-vrp
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hi guys,
when WDP establish the range for any of the points namely vrp,pup,oap1,oap2,does it refer to the distance between the point and the target and more precisely how do you fly according to these points specifications???thanks in advance
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The values entered in the DED (or DTC loaded) are offsets from the steerpoint. The difference between VIP and VRP is if the steerpoint is the target or not.
In general these are tools like a hammer, ruler, and saw. There is no reason you can’t scratch your butt with the hammer, pick your teeth with the ruler, and slice bread with the saw. They are just expanded points which have HUD symbols and can be aimed at (radar, bombs). Using OA1 for one thing and PUP symbol for another thing are just pilot habits. The F-16 doesn’t care.
More specifically WDP has conventions for what to use each symbol. OK so what are the conventions?
For VRP the normal order is previous waypoint -> VRP -> PUP -> OA1/OA2* -> target waypoint -> next waypoint. For example if target waypoint is #5 you would fly from waypoint 4 to waypoint 5’s VRP floating HUD circle and then to waypoint 5’s floating PUP circle. At that point you execute the pop up climb while turning toward OA1/OA2 triangles in a vertical stack. OA2 is at the same height as PUP and OA1 is at the peak of the pop up and what you fly through before turning toward the target. OA2 can be helpful if you want to do the horizontal turn first before pitching up. As you pass OA1 triangle you pull down toward target. After release you go to waypoint 6.
*OA2 is optionally located at the AOP which is where you point the airplane’s nose after turning toward target. It appears some distance beyond the target on the HUD.
The calculations that WDP does assumes that you initiate the planned maneuver immediately after passing the symbol.
VIP is very similar except that that the waypoint with all the data on it is the IP and the target is some place relative to that. WDP assumes if you select waypoint 5 as the target that waypoint 4 must be the IP. So all of the data (including target location) are offsets from waypoint 4.
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thank you very much Frederf;
your explanations confirms most of my assumptions regarding the points for the different profile attacks and correct me if i`m wrong, the ranges are the distances from the target that these maneuvers are to be executed like for example the pull up and the dive and are likely approximations due to all other factors such as weight of aircraft and its payload,speed,offset angles,etc.in other words,only a guideline for the approach and attack rather than a precise path.???
thanks again.
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With WDP you enter in desired values for some of those values like speed, release height, G but for others like weight and drag it doesn’t change the path. A 3G turn at 500 knots makes the same path in the sky no matter what the weight and drag. The only concern is at high weights and drags the required engine power might exceed the maximum thrust of the engine to maintain those parameters.
I don’t know exactly what formulas WDP uses for its output but I assume it’s moderately sophisticated. It probably has circular path turns connected by straight lines where turns have finite radius. I would be surprised if it was numerically integrated for smooth G onset or speed decay though. I would guess that if it says the peak of your turn to target is a 5000’ height that if you fly good parameters that would be accurate to ±200’ or so. The simplified math is probably more accurate than most people can fly in practice.
If I were attempting it I would feel satisfied as “perfect enough” if my peak altitude was good to 250’, tracking time ±1s, release altitude ±250’, final attack heading ±3°, speed ±25kt. The pre-computed symbols are to make the maneuver easier to get it done good enough not to get killed. For example maybe your wingman has a complimentary pop up that goes left instead of right and you want both of you to escape the blast envelope of both bombs from each other so timing and accuracy matters. Or perhaps the target is the door of a bunker and you need to be within 10 degrees of the tunnel to get good effect.
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Although in fairness, in BMS your last isnt likely to be a problem…
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in other words,only a guideline for the approach and attack rather than a precise path.???
I agree. The point and heading where the pullup begins is very important. If you are off by a small margin you may not find the symbols in the 20* FOV HUD. As backup use the pitch ladder and heading for the pullup. I try to get eyes on the target during the pullup rather than being fixated on the HUD. Put the target on the liftline pull at the preplan altitude. Use CCIP. I don’t know if a popup attack can be used like a CCRP blind attack.
I’ve would like to know the details on the Raid on the Reactor popup attack. I think one pilot had to do a loop to re-acquire the target.
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I agree. The point and heading where the pullup begins is very important. If you are off by a small margin you may not find the symbols in the 20* FOV HUD. As backup use the pitch ladder and heading for the pullup. I try to get eyes on the target during the pullup rather than being fixated on the HUD. Put the target on the liftline pull at the preplan altitude. Use CCIP. I don’t know if a popup attack can be used like a CCRP blind attack.
I’ve would like to know the details on the Raid on the Reactor popup attack. I think one pilot had to do a loop to re-acquire the target.
Id be very surprised if they had done so, given the strictures of fuel planning for that mission. Its not like in BMS where you just casually do a second pass - especially for that mission, at the very edge of the total mission radius.
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thanks again,
with all of these precisions,i will certainly improve my chances of success in those sead missions which is the sole purpose of this planning;that is to hit the target before being detected and getting out of the area safely with presumably a wingman. -
I like dumb iron bombs on popup attacks against bridges, compounds, buildings, etc. With a short time of flight it can be an accurate way to deliver a lot of fire power on a target.
For smaller targets like vehicles and SAM (DEAD) I like CBUs. The CBUs don’t need the accuracy and CCRP lofting attack can be used. It’s safer.