Best munitions for runways

[Bert77]

So what bombs do people generally use for hitting runways? I just tried using blu107s, got all direct on the runway with a low pass using CCIP but no damage? I thought that was their purpose but is there something better and more effective?

[FanOfBMS432]

did you set your arming delay correctly? If they’re not armed, nothing will explode (except your temper )

[Bert77]

@FanOfBMS432:

did you set your arming delay correctly? If they’re not armed, nothing will explode (except your temper )

Ahh, must have missed something here. Never used them before. Any pointers to the procedure?

[haukka81]

@Bert77:

Ahh, must have missed something here. Never used them before. Any pointers to the procedure?

RTFM

[Bert77]

@haukka81:

RTFM

Yeah guess I was asking for that! Just a hint as to where I could find it in the manual would be good. Spent quite a bit of time on this sim and reading manuals and genuinely not seen a procedure for this munition.

[FanOfBMS432]

In the manual (pdf) do a search for “SMS AG Control Page” … It’s all there, follow the steps. BLU107 (durandals) would be a correct weapon of choice for taking out runways.

[Drexx]

When you set ripple (RP) to higher than one you need to keep the pickle button pressed down till ripple ends (set to 6), AD to 0.20 and 0.10 (anything below ‘1’ is good) and impact spacing to 900+, should work ok if your run is good, good alt etc.

[SoBad]

@FanOfBMS432:

In the manual (pdf) do a search for “SMS AG Control Page” … It’s all there, follow the steps. BLU107 (durandals) would be a correct weapon of choice for taking out runways.

In the manual (pdf), “SMS AG Control Page” returns nothing. “SMS AG” returns nothing. “AG Control” returns nothing. “Control Page” returns two matches that are completely unrelated to the issue of BLU-107s.

[schnidrman]

Go to 10K ft. Then you don’t need to worry about AD (arming delay) until you learn how to use the SMS on the MFD.

[SoBad]

@schnidrman:

Go to 10K ft. Then you don’t need to worry about AD (arming delay) until you learn how to use the SMS on the MFD.

Or, set an appropriate arming delay and buzz the runway at 500’, 500mph, pickling each bomb between flare/chaff drops. MUCH more fun!

[Drexx]

Or try flying a campaign just using mk dumb bombs for every AG mission, its actually quite fun to fly, diving in for the kill CCIP, max power, no fuss .

[GhoStPePPer]

@Drexx:

Or try flying a campaign just using mk dumb bombs for every AG mission, its actually quite fun to fly, diving in for the kill CCIP, max power, no fuss .

true story!

[schnidrman]

As a side note, Arming Delay, Burst Altitude, Ripple, etc. etc. etc. can be set much more easily using Weapons Delivery Planner. If you don’t already have it you can download it here from the creators’ website.

http://www.weapondeliveryplanner.nl/

Be sure to thank him for this wonderful tool!

[Bert77]

Ok think I have worked this out now by experimenting with the CNTL page on the MFD when BLU are active weapon. Although I still can’t find anything in the manuals about this!
Cheers.

[VDoggFTM]

This is what I do to attack a runway at low level with BLU-107: (from memory).

I use CCIP and an arming delay of 0.2 seconds.

Select BLU-107 on SMS page and press OSB 7 to change into Profile 2 (for me this is always CCIP). Use OSB 8 (single or pairs), 9 (spacing between releases) and 10 (number of bombs dropped with each pickle) to set these values as desired.

I tend to just use single (rather than pairs mode), and leave RP as 1 and just pickle whenever the CCIP marker is over the part I want to hit rather than dropping multiple bombs with 1 pickle - this means I can ignore the spacing value - this means I can maneuver a little between releases to line up on the runway when I no doubt don’t come in straight.

Press OSB 5 to go into the CNTL page.

Press OSB 20 and then enter 20 (OSB 19, OSB 10), press ENTR (OSB 2), and then repeat. (I add same to both - first is Nose Fuse, second is Tail Fuse).

This video shows the above (but the pilot sets 2 seconds and 4 seconds rather than 0.2 seconds like I would - but he’s not attacking a runway at low altitude in the video) - https://youtu.be/Y2bE0tzQqAQ?t=376

[Blu3wolf]

well you dont get arming delays of 0.2 seconds on real bombs. 2 is often the shortest arming delay that can be set on a fuze.

[pandacat]

I have had many successful uses of BLU107. Some of my observations:
1. I think 2 AD works. The bomb is parachuted down, so got plenty of time to descend. To be safe, set it around 1s.
2. 900+ spacing is way too wide for a normal runway unless you are only dropping 2 bombs. I usually use 750 for 6xBombs and 600 for 12xbombs.
3. Steep CCIP dive bombing doesn’t really work for ripple bombing this weapon. Cuz in steep dive, your speed builds up very fast and it takes a while to go thru the ripple train. By the time you done with 12 bombs, you’ll be dangerously close to the ground. High alt CCRP doesn’t work either. A runway is a very narrow target, unless you get a perfect lineup, a lot of the bombs will be off target due to wind etc.
4. Best approach is low alt shallow dive CCIP. Just like you are lining up to land on that runway. Aim your piper at the center of the runway. As soon as you see the little short lines disappear from your drop line, hold down your pickle then fly your jet to keep it lined up with runway.
5. If you want to be realistic, don’t use BLU107. The most preferred anti runway weapon is laze GBUs or GPS bombs. Fly high, well outside most of the ground defense.

[taotoo]

I use JSOW for the stand-off advantage. Not as effective or fun, but safer than Durandals.

[derk]

My success story with BLU107’s on runways. (from memory)

Fence In - SMS Page - CNTL OSB - set AD (arming delay) to 0.50. The manual is best to explain setting this as I may just confuse things.
If you are on the SMS page with the BLU107’s set and the AD setting in the middle of the page is 0.50, then you got it.
This arms the missile almost instantly once it’s released.

Set CCIP mode.
Line up with runway centerline between 3 and 6 miles out and under 1000 AGL. This reduces chance of AAA and Manpad hits.
I typically am under 1000 AGL once over enemy territory. Used to be fun on TFR when the Block 40 had it as an option.

Slight dive when over the runway to place the piper. Pickle each BLU107 individually and space them over the length of the runway. I’ve found that I get more ‘Destroyed’ scores this way. It appears there may be two or three “hit” zones on each runway which may explain why the Recon targets list runways 2 or 4 times. One BLU107 in one of the undamaged ‘hit’ zones will give a “Destroyed” score, while any others in that area will just give “Damaged”. This is only from my observations.

Pull off the end of the run low into a high G turn staying under 1000, chaff and flare, switch to CAT I.
You can switch to AA Mode for bandits, or stay in AG mode to plot your egress course around ground target areas until your clear and can climb out.

I can typically carry 12 BLU107’s and hit two runways on one sortie. With a human wingman we can hit at least three runways. AI is useless trying to get them to line up on the runway centerline, so I bring them for AA cover. Even when I have them in trail and give the “Attack my Target” command, they hit taxiways and lights.

This may not be the ‘real’ way of doing it, but it works well for me, and the BLU107 is my only choice for runways. Anytime I’ve tried laser bombs at higher altitudes either the SAM’s or AAA get me. Staying at 1000 AGL or under and going fast is best for me. Plan for plenty of fuel since low level flight will use it fast.

[Ripper]

2 sec delay and ripple 3, run down center line and call it a pass. Depending on circumstances I aim to release above 5k ft.