LGB's lofting …
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Hi guys,
I am a bit out of answers for a particular subject; lofting LGB’s.
I am considering attacking a target tht is defended by a SAM site, and i need to hit that target with such an accuracy that i need PGM on it. I want to ingress a low altitude for various reasons.
The target can be a ship, or another high value target.
The weapons of choice in the actual BMS version are: GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-16. As far as i know the Paveway II siystem is well reproduced in BMS 4.32
Now, i know that the airplane will carry 2 each of those bombs … and i also know that you don’t fire an LGB in pairs … for the ovious reason that there is only one laser beam to follow.
So my first problem is …controlling the airplane after release … especially with GBU-16 or 10, the airplane rolls on the heavy wing, which is very tricky to counter when you are in the climb for the loft …
Second problem … lofting a LGB kinda makes you a sitting duck for several seconds where after the little climb for the loft you turn left so that the TGP can illuminate the target until bomb impact. You can not dive to steeply wile turning left, because you need to see the target with TGP …then you can do what you want.
And … since you carry two LGB’s … you need to make a second pass on target … from a different direction …but still make sure that when banking left for target illumination you do not go into terrain or overfly another threat.
So … in what tactcal scenario would you do a LGB loft bombing ? … surely not where you have no SAM’s or AAA …because then you could do a level release … and if the weather is a concern … then well …it sucks for you.
GBU-12’s are good at gliding wen being lofted
Those are some of the questions that go trough my head for such an attack planning … i tried several times lofting attacks with GBU-12’s … it is true that i do not have to overlfy the target during the whole attack … and that with ECM “ON” …i basically give my 12 and 6 o’clock cones during the most part of the attack … and i am comming in fast and go out fast … but 10 seconds sound like a lot of time when there are threats all around.
Another problem … illumination of the same point on the target, troughout the wole attack phase … let’s say, i want the bomb to impact the roof of the target … no problem at the apex of my lofting maneuver … but while going down, the angle that is being created from my TGp to the target …only allows me to target the wall or anoher structural part of the building.
So i guees you need of course to take into consideration the elevation of the target (if it is a building) …and more …
Does anybody have inputs to all the above, ideas, experience … knowledge on the matter, if yes, please chime in.
Spooky.
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well, for one thing, you can drop LGBs in pairs. One beam, two seekers - so as long as the DMPI for both LGBs is the same, you can drop in pairs.
For your first problem, there is this handy hat on the joystick labelled ‘trim’. Rather handy for flying for periods of time assymetrically.
For the second problem, that is a problem. Only advice I can offer is to try to minimise the climb - loft at high speed and inside max range - NOT at the max range indicated by the cue (which is outside max range anyway….).
Making two passes is a bit of an issue, as it removes the element of surprise. More ideal to have two passes if the first pass wipes out their ability to effectively retaliate.
reasons for planning an LGB loft event - not wanting to overfly the target area. Loads of MANPADS expected at the target area for example, or other SHORAD types. Needing more accuracy than a ‘dumb’ loft provides. target area and en route area defended too well by SAMs that only cover above low altitude.
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Thanks for the input mate
Yes i know about the Trimm, but try it out with the GBU-10 and you will see why it is an issue, even withthe trim, the airplane rolls so fast and hard that you can’t trimmit in enough time …you will see what i mean by that.
Got it for the 2 LGB’s at the same time, i also just saw that, interesting read … especially for the range at which the loft is inititated https://books.google.ci/books?id=3bABwDOExOMC&pg=PA131&lpg=PA131&dq=LGB%27s+lofting+attack&source=bl&ots=ccWdYoGizS&sig=ZC4CYbK7b-WYIgWblASJwBTZt-I&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZpQWVZ3rDsz7aJzKgvgJ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=LGB’s%20lofting%20attack&f=false
Totally agree with you on the two passes …kinda asking for more trouble than needed … another thing to consider for a second pass … “wingman status”.
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Spooky,
Any reason you do not want to use GPS guided weapons?
Edit: Forgot…not much useful if target is moving. I am guessing that is your case.
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Spooky,
Any reason you do not want to use GPS guided weapons?
Edit: Forgot…not much useful if target is moving. I am guessing that is your case.
Hi mate
The reason i actually want to do a LGB lofting is because it is fun in BMS and that i saw that if properly executed it is kinda working well …. in my opinion i only use it against non moving targets.
The GPS bombs are not modelled accurately in BMS 4.32 … and the GBU-24B is not modelled either … Paveway II is properly modelled tough. (as far as i know)
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Well, that one with the F4’s won’t work in the viper I think. As far as I know, the pod is not able to paint targets at your direct 6’o clock. Based on those pictures on F-16.net http://www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article2.html I would assume that you can paint an area of maybe 70° off your nose, working better to the right side since it’s hanging there like you stated so maybe you would have to adjust that tactic a little.
I found that popping the brakes after release useful, since a somewhat slower speed will reduce the turn radius which is important in this case since CAT III limits you go 5.5G. You can’t do any violent turns with the target locked (not sure if that is modelled), so I usually go in with about 550kts, pull up, release, pop my brake, roll to the left smoothly, initiate the turn and get the brakes back in when reaching 450kts. When rolling wings level, I go back to the 550kts (or higher if MIL / stores will allow).
Interesting read with the F-4’s, I used steeper loft angles until now but will try that 10° climb like they stated.
You can also loft the first LGB and drop the second one in a level delivery to attack to targets in a single pass, but this only works with about angels 20 or so.
Although I’m not sure if anyone has ever tried this in real life. It works in BMS, but you have to pick two targets very close to each other in order to make it work.JDAM’s are for beginners, real pros use LGB’s :bowd: