GAU-8 and CBU-97 questions

Hey,

 

First of all I'd like to say this sim is absolutely brilliant. It's the first sim I've got into and I'm really enjoying it. Learning new stuff each time I play :) I am having some problems though.

 

Firstly my GAU-8's accuracy is quite poor. My rounds usually land above the target. Sometimes it's really bad and sometimes it's acceptable. I'm not sure if it's a configuration issue, my angle of approach or something else. Can someone please provide some insight into what things I should consider to achieve successful strafes?

 

Another issue is using laser designation for CBU-97s. I've noticed in

that he is able to use the laser targeting to drop CBU-97s just like in the tutorial but I'm unable to do this. At the moment I'm manually aiming them and putting myself at danger in the process. What am I missing? I set the configuration to CCRP but it does seem his profile page for his CBU-97s is different to mine. I guess he's running an older version but anyway, some help on how to drop bombs like in the tutorial would be appreciated. I believe I'm following all steps correctly but the time to release thing on the HUD never appears!

 

Thanks for any help!

CBU-97s

Are non-guided. Drop them like dumb bombs. The cbu-105 on the other hand is a cbu-97 with a Wind Corrected Munition Dispenser (WCMD) tail kit installed.

 

Regarding the Gau-8, try to put the gun pipper in front of the target and attack it in a relatively steep dive. Fire within 0.7-0.5 nm seperation from the tank to ensure good hits, it's quite close

Edited July 2, 2011 by PhiXX

Hi for your first point. The accuracy of the gun, you understand about the 2 stage trigger and the Gun PAC system that stabilizes the plane and keeps the target "locked"

 

Try this http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1176664#post1176664

 

And your second point AFAIK the CBU 97 are deployed in CCIP mode and can be dropped from a dive onto target from height, lofted or deployed suicidaly in low level runs:)

Are not non-guided. Drop them like dumb bombs. The cbu-105 on the other hand is a cbu-97 with a Wind Corrected Munition Dispenser (WCMD) tail kit installed.

 

That makes sense but can you explain why the dude in that video is able to drop them as guided bombs? He begins lining up around 35:30.

 

snip

 

Thanks man, that looks ideal :)

Hey,

 

First of all I'd like to say this sim is absolutely brilliant. It's the first sim I've got into and I'm really enjoying it. Learning new stuff each time I play :) I am having some problems though.

 

Firstly my GAU-8's accuracy is quite poor. My rounds usually land above the target. Sometimes it's really bad and sometimes it's acceptable. I'm not sure if it's a configuration issue, my angle of approach or something else. Can someone please provide some insight into what things I should consider to achieve successful strafes?

 

Another issue is using laser designation for CBU-97s. I've noticed in

that he is able to use the laser targeting to drop CBU-97s just like in the tutorial but I'm unable to do this. At the moment I'm manually aiming them and putting myself at danger in the process. What am I missing? I set the configuration to CCRP but it does seem his profile page for his CBU-97s is different to mine. I guess he's running an older version but anyway, some help on how to drop bombs like in the tutorial would be appreciated. I believe I'm following all steps correctly but the time to release thing on the HUD never appears!

 

Thanks for any help!

 

I've never had the GAU-8 problem you are describing, all I can say is make sure you are in GUNS mode on the HUD and make sure the range is good (the outside line on the gun piper will begin winding down counterclockwise), put the target dead center on the little dot and fire. Dead target for me every time.:thumbup:

 

A standard CBU-97 doesnt need and cant even use a laser designation, it is a dumb bomb. To drop one in CCRP mode is quite easy; select a CBU from the inventory, find the target with the TGP(the laser can be turned on or off, it doesnt matter) set the TGP to "point" mode and then fly level straight at the target until the release cue begins to drop. As the release cue starts dropping press and hold the weapon release button until the bomb pickles. Since the CBU is unguided it will depend on how straight you flew into the target and the winds aloft that will determine your accuracy.

I try to use the CCIP mode with dumb bombs, this increases accuracy greatly, though you will probably get down around 5000-4000 ft. during the bombing run. Dont hesitate if you have more questions.

Hey,

 

First of all I'd like to say this sim is absolutely brilliant. It's the first sim I've got into and I'm really enjoying it. Learning new stuff each time I play :) I am having some problems though.

 

Firstly my GAU-8's accuracy is quite poor. My rounds usually land above the target. Sometimes it's really bad and sometimes it's acceptable. I'm not sure if it's a configuration issue, my angle of approach or something else. Can someone please provide some insight into what things I should consider to achieve successful strafes?

 

Another issue is using laser designation for CBU-97s. I've noticed in

that he is able to use the laser targeting to drop CBU-97s just like in the tutorial but I'm unable to do this. At the moment I'm manually aiming them and putting myself at danger in the process. What am I missing? I set the configuration to CCRP but it does seem his profile page for his CBU-97s is different to mine. I guess he's running an older version but anyway, some help on how to drop bombs like in the tutorial would be appreciated. I believe I'm following all steps correctly but the time to release thing on the HUD never appears!

 

Thanks for any help!

 

Go take a look at my IVS. Gau-8 and CCIP are covered and reviewed well.

 

Hope they help

 

'T'

Firstly my GAU-8's accuracy is quite poor. My rounds usually land above the target. Sometimes it's really bad and sometimes it's acceptable. I'm not sure if it's a configuration issue, my angle of approach or something else. Can someone please provide some insight into what things I should consider to achieve successful strafes?

 

In the absence of a track I would guess that your dive-angle is a wee bit shallow. Depending on your target, it might be advisable to 'come down on top of it' so to speak in a relatively steep dive. For soft targets this is obviously not so essential.

 

Also ensure that your PAC system is engaged prior to running in with the cannon. If you want, I can put together a track for you to view depending on the targets you're having an issue with - just shout if needed.

 

 

Another issue is using laser designation for CBU-97s. I believe I'm following all steps correctly but the time to release thing on the HUD never appears!

 

Apart from range-finding and accurate target designation, the laser is useless for CBU's as stated above. You are in all probability forgetting to mark the target as SPI prior to running in, hence the absence of the release cue.

 

Post a track if you're having issues and we can tell you where you're erring :)

Thanks for the brilliant response. It has already cleared a few things up.

 

I'm still unsure as to why I don't get a release cue. When I fly the campaign mission I seem to follow all steps (set to CCRP, target with TGP, set as SPI) and fly over around 10k but it just doesn't appear :( I'll have another crack and if it doesn't work I'll upload my track :) Thanks for the offer.

 

By the way how exactly is PAC enabled? I did scan the cockpit but couldn't find anything and the video posted by Cibit doesn't actually explain that bit.

That makes sense but can you explain why the dude in that video is able to drop them as guided bombs? He begins lining up around 35:30.

 

He is not.

 

He is dropping them via CCRP with the target designated as SPI. Can verify in both the HUD and the TGP that laser was inactive duting the bomb-run. Laser symbol (L) would have been flashing at 2 Hz had the laser been firing.

 

 

 

By the way how exactly is PAC enabled? I did scan the cockpit but couldn't find anything and the video posted by Cibit doesn't actually explain that bit.

 

On the Armament HUD Control Panel, the switch next to the Master switch - set it Up, ie to GUN/PAC ARM.

He is not.

 

He is dropping them via CCRP with the target designated as SPI. Can verify in both the HUD and the TGP that laser was inactive duting the bomb-run. Laser symbol (L) would have been flashing at 2 Hz had the laser been firing.

 

Yeah I got slightly confused, I thought that was laser bombing :)

 

On the Armament HUD Control Panel, the switch next to the Master switch - set it Up, ie to GUN/PAC ARM.

 

OK thanks man. I'll give it a try now.

 

Thanks again everyone.

One bit of information I haven't yet seen explicitly mentioned here (though it might be in the IVS that was linked), which probably accounts for the stated gun behavior (consistently hitting above the target):

 

Ensure your IFFCC elevation data is correct for the target. It should either be set to DTS (you'll see "DTS" in the bottom right of the HUD) or else the elevation data for your currently selected waypoint MUST be the correct elevation for the target. If your elevation is set too high, the IFFCC will think the target is higher than it really is, and will shoot high, causing the rounds to land long of the target.

 

Coming in at a very steep dive angle will minimize any errors in elevation data (since the rounds/ bombs drop in a more vertical line), but will not completely fix it.

 

This is the same reason that for real life artillery (I was a forward observer for some 5 years), it's very important to get target elevation for low-angle (generally howitzer or NGF) fire, but not particularly important for high angle fire (like mortars), which drop onto the target at a steep angle.

Well I finally managed to get CCRP bombing to work. Although I had CCRP selected within the CBU-97 profile page, I hadn't selected CCRP mode for the HUD :)

 

I had greater success going in at a much deeper angle (around -25). Thanks for the heads-up about DTS. I'll be sure to check that when I next fly.

Yeah I got slightly confused, I thought that was laser bombing :)

 

The release Mode CCRP (Continuously Computed Release Point Page 541 in the Manual) is nothings else than a release mode. You can release a rock or a bottle of beer by this, if this would be possible. This mode only calculates the moment you have to release a Bomb to get as close as possible to the target, nothings else. The laser guided weapon only uses its laser abilities to use the illuminated Point on an Object to hit this. CCRP and laser guided Bombs do not "belong" together. they only work perfectly together.

Happy to help. Good to hear you're having more success with steeper angles. I would recommend aiming for -35 to -45; steeper is almost always better. But then again, usually I do my attacks as low-altitude ingress with a steep pop-up, roll in, and a very short but steep dive (only get three or four seconds to line the target up). Steeper dives are often harder to time from high altitudes, though, so your mileage may vary.

A standard CBU-97 doesnt need and cant even use a laser designation, it is a dumb bomb. To drop one in CCRP mode is quite easy; select a CBU from the inventory, find the target with the TGP(the laser can be turned on or off, it doesnt matter) set the TGP to "point" mode and then fly level straight at the target until the release cue begins to drop. As the release cue starts dropping press and hold the weapon release button until the bomb pickles. Since the CBU is unguided it will depend on how straight you flew into the target and the winds aloft that will determine your accuracy.

I try to use the CCIP mode with dumb bombs, this increases accuracy greatly, though you will probably get down around 5000-4000 ft. during the bombing run. Dont hesitate if you have more questions.

 

I drop CBUs in CCRP from 25k feet all the time. If there is wind though, they will usually not hit exactly where I wanted them to, but even with extreme winds I will usually hit close enough to kill something, considering they are CBUs. I'm guessing it has to do more with the wind profile (how it varies with altitudes) than the actual speed, but I'm pulling at straws here.. I need to do that CDU wind correction tutorial.

 

The TGP never has to be in point mode for anything. All point mode does is auto-track a moving target.

The TGP never has to be in point mode for anything. All point mode does is auto-track a moving target.

 

So you neeed point mode if you want to drop an LGB on a moving target :P

Well thanks to all the help I just managed to complete the first campaign mission without any aids besides tooltips! My wingman didn't make it but I landed without a scratch :D

 

I did encounter strange problems though. Towards the end of the mission I started to experience some very strange speed readings on my HUD. At first it would hardly move when I increased/decreased acceleration (it stayed around 250). This carried on for a while then after I dived for a strafe I started to get lower readings when I was gaining speed. It was just generally acting up. I'm not sure if it's connected but my autopilot also started playing up on the flight home. It would engage but it would quickly misalign and disengage. I didn't get hit so I suspect I accidentally activated something. Even more strange is that after contacting ATC or sometime shortly after both the speed reading and autopilot started to function correctly.

 

Has anyone else ever experienced this behaviour?

You didn't activate pitot heat and your pitot tube froze up, messing up your air data readings.

Hehe thanks. Where in the cockpit can I find the pilot heat button?

Hehe thanks. Where in the cockpit can I find the pilot heat button?

 

Environment System Panel next to the CDU (On your Right).

Viper's help aside ... in the manual ... get to it ;)

 

Hehe thanks. Where in the cockpit can I find the pilot heat button?

Thank you :thumbup:

 

Yes I really must start reading it properly. I think I've got a rough understanding about most things to actually understand/appreciate it now.

I also suggest doing the training ... it at least teaches you about operation, though it won't tell you about failure modes.

I've already done the training but I probably should go over it again to pick out bits I didn't catch first time round. Incidentally pilot heating is never mentioned during training.

Strange, I'm pretty sure it should have been part of startup or taxi, but I could be wrong. Also check the checklists.