wind correction of WCMD sub-munitions in Real Life?

[LJQCN101]

We know that in current and previous versions of DCS A-10C, dropping WCMDs under crosswind conditions usually results in a burst right above the SPI location and the sub-munitions will drift far away from the target. The only option left is to manually correct the wind drift by moving the SPI to a upwind position.

 

But there's some information about the WCMD found in the F-16AMLU M3 manual which states that the WCMD does have a wind correction function that will estimate the amount of drift of the sub-munitions and adjust the dispense point based on dynamic calculations of wind effect enroute to the dispense point. So I wonder if the A-10C will do the same thing IRL, and just not implemented in DCS A-10C?

 

 

Cross-checked with B-52H manual that also stated the same:

 

Edited July 27, 2015 by LJQCN101

[baltic_dragon]

I think that the wind data introduced in LASTE -> WIND page will effect all types of unguided munitions you use.

[Kimi_uy]

@Baltic,

 

So you say that dropping WCMDs with wind corrections added to the LASTE the submunitions will correct for the wind drift of the submunitions?

(I'm strictly asking about the CBU-105)

[LJQCN101]

I think that the wind data introduced in LASTE -> WIND page will effect all types of unguided munitions you use.

 

Correct for unguided bombs. However the INS/GPS weapons are able to guide themselves to the SPI position. The the wind data in LASTE -> WIND page will only change the release point of the bomb, it won't change where the INS/GPS weapon is going to hit (or dispense for WCMDs), if the release point is within optimum release zones.

[baltic_dragon]

Yeah, my bad, I didn't read the OP carefully enough. 105 does not fall in the remits. I stand corrected, Sir.

[EcceHomo]

The CBU-105 can not wind-bias the BLU-018, the game only modifies the CBU-105, and the BLU-108 is blown away from the target. This can not be called WCMD.

[Frederf]

"Wind-corrected" munitions dispensers have nothing to do with wind. They are INS bombs just like JDAM only missing the GPS element. If WCMD is "wind-corrected" then so is AIM-120, JDAM, Paveway, Maverick, etc. They are wind-corrected by virtue that they are guided weapons.

 

WCMD simply flies to a pre-designated point like JDAM. This point isn't the target because it is not an ordinary bomb. Instead it navigates to a defined dispense point. The WCMD never knows where the target is. It only knows where the dispense point is. This offset between target and dispense point is computed by the delivery platform (e.g. A-10). The platform downloads the relative position of the dispense point to WCMD immediately before release.

 

Now the contents of WCMD are usually not guided in anyway. As such the delivery platform will choose a dispense point which takes into consideration the ballistics of the unguided submunitions including wind. The A-10 simply modifies the dispense point upwind by some amount.

 

The A-10 also does this kind of calculation for illumination rockets, LUU flares, non-WCMD CBUs, etc. E.g. when you want your illumination rocket to be 2000' height at a specific point it will direct you to fire toward a point such that 50% of the flare burn time after arrival it will have descended through the point also accounting for wind drift. The path of the burning flare will start upwind and above the point and drift through it to downwind and below.

 

So for CBU-105 you should find that the WCMD flies to a location upwind of the target compared to the no-wind situation.