Pocket Sized Posted May 23, 2016 Posted May 23, 2016 GBU-38: A Mk-82 with GPS and canards slapped on the front. These little guys are my favorite armaments to use on the field. All you have to do is put your TGP on something, set it as SPI, and fly over it. No fiddling with lasers or profiles, it just works. It's really good for taking out IR SAMs if you're up high. Y'all know of any other weapons/tactics that aren't talked about enough? DCS modules are built up to a spec, not down to a schedule. In order to utilize a system to your advantage, you must know how it works.
SnorreSelmer Posted May 23, 2016 Posted May 23, 2016 For stationary targets, sure. I prefer LGBs myself.. The JDAMs do have one benefit over the LGBs though: if you mark multiple targets you can hit a number of targets in one pass. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk ASUS Z170-P w/ Intel i7-7700, 32GB DDR4 RAM, SSDs out the wazoo and a GTX 1080Ti, Oculus Rift CV1, TM Warthog stick and throttle, TM Cougar MFDs, MFG Crosswind pedals and WheelStandPro Warthog (w/ the custom small Warthog plate) Former F-16 Ground Crew @ RNoAF [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Zabuzard Posted May 23, 2016 Posted May 23, 2016 (edited) IRL you have a cost factor and the weight factor also applies for us. What I have heard is that it is very rare IRL that you fly with loads like most DCS users fly with. They are mostly far too heavy. Because of that you'll prefer the most flexibility with your small loadout. Often, especially in sense of CAS, you interact with ground crews. Therefore a laser guided weapon is often a good choice. Think of an infantry unit that has a laser range finder but no stuff for calculating exact geographic positions. It's just very flexible. For strike attacks, like F-15 did often on some enemy compounds, there is no need for laser guided ammunition. You know the target, it is stationary, you'll use a unguided or GPS guided ammunition. It all depends on the type of mission I'd say :) My personal favorite is the CBU-97 and its wind corrected variant. It just kills every group of tanks, even if they move or are widely spread. Edited May 23, 2016 by Zabuza
StrongHarm Posted May 23, 2016 Posted May 23, 2016 Since we don't have to 'pay for' the weapons we employ in DCS I prefer the CBU-105. I've found that if I take out the threats with Mavs with good standoff, then get most of the armored targets with 105s, I can clean then up with cannons. You can rack up 50 targets in a single sortie if the situation is right and you do it smartly. IRL 38s are an ingenious and inexpensive way to ensure good BDA with limited collateral damage. I'm anxious to see how the F-35 does with the (twice as expensive, but 10 times more capable) GBU-39. With advanced terminal guidance, moving target capability, and a 60nm range, it might be a real CAS game changer. It's a good thing that this is Early Access and we've all volunteered to help test and enhance this work in progress... despite the frustrations inherent in the task with even the simplest of software... otherwise people might not understand that this incredibly complex unfinished module is unfinished. /light-hearted sarcasm
Deezle Posted May 23, 2016 Posted May 23, 2016 For most stationary targets I do prefer a JDAM, sometimes not quite accurate enough to kill a tank though, I try to carry one LGB for hitting a moving target which will then get the column to stop. I don't like how limited LGBs are below 6Kish feet, they tend not to find the laser on time and fall short. JDAMs can be fairly quick to employ too, place your HUD TDC on a target, make it your SPI and pickle. I think the G/K model Mavericks are underrated, they pack quite a punch. Intel 9600K@4.7GHz, Asus Z390, 64GB DDR4, EVGA RTX 3070, Custom Water Cooling, 970 EVO 1TB NVMe 34" UltraWide 3440x1440 Curved Monitor, 21" Touch Screen MFD monitor, TIR5 My Pit Build, Moza AB9 FFB w/WH Grip, TMWH Throttle, MFG Crosswinds W/Combat Pedals/Damper, Custom A-10C panels, Custom Helo Collective, SimShaker with Transducer
Pocket Sized Posted May 23, 2016 Author Posted May 23, 2016 I think the G/K model Mavericks are underrated, they pack quite a punch. How do they differ from the D? DCS modules are built up to a spec, not down to a schedule. In order to utilize a system to your advantage, you must know how it works.
NeilWillis Posted May 23, 2016 Posted May 23, 2016 They have a larger warhead, but of course are also much heavier, and you are limted to carrying just 1 on each of the pylons.
StrongHarm Posted May 23, 2016 Posted May 23, 2016 I think the G/K model Mavericks are underrated, they pack quite a punch. I believe you're right. I did some weapons testing and found that the AGM-64G/K does more residual blast damage to surrounding units than the MK-84, GBU-10, or GBU-31. This should not be the case, but I'm sure ED will modify weapons for the 2.5 release. It's a good thing that this is Early Access and we've all volunteered to help test and enhance this work in progress... despite the frustrations inherent in the task with even the simplest of software... otherwise people might not understand that this incredibly complex unfinished module is unfinished. /light-hearted sarcasm
vstolmech513 Posted May 24, 2016 Posted May 24, 2016 For stationary targets, sure. I prefer LGBs myself.. The JDAMs do have one benefit over the LGBs though: if you mark multiple targets you can hit a number of targets in one pass. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Wish they would model the new dual mode bombs that are currently in use. They are just as accurate as GBUs with the flexibility to use them on moving targets with the laser mode.
xaoslaad Posted May 24, 2016 Posted May 24, 2016 For most stationary targets I do prefer a JDAM, sometimes not quite accurate enough to kill a tank though, I try to carry one LGB for hitting a moving target which will then get the column to stop. I don't like how limited LGBs are below 6Kish feet, they tend not to find the laser on time and fall short. JDAMs can be fairly quick to employ too, place your HUD TDC on a target, make it your SPI and pickle. I think the G/K model Mavericks are underrated, they pack quite a punch. You wouldn't like me. I often change group behavior to keep moving rather than dispersing. I dont think stop and become a sitting duck is very realistic...
Panhead Posted May 24, 2016 Posted May 24, 2016 I often change group behavior to keep moving rather than dispersing.To be expected from a being from Limbo. :)
Pocket Sized Posted May 24, 2016 Author Posted May 24, 2016 I think the external tanks could be used to speed up turnaround... just xfer the fuel from the bag into the plane and drop it before reaching the AO. DCS modules are built up to a spec, not down to a schedule. In order to utilize a system to your advantage, you must know how it works.
Eddie Posted May 24, 2016 Posted May 24, 2016 I think the external tanks could be used to speed up turnaround... just xfer the fuel from the bag into the plane and drop it before reaching the AO. That is exactly how external tanks feed fuel, but how do you think it would that affect turn around times? It doesn't, if anything tanks increase turn around time as it takes longer to refuel the aircraft. But I'm curious why you think tanks would have any impact on reducing turn around time.
QuiGon Posted May 24, 2016 Posted May 24, 2016 That is exactly how external tanks feed fuel, but how do you think it would that affect turn around times? It doesn't, if anything tanks increase turn around time as it takes longer to refuel the aircraft. But I'm curious why you think tanks would have any impact on reducing turn around time. Loading external tanks onto the aircraft just takes about 2-3 seconds per tank in DCS, whereas refueling the inner tanks takes some minutes. Exploiting this comes close to cheating IMHO. Intel i7-12700K @ 8x5GHz+4x3.8GHz + 32 GB DDR5 RAM + Nvidia Geforce RTX 2080 (8 GB VRAM) + M.2 SSD + Windows 10 64Bit DCS Panavia Tornado (IDS) really needs to be a thing!
Eddie Posted May 24, 2016 Posted May 24, 2016 Ah, yes, DCS loads tanks full of fuel doesn't it, as opposed to just increasing the available fuel capacity. It'd be interesting to hear how the jets flies as the A-10, and most others would likely be out of CofG limits with part filled internal tanks and full externals.
Pocket Sized Posted May 25, 2016 Author Posted May 25, 2016 I discovered why lots of people don't use the GBU-38. I read the 38 has an accuracy of some 30 feet and thought that's all I'd ever need... until I noticed hitting tanks was about a 60% chance which drops to 0% as soon as they move. Didn't want to mess with GBU-12's because of all the confusion involved with setting up the laser. Eventually I put one on the middle pylon just for giggles and didn't touch the laser settings. It worked very well. In fact, I tested a few more and found that they hit so accurately there isn't any visible offset between the crater's center and your TGP crosshair. Also you can carry an absurd number of them. I think I found my new favorite weapon. DCS modules are built up to a spec, not down to a schedule. In order to utilize a system to your advantage, you must know how it works.
Xavven Posted May 26, 2016 Posted May 26, 2016 I discovered why lots of people don't use the GBU-38. I read the 38 has an accuracy of some 30 feet and thought that's all I'd ever need... until I noticed hitting tanks was about a 60% chance which drops to 0% as soon as they move. Didn't want to mess with GBU-12's because of all the confusion involved with setting up the laser. Eventually I put one on the middle pylon just for giggles and didn't touch the laser settings. It worked very well. In fact, I tested a few more and found that they hit so accurately there isn't any visible offset between the crater's center and your TGP crosshair. Also you can carry an absurd number of them. I think I found my new favorite weapon. I also favor the GBU-12 over the GBU-38, but there's a downside in that it's not all-weather capable. I think the M-151 rockets are underrated. A friend just showed me that setting it to ripple-pairs qty 42 will fire as long as the pickle button is depressed, and stop as soon as released. For infantry at a known location with soft skinned vehicles, it's a neat display of force. I used to hate these things, but if you use up 20 on a pass, it'll do :D
xaoslaad Posted May 26, 2016 Posted May 26, 2016 Ya, I like the MK5's set to ripple pairs 7 similarly. I often can lay down two or 3 bursts in a pass and they wreck infantry and soft armored targets. Quite nice.
Avimimus Posted May 26, 2016 Posted May 26, 2016 I think the M-151 rockets are underrated. A friend just showed me that setting it to ripple-pairs qty 42 will fire as long as the pickle button is depressed, and stop as soon as released. For infantry at a known location with soft skinned vehicles, it's a neat display of force. I used to hate these things, but if you use up 20 on a pass, it'll do :D This is a bit out of date - but flying the A-10A I'd often carry 7 or 14 M151s. The idea was that if I was surprised by AAA, I'd ripple the entire load. It is faster than a Maverick at close range and has a higher first shot PK than the GAU-8... not sure how it is with the A-10C though.
SnorreSelmer Posted May 26, 2016 Posted May 26, 2016 Didn't want to mess with GBU-12's because of all the confusion involved with setting up the laser. Eventually I put one on the middle pylon just for giggles and didn't touch the laser settings. It worked very well. In fact, I tested a few more and found that they hit so accurately there isn't any visible offset between the crater's center and your TGP crosshair. Also you can carry an absurd number of them. I made a tutorial for you on how to work with custom laser-codes, and how easy it is to set up. Enjoy! http://imgur.com/a/K6Tqk ASUS Z170-P w/ Intel i7-7700, 32GB DDR4 RAM, SSDs out the wazoo and a GTX 1080Ti, Oculus Rift CV1, TM Warthog stick and throttle, TM Cougar MFDs, MFG Crosswind pedals and WheelStandPro Warthog (w/ the custom small Warthog plate) Former F-16 Ground Crew @ RNoAF [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
xaoslaad Posted May 26, 2016 Posted May 26, 2016 This is a bit out of date - but flying the A-10A I'd often carry 7 or 14 M151s. The idea was that if I was surprised by AAA, I'd ripple the entire load. It is faster than a Maverick at close range and has a higher first shot PK than the GAU-8... not sure how it is with the A-10C though. Similar in the A-10C. All I use in the first half of FOB Vetka is rockets and guns. See tracer fire from infantry, point, fire. Works with lightly armoeed vehicles as well. The maneuvering in the valley is far too tight, especially with the cloud cover at 10k to be dealing with mavericks, etc. Although when I played it last night I did a super low and fast pass on some armor with a half dozen Mk-82Airs which was kinda new and fun.
Recommended Posts