One Litening Pod Per Flight

[Cdn_Payne]

Hi,

 

In the book, A Nightmare's Prayer by Michael Franzak USMC Lt. Col. (Ret.) he describes the loadout of the Harriers in his squadron that were stationed in Afghanistan. In the chapter titled Crosswinds, he describes (not a quote, I'm paraphrasing):

 

The lead aircraft carried two external wing fuel tanks, gun pod, 1x GBU-16 and the Litening pod. The wingman aircraft carried two external wing fuel tanks, gun pod, 2x GBU-12 bombs. Later, they replaced one of the GBU-12 bombs with a rocket pod.

 

I suggest reading Michael's book, I couldn't put it down.

 

I'm also currently in the process of reading Hammer from Above by Jay A. Stout. This book is about Marine air combat over Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the chapter titled Harrier Strike he didn't mention the gun, but he describes (also not a quote):

 

The lead aircraft carried 1x GBU-16 and one Litening pod on the innermost stations, the second aircraft carried 2x GBU-12 bombs.

 

It sounds like it's common for only one Harrier in a flight of two to carry the Litening pod. If I were to set up the same configuration in DCS, would it be possible for me to laze for the AI wingman? Would I just tell him to attack my target, and then turn on the lazer after he drops his bomb(s)?

 

Thanks,

 

David

[baltic_dragon]

I think that the AI wingman is so bloody awesome that he would hit the target with GBU-12 in Mk-82 mode ;) but it is a good question, I assume it could work but it is worth checking.

[jason_peters]

Book better be good - just ordered it on your recommendation !!

[Mr_sukebe]

That's interesting how they prioritise loiter time over bomb load.

[lemoen]

That's interesting how they prioritise loiter time over bomb load.

 

 

I'm guessing because there's very little to bomb, mostly.

[Cunctator]

Yes, during Franzak's deployment dropping bombs was the exception, not the rule.

[mvsgas]

Hi,

 

In the book, A Nightmare's Prayer by Michael Franzak USMC Lt. Col. (Ret.) he describes the loadout of the Harriers in his squadron that were stationed in Afghanistan. In the chapter titled Crosswinds, he describes (not a quote, I'm paraphrasing):

 

The lead aircraft carried two external wing fuel tanks, gun pod, 1x GBU-16 and the Litening pod. The wingman aircraft carried two external wing fuel tanks, gun pod, 2x GBU-12 bombs. Later, they replaced one of the GBU-12 bombs with a rocket pod.

 

I suggest reading Michael's book, I couldn't put it down.

 

I'm also currently in the process of reading Hammer from Above by Jay A. Stout. This book is about Marine air combat over Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the chapter titled Harrier Strike he didn't mention the gun, but he describes (also not a quote):

 

The lead aircraft carried 1x GBU-16 and one Litening pod on the innermost stations, the second aircraft carried 2x GBU-12 bombs.

 

It sounds like it's common for only one Harrier in a flight of two to carry the Litening pod. If I were to set up the same configuration in DCS, would it be possible for me to laze for the AI wingman? Would I just tell him to attack my target, and then turn on the lazer after he drops his bomb(s)?

 

Thanks,

 

David

 

IIRC, the version of the Harrier he flew in the book, could only carry the TGP on station 5. Basically the aircraft saw the TGP as a AGM-65. So, that was one the limiting factors. So they would pair a modified or updated AV8B with a not updated aircraft, one would be the hunter the other the killer. There was a Combat Aircraft Magazine article about this years ago, I just can't remember the date or tittle of it.

[tobaschi]

That's interesting how they prioritise loiter time over bomb load.

 

It strongly depends on the mission and the environment.

[Cdn_Payne]

Book better be good - just ordered it on your recommendation !!

 

 

I hope you enjoy it. :) If not, sorry. :(

 

 

IIRC, the version of the Harrier he flew in the book, could only carry the TGP on station 5. Basically the aircraft saw the TGP as a AGM-65. So, that was one the limiting factors. So they would pair a modified or updated AV8B with a not updated aircraft, one would be the hunter the other the killer. There was a Combat Aircraft Magazine article about this years ago, I just can't remember the date or tittle of it.

 

 

Thanks for the reply. That makes sense. I was wondering why we have the ability to carry the targeting pod on a centre station, but they were forced to carry it on the wing in both books.

 

 

David

[Cdn_Payne]

That's interesting how they prioritise loiter time over bomb load.

 

I'm guessing because there's very little to bomb, mostly.

 

Yes, during Franzak's deployment dropping bombs was the exception, not the rule.

 

It strongly depends on the mission and the environment.

 

 

Often, when reading about real life loadouts used in Iraq and Afghanistan I see very little bombs and lots of fuel. I think that's the right loadout for the mission the jets are flying, but I often wonder how the real life loadouts would change if the situation was different.