Max range of a LGB

[MobiSev]

Let's say you are up at angels 30-40. What is the absolute max range you could send a LGB against a target being lased in game?

[Harlikwin]

In game slant range is 8nm IIRC. Google Pythagoras and do the math. IRL it’s a function of laser power, atmospheric attenuation, target reflectivity and sensor sensitivity. And if you want to hit spot on, things like judder, sensor stabilization and atmospheric distortion and beam spread come into play. But DCS doesn’t model any of that.

[Emmy]

The laser source needs to be that close, but you can chuck the bomb much farther as you only need terminal guidance from the laser.

[Wizard1393]

In game slant range is 8nm IIRC.

 

The laser source needs to be that close

 

Wasn't there recently discussions about this range and shortly thereafter a "fix" for this? As in that they extended this range to like 15nm or something to alleviate problems with buddylasing? I might remember incorrectly about 15nm but I know there were discussions about shortcomings on the laser range.

 

EDIT: Found one of the discussions about Maximum Laser Range...

People talk about an effective laser range of about 8nm in DCS, but there was a bug that if the lasing source was >8nm away, the "spot" would actually float mid air. I don't find any posts about this being fixed/changed or extended.

Edited August 22, 2019 by chrisofsweden

[Eldur]

I've done successful drops from ~18nm with buddy lasing. Be high, get speed, pull up in time and toss/loft the thing to get it in the general area to catch a laser spot.

[Harlikwin]

Right, I was thinking you meant self lasing.

 

I assume otherwise you just have to get the bomb within 8nm of the "spot" and have it in the right orientation to see it.

[FoxxyTrotty]

This isn't precise, but self lasing with harrier and gbu12's, I can drop and hit targets all day long from MSL 20,000ft, but when I climb much beyond that, again no precise numbers, it's a total miss (clearly the sim has reached the max simulated laser range where the gbu behaves like - best guess- laser wasn't ever turned on).

 

I will try dropping couple bombs from 30,000 into a 10,000ft+ mountainous target and see if that works.

[Eldur]

Guess you're just running into

. 8nm is approx. 48600ft slant range.

[Notso]

Let's say you are up at angels 30-40. What is the absolute max range you could send a LGB against a target being lased in game?

 

Are you asking about max laser energy range or Bomb kinematic range? Those are two very different questions.

[MobiSev]

Are you asking about max laser energy range or Bomb kinematic range? Those are two very different questions.

 

The absolute max range the bomb can see the laser and guide to the target.

[Airhunter]

The GBU-24 should also have more range than the older Paveway II GBU-10/12/16 due to better, more effecient guidence.

[Ramsay]

The absolute max range the bomb can see the laser and guide to the target.

IRL it depends how near/far the laser designator is to the target, the angle of incidence and atmospheric conditions.

 

In good conditions :

 

• With a designator at 15 nm, the LGB might track the spot from ~3 nm i.e. the last 10-20 seconds of flight.

 

• With a designator at ~3 nm, the LGB might track the spot from ~8 nm

 

• With TGP and LMav at ~7 nm, an aircraft can self designate for the LMav.

 

In DCS the laser designator *must* be within 8 nm of the target (or the spot floats in mid air). Razbam's LMav's used to lock laser spots from beyond 12 nm but I haven't tested them recently. IIRC the A-10C's TGP LSS is similarly capable (perhaps 15 nm ?).

Edited September 17, 2019 by Ramsay

[backspace340]

The absolute max range the bomb can see the laser and guide to the target.

 

So one thing that might affect the answer here, is that the bomb doesn't *need* to see the laser when / before it drops - it only needs to see it 15-20 seconds before impact so it can guide onto the target. So if you're using a JTAC/Predator that's next to the target, then your range is essentially just how far that bomb can fly and still hit the target. If you're high enough and fast enough, you should be able to chuck a GBU-12/16/10 20-35nm.

 

Even if you're self-designating, then the answer isn't technically 8nm either - the laser designator just has to be within 8nm of the target when the bomb is nearly at the target, you could lob it from 15nm and still be within 8nm before the bomb hits.

Edited September 18, 2019 by backspace340

[QuiGon]

This isn't precise, but self lasing with harrier and gbu12's, I can drop and hit targets all day long from MSL 20,000ft, but when I climb much beyond that, again no precise numbers, it's a total miss (clearly the sim has reached the max simulated laser range where the gbu behaves like - best guess- laser wasn't ever turned on).

 

I will try dropping couple bombs from 30,000 into a 10,000ft+ mountainous target and see if that works.

I've successfully dropped selflased LGBs from 40.000+ ft with the Tomcat. Worked totally fine. :thumbup: