GBU Self-lase Accuracy

[dunc12]

I've been enjoying the module very much despite the present issues, but something that's been bothering me is lack of accuracy with GBUs while lasing with my own LITENING pod.

 

Buddy-lase is perfectly accurate but using my own pod results in impacts that aren't even close. Am I missing something or is this another bug? Using laser code 1688, laser is firing in non-train mode at the base of the target. Laser is staying on target until bomb impact.

 

Appreciate the help.

[Vakarian]

Well, you are definitely doing something wrong, the issue is what.

Laser must be armed, and in "LASR" mode, marker and traing modes are not for weapon employment. When in "LASR" mode, FIRE should be underlined.

 

 

 

Also, slant range needs to be under 8nm, so make sure you are close.

 

 

You didn't mention but I assume you are using CCRP delivery? If so, you shouldn't have any issues hitting your targets if you do all of the above.

[Ramsay]

I've been enjoying the module very much despite the present issues, but something that's been bothering me is lack of accuracy with GBUs while lasing with my own LITENING pod.

 

Buddy-lase is perfectly accurate but using my own pod results in impacts that aren't even close. Am I missing something or is this another bug?

 

Haven't had any issues myself, please share a short track i.e. air spawn, etc.

[dunc12]

Haven't had any issues myself, please share a short track i.e. air spawn, etc.

 

Could just be my technique, as I'm still learning.

 

Not an air spawn unfortunately, but I've shared a track with 3 bookmarks (one for each release). Laser armed, in lase mode, with L flashing. Target acquired, in AUTO mode (CCRP), button held and releases when countdown hits zero. I'm sure I'm not more than 8nm from the targets.

 

The second and third bombs are much closer, could it be that the bomb is losing the laser as the A/C (and therefore laser source) pass over the target?

 

The help is much appreciated.

 

p.s, :doh: having trouble attaching a tacview file to this post, but here's a link to the same file in google drive: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Q3-qrLTn-Ex8GfCP2JEwyuKdqpUMA00m

[Ramsay]

Could just be my technique, as I'm still learning.

 

You are dropping your guided bombs from too low an altitude (2000 - 4000 ft AGL).

 

This is very much at the lower limit of the GBU-12's weapon envelope and IMHO not suitable for self-lase.

 

In DCS I usually consider 10,000 ft to be the minimum altitude when dropping GBU-12's but 15,000 -20,000 ft is preferred (20,000 ft is a typical RL training profile for the AV-8B).

 

Edited May 20, 2020 by Ramsay
Add kill box example

[Tiger-II]

Be sure you know how to make a lasing turn. If you over-fly the target you are likely to have the weapon lose the laser lock, and miss.

 

 

After release, you should make a hard turn AWAY from the side of the aircraft with the TGP to put the target at the 10 or 9 o'clock (assuming TGP is mounted on the left wing). You then roll into the targeting pod and turn such that the target stays off to that side of the aircraft. The roll angle required to do this is such that the aircraft does not mask the TGP.

 

 

 

This keeps the laser point on the side of the target you started with when you pickled, so it should remain illuminated the entire flight time of the weapon (roughly 25 seconds).

[DimSim]

I tried dropping GBU-12s last night and saw the same.

 

 

Was > 10,000ft, TPOD was still targeting after impact. First bomb missed by hundreds of meters, second one much closer, perhaps only 10-30 meters away from target but not close enough to damage the target.

 

 

Only thing I didn't do was laser range first. I don't know if that is necessary since I thought continuous lasing was all that's required.

[kengou]

Make sure not to laze the entire time but only the last 15 seconds or so. Otherwise the bomb will waste energy trying to correct itself too early and fall short.

[dunc12]

Make sure not to laze the entire time but only the last 15 seconds or so. Otherwise the bomb will waste energy trying to correct itself too early and fall short.

 

Very good info by all here, will have to do some practice this weekend.

 

The only thing that seems odd about the whole thing is that with buddy lase they're perfectly accurate almost every time. More practice and experimentation needed I suppose.

Edited May 21, 2020 by dunc12
spelling

[Harlikwin]

I tried dropping GBU-12s last night and saw the same.

 

 

Was > 10,000ft, TPOD was still targeting after impact. First bomb missed by hundreds of meters, second one much closer, perhaps only 10-30 meters away from target but not close enough to damage the target.

 

 

Only thing I didn't do was laser range first. I don't know if that is necessary since I thought continuous lasing was all that's required.

 

Were you within 8nm slant range? Lasers in DCS stop working after that. Or more to the point they designate a point in space.

[Wakeshift]

When learning and practicing, I found it helpful to watch the bomb fall in external view (F5? F6?).

Shortly after release, you can see the bomb acquire the laser spot and adjust it's nose point.

 

This will give you a clear indication of whether that part of the sequence is working.

 

It sounds like you may be losing your target designation, either because of range (8nm limit Harlikwin refers to), or self-masking (the TPOD is pointing at/through a piece of your own plane), or you have traversed such that some other piece of landscape or scenery is intercepting the laser.

 

If the bomb guides all the way down, then the spot is in the wrong place. If it goes 'dumb' during flight after clearly acquiring, you're probably masked. If it never acquires, check laser code, training/marker/laser setting, FIRE.

 

Good luck, keep going!