[NO BUG] LANTIRN 24,000 limit

[WelshZeCorgi]

So is the RL lantirn really limited in use for altitudes above 24,000ASL? What happens if you do? Does it break above altitude even when it's off? Is it instantaneous/gradual/%chance?

 

And the more important question: Is this modelled? And if not, will it be?

[IronMike]

as far as I remember, you are just too high to see, track, guide etc... is all. 24k here is understood as in "above ground". so if your target is at 10k feet MSL, then you could be at 34k feet...

[Home Fries]

The original LANTIRN pods used on the Tomcat couldn't fire the laser over 25k MSL (I think it was a heat issue). These were replaced, and 40k capable LANTIRN pods were standard in the USN by 2001.

[Bailey]

I have "heard" that the limit was due to a fire concern, similar to what Home Fires said. Due to that, it was MSL. It *could* do it, just not advised. I have never heard of anyone saying that a fire actually happened IRL. It may have also been a manufactures limit. "We didn't test above that altitude, so that's the limit" (which I know has happened on other platforms for different things.)

[FWind]

The laser will not arm or fire above 25000feet(pressure altitude)

[QuiGon]

I'm pretty sure I sucessfully laser bombed targets at sea level from 40,000ft using the LANTIRN pod in DCS before.

[Bailey]

yes, in DCS there seems to be no limit.

[BreaKKer]

There is combat footage of F-14s in OIF and OEF of the LANTIRN being operated above 24/25 thousand feet. As high as 33,000, iirc. Though, I think these were newer blocks of LANTIRNs, and the “burn-out” issue was resolved.

[9thHunt]

The original LANTIRN pods used on the Tomcat couldn't fire the laser over 25k MSL (I think it was a heat issue). These were replaced, and 40k capable LANTIRN pods were standard in the USN by 2001.

 

IIRC, there was a chance of arcing in the thinner air at that altitude, which can cause a fire. Because the pods could not be jettisoned, the fire could spread to the rest of the aircraft, hence the altitude limit.

[Home Fries]

 

IIRC, there was a chance of arcing in the thinner air at that altitude, which can cause a fire. Because the pods could not be jettisoned, the fire could spread to the rest of the aircraft, hence the altitude limit.

 

That sounds right. Thanks! :thumbup:

[*Aquila*]

On 11/13/2020 at 9:55 PM, Home Fries said:

The original LANTIRN pods used on the Tomcat couldn't fire the laser over 25k MSL (I think it was a heat issue). These were replaced, and 40k capable LANTIRN pods were standard in the USN by 2001.

At the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, only VF 213 (F-14Ds) and VF-102 (F-14Bs) had the 40.000 ft capacity. VF-14, VF-41 and VF-211 had to deal without it. The info is from the book F-14 Tomcat units of OEF.

[Home Fries]

13 hours ago, *Aquila* said:

At the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, only VF 213 (F-14Ds) and VF-102 (F-14Bs) had the 40.000 ft capacity. VF-14, VF-41 and VF-211 had to deal without it. The info is from the book F-14 Tomcat units of OEF.

Thanks.  I was with CVW-8 just prior to that deployment, so my frame of reference was more with VF-213.  I think 103 had the upgrade as well, though IIRC they were on home cycle during that timeframe (GW/CVW-17 got back in December 2000).

Edited December 4, 2020 by Home Fries