Buddy lase and target locating with f14 and f18

[Gun Jam]

Hello

 

I have a question about methods used to guide a buddy to the proper target and some solutions for this. I usually fly the tomcat and a buddy will fly his f18 we both use pods but in some cases I want to lase a target for him and perhaps vice versa.

 

Basic idea I fly a hold in the f14 and he drops GBU in CCIP running in, calls time to impact and I fire the laser from my f14... this works... pretty well.

 

To find the correct target is the challenge.

 

0) simply use ground features to find target by talking him in...works not real fast or trick.

 

1) if its getting dark a really slick method would be to simply fire the laser for a short duration so he could see it in NVG. However we never see laser from f14 is this not modeled yet? Clear as day in the f18.

 

2) Not yet tested but I suspect I can have him take 1 Laser mav and let the mav find the beam then it will show on the hud now he can send GBU ccip in geneal area.

 

3) I have the GPS location on the LANTIRN can this be sent to the  litening II somehow or must it be entered by pilot? No slick way to share point track location?

 

Any other ideas?

 

Thanks

Edited January 22, 2021 by Gun Jam

[near_blind]

1) That is an IR marking beam, which is a different spectrum from the beam used to guide weapons. The LANTIRN doesn't and won't have one of those to my knowledge.

 

2) As long as you have the laser code right and keep the laser on, his Maverick should be capable of seeing it. 

 

3) No. If he wants the coordinates you need to relay it to him over the radio and he has to hand jam it into the system. Alternatively the Hornet pod will have something called Laser Spot Search (LSS). This would let his pod lock onto your laser spot, and then he could designate that position to get CCRP and all that jazz. 

[Gun Jam]

LSS sounds like a really great solution. Ill see what I can dig up on this!

Thanks