Buddy Lasing

[MBot]

Is the Shkval system ( i.e. Su-25T and Ka-50 ) capable of lasing targets for other shooters and if yes, will it be possible in 1.1 ( 1.2 ) ?

[MBot]

Where is Alfa when you need him ? :)

[Caretaker]

Alfa is probably "on tour" :P

 

My understanding is that buddy lasing with this system is not possible in real life, and not featured in FC.

 

However I'm pretty sure someone will come up with a more comprehensive and technical explanation ;)

[MBot]

Ok, thanks. I was hoping for some Ka-50/Su-25T combo action :)

[169th_Moose]

Excuse my Ignorance but what is buddy lasing?

[AnzacPT]

it´s when you shoot at a target being iluminated by a "buddy"...

 

helicopter, another plane or a soldier on the ground...

 

the A-10 makes extensive use of that...

[Alfa]

Hi,

 

Well the Shkval system is basically a high resolution TV camera with a laser designator slaved to it, so if a weapon is capable of picking up an "illuminated" target, there should be no reason why one aircraft equipped with the Shkval system couldnt "lase" a target for a weapon launched by another. ....although it would need to be timed carefully due to the short operating time(a few minutes) of the laser before it shuts down for its "cool-off period".

 

It is more down to the weapon type being used - for a laser beam riding missile like the Vikhr, "buddy lasing" does not work because it doesnt have a forward looking laser seeker - it is guided via rear facing receptors looking back at the launching aircraft to pick up the direction of the laser beam as it is being emitted from the aircraft instead of looking forward at the point the laser beam is illuminating.....i.e. the target.

 

The Kh-29L, on the other hand, does have a forward looking laser seekerhead, but then there is the matter of why "buddy lasing" would be used.....external target illumination is employed when the launching aircraft is unable to do this by itself - one such situation is when deploying a laser guided bomb(LGB) like the KAB-500L. Since it is "unpropelled" and glides relatively slowly towards target, the launching aircraft will approach the target faster than the bomb and "overtake it" ....i.e. the aircraft will eventually overshoot the target, loose laser lock and the bomb its guidance before it can impact with target. There are laser designator systems which can continiue illuminating the target as the aircraft passes over it, but no such system is available for the Su-25T, so in this case "buddy lasing" or a FAC would be the only solution.

 

For laser guided missiles the above problem does not occur, as their rocket propulsion means that they travel faster than the launching aircraft and can be launched from a greater distance than an unpropelled bomb, so for these there would be no real reason to employ external illumination, and since the Su-25T isnt compatible with LGBs in Lock-on 1.1, there would be little need for "buddy lasing" in the first place :)

 

....and as I implied to begin with, I doubt having a "buddy" Su-25T lasing a target for another deploying an LGB would be very efficient anyway.......it would be difficult to time it correctly.... i.e. so that the Su-25T trailing behind would be in the exact right position at the right time(within laser range, but not too close to the buddy in front) in order to extend the time the target is illuminated(without exceeding laser operating time) long enough for the bomb to impact with target.

 

A FAC or a hovering Ka-50 would seem a better bet... :)

 

Cheers,

- JJ.

[169th_Moose]

So in my down to earth brain lol.

 

You have the ability to paint a target for your buddy to take down.

 

Never tought that was possible with LockOn. Man this sim is great. Only used that technique with desertcombat from Dice. But then, I was on the ground targetting for artillery. I guess the basics are the same.

 

Is it really possible in LockOn?

[gherring]

Sounds like it's possible in real life, but not practical in LOMAC until the Ka-50 or ground units with lazing ability are added.

[EricJ]

No, it's doable in real life. One of my job responsibilities is to lase for aircraft, and for Apaches. If anything, go with Matt Wagner's best explanation (to quote loosely):

 

"Imagine that there is a Special Forces dude lasing for the target."

 

As for coordination.... it would take some planning, but that's what makes it fun no?

[MBot]

Thanks for your extensive answer Alfa. It is great to have such a knowing person that even takes the time to write it all down.

 

It is more down to the weapon type being used - for a laser beam riding missile like the Vikhr, "buddy lasing" does not work because it doesnt have a forward looking laser seeker - it is guided via rear facing receptors looking back at the launching aircraft to pick up the direction of the laser beam as it is being emitted from the aircraft instead of looking forward at the point the laser beam is illuminating.....i.e. the target.

 

Doh, now that I hear it, I could have imagined that myselfe :)

 

... a hovering Ka-50 would seem a better bet... :)

 

That's what I was aiming at :)

[AnzacPT]

... a hovering Ka-50 would seem a better bet... :)

 

1.2 anyone?

 

:D