need track replay GBU24 launch zone problems

[maxTRX]

I've seen the thread on Viper forum...  Folks were all over the place on this one, from release angle and speed to laser but nobody mentioned target altitude or more precisely, the LAR not calculated correctly when target is at a few thousand feet of elev. and the release altitude is only 5, 6 thousand above the target, regardless of speed at release time. 

Someone on this forum already provided the tracks some time ago and hinted at target elevation as a factor. I made a quick vid to show the problem.

The first 2 releases:  the target located just above sea level.  First bomb dropped from 40k feet at M.9 - direct hit.

                                                                                                      Second bomb dropped from 5k feet at... 294 kts - direct hit (in spite of my laser aim point                                                                                                           drifting off and corrected just in time)

Next 2 releases:   the target elevation was 6070 ft. for both.    First bomb dropped from 40k ft. at M.9 - direct hit.  No surprises there, from this altitude                                                                                                          the bomb had enough energy to maneuver regardless of LAR error (if any).

                                                                                                        Second bomb dropped from 12k ft. at 480 kts.  -  impacted way off!    Drag or other                                                                                                                    parameters at alt.?   I don't know

 

 

[maxTRX]

Update:   I noticed something in the recent tests.  GBU24 made a pronounced pitch up when I released it from 15k ft toward a target located at 10k ft.  Not only this is hazardous to releasing a/c but it also may contribute to bomb's energy loss.  In 15 secs after release, the bomb lost 210 kts.

A comparison between GBU24's energy management and GBU10.  GBU10 follows the optimal guidance path for few secs then switches to laser guidance, works great. 

With targets at sea level, the issue may not be immediately obvious but at higher target elevations GBU24 makes a huge LAR error.

 

 

[Tholozor]

As far as the 24 pitching up after release, that's correct:

Your report will probably get at least some traction if there were some tracks to look at.

[maxTRX]

13 hours ago, Tholozor said:

As far as the 24 pitching up after release, that's correct:

Your report will probably get at least some traction if there were some tracks to look at.

I'm sure the real bomb can adjust the flight path upwards to accommodate optimal angle or whatever else it does...  I'm also sure the release cues are calculated correctly in the real jet.

Also, it looks like the separation phase took a bit longer before the missile ascended (or the chase jet descended ;)) 

As far as track files... there are number of them submitted here and on the Viper's forum.  I just chimed in with some observations. Most likely noticed by others already.