Question on GBU-12 drop symbology

[Diesel_Thunder]

Good evening,

Doing some GBU-12 practice, and self lasing with the TGP. Been a while since I've done this and am puzzled on some HUD symbology I hadn't seen before. I'm in CCRP mode, and it doesn't seem to matter if I am on a SPI or markpoint.

I see symbology that looks more like JDAM, where there is a range caret and staple on the right side of the HUD. Going with that there is also a circle that appears when it is "in range", that also coincides with the count down timer, and eventually flashes. I am not sure what all this symbology indicates, it isn't called out in the manual or Chucks Guide. It certainly isn't the drop cue. After that I get another countdown timer, with the solution cue on the bomb fall line as expected.

So two questions. What is all of the extra symbology, and why does the weapon release button also fire the laser when dropping?

Edited February 13, 2023 by Diesel_Thunder

[Tholozor]

That's the loft cue that tells you when to execute a pull-up to the specified REL ANG (release angle).

The circle will appear right before the cue reaches the FPM, and will flash to indicate the pull-up. Regular release cues will be present after the loft cues are gone.

IIRC, if REL ANG is set to 0, loft cues are disabled.

Edited February 13, 2023 by Tholozor

[Diesel_Thunder]

18 minutes ago, Tholozor said:

That's the loft cue that tells you when to execute a pull-up to the specified REL ANG (release angle).

The circle will appear right before the cue reaches the FPM, and will flash to indicate the pull-up. Regular release cues will be present after the loft cues are gone.

IIRC, if REL ANG is set to 0, loft cues are disabled.

 

That makes perfect sense, thank you!

Is that so one can "toss" the bomb from a bit further out?

[Tholozor]

54 minutes ago, Diesel_Thunder said:

That makes perfect sense, thank you!

Is that so one can "toss" the bomb from a bit further out?

Correct, usually you'd want to use it to increase range while at low altitudes.