LGB tactics

[av8orDave]

Hey all, I'm looking for either some references or ideas around real-world LGB employment tactics, or maybe even just what works for everyone else.

Here's the scenario:

- The target is maybe some mobile Scud launchers. They aren't defended by strategic SAMs (radar guided), but may be defended by MANPADs or SA-9 IR systems or AAA. Daytime, although I'm not sure if it makes a difference if it is nighttime.

My current process:

- At the ingress point, I'm fencing in, setting up my weapons, all of that stuff. I'm also checking in with AWACS and getting bogey dope at least 40 miles out, and then a bogey dope update about every 10 miles afterward.

- At about 12 miles out, I'm starting to try to pick up the target on the targeting pod (not easy given the current pod). My altitude is about 20,000 ft. and I stay there throughout the attack.

- Once the target is sighted (usually by about 8-10 miles), I'm getting an initial designation and starting to follow the azimuth steering line. I'm also watching the TEWS to ensure I'm not being targeted by any aircraft or SAM systems, as well as to maintain overall situational awareness.

- I sweeten up the designation as I approach the target by redesignating as I close in.

- Once about 20 seconds from release, I'm starting a gentle dive, maybe 5-10 degrees nose down.

- Once I've released, I crank about 20 degrees right, then start a gentle turn back to the left to maintain laser designation.

- After the bomb has impacted, I'll fly about 12 - 15 miles out, then re-attack from a different heading.

 

Any thoughts on this procedure? Any idea how they do it in the real world?

Edited July 25, 2023 by davidrbarnette

[jaylw314]

17 minutes ago, davidrbarnette said:

Hey all, I'm looking for either some references or ideas around real-world LGB employment tactics, or maybe even just what works for everyone else.

Here's the scenario:

- The target is maybe some mobile Scud launchers. They aren't defended by strategic SAMs (radar guided), but may be defended by MANPADs or SA-9 IR systems or AAA. Daytime, although I'm not sure if it makes a difference if it is nighttime.

My current process:

- At the ingress point, I'm fencing in, setting up my weapons, all of that stuff. I'm also checking in with AWACS and getting bogey dope at least 40 miles out, and then a bogey dope update about every 10 miles afterward.

- At about 12 miles out, I'm starting to try to pick up the target on the targeting pod (not easy given the current pod). My altitude is about 20,000 ft. and I stay there throughout the attack.

- Once the target is sighted (usually by about 8-10 miles), I'm getting an initial designation and starting to follow the azimuth steering line. I'm also watching the TEWS to ensure I'm not being targeted by any aircraft or SAM systems, as well as to maintain overall situational awareness.

- I sweeten up the designation as I approach the target by redesignating as I close in.

- Once about 20 seconds from release, I'm starting a gentle dive, maybe 5-10 degrees nose down.

- Once I've released, I crank about 20 degrees right, then start a gentle turn back to the left to maintain laser designation.

- After the bomb has impacted, I'll fly about 12 - 15 miles out, then re-attack from a different heading.

 

Any thoughts on this procedure? Any idea how they do it in the real world?

 

Might want to check the RAZBAM discord, Notso has had some discussions about LGB procedures.   To paraphrase a couple things, he talks about 20-50 degrees of turn off to avoid overflying the target, but not to turn back in, to avoid masking.  I suppose it's not like the A-10 where you're expecting to hang around in an orbit afterwards.  He also talked about immediately going to Guns AA mode to sweep in front of him once the bomb hit, among other things

[Mistermann]

Here's a video from Natso that might help a bit.

https://youtu.be/5_SPFyEQeiU