Weapons and features

[Fulcrumkiller31]

I will start out by saying I have been having a blast with the F-15E in its current state. However, I am really looking forward to some of the weapons and features that make the strike eagle great. Things like JDAMs, GBU-28, Link 16, GBU-15/AGM-130 and others. Information on the progress of these has been few and far between. Looking for any indication as to when we might see these. weeks/months/years?

Seems like TFR is coming along nicely. 

[giullep]

I think….2 weeks

[Q3ark]

1 hour ago, giullep said:

I think….2 weeks

I think it’s closer to 14 days 

[Fulcrumkiller31]

I guess a better question would be is ED even working on the GBU15/AGM130? 

[Njinsa]

If they are, they won't tell before it's done.

 

[badger7966]

What can you do with a JDAM that you cannot do with a GBU ? I reckon the GBU is more versatile because you can track a moving target where as the JDAM is purely GPS.

[DD_fruitbat]

2 hours ago, badger7966 said:

What can you do with a JDAM that you cannot do with a GBU ? I reckon the GBU is more versatile because you can track a moving target where as the JDAM is purely GPS.

Turn away, and not get shot at by SAMs, drop on multiple targets at the same time,  spring obviously to mind.

[Ignition]

Just now, DD_fruitbat said:

Turn away, and not get shot at by SAMs, drop on multiple targets at the same time,  spring obviously to mind.

Also, greater range.

[SloppyDog]

The JDAM is an evolution from the concept. Not needing guidance all the way to the target is a big advantage. Also, as others pointed out, the fact that you can drop multiple JDAMs in multiple targets at the same time. Not much exposure to enemy air defenses. That said, GBU are still useful if you wanna to target specific parts of a building, like a windown in a specific floor or an air vent (done in Desert Storm) or hangar doors in the side of a mountain (done in the Balkans wars). 

[badger7966]

Ok...fair enogh.

[LazyBoot]

Which is also why they eventually made LJDAMs... Combining the best of both by having both GPS/INS guidance and a laser seeker.

[SloppyDog]

LJDAMs are very cool to use. You can drop them in a coordinate over bad weather and, provided they have a proper altitude after going through the cloud layer, a JTAC can guide them all the way to the target. I have attacked moving targets in that manner. Very cool! 

[Iron Sights]

Well, for me I would love see the plan for what is next, regardless of what it may be. 

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

On 8/26/2023 at 6:54 PM, badger7966 said:

Ok...fair enogh.

with decent weather, the pod and markpoints, you can drop a lot of bombs on a single pass
with bad weather or night, perform a precision strike
like you said, with both jdams and gbus, you have a lot more flexibility

[Beirut]

3 hours ago, Ala12Rv-Tundra said:

with decent weather, the pod and markpoints, you can drop a lot of bombs on a single pass
with bad weather or night, perform a precision strike
like you said, with both jdams and gbus, you have a lot more flexibility

 

In the Hornet, with Voice Attack helping, I can drop eight GBUs on a single pass in about one second. I use "Arc Light" as a voice command. I don't know if it's "cheating", but it's fun. And I'm sure as **** going to do it with the F-15E when the GBUs arrive.