LGB with JTAC, No TGP

[Habu_69]

I can't figure out how to bomb an offboard lased target by buddy or AFAC when I am carrying no TGP. I have AFAC lasing moving BTR. LGB's are set for AUTO, EFUZE INSTANT, using FMU-139 and AFAC's code 1688, armed, AG mode. I set in the WP provided by AFAC and go IP Inbound. The bombs never seem to search for, nor spot, the laser. I tried turning on the Hornet LST, but it springs to off. What procedural steps am I missing??

Update. Got the LST to switch on through some control modifications, but bombs still do not find laser. What is the cue that the bombs do find the laser?

Edited June 24, 2024 by Habu_69

[Tholozor]

A track replay would help diagnose the issue.

The LST switch on the Hornet is an old switch that was used for the AN/ASQ-173 Laser Spot Tracking / Strike Camera pod that used to be able to be mounted on the right cheek station, and has no function in the version simulated in DCS.

[Kang]

My suggestion would be to try to bring the TGP once, not for aiming yourself obviously, but to use the pod's LST to figure out whether it is a Hornet/GBU problem or, which I would find more likely, a problem with the lasing JTAC.

[rob10]

If you're aiming at a WP as an IP to drop on but you're after a moving target, the target is probably far enough away from that point by the time the bomb is looking for the laser spot that the spot is out of it's FOV.  A track would definitely help.

Also, are you making all the calls to get the JTAC to actually lase:

1 - call in at IP
2 - call for LASER ON
3 - call SPOT -- without a pod not sure how you're going to be able actually spot, so this may cause issues.
4 - call "IN FROM THE N/E/S/W" as appropriate
5 - WAIT for "CLEARED HOT" confirmation or "ABORT, ABORT, ABORT" call

[Habu_69]

OK, here is track. I have labels on for this training mission, so I can see I am near the target. I am making all the calls up to SPOT, as I have no indications that the bomb has a laser SPOT. If I use TGDSG on HSI the BFL just stays on the WP of course. Interesting that the LST switch has no function. Chuck's Guide discusses it in detail. So how does one direct the LGB laser seeker to start seeking? I am working on this to gain proficiency on servers with missions dated prior to introduction of TGPs.

Habu LGB.trk

Edited June 25, 2024 by Habu_69

[Tholozor]

Without a device with laser spot tracking capability (targeting pod, Laser Maverick, or LST pod which we don't have in DCS), you will not have any indication of the location of the location of the laser, and must rely on precise coordinates for targeting, or JTAC talk-on (LGBs do not provide laser spot capability to the aircraft, and are only active once released from the aircraft). LGBs will guide on their own once they leave the aircraft provided a) there is a laser designating within the seeker's field-of-view, and b) the laser code matches the code the bomb was set for on the ground.

Watching your track, it's user error. The JTAC is using Type 2 control, so you need to be 'Cleared Hot' before weapons release. In this specific case, since you don't have any dedicated LST capability, you'll have to call 'Spot' anyway once you visually spot the targets. After 'Spot,' call 'In,' and the JTAC should clear you hot.

Chuck's Guide is incorrect regarding the operation of the LST/NFLR switch. This switch was only used to power on older accessory pods on the right cheek hardpoint (either the AN/ASQ-173 Laser Spot Tracking pod or the AN/AAR-50 Thermal Imaging Navigation Set pod). Both the LITENING and ATFLIR pods have dedicated LST functions that are built into the pods themselves, and do not require the use of the LST/NFLR switch on the sensor power panel.

[Habu_69]

Ahhh. Tx for the information. Will fly the mission to test your procedural advice. Start with release above 15,000 and 2-3 miles from the IP.