F18c SEAD/DEAD

[TED]

I've been trying out various SEAD DEAD missions and tactics recently just out of curiosity. The f16 has always been my go-to and kind of a favourite airframe. It's certainly very potent a2g in general but very effective DEAD. However I'm forcing myself to learn the f18 again having never really seriously considered it in the same way for reliable DEAD. 

Much to my surprise now an few missions in, I'm starting to think I prefer it! A simple mission of an attack on an sa10 site in northern Kola is the scenario I'm using. I've found a reliable way of approaching with a pair of f18 one armed with 6x TALD and 4xJDAM, the other maxed out with JDAM. A low level ingress using terrain, popping up around 15nm to launch off the TALD, then descend and defend, mask and run in low level for a pop up with JDAMs, quickly targeting them with the ATFLIR, hitting the search radar and tracking radar. Once these are taken out let the wingman mop up with JDAM. 

A lot of fun and a good challenge and really reminded me just how effective the f18 is. 

Edited November 26, 2024 by TED

[Keith Briscoe]

I am similarly learning the Hornet (coming from the Viper).  I imagine the timing of TALD delivery and the JDAM run in is pretty important, so I would really need to work on that.

[Ignition]

I don't know how effective are those TALDS IRL. If they fly like in DCS they could only be confused for JSOW, and JSOW have reduced RCS and as I understand TALDS don't so they are pretty unique and very easy to identify.

In DCS the tactics are very complex because of each weapon flying with completely different characteristics and you need to collect data for each weapon and reaction in DCS, and you need to do this for each type of attack (altitude, environment, weapons).

You need to do a lot of TOT attacks and train with many people. We practiced with TALDS/AGM-88C/JDAM and is not easy, there are many variables.

 

[kotor633]

I would be generally interested to know how the FA-18C functioned as a SEAD/DEAD platform in real life. In which missions it was used, how successful was it (hit rate). It is often said that the F-16C is way ahead in this regard.

[Zahnatom]

On 11/26/2024 at 3:10 PM, TED said:

I've been trying out various SEAD DEAD missions and tactics recently just out of curiosity. The f16 has always been my go-to and kind of a favourite airframe. It's certainly very potent a2g in general but very effective DEAD. However I'm forcing myself to learn the f18 again having never really seriously considered it in the same way for reliable DEAD. 

Much to my surprise now an few missions in, I'm starting to think I prefer it! A simple mission of an attack on an sa10 site in northern Kola is the scenario I'm using. I've found a reliable way of approaching with a pair of f18 one armed with 6x TALD and 4xJDAM, the other maxed out with JDAM. A low level ingress using terrain, popping up around 15nm to launch off the TALD, then descend and defend, mask and run in low level for a pop up with JDAMs, quickly targeting them with the ATFLIR, hitting the search radar and tracking radar. Once these are taken out let the wingman mop up with JDAM. 

A lot of fun and a good challenge and really reminded me just how effective the f18 is. 

maybe a 6 TALD + 1 HARM + 2 GBU-32 loadout could be good.

i dont take the F-16 anymore for SEAD or DEAD as it lacks good standoff weapons (tbh its kinda dead to me in general rn)

Instead, at least on 4YA servers, i take the hornet with 2 harms and 6 talds, make the sa-10 run out and then strike the sa-15s with my HARMs and come back later with the f-15E to finish the job

[RoddersAndDodders]

On 11/29/2024 at 8:25 PM, kotor633 said:

I would be generally interested to know how the FA-18C functioned as a SEAD/DEAD platform in real life. In which missions it was used, how successful was it (hit rate). It is often said that the F-16C is way ahead in this regard.

I think DCS gives a good idea of why the F-16 is far ahead with the HTS pod. It gives a far greater awareness in a complex SAM environment than the HARM sensor can. In the case of attacking a known SA-10 site perhaps the F/A-18 can leverage it's better range of stores, but how would the F/A-18 go without a HARM on it for a sensor, and in an environment where shoot and scoot engagements were occurring?

Also just on the TALDs, I think the could potentially add a lot of complexity to a radar picture if used well. It might force an operator to take action even if they suspect it is a TALD, just in case it is not.