GBU-54 Laser/GPS JDAM

[ricnunes]

I know there was a thread about this wishlist but and since that thread is now locked and I would really like to add my 2 cents about the subject which I believe are sound and somehow backs up this wish (GBU-54 Laser/GPS fitted to DCS F/A-18C), I took the "liberty" of creating this one.
The other thread was locked because ED (backed up by a few members) believe this to be unrealistic because the F/C-18C modeled in DCS is from 2005 while the GBU-54 was introduced/integrated on the F/A-18C in 2012 (some sources indicates sooner but lets stick with 2012) but I fully disagree and here's why:

1. The weapon (GBU-54) was introduced in 2012 which is only 7 years from the service date of 2005 of the F/A-18C modeled in DCS. As such it's not far fetched that 2005 F/A-18C's could or did have been fitted with the GBU-54 seven (7) years later, this without the same F/A-18C's having received any meaningful upgrades in the meanwhile.
2. Which is far more realistic having a 2005 F/A-18 carrying GBU-54s OR having the same 2005 F/A-18C flying in a 1989 campaign (Task Force Challenger), the campaign that comes with DCS F/A-18C? 
   This is obviously a rhetorical question because the answer is clear: It's impossible for a 2005 F/A-18C to fly in 1989 (unless someone invents time travel) but again it's not impossible for a 2005 F/A-18C to be fitted with a weapon that entered in service with the US Navy Hornets circa 2012 (or 7 years later). Yet, ED accepts the scenario of a 2005 Hornet flying in 1989 but not the one that the same Hornet uses a weapon (GBU-54) that came a few years after. Puzzling, I must say!
3. Some users have backed up this ED decision because of the reason above (Hornet being from 2005 while GBU-54 from 2012) but the truth is that if the GBU-54 was integrated in DCS F/A-18C then these same users would still have the CHOICE of not using the weapon. The same applies to mission/campaign builders that have this same opinion. However, having the GBU-54 in DCS F/A-18C CATERS to everyone! Who wants to use the weapon will/could use and who don't, won't use it. Simple as that.

[razo+r]

ED has already made it's mind about that. You can see it at the tags they gave the topic:

They have to decide at some point which features to implement and which not, otherwise it could be dragged into infinity. 

1) If we would get the GBU-54, we probably would have gotten a 2012 F-18 and not a 2005 one, right?

2) Having a 2005 plane in 1989 is just as unrealistic as having a 2012 introduced weapon in 2005. This argument goes both ways.

3) While technically correct, if you don't want it don't use it, I find it a very bad argument. If you want the GBU-54, just get the A-10C2. If you want the GBU-54 on the F-18, just play a different game. You don't have to use DCS. It's just such a ridiculous argument to make in my opinion.

It's the same as with the Swiss single AIM-120 launcher. It doesn't hurt anyone having it. The F-18 can carry it but it's the wrong version of what ED is trying to simulate, just like the LJDAM is the wrong weapon/period for the simulated F-18.

[ricnunes]

6 hours ago, razo+r said:

They have to decide at some point which features to implement and which not, otherwise it could be dragged into infinity. 

1) If we would get the GBU-54, we probably would have gotten a 2012 F-18 and not a 2005 one, right?

2) Having a 2005 plane in 1989 is just as unrealistic as having a 2012 introduced weapon in 2005. This argument goes both ways.

3) While technically correct, if you don't want it don't use it, I find it a very bad argument. If you want the GBU-54, just get the A-10C2. If you want the GBU-54 on the F-18, just play a different game. You don't have to use DCS. It's just such a ridiculous argument to make in my opinion.

It's the same as with the Swiss single AIM-120 launcher. It doesn't hurt anyone having it. The F-18 can carry it but it's the wrong version of what ED is trying to simulate, just like the LJDAM is the wrong weapon/period for the simulated F-18.

First, adding a GBU-54 to the F/A-18C wouldn't be dragging into infinity since and afterall the GBU-54 and its functionalities are already modeled thanks to A-10C2.
And regarding your points:

1) Perhaps having modeled a 2012 F-18 would have been better in order to go along with for the example A-10C2 which you mentioned. But on the other hand, there's probably not much diference between a 2005 F/A-18C and a 2012 one, this apart from very small diferences such as carrying GBU-54 which is what's being requested here. 

2) I fully and totally disagree with you and I can't see the logic of that reasoning of yours. There's nothing that prevents a 2005 F/A-18 to be fitted in 2012 with a GBU-54. At the same time there's no way on Earth that a 2005 F/A-18 could go back to 1989 (unless someone invents Time Travel!)

3) This argument isn't nearly bad as the ones you gave ("If you want the GBU-54, just get the A-10C2". "If you want the GBU-54 on the F-18, just play a different game"), not even by a long shot! My argument doesn't force you to play like I would like to but your argument forces me to play like you want to. Get the diference? Besides, if I wanted to use the GBU-54 with the A-10C2, I wouldn't be here in this part of the forum (DCS F/A-18)!  

[Muchocracker]

ED has the "timeframe" standard. We can all argue about that standard for as long we want. But that's what it is. 

To that standard, the GBU-54 did not even exist within that date and wasnt introduced onto the legacy hornets till 2012. This is a pretty cut and dry discussion. I don't understand why this keeps coming up. 

[Tholozor]

56 minutes ago, ricnunes said:

There's nothing that prevents a 2005 F/A-18 to be fitted in 2012 with a GBU-54.

Fitted? Sure, the lugs should be the same, and likely the data cable and fuzing lanyards too. Actually useable? That's where it could be debatable.

The Stores Management System won't have a weapon code for it on the Weapon Insertion Panel. No code entered means no option on the STORES page wingform.

Edited 2 hours ago by Tholozor