GBU-38 and changing target post-deployment

[ScorpionFalcon]

Hi, I was wondering if I can change the target AFTER the GBU-38 has left the rails? Since it is guided, couldn't I just slew the tgp cursor (since it is spi) to a different target while the bomb is in midair and shouldn't it reguide itself? I tried it but it always hits the initial target that was designated prior to it being dropped.

[Frostiken]

GBU-31s and -38s are GPS-guided, not laser. They're programmed by the aircraft armament system before launch (which is why you have to hold the pickle button) and fall under their own guidance from there.

 

What you want are GBU-12s and 10s, which are laser-guided.

[Speed]

No, the GBU-38 is GPS guided, and no data link exists between it and the launching aircraft, so no way to retarget it.

 

They have employed "laser JDAMs" IRL that can be guided either by a laser or via GPS, but we don't have that variety in the sim unfortunately.

[ScorpionFalcon]

Thanks guys, just tried it with gbu-12s and it worked beautifully. Felt just like watching one of those youtube video's of pilot's guiding one with his tgp. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0Mu6r4aWrs. Amazing sim!

[Frostiken]

Some hints for the future:

 

- Only difference between auto and manual lase is convenience. If anything, auto is better as it relieves you from having to concentrate on lasing the target.

- Don't lase too early, or else the bomb will try to cut the corner and run out of energy and fall short. Typically 8-10 seconds before impact is when you want to being lasing.

- Watch the M on the pod to ensure you're not going to mask your pod, as it will hinder you from lasing. Typically my egress from a mid-altitude bomb release involves a gentle turn to the right to ensure the pod has maximum visibility.

[ScorpionFalcon]

Some hints for the future:

 

- Only difference between auto and manual lase is convenience. If anything, auto is better as it relieves you from having to concentrate on lasing the target.

- Don't lase too early, or else the bomb will try to cut the corner and run out of energy and fall short. Typically 8-10 seconds before impact is when you want to being lasing.

- Watch the M on the pod to ensure you're not going to mask your pod, as it will hinder you from lasing. Typically my egress from a mid-altitude bomb release involves a gentle turn to the right to ensure the pod has maximum visibility.

 

Does the side that the tgp pod is mounted determine whether I should turn left or right?

[shu77]

Yeah it does, you want to think about where the pod is relative to your turn to keep it visible.

[Frostiken]

All standard loadouts keep the pod on the right wing, and there's really nothing to be gained from doing otherwise...

[Helios]

All standard loadouts keep the pod on the right wing, and there's really nothing to be gained from doing otherwise...

 

Unless perhaps if the plan is to egress to the left after release to avoid flying into some identified SAM danger zone, or something like that ;-) But probably that would rarely be the case.

 

Discovering in-flight that of course it matters where the pod is mounted was a real "aha" moment for me. By chance I would usually align targets to my left, just a habit I guess - and in F4AF there was no noticable left/right effect. Lots of frustration that the %#¤% pod had such a limited cone for tracking anything, and not understanding how people were able to put targets on their 90 deg. Right-aligning targets suddenly everything was good again.

[Weaponz248]

If you have a ECM pod on the left side than you will want the TGP on the right for weight purposes. These are the only things that are non jettison-able in the game so you will want to maintain equal weight if you have to jett something.