Real-World attack patterns

[sgibson]

I'm wondering how real-world attack patterns look like.

 

In many CAS missions of the campaign you usually encounter some tank units and some air defenses near them.

 

I normally overload my plane with 6 AGMs and as many GBUs I can carry (sometimes CBUs which are pretty lame against tanks as CBU-97 and 105 are not not modelled correctly). Due to the heavy weight I take only 50% fuel (or less) which results in 100%-105% overweight and difficult handling of the plane. Fuel is in most campaign missions not an issue.

 

What I usually do is to call for SEAD while on approach. While F-16s take care about threats, I circle from a safe distance and height trying to spot and mark as many targets a possible. Then I switch to mark points view and start to take out remaining close air defense units that make the impression of a threat.

 

After AGMs are used up the plane is safer/easier to control (lower weight) and I make runs with GBUs from a relatively high altitude (15k and above). Release bomb turn away, circle in safe distance and altitude, aquire next target, approach, next drop and so on and so forth.

 

Basically I do everything from high altitude and safe distance which allows me to take out a whole bunch of units without even getting close to danger.

 

Going in low with MK-82s or CBUs I just do for fun.

 

Im wondering why even getting close to targets with all that fancy weapon systems.

 

I did some reading and as far as I understand before having those weapon systems such as in the Vietnam war the pilot had to go in low for CAS missions to visually spot targets and confirm friendly positions. Further, the "available daily weapons" of that time were "dumber" and needed to be droped from a lower alitude to be more precise.

 

Anyone has some materials on this topic?

[Evil.Bonsai]

air land sea bulletin may 2010 might be helpful? I have the doc saved but have not read through it yet.

 

http://www.alsa.mil/library/alsb/ALSB%202010-2.pdf

[RodBorza]

Hey man, this is gold!

Thanks for sharing. :-)

[sgibson]

Thanks! Great Link!