Harzach Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 I think he's saying that the munitions with higher initial energy will be dropped earlier/further out by the aircraft in order to hit the same target with a ballistic trajectory. So they also have more distance to cover using their energy. Yeah, once I sat back and ran the scenarios through what's left of my grey matter, it made sense.
marcos Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 I wonder if it's a problem caused by the small seeker head on LGBs. I noticed that the new LJDAMs have a wider seeker head. The smaller seeker head could mean that the bomb has to be pointing in the right direction to see the target lase and therefore takes a flatter trajectory, whereas a wider head can see more and guide itself on a more ballistic trajectory. Other than that I can't see why the bomb guidance system wouldn't just plan a more typically ballistic route to the target.
Eddie Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 (edited) Paveway III and IV do, as they have more 'intelligent' (much more intelligent in the case of PWIV) guidance systems and they have fully variable control surfaces instead of the "bang-bang" system used in PWI and PWII. PWII is rather old and outdated. You also vastly overestimate how 'smart' these systems are. LGBs have no idea where they are in space, they simply manoeuvre to keep a laser spot centred in their seeker FOV. Even PWIV and L-JDAM are no different when operating without GPS. Edited November 6, 2012 by Eddie
Cookie Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 LGBs have no idea where they are in space, they simply manoeuvre to keep a laser spot centred in their seeker FOV. What always fascinated me was the development history of these weapons. Did you know that the first laser guided bomb was actually not laser guided, but pigeon guided? Worked the very same way though (keeping the target centered in the seeker by a pigeon picking at it), and with great success as well. Check it out: - Two miles of road lead nowhere, two miles of runway lead everywhere - Click here for system specs
Eight Ball Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 Woh, that's quite amazing Find The Links To All My Mods And Liveries Here (in the gallery)
marcos Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 Paveway III and IV do, as they have more 'intelligent' (much more intelligent in the case of PWIV) guidance systems and they have fully variable control surfaces instead of the "bang-bang" system used in PWI and PWII. PWII is rather old and outdated. You also vastly overestimate how 'smart' these systems are. LGBs have no idea where they are in space, they simply manoeuvre to keep a laser spot centred in their seeker FOV. Even PWIV and L-JDAM are no different when operating without GPS. Interesting. I struggle to keep up with the Paveway nomeclature but AFAIK the Paveway IV is a Mk-82 warhead with the GBU-48's enhanced guidance (laser + GPS/INS)? The Paveway III is just a GBU-10 but with more efficient guidance software?
marcos Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 What always fascinated me was the development history of these weapons. Did you know that the first laser guided bomb was actually not laser guided, but pigeon guided? Worked the very same way though (keeping the target centered in the seeker by a pigeon picking at it), and with great success as well. Check it out: :megalol:
Eddie Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 Interesting. I struggle to keep up with the Paveway nomeclature but AFAIK the Paveway IV is a Mk-82 warhead with the GBU-48's enhanced guidance (laser + GPS/INS)? The Paveway III is just a GBU-10 but with more efficient guidance software? Note quite. US Designations Paveway II GBU-10 – Mk 84 2000 lb GBU-12 – Mk 82 500 lb GBU-16 – Mk 83 1000 lb Paveway III GBU-22 – Mk 82 500 lb - Intended replacement for GBU-12 but never adopted into service GBU-24 – Mk 84/BLU-109 2000 lb GBU-27 – BLU-109 2000 lb with clipped fins for the F-117A weapons bay GBU-28 – 2000 lb "bunker buster" UK Designations Enhanced Paveway II (EPWII) - 1000 lb GP bomb with enhanced PWII guidance kit with GPS & LASER guidance Enhanced Paveway III (EPWIII) - 2000 lb GP bomb with enhanced PWIII guidance kit with GPS & LASER guidance Paveway IV - 500 lb GP bomb (Mk-82 warhead) with advanced LASER & GPS guidance system and in flight programmable fusing.
marcos Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 Ah, so I wonder if: EPW II = GBU-48 Paveway IV = GBU-49 EPW III = GBU-50 There's certainly some conflicting information here: http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app5/paveway-2.html and here: http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/enhancedpaveway.cfm
Eddie Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 Ah, so I wonder if: EPW II = GBU-48 Paveway IV = GBU-49 EPW III = GBU-50 They are the US designations for EPW yes. Paveway IV and EPW II/GBU-49 however are different weapons.
marcos Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 Cool. Looks like they're bringing back the 250lb Paveway (GBU-58 ): http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1840 Should be good for lesser targets.
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