My favorite weapon of destruction is the Cluster Bomb Unit or CBU series of bombs. Each sub-type has their own unique characteristics, but are related in that they contain a number of smaller sub-munitions that disperse over the target area and cut a wide swath of destruction.

I conducted tests to determine the lowest altitude that the bombs can safely be dropped. Though this test may not model real life bomb fragmentation patterns and blast damage, this is what I found:

• With a LAYDOWN (level flight) profile: CBU-87 minimum AGL drop height – 150 ft @ 450 IAS.

At 150 ft. AGL, accuracy suffers a bit, as the bombs seem to overshoot their targets. A more effective height to deliver CBUs is between 500-1000 ft. AGL.

Make sure you set the CBU HEIGHT to an effective burst-height based on the types of targets you are attacking. Large, unarmored targets can be engaged with burst-heights of 1000-1500 ft. Smaller armored targets should be set for 300-600 ft. burst-height. Remember to drop a significant number of CBUs to cover the target area. Alter your weapon release option to accommodate your attack profile. More on the WRO, proper bomb quantity, and release interval in my next article.

You can designate targets for the CBU series using any of the four targeting methods mentioned earlier. All three bombing modes are applicable for the CBUs: CDIP, AUTO, and AUTO LOFT work for bomb delivery.

AGM Series

There were 5296 AGM-65 Mavericks fired during the Gulf War, unfortunately none of them were fired from the F-15E. The F-15E has only recently been fully rated to carry the Maverick and use it for its attack role. This is an interesting addition to the Strike Eagle’s weapons inventory because it runs a bit counter to the F-15E’s primary mission of deep interdiction. Mavericks are best suited to the close air support role. One reason the Air Force wanted the Maverick installed was that the end of the Gulf War saw the F-15E performing some close air support missions. Remember tank plinking?

Although a lot of fun to fire, the Maverick has proven difficult to launch against small or mobile targets. I believe I’ve developed a way to use the Maverick that guarantees a shack, even on moving targets.

The thing I like about this method is that it doesn't involve use of the HUD/mouse or Target IR Pod - instead you use the IGMT radar mode and the WEAPONS VIDEO. It doesn't require a pause in the game either! It’s also realistic and safer given that you can take out your target in one pass. Visual identification prior to lock-on and launch by a fly-over is not necessary.

Here's the process:

1. When in-flight, come down to about 2,000-2,500 AGL and level off (use Autopilot if necessary)
2. Set your speed to ~450 IAS
3. Set to A/G master mode - select an AGM-65 weapon station to enable a Maverick
4. Switch to WSO seat
5. Switch radar to IGMT mode and the 20nm size - Switch IR Pod view to WEAPONS VIDEO view
6. Choose Narrow Field of View (NFOV) if not selected
7. When you can see the "+" (moving targets) or non-moving targets at 20nm or so, make an initial target designation by clicking the mouse on TGT and pointing to the target on the radar map (NO HRM IS NECESSARY)
8. If the target is a moving vehicle, it will move out of the initial target designation, that's ok - keep flying
9. When TGT is within 10nm, switch radar size to 10nm - re-designate carefully
10. When TGT is within 5nm, switch radar size to 5nm - re-designate carefully
11. When TGT is within 3nm, - re-designate carefully
12. At 2.5nm, you should start to see the target as a small black speck in the cross-hairs of the WEAPONS VIDEO
13. You'll notice at this point, the target is not moving out of the cross hairs and should be locked
14. Fire at will!

SHACK! BIGGER THAN DALLAS!

Click to continue . . .

BLU Series

The BLU series of bombs, also known as Durandals, are a specialized weapon used for the denial of runways. The bomb uses a parachute to slow its decent and orient the warhead to the vertical where a rocket motor plunges the bomb deep into the runway pavement.

My testing shows that the BLU can be dropped at a minimum height of 200 ft. AGL. Below this and the rocket motor will not fire. Accuracy suffers at 200 ft., as the bombs seem to overshoot the target a bit. A more realistic altitude for delivery is around 500-1000 ft. AGL. CDIP seems to be a good method for delivery, and the AUTO profile works well if you’ve designated your target carefully.

Remember to plan your initial point (IP) and target waypoint to bring you over the length of the runway. Unless you are tasked with more than one DMPI, ripple-release your entire BLU load in one pass. The best place to target is 1/4 to 1/3 down from a runway’s end. I love to watch them do their work in the F9 view!

GBU Series

The hero of the Gulf War was the "smart" weapon. Based on post-war analysis the laser-guided smart weapons were not as effective as the military originally claimed, but they none-the-less proved to be an indispensable implement of war.

Although the F-15E dropped LGBs in tests prior to the Gulf War, it was not until the early days of Desert Shield that they were given the go-ahead for full deployment. Early in the conflict, the F-15E squadrons were hampered by the availability of the AN/AAQ-14 Targeting Pod. Once the pods became more available, the F-15E crews employed them effectively against targets of all types - mostly against SCUD sites and tanks.

The GBU series, like the Mavericks, has proven to be difficult to effectively drop. The bombs tend to lose their lock if not properly designated.

Here’s a method that should correct most bomb designation problems. I like this approach because you do not have to pause the game to keep your designation. It works against non-moving targets only.

1. Delivery profile for LGB release is ~2000-24,000 ft. AGL (10,000-20,000 AGL preferred) and ~350-500 IAS delivered in a LAYDOWN (level) flight path
2. Switch to A/G Master Mode
3. In the Pilot seat, make sure you enable a GBU station – select AUTO delivery mode
4. Go to the WSO seat - Target IR Pod is in AUTO mode, CDES mode turned ON, ground radar on RMB
5. At 20nm out, create an HRM patch map at the .67 resolution (highest resolution)
6. Switch HRM radar sub-mode to from MAP to TGT and designate target with absolute precision
7. Switch back to the Pilot seat – check your steering as necessary – Autopilot helps too
8. Wait for WSO countdown (you must be in the Pilot seat to hear this)
9. At 20 seconds to TREL, switch back to the WSO seat - you should start to see your target in the Target IR Pod – increase field of view if necessary (you must be in the WSO seat to see Target IR Pod view at this point)
10. Verify the Target IR Pod is in AR-TRACK - Switch quickly back to the Pilot seat
11. Release weapon upon WSO command or TREL = 0
12. When WSO calls "20 seconds to impact" switch quickly back to the WSO seat – TURN LASER ON
13. Begin a slow 20-30 degree bank turn (right or left) away from the target – this will allow the pod to continue designation

SHACK! LOOK AT THOSE SECONDARIES!

NOTE: You must reset the Target IR Pod after each bombing run (switch off the Laser, switch off CDES) after bombing run or you will NOT be able to designate another target. I have set up my Thrustmaster gear to HOTAS the Target IR Pod commands such as MODE, LASER, CDES, and TRACK. This allows me to better control the release of the weapons while keeping my eyes on flying.

Thanks to Snow White for doing the initial research in this area.

Continued on Page 3