Anti-Shipping Practice

[Flyco]

It looks as though, next week’s mission is going to be anti-shipping. May I suggest that we look at using the heavy Maverick. It should have a better effect than the standard one, but we can only carry 2 per ac. However, if it is a decent ship-killer, it could be worth it. Also of course the GBU-10, as opposed to the GBU-12, would be a good idea - we can carry 4 of those in addition to the 2 Mavs. I don’t see rockets being very effective.

If the area that we are to patrol is a shown (red dotted outline?), it might be better to patrol as pairs in specified areas. We will need more info about that.

I need to look out some ship targets and see what the various weapons will do.

[Paul(Dragon)0043]

Hi Alan, I agree with your loadout.

The AGM-65G is an IIR guided missile with a 300lb warhead.
The AGM-65K is an Optically guided Missile with a 300lb Warhead.

[Flyco]

I've spent the afternoon sinking ships. Not very conclusive results.

It would appear that a single hit by a GBU-12 or a Mav-D, will damage but not sink a ship, but a second hit will destroy it.

Both Mav-Ds hit the ship; the first one caused a lot of flames and smoke but this cleared without any apparent damage. The second Mav-D on the same ship sank it within a few seconds. The GBU-12s appeared to give more flames but had a tendency to drift across the deck.

The Mav-K, despite showing a solid lock-on overflew the target.

The GBU-10 hit, produced flames but did not sink the ship.

My conclusion is that we might as well take a bundle of GBU-12 and four Mav-Ds.

It was easier from 10-12,000 ft to find the targets visually. Just require a sensible search patter e.g. creeping line ahead.

I will give the LG rockets a try tomorrow - there does not seem a lot of logic, so two rockets may do the trick!

[Paul(Dragon)0043]

Interested to see your results, Alan. Do you want to lead this mission on Tuesday?

[Flyco]

Paul, yes, happy to do that. I will put us down for up to 8 A-10s, flying as pairs, so as to be able to cover the whole area. Mav-Ds and GBU-12s.

[Paul(Dragon)0043]

Nice one, Alan.

[309 Geoff]

Just flew a test mission against 6 cargo ship. I was carrying 2*MavG’s, 3*GBU12’s, 1*GBU10, and 7* laser 282 rockets.
Have a look at the attached TacView image.
Outcome was:-
1* GBU12 set the cargo ship on fire. A pair will sink it, given time.
1* GBU 10 destroyed and sank the ship
1* Mav G destroyed and sank the ship. Put your TGP cursor on the waterline. This surprised me.
4* Laser Rockets 282 gave 13% damage.
3* Laser rockets 282 gave 10% damage.
On Tuesday, my loadout will be GBU10’s, GBU12’s, and Mav G’s.

Anti Ship ResultsJPG.JPG (256.72 KiB) Viewed 1538 times

[Flyco]

I have also been doing some more tests. I find that the GBU-12, if dropped just in front of the bridge, is a fairly certain kill, although it does burn for a couple of minutes, while it slows down and disappears below the surface. A frontal attack is the most consistently accurate and effective.

The Mav-D gives a lot of smoke and flames after hitting, which stops, leaving a pristine ship. I seem to remember the heavy Mav, that I tested did hit the side, and the ship sank. However, given the weight, I would rather take 2 extra GBU-12s, rather than lug a heavy Mav or a GBU-10. As it is with 80% fuel the ac is at max AUW.

There are a few ground targets available, so I will include a couple of Mav-Ds, but all the rest will be GBU-12s. There should be time for someone to switch a weapon if they feel strongly about it.

Just hope we get a reasonable turn out. Brief should be available on or before Monday.

[309 Geoff]

Alan,
I am happy to go with Mav D"s and GBU12's.