トレーニング/Training-Unguided Bombs

[1] Welcome to the training lesson on the employment of unguided bombs using CCIP and CCRP master modes.


I've engaged the autopilot to maintain altitude and heading. Pay attention to the airspeed and manage the throttle to stay above 200 knots throughout this mission.


[2]


[3] Set the TAD range to 40nm. To do this, first make the TAD SOI by pressing OSB-15 and then press the HOTAS DMS DOWN command or the END key on the keyboard three times.


[4] Now change the HUD back to SOI by pressing the HOTAS Coolie Hat UP command or the U key on the keyboard.


[5] The A-10C can be armed with the Mk-82 500 lbs. and Mk-84 2,000 lbs. Low Drag General Purpose (LDGP) free-fall bombs. In addition, the Mk-82AIR high drag version of the basic Mk-82 is available for retarded delivery at low altitudes. Finally, the CBU-87 Combined Effects Munitions (CEM) cluster bomb is available for use against lightly armored area targets, such as concentrations of vehicles.


Let's open the DSMS page now with OSB-14 to review our payload for this flight.


[6] We are carrying 6 Mk-82s loaded on Triple Ejector Racks (TER) on stations 3 and 9 and 4 Mk-82AIRs on stations 4, 5, 7, 8.


Press OSB-1 to enter the Profile Main Page.


[7] Now press OSB-19 to select the "MK-82" profile and then OSB-3 to enter the Profile Control Page.


[8] Press OSB-6 to set the release mode to "PRS" (pairs). With this setting, each press of the Weapons Release Button will unload a single Mk-82 from each of the TER stations on both sides of the aircraft.


Once the release mode is set to "PRS", press OSB-16 to enter the Profile Settings page.


[9] On the Profile Settings page, OSB-20 is used to select the Safe Escape Manuever (SEM), currently set to "CLM" (climb). It's important to remember that when the mission starts on the ground - either a cold start on the ramp or a hot start on the runway - the default SEM will usually be set to "NONE". In that case, you will not be able to get a valid CCIP solution. You should set the SEM to either "CLM", "TRN" (turn) or "TLT"(turn level turn) prior to entering the combat area.


The Profile Settings page also allows you to set the bomb Desired Time of Fall ("DES TOF") with OSB-19 and Minimum Release Altitude ("MIN ALT") with OSB-18. These settings will determine the positions of the Minimum Range Staple (MRS) and Desired Release Cue (DRC) of the CCIP solution. We'll have a chance to view these indications in a few minutes.


Press the Space bar key to proceed to the next step.


[10] Let's set the minimum release altitude to 1,500 ft. To do this, first enter "1500" into the UFC scratchpad, then press OSB-18 to store the value in the DSMS.


[11] Press OSB-3 to save the changes to this profile.


[12] Let's now configure the Mk-82AIRs by pressing OSB-19 to select "MK82APO" profile and then OSB-3 to enter the Profile Control page.


[13] We'll make a number of changes to this profile:


1) Press OSB-6 to set the release mode to "RIP SGL". This will release the bombs individually in sequence.


2) Set the ripple quantity to 2 by entering "2" into the UFC scratchpad, followed by OSB-8.


3) Press OSB-10 to change the HUD mode for this profile to CCRP.


Note that the default fuse setting of "N/T" (Nose/Tail) on OSB-7 will result in a deployed chute for a high drag delivery. Leave this setting as is so we can try a high-drag CCRP delivery from low altitude. To release the Mk-82AIR as a low-drag bomb, you would change the fuse setting to "NOSE".


Also note the impact interval setting of 75 ft. on OSB-9, which you could change by entering a different value through the UFC.


Press OSB-16 to enter the Profile Settings page.


[14] Set the minimum release altitude to 200 ft. by entering "200" into the UFC scratchpad, followed by OSB-18.


[15] Press OSB-3 to save the changes to this profile.


[16] Press OSB-1 to return to the DSMS Status page.


[17] Set the Master Arm on the AHC panel to TRAIN by right-clicking the switch twice.


[18] Bombs are deployed using either CCIP (Continuously Computed Impact Point) or CCRP (Continuously Computed Release Point) HUD modes. Put plainly, CCIP indicates the calculated point of bomb impact on the ground, while CCRP indicates a desired weapon release point in the air.


Of the two modes, CCIP is the most straight forward, requiring only for the pilot to place the pipper on target and pickle the weapon. However, CCIP is also problematic in that it requires a significant dive angle for the reticle to become visible on the HUD. This brings you closer to the enemy and - often just as deadly - the ground.


To begin working with CCIP, select the "MK-82" profile by pressing the SEL DOWN rocker key on the UFC. Alternatively, you can press the HOTAS DMS RIGHT command or PAGE DOWN key on the keyboard.


[19] CCIP indication is now visible on the HUD as a dashed line, called a Projected Bomb Impact Line (PBIL). Dashed indication means the pipper is below the HUD field of view. To see the reticle with pipper, we'll perform a dive in a minute. Before we try this, let's review some of the important elements of CCIP indication. You may want to have the Flight Manual open to reference CCIP illustrations.


Press the Space bar key to proceed when ready.


[20] The PIBL is a theoretical prediction of pipper track along the ground under current flight parameters. A convenient way to bring the pipper on target is to run the target down the PBIL.


The aiming reticle includes the pipper dot in the center, an unwinding range bar to indicate slant range to the impact point in thousands of feet and a Minimum Range Caret (MRC).


Along the PBIL, you will see the Minimum Range Staple (MRS), which has to remain above the reticle to maintain a valid CCIP solution. If a Desired Time of Fall is set in the weapon profile, a Desired Release Cue will also be indicated on the PBIL. Keeping the DRC over the target as you dive toward it will guide you toward a release point that matches the time of fall set in the profile.


Press the Space bar key to proceed when ready.


[21] Now we'll perform a dive so you can see the CCIP reticle come into view.


Minimize acceleration in the dive by reducing engine power and opening the speedbrakes if necessary. Recover above 3,000 ft.


Whenever you're ready, reduce engine power and press the Space bar key to proceed. I will disengage the autopilot so you can begin the dive.


[22] Autopilot is now OFF, you have control. Pitch the nose down to between -30 to -40 degrees.


[23] To maximize accuracy of the CCIP solution, it's best to minimize acceleration in the dive and maintain a stable flight path. Try to maintain the TVV on a point on the ground above the target. This will result in the CCIP pipper "crawling" toward the target. Do not attempt to keep the CCIP reticle stable over one point as this will produce negative G and cause a problematic solution and weapon release.


[24] Level out.


[25] If you wish, you can now try a couple more dry runs using CCIP, but you will need to recover some altitude first.


Press the Space bar key when you're ready to proceed to the next lesson topic.


[26] Next, we will consider CCIP CR (Consent to Release) mode.


Maintain heading for waypoint 2 ("MSN002"). Climb to 6,000 ft. and maintain airspeed above 200 knots.


[27] Autopilot is ON.


To overcome some of the limitations of CCIP mode, the A-10C features two CCIP CR (Consent to Release) modes. In CR mode, the CCIP reticle is always visible on the HUD. Whereas in standard CCIP the reticle disappears out of view when the impact point is below the HUD, in CR mode it remains dashed and latched to the button of the HUD. This allows you to designate a target by placing the pipper over it and perform the attack by pressing down and holding the Weapons Release Button. Doing so adds indication to the HUD to guide you to the desired weapon release point. Weapons are released automatically as you pass the release point as long as the Weapons Release Button is held down.


CR mode comes in two flavors - "3/9" and "5-mil". We'll try using 3/9 mode as it allows more error in the delivery.


CR modes are enabled in the IFFCC TEST menu. Right-click the IFFCC switch on the AHCP once to set it to TEST.


[28] Press the UFC DATA rocker key to change the CCIP CONSENT OPT (option) from "OFF" to "3/9".


[29] Now set the IFFCC back to ON by left-clicking the IFFCC switch once.


[30] Press the HOTAS Master Mode button or M key on the keyboard to return the HUD to CCIP mode.


[31] Note the "3/9" indication on the HUD as the weapon release mode.


I will now disengage the Autopilot so you can practice using CR mode.


To see CCIP CR indication on the HUD, take the nose down about 5 degrees.


[32]


[33] Dashed CCIP CR indication is now visible on the HUD with the reticle latched to the bottom. You can press R. CONTROL + R. SHIFT + Numpad 8 to shift your view up to better see the reticle.


Place the pipper over a desired target point and press and hold the Weapons Release Button to see the CR post-designate indication.


[34] The indication is now solid. An Azimuth Steering Line (ASL) with the 5-mil Solution Cue and Time to Release Numeric (TTRN) is added to the HUD.


Fly the aircraft so that the PBIL and ASL remain aligned.


As you approach the target, the TTRN will begin the countdown to release and the Solution Cue will move down the HUD. Your objective is to fly the aircraft so that the Solution Cue runs down the PIBL and passes through the center of the CCIP reticle.


You can now continue to practice targeting using CCIP CR mode.


Press the Space bar key when you're ready to proceed to the next topic.


[35]


[36] CCIP CR 5-mil mode functions identically to 3/9 mode, except that the weapons are released only if the CCIP reticle pipper passes directly through the 5-mil Solution Cue.


Next, we'll take a look at CCRP mode.
Select the "MK82AHI" profile by pressing the HOTAS DMS RIGHT command or the PAGE DOWN key on the keyboard. Press the HOTAS Master Mode Button or M key on the keyboard to select CCRP mode.


[37] CCRP indication is much like CCIP CR post-designate, with the ASL and 5-mil Solution Cue providing aiming cues toward the desired weapon release point for the target. The difference is that in CCRP mode the target is marked by a Sensor Point of Interest (SPI) using any of the available sensors.


We'll try using the HUD to designate a SPI using the Target Designation Cue (TDC).


Press the Space bar key to proceed when ready.


[38] Hold the HOTAS Slew Control DOWN or the PERIOD "." key on the keyboard to slew the HUD TDC down to the highlighted box on the HUD. Designate this point as the SPI by holding the HOTAS TMS UP command or L.CTRL and UP arrow keys on the keyboard.


[39] CCRP indication is now visible on the HUD with the familiar Azimuth Steering Line and 5-mil Solution Cue. As you approach the target, the Solution Cue and TTRN timer will move down the ASL and the weapons will release as they pass through the CCRP reticle while the Weapons Release button is held down.


Because we set-up the MK-82AHI profile for a high-drag delivery, the release point will be virtually above the target in this case.


You can try designating other SPI locations if you wish.


Press the Space bar key to proceed to the next topic.


[40] We'll now fly to the weapons range to drop some live ordnance.


Hold the HOTAS TMS DOWN command or L.CTRL + DOWN arrow keys on the keyboard to reset the SPI to the steerpoint.


Set the Master Arm to ON by left-clicking the switch twice.


[41] Press the HOTAS DMS UP command or HOME key on the keyboard to set your steerpoint for waypoint-3 ("RANGE"). Navigate to the weapons range. You will want to gain some altitude to practice CCIP runs.


[42] The weapons range is set up with a number of target arrays. Practice dropping MK-82s and MK-82AIRs in CCIP, CCIP CR and CCRP modes.


Remember, we set the MK-82AIR profile for a high-drag delivery, so you can use CCRP mode to designate the target with the HUD TDC and deliver the bombs at low altitude and level flight.


[43] You are approaching the weapons range.


In general, it's best to keep the target at your 10 or 2 o'clock position as you approach. This allows you to keep eyes on the target to better time your roll-in for the dive.


This concludes the training portion of the flight. Targets are now marked with RED smoke and you are cleared in!


[44] Good hits on those targets!


[45] Got some hits there!


[46] Nice bombs.


[47] Good hit!


[48] Nice run.