Miniature guided weapons
SpudmanWP wrote:Don't forget LZuni, twice the punch of a Hellfire
Zuni rocket pod can only carry 4 rocket (versus 19 rocket for Hydra 70) and the range is shorter than APKWS.
For 4 missiles/weapons station there are better options with longer range, better sensors and warhead such as Brimstone, JAGM-G, Spear. Though they are also alot more expensive.
BAT-120GL seem better than laser zuni.
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LZuni has a variable (ie thermometric, blast-frag, etc) 40lb warhead and a range of 10 miles. Basically, the LZuni makes a better and cheaper bunker-buster, technical-popper, etc than a Hellfire
APKWS only has a range of 6.8 miles and IIRC less than a 15lb warhead.
Brimstone, JAGM-G, Spear are massively more expensive and only Spear will have a longer range. Remember that the Zuni pod can be mounted on a TER so that is 12 missiles per station, not 4. JSF is already certified for the BRU-55/57 which is 8 LZuni per wing station.
Lzuni data:
https://web.archive.org/web/20110408234 ... i-data.pdf
APKWS fixed wing data:
https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/downlo ... 478508.pdf
APKWS only has a range of 6.8 miles and IIRC less than a 15lb warhead.
Brimstone, JAGM-G, Spear are massively more expensive and only Spear will have a longer range. Remember that the Zuni pod can be mounted on a TER so that is 12 missiles per station, not 4. JSF is already certified for the BRU-55/57 which is 8 LZuni per wing station.
Lzuni data:
https://web.archive.org/web/20110408234 ... i-data.pdf
APKWS fixed wing data:
https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/downlo ... 478508.pdf
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SpudmanWP wrote:LZuni has a variable (ie thermometric, blast-frag, etc) 40lb warhead and a range of 10 miles. Basically, the LZuni makes a better and cheaper bunker-buster, technical-popper, etc than a Hellfire
Lzuni data:
https://web.archive.org/web/20110408234 ... i-data.pdf
That new, i often see the quote range of zuni to be barely 5-6 km, why are guided versions of zuni so rare compared to Hydra 70? ( with Cirit, LOGIR, APKWS, DARG, TALON, GATR-L.. etc)
SpudmanWP wrote:Brimstone, JAGM-G, Spear are massively more expensive and only Spear will have a longer range.
Didn't JAGM-G has 24-28 km range?
And Brimstone II has 200% range of Brimstone I?
Last edited by eloise on 23 Oct 2018, 08:34, edited 1 time in total.
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A guided munition allows for a lofted flight profile. Remember that the range of a traditional Zuni includes drift which laser guidance removes.
I don't see Brimstone2 having 200% of BR1's range given the identical size.
Same for JAGM as it's the same size as Brimstone.
I don't see Brimstone2 having 200% of BR1's range given the identical size.
Same for JAGM as it's the same size as Brimstone.
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I know this has been discussed before. Yet, I would love to know. If, a Zuni/APKWS rocket tube could fit into one of the Weapon Bay doors on the F-35A/B/C. Without interfering with internal weapons carriage? As even 4-6 rockets would offer considerable kick to the F-35.
For example an F-35 equipped with all internal Air to Air Weapons. That was performing a Air Superiority Mission. (for example) Could still be called in to give CAS in an emergency. As a matter of fact the Zuni/APKWS would just be a standard fit. Giving the F-35 a strike capability regardless of the mission.
For example an F-35 equipped with all internal Air to Air Weapons. That was performing a Air Superiority Mission. (for example) Could still be called in to give CAS in an emergency. As a matter of fact the Zuni/APKWS would just be a standard fit. Giving the F-35 a strike capability regardless of the mission.
SpudmanWP wrote:I don't see Brimstone2 having 200% of BR1's range given the identical size.
Same for JAGM as it's the same size as Brimstone.
Didn't they use different rocket motor?
As far as i can remember, PAM is same size as Hellfire/Brimstone but can reach 40 km when launched from ground.
SpudmanWP wrote:APKWS only has a range of 6.8 miles and IIRC less than a 15lb warhead.
APKWS fixed wing data:
https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/downlo ... 478508.pdf
APKWS
Maximum range 6.8 mi (11 km)
Probability of hit per 80% within 2.1 yd (2 m)
Launch altitude-200 to 25,000 ft - MSL
Launch height above target 0 to 15,000 ft
Platform speed at launch 180 to 550 KTAS
* The APKWS rocket exceeds all threshold specifications
If at 450 kt @ 40 k ft, which is already ~12 km high it would take a slant descent, so range from there will be much further out than is claimed for (an up to) 15,000 ft launch altitude. Guidance, navigation and control tweaking and >20 km seems a fairly likely range, with a fast descent. No need to risk the jet at lower level to get fast hits and very little maneuver time needed for loitering jets at a fuel-efficient altitude.
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Corsair1963 wrote:I know this has been discussed before. Yet, I would love to know. If, a Zuni/APKWS rocket tube could fit into one of the Weapon Bay doors on the F-35A/B/C. Without interfering with internal weapons carriage? As even 4-6 rockets would offer considerable kick to the F-35.
I would love for that to happen but it is highly unlikely
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A different motor type and larger wings would give it a much better glide profile and longer range.eloise wrote:As far as i can remember, PAM is same size as Hellfire/Brimstone but can reach 40 km when launched from ground.
Anything is possible and if they wanted the best chnace of it happening, they should create UAI drivers. This would not only open up the F-35 to easier sales, but also every US F-16, European F-16s, all F-15E+ (E, K, SG, etc), Super Hornets, drones, etc.eloise wrote:Anyone think the hexabomb launcher will be integrated into F-35 later? (not internally and externally)
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element1loop wrote:
If at 450 kt @ 40 k ft, which is already ~12 km high it would take a slant descent, so range from there will be much further out than is claimed for (an up to) 15,000 ft launch altitude. Guidance, navigation and control tweaking and >20 km seems a fairly likely range, with a fast descent. No need to risk the jet at lower level to get fast hits and very little maneuver time needed for loitering jets at a fuel-efficient altitude.
The original objective range was 16 km.
From Armaments 2010. (page 52)
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/1007655.pdf
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