Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

I tried this once without success, but I was wondering if anyone else had successfully created LGBs with cluster payloads or otherwise a airdropped cluster munition with a range greater than 1? Is it even possible?

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

I tried that once (with cluster class weapons), but as far as I can recall the aircrafts always dumped them from zero range, even with a clear view on target and huge FC/vision ratings.

That kind of weapons would make some sense, if only for stand-off wide-area weapons like the JSOWs.
It's even stranger given that offmap rocket launchers fire the very same weapons from a standoff without worries.

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

Which is why I tried it and was confused that they didn't work. I wanted to know because of early LGBs that used cluster bombs as the "warhead" for the guidance kit. Thought about finding dates and seeing if I could use them for the Vietnam period. There was also the experimental AGM-12E which I thought might've been fun (what initially brought all this about). I'm curious to hear from the team about what the reason for not being able to do this is.

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

Cluster bombs are dropped at bomb range by aircraft. It is part of the game engine. Planes using missiles use the stand-off missile routine at teh start of the air pass, and then may carry on table to complete a bomb run. All air to mud missiles have unitary HE warheads (and changing that would really need a new game engine). Planes using other weapons then fly in, and as part of the move seqence may fire class 11 cannons (not bombers), and then drop any other air ordnace as part of the bomb run. So giving an air cluster bomb any range element is therefore worthless. It will be dropped as part of the bombing run as normal for all air dropped bombs.


Cheers
Andy

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

So its in the aircraft code not the weapon code? Because as Plasma said, rocket launchers with cluster munitions fire the same class of weapons from a standoff range.

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

Try using the MRLS weapon if you want a ranged cluster warhead. I dunno how well that'll work though.

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

No, that should run into the same issues as we've experience before. Because its the same class of weapon, it would appear the aircraft code nullifies range for that weapon class regardless of what its set at.

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

What issue?

Cluster BOMBS get the range mod from the Aircraft code.
Cluster WEAPONS might not.

I've strapped cluster wareahd weapons to helicopters before and it worked fine.

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

Okay Listy, I'm confused. One of us or both of us aren't getting across clearly. They're both class 14 weapons. How does one differ from the other?

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

Me by the looks of it.

It's been so long since I opened MOBhack I thought MRLS' where a seperate weapon entry.

I'll get back in my box now.

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

No, don't, you're one of the few people to really defy the rules or experiment with it at least. Your opinion in such a discussion is valued, I just realized that someone had to be confused there. It could just as easily have been me.

Its looking like this might just have to go without being done. Didn't think about helicopter cluster weapons though, that's an interesting idea and since they don't have the restrictions of airplane routines, it might provide for some interesting things to be modeled.

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

Heh thanks... I think :p

I was trying to recreate the effect of UH-1 ARA "Hogs" in the run up to the LZ X-ray game that was released. But no matter how I fiddeled, it just wouldn't get the right suppression numbers on dug in infantry.

I'm glad to say the much more "legal" and effective way was used. (Note for maximum effect bombard the hex)

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

Last night on the Discovery Channel there was a segment on the CBU-97 Sensor Fused Weapon. This thing is devastating! Once the weapon is dropped (as far as 10 miles from the target) it breaks up into four bomblets which deploy over the target area. They then break up and each drops out 10 submunitions which have sensors which can detect vehicles. The submunitions then home in on the targets. If they do not find a target they self-destruct. Basically one aircraft can destroy 30-40 targets!

Re: Stand-off cluster \"bombs\"?
 

I have also given the odd try at "smart" weapons, considering that cluster bombs could have more potential for it than FO-directed arty.

The main point was, of course, raising the weapon accuracy so as to have more hit-per-shot chance and maybe more multiple kills too.
As far as I can tell, there was no improvement in the hit probability, even with accuracy ratings nearing 150.

I haven't copyrighted the idea, so if anyone thinks I may not have tried hard enough, just have a go at it, I'd be glad if someone could come up with some result! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif