Modeling Smart Artillery Submunitions?
 

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to model the effectiveness of modern "cargo" style artillery rounds with smart submunitions, such as the Franco-Swedish 155mm BONUS , and the US 155mm M982 ER Excalibur with SADARM? (The USAF's BLU-108/B Sensor Fused Weapons would aslo fall in this category).

The 155mm H77 Bonus is in the Swedish OOB, but it has the same stats as older "dumb" 155mm submunition rounds (Accuracy 11, HE Kill 21, AP Pen 60, AP Kill 48).

Both the BONUS and SADARM carry 2 smart submunitions per shell.

GIAT's website lists describes the BONUS submunition as having 3 IR sensors and a laser altimeter and capable of searching and attacking targets within a 32,000 square meter area with an EFP capable of penetrating >130mm of steel armor.

The M898 SADARM appears to have similar capabilities. It is reported that US Forces fired 121 rounds with SADARM submunitions in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003 with 48 hard vehicle kills.

Each shell would only be able to target a maximum of 2 vehicles, with a very high probability of kill, and little to no HE Kill effect on soft targets in the target area.

Any idea how to model that?

Thanks,

Adrian

Re: Modeling Smart Artillery Submunitions?
 

Isn't BONUS already in-game? I'm pretty sure its just a combination of jacking up the accuracy of the weapon and relevant stats on the vehicle.

Just checked one instance quickly, and the BONUS equipped 155mm GCT F1 gun in the French OOB has increased range and accuracy (though not much, +1 acc and +7 range).

Re: Modeling Smart Artillery Submunitions?
 

Don't forget the AP ammo, very efficient against armored vehicles...

Re: Modeling Smart Artillery Submunitions?
 

try a search for SADARM on this forum, you should see a couple of threads that may address your question.

Cheers
Andy

Re: Modeling Smart Artillery Submunitions?
 

I was just thinking.

What if you modified say the Maverick ATGM, which is a stand-off missile, with the stats of the smart shell. Then create an Icon that is very small, say the size of a 155mm shell, and replace it for a F117 or F16, that way you could call it down like artilery and you never really see it fly over like a standard air assault.

Just a thought, I'm not at my computer to test it out, I will later and let you know how it went.