1. Armament Selection

You can attach various unguided bombs to weapon stations 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 (see also armament dialog).

Some bombs are smaller and can therefore be mounted on a 2-position carrier. The BDU-33 even have a 6-position carrier because the bombs are so small.

The list looks long and confusing. But we are only interested in four types:

The Mk-82 (500 lb), Mk-83 (1,000 lb) and Mk-84 (2,000 lb) are conventional unguided bombs, which differ only in size, weight and thus in explosive power.

Retarded Variants

The addition of tail modifications allows the GPB to be retarded.  

• The Mk-82 SnakeEye is a modified Mk-82 with folded, retarding petals which open and act as air brake surfaces, so it can be dropped in low-level flight without blowing yourself up (Fragging).
• The Mk-82Y is the Mk. 82 BSU-49, which, like the SnakeEye, is an air-braked bomb for attacking in low-flying. But instead of metal braking surfaces a balloon, called a Ballute, is inflated. This greatly increases the air resistance (see section "Retarded Bombs").

Practice Variant

The BDU-33 is a small blue practice bomb without explosive effect.

Cluster Variants

The CBU-99 and Mk-20 are both cluster or bombs, i.e. they are containers that open at a set height scatter a number of bomblets, see section

Guided Variants

Laser Guidance

The GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU16 are laser-guided bombs and will only be covered in the next weapons course.

INS / GPS Guidance

This is also true for the GBU-31 and GBU-38, which use an INS / GPS system which is independently programmed with the target coordinates prior to being dropped. They are often referred to as JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Ammunition), although LGB (Laser Guided Bombs) strictly speaking also fall into the JDAM category.

Weapon Stations

Finally, a list of which bomb can be loaded to which station or carrier.
In SMS (Stores Management System), the names given below are used.

2. Release using CCIP

We will not set up ground targets in the Basic Course and will not use ground radar. This will come in a later course.

In order to be able to attack ground targets with the unguided bombs, you must follow the steps below.

Procedures

• Activate weapon main switch MASTER ARM VI-L.
  
  When you set the weapon main switch to ARM, you will see in the middle how the status changes from SAFE to ARM. Also in the lower right corner, SIM for training mode is hidden.
  
  
  
• Activate the lower main mode switch for Air to Ground MASTER MODE A/G VI-L.
  
  
  
• Call the Stores Management System (SMS) on the left DDI if it is not already open LDDI STORES LDDI.
  To do this, you must press the middle button on the bottom row (PB18) until the tactical page TAC is reached. STORES in the upper left corner (PB05) and you are on the SMS page.
  
  
  
• Select the type of bomb PB 82B | RE | 83B | etc. LDDI.
  You will find the different loaded types at the top of the screen from left to right.
  With the buttons (PB06-10) above you may select the desired type. It will be displayed in a box.
  Additional options will now be shown.
  
  
  
• Select the desired mode PB CCIP LDDI.
  In this course we always use CCIP and ignore MAN (i.e.: Manual).
  
  
  
• Set the Mechanical bomb Fuse MFUZE NOSE LDDI.
  In the SMS select MFUZ (PB04) for the Mechanical Fuse.
  Then use the same button (PB04) to activate NOSE Selection.
  In the lower third of the SMS page the changed setting is visible in the PROG1 block.
  If you fail to change this setting, the bombs will not explode on impact!
  
  
  
• Now you can see some new symbols in the HUD AIM DIL HUD.
  Align the DIL vertically and bring it over the target.
  Fly towards the target and make small corrections.
  
• If you are close to your target, make a 30-45° nose dive DIVE HOTAS-J.
  It takes practice to find the right moment to do this.
  
  
  
• In a nose dive, a CCIP crosshair appears as soon as an impact point can be calculated CCIP CROSS HUD.
  Bring this crosshair over the target
  The flight path velocity vector should remain above the pull-up cue.
  
  
  
• Now press and hold the weapon release button until all bombs are released RELEASE HOTAS-J.
  
  
  
• Once all bombs are released, pull the plane up into a climb.
  With the key F6 you can switch to the view for released weapons and watch how and where the bomb fall.
  
  
  

3. Quantity, Multiplier and Interval

You can configure the F/A-18C's weapon system to drop multiple bombs on a single approach.
After you have set the bomb type, CCIP mode and mechanical fuse detonator as in the previous section, follow the steps below.

In this example we want to drop a total of 4 bombs. These are divided into 2 pairs, which are to impact at a distance of 100 feet apart.

• Press the PB14 to activate the UFC (PB UFC)
  The display UFC in the SMS is now boxed and the two options QTY and MULT are displayed in the UFC.
  
  
  
• Select the option QTY (Quantity) with its corresponding button. (QTY - numbers - ENT)
  A colon appears beside the display option. The option can now be changed.
  Using the numeric keypad of the UFC you enter the total number (4) and confirm with ENT.
  The display in the SMS shows the changed quantity.
  Also, in the UFC the new option INT.
  
  
  
• Now activate the Multiplier option. (MULT - Numbers - ENT)
  With this option you define how many bombs should be dropped at the same time.
  We want to drop 2 at the same time. Enter the number again using the numeric keypad and confirm with ENT.
  This is also displayed on the SMS.
  
  
  
• Lastly activate the option for Interval in UFC. (INT - Numbers - ENT)
  With this option you can set the distance between each bomb impact.
  In the CCIP, AUTO and FD modes the distance is in feet. Whereas in the Manual mode it is miliseconds.
• Enter the number (100) via the numeric keypad and confirm with ENT.
  The SMS displays the 100 FT.
  
  
  
• Now attack your target as usual.
  On the approach just hold the Weapon Release button long enough so that all bombs can be dropped.

4. Retarded Bombs

Conventional bombs cannot be dropped below a certain safety altitude. This is because in low altitude flight the bomb would hit and explode before the aircraft had a chance to depart the dangerous fragmentation zone. In order to be able to drop bombs in low altitude flight, bombs with air brakes were invented. These bombs open air-braking surfaces or inflatable Ballute, which significantly increase air resistance and thus reduce the bombs forward speed during its fall. This delays the impact and thus also the detonation allowing the attacking aircraft enough time to clear from the fragmentation zone.

Here is a picture of a Mk82b Snake Eye bomb with retard surfaces:

Procedures

To use the retard feature of the bombs, you have to activate them as follows:

• If the bomb has a type of air brake, the option DRAG is displayed when the bomb type is selected.
.
• Press the PB02 next to DRAG.
• To activate, press the PB04 next to RET.
• In the SMS the setting is transferred and shown in the current weapon program.

5. Cluster Bombs

We can equip the F/A-18C with so-called cluster bombs (CBU-99 & MK-20 Rockeye).
These are containers with multiple bomblets within and when dropped, open at a certain height.
This releases the bomblets, which are distributed over the dropping area.
The higher the opening, the larger the scattering circle and the lower the more concentrated the effect.

Procedures

With the mechanical detonators you can set the height at which the cluster bomb opens:

• Select MFUZ via the corresponding PB04.
• Set the initiator to VT or (variable time) or distance initiation.
• Then select EFUZ and INST (i.e. instant ignition).
• With HT you can adjust the initiation height by pressing the button (PB01) several times.
• The settings on the UFC (QTY, MULT & INT) are also available.
  
  
  
  
  
  

6. Manual Mode

There is also the Manual mode for the unguided bombs. It works in the same way as with the unguided missiles and the cannon.

The description of the necessary steps is exactly the same as for the Manual mode of the aircraft cannon, therefore only this is referred to here.

7. Guides

Our guide is based on the English and German manual, Chuck'S Guide and the following YouTube tutorials listed below. You can use this material for further training.

• RedKite:
  • DCS F/A-18c Hornet LOFT, AUTO and CCIP bombing Tutorial
• Matt Wagner:
  • DCS: F/A-18C Hornet - Episode 12: Unguided Bombs
• Phil Phillips
  • Z-Diagram Bombing Profile