Air to Surface Weapon Delivery Methods

[Eddie]

Gun Deliveries

Low Angle Strafe (LAS)
Planned dive angle at delivery of 15 degrees or less. Minimum range to target is 2,000 feet. Minimum recovery altitude is 75 feet AGL. Number of rounds per event is 100.

LAS deliveries are most effective against soft/lightly-armoured targets and will normally result in a higher dispersion of bullet impacts than high angle deliveries. The lower dive angle used on LAS deliveries allow for both lower aircraft speeds and operation at lower altitudes without the need for a pop-up profile, this allow the aircraft to carry out multiple passes on a single target in rapid succession and often allow the pilot to maintain visual contact with the target area throughout the attack. LAS deliveries are also ideal for attacking soft target such as supply convoys and troops with or without PAC.

The main disadvantages of LAS deliveries are increased exposure to enemy fire due to the low altitude and short range to the target, as well as relatively high bullet dispersion patterns resulting in reduced effectiveness against armoured targets.

Long Range Strafe (LRS)
Planned dive angle of 15 degrees or less. Minimum range to target is 5,000 feet for computed delivery or 3,000 feet for manual delivery.

LRS deliveries are primarily used where it is desirable to remain as far from the target as is practical due to terrain restrictions or air-ground threats or any other situation where increased stand-off range is desirable. Due to the range to target at the point of firing accuracy is reduced when compared to LAS & HAS attacks which may necessitate additional attacks in order to destroy the target. In some cases use of LRS attacks may be preferred because of the increased bullet dispersion, such as when attacking dismounted infantry or other soft targets

Two-Target Strafe (TTS)
Planned dive angle of 15 degrees or less. Minimum range is 2,000 feet and minimum recovery altitude is 75 feet AGL. Number of rounds per event is 100.

TTS attacks consist of a long range strafe followed by a low angle strafe on targets in close proximity. The first (LRS) burst should be fired upon the most distant target and the second burst at the closer target, in order to both avoid potentially overflying the first closer target and also prevent the more distant target being obscured by smoke and dust from the first.

TTS attack can also be employed against point targets where multiple strafe passes are required but only one aircraft is available to carry out the attack.

High Angle Strafe (HAS)
Planned dive angle of greater than 15 degrees. Minimum recovery altitudes are 1,000 feet AGL for planned dive angles 30 degrees or less and 1,500 feet AGL for planned dive angles above 30 degrees. Minimum range to target is 2,000 feet. Number of rounds per event is 100.

HAS deliveries are most effective against heavily armoured targets such as main battle tanks and will normally result in a low dispersion of bullet impacts. HAS deliveries are also ideal for point targets where a tight bullet impact pattern is desired and/or where targets are located in mountainous terrain.

The main disadvantages of HAS deliveries are a limited tracking time due to the high aircraft speed in the dive and the need for an early escape manoeuvre to recover from the dive. It can also be difficult to maintain visual contact with the target due to the requirement for a high starting altitude. The need for a high starting altitude also places the aircraft at risk of early detection and/or high risk of engagement by SAM/AAA systems during the attack.