Ranger Larry and Reed are asking the right questions, wouldn't an OUNCE of prevention (M203 40mm grenade launchers, anyone?) beat a POUND of CAS $269K Maverick ASM "cure"?
In essence, what about direct coping to problems on the scene?
Remember right now the DoD culture is permeated by GERTTING SOMEONE ELSE OR SOMETHING ELSE TO DO YOUR DIRTY WORK. Again, "RMA" is labor saving via mouse clicking via "information" means. To perpetuate this illusion of easy, push button war behind the scenes you have ultra sexy and expensive aircraft dropping expensive, guided bombs, the MOST expensive way to deliver HE.
Within the RMA DoD culture THEY DO NOT WANT YOU DIRECT COPING with problems via PHYSICAL empowerment, RMA is all about old men far removed from the battle telling YOU what to do and coming to rescue YOU since they hold all the FIREPOWER cards. MANEUVER means empowerment to the lower ranks and the brass do not want that.
MAS, is simply a form of empowerment to maneuver units so aircraft work for them. Again, the brass doesn't want to share power with anyone.
The PGM narcissist mentality in action
1. we have line-of-sight (LOS) on the enemy and can shine a laser beam on him and even fire rifles at him
2. However, because we are narcissists who cannot be seen driving in tracked tanks that the mech pussies use, we do not have an autocannon or large caliber cannon to kill a mere 3 Iraqis on foot behind a car
3. What we can do to preserve our narcissism is call in an air strike and kill the 3 Iraqis with a Maverick air-to-ground missile at $259K a pop.
Is it a wonder Iraq is costing us $1 B a week and these costs will either bankrupt us or force us to leave?
Video explanation
The video was filmed by some Air Force Joint Tactical Air Controllers (JTAC) in Tal Afar, west of Mosul. They were with a Marine Advisor Support Team - they are attached to Iraqi units and help train their forces on a day- to-day basis - who where in a fairly sustained firefight in the streets of Tal Afar with about 3 Anti-Iraqi Forces (AIF). They set their video camera on the bumper of their Up-Armored HMMWV which they were using for cover.
You can hear them shooting back and forth. The rounds you can hear are from the marines and the ones you hear pinging against the side of the vehicle with no accompanying pop are from the AIF.
When the JTACs say they just "fired rifle" that means the aircraft just launched the Maverick. You can hear it come in and see it strike the vehicle the AIF were using for cover.
Maverick Missile Size Comparison
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www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article4.html
F-16 Armament - AGM-65 Maverick
Air-to-ground missile
F-16 Armament main menu www.f-16.net/f-16_armament.html
Mission
The _AGM-65_ (_http://www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article4.html_ (http://www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article4.html) ) _Maverick_ (_http://www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article4.html_ (http://www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article4.html) ) is a tactical, air-to-surface, infra-red or electro-optically guided missile. Although primarily employed in the Close Air Support mission, the Maverick is equally effective in the anti-armor, SEAD and interdiction roles. Unit cost ranges from USD $48,000 (A-model) to USD $269,000 for the G-model.
History
The AGM-65 Maverick program was approved in 1965, after the miserable performance of the command-guided Bullpup missile in Vietnam. Assignment of the production to Honeywell took place in June 1968, after competition with Rockwell. Key features of the design include the compact dimensions, allowing for multiple carriage, autonomous guidance system, and high Pk (Probability of Kill). Unguided flights began in September 1969, and AGM-65A Mavericks have been launched at all heights down to treetop level. During the first 1,221 firings, the Maverick demonstrated an 86% hit rate, and an average miss-distance against tank-sized targets of only 3ft (0.91m). An initial production batch of 17,000 rounds was completed in 1975, after which production of later versions continued at a reduced rate. The AGM-65B was in production from May 1980 to May 1984, and total A/B production totaled 31,022 rounds. Top production rate for the B-model was as high as 200 missiles / month. Flight testing of the AGM-65C started in January 1977, using the Rockwell tri-service seeker head. In May 1977, engineering development began on the AGM-65D. The IIR (Imaging Infra Red) is considerably more expensive than the other Maverick versions, but enabled far greater lock-on ranges. The AGM-65D was first tested in Europe in January-March 1978, the carrier aircraft being an F-4. The C model was replaced by the AGM-65E, although the latter experienced a serious delay with the laser seeker.
Construction
The basic missile has four low-aspect ratio delta wings, four tail controls located immediately behind the wings, and a dual-thrust solid motor. The standard AGM-65A has a 130lb (59kg) warhead, while a heavier 250lb (113kg) Mk.19 blast/fragmentation warhead can be fitted on for example C and D models for use against small ships or hard land targets. The Mk.19 warhead requires a 4in (102mm) increase in length. The AGM-65E/G are fitted with a heave penetrator warhead, weighing an impressive 300lb (136kg). In December 1986, the Air Force also briefly considered fitting a nuclear warhead to the Maverick.
Key to Drawing: 1. Dome cover 2. Missile electronics 3. Safe arm fuzing 4. Thermal Battery 5. Flight control surface on a hydraulical actuator system 6. Booster-Sustain solod rocket motor 7. Forward firing shaped charge jet and blast warhead 8. TV seeker (65A and 65B) 9. IR Seeker (65D)
The warhead is located aft of the seeker, but the latter incorporates a tunnel to allow the jet of hot gasses (generated by the explosion of the charge) to pass freely. The 65F penetrator warhead is fitted with selectable fuzing, which can be set to detonate on impact or after penetration.
Versions
AGM-65A
The standard model offers simple TV guidance (with the seeker logic being able to distinguish on contrast) and requires favorable launching conditions. Less-than-perfect visibility or overwater glint can cause the A-model to break its lock. The optical seeker of the AGM-65A covers a 5 degree cone in front of the missile - roughly the equivalent of a 200mm lens on a standard 35mm camera.
AGM-65B
The AGM-65B Scene-Magnification Maverick offers new optics, a stronger gimbal mount and revised electronics. The new optics offer greater magnification (2.5 degree cone, equivalent to a 400mm lens on a 35mm camera), thus allowing the pilot to search for the target with the seeker of the missile and detect it at greater ranges than with the Mark 1 eyeball.
AGM-65C
The AGM-65C Laser Maverick was specifically designed for use in the Close Air Support Role again laser-designated targets. The laser designators are either land- or airborne, for example: the infantry ILS-NT200, the airborne Pave Knife, Pave Penny, Pave Spike, Pave Tack or other non-US systems such as the French Atlis-pod used on Pakistani F-16s. By using different illuminating frequencies for different targets, it is possible to ripple-fire multiple missiles at multiple targets.
AGM-65D
The AGM-65D Infra Red Maverick uses the Hughes tri-service IIR (Imaging Infra Red) seeker head, which can be slaved to an aircraft- mounted FliR sensor or a laser pod. It enables the Maverick to lock on at at least twice the range otherwise possible in north-west Europe in adverse weather, since View of the destroyer USS Bagley through the IIR seeker of an AGM-65F; on top, at the limit of the pilot's visual range, and bottom, at the terminal homing stage. (USNavy Photo)IR wavelengths are less attenuated in clear air. The 65D is the standard Maverick for use in combination with the LANTIRN www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article2.html targeting and navigation pods. Furthermore, the IR seeker allows the Maverick to be employed around the clock.
AGM-65E
The AGM-65E has a large penetrator warhead of 300lb.
AGM-65F
The AGM-65F is used by the _US Navy_ (_http://www.f-16.net/f-_ (http://www.f-16.net/f-) 16_users_article24.html) and is almost identical to the AGM-65D, except that it has the larger 300lb warhead of the AGM-65E and has modified guidance software to give it optimum homing capabilities against seaborne targets.
AGM-65G The AGM-65G is used by the USAF and has the IIR seeker and the 300lb warhead.
F-16 Installation
(_http://www.f-16.net/f-16_photos_album01-photoaat.html_ (http://www.f-16.net/f-16_photos_album01-photoaat.html) ) F-16XL, armed with 6 AGM-65 Mavericks and 2 _AIM-9_ (_http://www.f-16.net/f-_ (http://www.f-16.net/f-) 16_armament_article1.html) Sidewinders, launching a Maverick. The Maverick can be carried by a variety of aircraft, ranging from combat aircraft such as the A-10 and F-16 to the BGM-34 RPV, either in triple clusters or singly (on the F-5 and the BGM-34 for example). The triplet configuration requires the use of the LAU-88/A or LAU-88A/A launchers, while the LAU-117/A is the single-rail launcher. A modified version of the LAU-88/A is usually fitted to high-performance aircraft, offering a reduced-drag (as much as 45-60 percent in certain flight profiles) fairing. Other modifications to the LAU-88/A allow for testing a three-round load as a single assembly, boresighting all missiles to the piper and slaving the seeker head of a missile to the head of another missile. The LAU-88 triplet launchers can only be fitted to nr. 3 and 7 station, whereas the LAU-117/A can be fitted to nr. 3,4,6 and 7 station. The _F-16XL_ (_http://www.f-16.net/f-_ (http://www.f-16.net/f-) 16_versions_article1.html) is an exception: to minimize drag it carries 6 missiles on LAU-117A single-missile launchers.
Aiming & Firing
(_http://www.f-16.net/f-16_photos_album03-photoaam.html_ (http://www.f-16.net/f-16_photos_album03-photoaam.html) ) Firing Sequence of an AGM-65 Maverick (USAF Photo) The pilot selects the missile (described here for the AGM-65), causing its gyro to run up to speed and light a cockpit indicator. The pilot then visually acquires the target, depresses his uncage switch (which means the missiles seeker is enabled to 'look around' for targets), and activates the video circuitry. The TV picture (as seen through the missiles Video system) appears at once on a bright display in the cockpit, and the pilot then either slews the video seeker in the missile or else lines up the target in the head-up- display. He depresses the track switch, waits until the target is aligned with the crosshairs on the TV display or the HUD, releases the switch and fires the round. The onboard image-processor of the missile analyses the high-contrast areas of the image to sense relative movement and generates correcting guidance signals to keep the missile aligned on the target. One major drawback of the A-model was the limited range at which the TV-seeker could lock on: although the missile has a range of up to 7nm (13km) under the worst possible circumstances (a low and slow aircraft), attenuation at optical wavelengths limits lock-on range to about 3nm (5.5km). Furthermore, the AGM-65A needs 4-8 seconds to lock on, which is an eternity on the modern battlefield. The effective range of the AGM-65 Maverick greatly varies with the launch altitude and the speed of the launching aircraft. Other models offer infrared targeting (AGM-65D) or laser-homing (AGM- 65C). On LANTIRN-equipped aircraft, the Maverick can be slaved to the FliR-pod of the LANTIRN system, and of course LANTIRN can laser- designate targets for the Maverick.
Operational Service
The Maverick was used to good effect in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, although it needs to be said that the operating conditions were ideal (good visibility, over-land use). During operation Desert Storm, more than 5,000 Maverick missiles were fired, mainly from A-10 and F-16 aircraft. AGM-65's expended during Desert Storm Model Qty. Unit Cost (USD) Total Cost (USD) AGM-65B 1,673 $64,100 $107,239,300 AGM-65C 5 $110,000 $550,000 AGM- 65D 3,405 $111,000 $377,955,000 AGM-65E 36 $101,000 $3,636,000 AGM- 65G 177 $269,000 $47,613,000 Total 5,296 - $536,993,300 Specifications Primary Function: Air-to-Ground tactical missile Contractor: Hughes Aircraft Co. Power Plant: Thiokol boost/sustain solid motor TX-481. Later replaced by the reduced-smoke TX-633 engine. Length: 98 inches (2,489mm) Launch Weight: 65A: 463 pounds (210kg), 65E blast/frag 635lb (288kg), 65E 677lb (307kg), 65D 485lb (220kg) Diameter: 12 inches (305mm) Wingspan: 28.3 inches (719m) Range: 0.6-10 miles (1-16 km) Speed: Supersonic Guidance System: optical, IIR or laser Warhead: Chamberlain shaped charge (83lb / 37.6kg) or Avco steel- case penetrator blast/frag Unit Cost: USD $48,000 (A model), $64,100 (B), $110,000 (C), $111,000 (D), $101,000 (E) and $269,000 (G)
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Errors and omissions Anonymous
23.04.04, 19:25 It is said that A-10 Thunderbolt II fired 90% of the Mavericks expended during ODS.
Why did F-16 fire so little compared to A-10 ? Was A-10 a better launching platform then ? What is the situation now ? Anonymous 06.07.04, 10:19 Hello
The F-16 respectivley the Viper is a multirole fighter and it carries out Air-to-Air as well as Air-to-Ground Missions. Though, the Viper is not optimized for a stand alone Air-to-Air role and Air-to-Ground role. The mission or let's say the tank busting missions were very suitable for A-10s because of there fighter role as a stand alone Air to Ground aircraft. The Warthogs flew about 300-350 kns about 500-1000 feet. They need time to distinguish between allied and foe tanks. Therefore the A-10s actually had to fly over the targets while they identify the targets via the _Maverick_ (_http://www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article4.html_ (http://www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article4.html) ) targeting display . After this process they turned back and smashed the enemy tanks within a range of 2nm-5nm. I have to add an important factor: The Viper's armor is not that hard compared to the A-10. The probability of being hit during a low altittude flight depends on many factors and circumstances. Nevertheless the Warthog can take more damages due a heavier armor compared to the Viper. Nearly every fighter plain risk there life while flying low and with a speed of 300-350 knots. However the targets on the ground need to be identified. That requires the pilots to recognize enemy ground vehicles by low and slow flying toward the opponent. The launching platform are almost the same.
SU Anonymous 15.09.04, 19:23 Don't the USAF have a tandem warhead _maverick_ (_http://www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article4.html_ (http://www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article4.html) ) designed to defeat reactive armor? Steve Anonymous 18.09.04, 05:21 No, the USAF does not. The only multiple warhead munitions flown on the F-16 are cluster bombs (CBU-87, 89, etc..) and the AGM-154 or JSOW (Joint- Stand-Off Weapon) which is just a cruise missle that drops bomblets.
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Phil, Larry and Reed brought up the fact that the 3 Iraqis could have been killed by LAWs, M203s and M79 grenade launchers if they were so inclined...
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William writes:
Mike, I agree that was a terrible waste of resources. I also agree gold plating could well break our nation. That notion is only a visceral one though because I do not have enough information to know the money available vs. what is being spent. Mike I would much prefer the M79 over the M203 which IMO is a goofy weapon to fire and feels to me unnatural. The M79 just feels good in your hands and is a specific purpose weapon that allows the operator to become more competent thereby more effective. Found this related piece.
Some thoughts on Grenade launchers and their ammo.
www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/23-31/f2331_9 .htm#REF79h2
M79 has been suggested as a possible solution to roadside bombs in Iraq.
<_http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/65D32D8D23AC76D28525_ (http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/65D32D8D23AC76D28525) 6E8F00 520B3D?opendocument>
Marines test 'blooper' against roadside bomb threat
Idea is that 40mm grenades are fired at anything suspected of being a command detonated mine or booby trap, detonating it before the vehicle needs to get within a few hundred meters. At the moment (Feb 2005) I have found no information if this has been tried operationally. The 40mm www.rdecom.army.mil/rdemagazine/200308/itf_multipurpose_cartridges.h tml
Thermobaric round may prove to be particularly effective for this purpose.
Having a M79 on each vehicle has other advantages since it can be used to fire www.angelfire.com/art/enchanter/LLW.html LLW rounds in the event of a civil disturbance.
Another auxiliary weapon which quickly became indispensable was the M79 and its variants. Each tank carried one, and when stuck out in the hills alone, we used to fire close-in H&I with the "Bloop Tube".
They were good for Recon-by-Fire too, and more than one RPG artist got sent to the promised land by a 40mm. There's also a tear gas round for the weapon. It's useful in LIC, as it's non-lethal. After all, the object is to separate the sheep from the wolves, not de- populate the area.
www.geocities.com/futuretanks/independentoperations.htm
Independent Operations by Ralph Zumbro
"As an infantry platoon leader [in Vietnam] I initially carried a rifle, just as the book suggested. Part way through my tour, I was struck by the idea of carrying an M79 and a pistol instead. [The M79 was light enough that] I could carry it in one hand, with the other hand free to operate the radio -- an important duty while in contact.
A shot round in the chamber could provide a quick burst of self-protection if needed, and I wouldn't even have to change my grip or take careful aim.
Another advantage was that I could use smoke rounds to mark enemy positions for armed helicopters instead of smoke grenades to mark my own position. I could also use smoke or high-explosive rounds to mark targets for my machineguns. I quickly scrounged an M79 and carried it for the rest of my tour."
BG John Scales, Spring 2002 issue of INFANTRY
www.angelfire.com/art/enchanter/Grenade_Launchers.html