WARPLANE WEAPONS: Smart Bombs Change Air Force Tactics

StrategyPage.com ^ | October 13, 2003

[John Jorsett]

The widespread use of smart bombs in Iraq, and their spectacular success, has the U.S. armed forces scrambling to reorganize to take better advantage of these new capabilities. The difference in bombing effectiveness between the 1991 war, and 2003, was dramatic. In 1991, it took four aircraft sorties to take out one target, while in 2003, one aircraft sortie took out four targets. Not only were more smart bombs used in 2003 (90 percent of all bombs dropped, versus 14 percent in 1991), but the satellite guided JDAM bombs were much more effective than the laser and TV guided smart bombs of 1991. The JDAM was also easier to use in direct support of ground troops. In 1991, ten percent of the bombing missions were controlled by ground troops, versus 90 percent in 2003. The air and ground forces were much better integrated in 2003, and communications and fire control equipment was better. In particular, a combination laser range finder/ night vision binocular/GPS units were particularly useful, especially since you could plug some of them into the satellite radio to transmit the GPS coordinates for the target to the bomber above. Under considerable pressure from the army, the air force is agreeing to allow army troops call in air strikes, rather than restricting that duty to air force officers and NCOS trained for the task and assigned to army units. The new equipment makes it easier to accurately identify targets and their exact location. Thus more troops in ground units can be qualified to call in air strikes. There will still be air force teams assigned, but these will perform more of a training and supervisory role over the army target spotters, and for handling particularly tricky ground support jobs. The JDAM has made it possible for the air force to provide a lot more air support ground combat units. In the past, there was so much danger of misidentifying the target that both army troops and air force pilots preferred to leave close air support tasks to army helicopters gunships and the shrinking number of aging A-10 ground attack aircraft. But after Afghanistan and Iraq, ground troops are comfortable calling in a JDAM to hit nearby targets.

[John Jorsett]

In particular, a combination laser range finder/ night vision binocular/GPS units were particularly useful, especially since you could plug some of them into the satellite radio to transmit the GPS coordinates for the target to the bomber above.

Anyone know what these are? I've been looking for this kind of item for some work I'm doing.

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[Pukin Dog]

Go here

[Lazamataz]

Anyone know what these are? I've been looking for this kind of item for some work I'm doing.

What, you're starting your own war?

NTTAWWT.

[John Jorsett]

What, you're starting your own war?

Let's just say that I'm putting together a system for a law enforcement agency. Not to call in air strikes (although I'm sure they'd find that fun) but to identify the exact location of certain things from a distance.

[eno_]

Just what we need. More mil tech in law enforcement. What do cops need stuff like that for?

[Onelifetogive]

Just what we need. More mil tech in law enforcement. What do cops need stuff like that for?

No longer have to actually confront crack dealers on the street corner...just call in an air strike!

[Onelifetogive]

Just what we need. More mil tech in law enforcement. What do cops need stuff like that for?

And the simpleton/liberals (I know...redundant!) don't like high speed pursuits.....

[John Jorsett]

What do cops need stuff like that for?

To pinpoint a location so that officers can be directed there. Its about as threatening to civil liberties as a map, and a lot less error-prone.

[NJJ]

The most telling factor is when you consider that CONCRETE(!) bombs are used effectively.

[steplock]

Now if we could get the cops to LOSE the Jack-Boots, Face-Masks, and BLACK ninja-wannabee outfits.
Same for the jungles, etc. These are supposed to be "policemen" - you know - to serve & protect? HAH!

They wear masks now to avoid being procsecuted when people realize the extent of their breaking laws.

The police no longer protect and serve HONEST LAW-ABIDING citizens who must maintain their SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS to stay free!

[eno_]

Ties, shiny shoes, blue double breasted uniform jackets and peaked caps should be what cops wear. Revolvers, not automatics. The job title should read "Peace Officer" and the oath should be to the Constitution.

[fourdeuce82d]

Ties, shiny shoes, blue double breasted uniform jackets and peaked caps should be what cops wear. Revolvers, not automatics

BWAHHAAHAAHH... I'm going to bill you for the keyboard I just spewed on!

Hysterical post- good job. You perfectly captured the "black helicopter/mind control implant" goonie thing.

[eno_]

So what would be wrong with cops that actually dressed that way?

Or do you prefer a paramilitary police force?

[eno_]

And what kind of ops would require a tool like that? How would it be used?

[fourdeuce82d]

So what would be wrong with cops that actually dressed that way? Or do you prefer a paramilitary police force?

I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were serious.

For one thing, ties make a good handle to grab when you're fighting someone- wouldn't want to wear one if I was a cop, and sometimes had to subdue some knucklehead. Far as the rest of it, I don't really care what they wear on patrol.

Regarding the "revolvers, not automatics"...if you really need an explanation why that's a silly statment, I doubt you'd understand.

regarding whether or not I want a "paramilitary" police force, I want a police force that has the tools they need to deal with the demented nut-bags that make our lives difficult/dangerous/costly, and I want those tools used according to the constitution- i.e. no searches w/out PC, wiretaps w/warrant, etc..

[John Jorsett]

And what kind of ops would require a tool like that? How would it be used?

Just as an example: you've set up an observation point to watch for illegal dumpers and observe a truck 3 kilometers away illegally discharging hazardous waste. You use the laser range finder to determine where it is, and you radio to a patrol car to head to those coordinates before they get away. Without the range finder, you'd be guessing where they are and radioing things like, "they're about a hundred yards Northwest of that big oak tree," "you're almost there, just a couple more hillocks over," etc. It doesn't work very well. It's also handy in search-and-rescue operations, where you're trying to figure out where something you're seeing is so that you can direct the search.

[eno_]

You seem to be under the mistaken impression that all those cop toys make you safer.

They do not.

Check out the declining solution rates for crimes in your town. Equipment is not making police more effective. It is making them more dangerous.

[eno_]

Uh huh. Right. Illegal dumping gets both a stake out and a hugely expensive toy. I'm so sure.

I'm just curious: Why do cops really want this thing? There has to be some actual tactical doctrine or procedure that this is part of.

[fourdeuce82d]

Equipment is not making police more effective. It is making them more dangerous

perhaps you're right. radios, motorized vehicles...cops long ago didn't rely on this sort of equipment, why do they need it today?

I'm sorry, anybody who gets their nipples in a twist over cops carrying self-loaders vs. wheel guns because SLs are "military" doesn't really have a lot of credibility with me in a discussion over appropriate LEO purchases.