CBU-97
(Redirected from CBU-97 Bomb)
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- "A smart cluster bomb that fires 40 explosively-shaped armor penetrators at targets."
- ― Weapon Description
The CBU-97 is an unguided Cluster Bomb available to the AV-42C, F/A-26B, and T-55. It functions well as an alternative to the CAGM-6, especially against targets dispersed over a wider area. The bomb deploys 40 submunitions which independently target nearby enemies.
Usage
The CBU-97 features multiple different weapon release options, which can be found in the EQUIP menu.
- CCRP Auto: Continuously Computed Release Point marker for TGP assisted bomb drops.
- ON - Restricts bomb drops to only be possible once CCRP aligns with the horizontal drop point.
- OFF - Allows bomb drops to be done at any time, regardless of CCRP alignment.
- Release Area: The distance threshold at which bombs are dropped within the CCRP. Only relevant while a ripple rate is set and CCRP AUTO is active.
- 25 - Releases bombs in a 25-meter line.
- 50 - Releases bombs in a 50-meter line.
- 100 - Releases bombs in a 100-meter line.
- 200 - Releases bombs in a 200-meter line.
- Ripple Rate: Determines the rate at which bombs are dropped when holding down the trigger. The drop rates are measured in bombs per minute.
- Single - Releases a single bomb per trigger pull.
- 120 - Continuously releases 120 bombs per minute.
- 240 - Continuously releases 240 bombs per minute.
- 480 - Continuously releases 480 bombs per minute.
- Salvo: The amount of available CBU-97 equipped Hardpoints being released at once.
The dispersion area typically has a radius of 240m, although the shape may vary depending on the speed/altitude of release. The bomb has a minimum release altitude to give the submunitions time to deploy. Note that even when above the minimum altitude, the submunitions may still fail to disperse properly in some cases, such as when deploying with a very high rate of descent.
Submunitions are very effective at eliminating lightly armored targets like the IRAPC, while armored targets like tanks will require more submunition impacts to be destroyed. Because the submunitions are dispersed evenly over a wide radius, targets grouped together in a small area may only be targeted by a small number of submunitions and therefore are more likely to survive.
The CBU-97 is incapable of damaging bunkers.
When the bomb reaches its activation altitude, it deploys 10 sub-munition dispensers on parachutes, each containing 4 explosively-shaped Skeet charge penetrators. When the sub-munition dispensers reach their activation heights, the Skeets swing out and shoot upwards. They then scan the area below them with built-in optical sensors, and if they find a valid enemy target, they fire off armor-penetrating projectiles to destroy the targets.
Deployment
- Enable the Master Arm switch.
- Select the CBU-97 as your current weapon.
- Deploying with CCIP:
- Dive towards your target and position the CCIP HUD pipper over your target. (Note that the CBU-97 tends to deploy forwards from the indicated CCIP pipper. Try aiming short of your target when using CCIP for best effect.)
- When ready, squeeze the trigger to release the bomb.
- Deploying with CCRP:
- Turn on the TGP and set it to SOI.
- While holding the flight stick, use the thumb stick to slew the TGP reticle over the desired target. The reticle will snap to a unit and lock onto it.
- Line up the CCRP line on the HUD. As the diamond passes between the brackets, squeeze the trigger to release the bomb. (When using the CCRP AUTO setting, hold the trigger while the diamond passes between the brackets.)
- Deploying with CCIP:
Variants
- 1x CBU-97:
- Cost: $1600
- Weight: 465 kg
