GBU-39
(Redirected from GBU-39 SD Bomb)
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- "A GPS guided small diameter bomb. It has built-in folding wings that allow it to glide for long distances and hit targets with precision."
- ― Weapon Description
The GBU-39 is a GPS-guided Small Diameter Bomb available for all playable aircraft in VTOL VR.
Unlike the larger, 500lb bombs such as the Mk. 82 or the GBU-38, the GBU-39 has a smaller, 206lb explosive warhead, resulting in less damage and a significantly smaller explosion radius. However, the GBU-39 makes up for this by being able to be carried in larger numbers as well as extended range thanks to its glide wings. Like the GBU-38, the GBU-39 requires set GPS coordinates for deployment, and therefore cannot be reliably used against moving targets.
Usage
The GBU-39 has a small set of options in the EQUIP menu that determine how the bomb will function during combat. These options are as follows:
- Target Mode: Determines the deployment method of the GBU-39.
- Auto - Will cycle through the GPS list and release a bomb as the trigger is held down.
- Manual - Targets the currently selected GPS target and will not cycle through the GPS list. A new target must be manually selected from the list by the pilot.
- Dumb - Entirely disables GPS guidance on the bomb, making it function identically to a Mk. 82. A regular bomb reticle will also appear instead of the guided bomb reticle.
- Auto Release 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.
Although the GBU-39 does less damage, it is still capable of destroying hardened targets such as bunkers.
The decreased explosion radius of the GBU-39 prevents it from eliminating grouped targets with a single munition in the manner that larger bombs can, except in cases of extremely tight formations of soft targets.
Like other guided bombs, the GBU-39's guidance can be disabled from the equip page. With the exception of large targets such as ships, utilizing the GBU-39 as an unguided bomb is particularly difficult due to the weapon's small explosion radius.
Deployment
- Enable the Master Arm switch.
- Select the GBU-39 as your current weapon.
- Select or mark a GPS target, this can be done in multiple ways:
- TGP Marking:
- Turn on the TGP and set it to SOI.
- Lock a target with the TGP and click the GPS-S button at the bottom right of the MFD. Mark as many targets as is necessary.
- NAV Map Marking:
- Open the NAV Map and set it to SOI.
- Move the yellow crosshair onto the desired target with your thumbstick until you have acquired an accurate position.
- Click the GPS-S button at the center bottom of the MFD. Mark as many targets as is necessary.
- Fly towards the marked target(s), placing the target diamond as close to the center of the HUD bomb reticle as possible.
- When ready, pull the trigger to release the bomb.
Variants
The GBU-39 has multiple available variants, only two of which are exclusive to some aircraft. These include:
- 3x GBU-39: The smallest amount of bombs equippable on a single pylon. Only available to the AV-42C.
- Cost: $5500
- Weight: 487 kg
- 4x GBU-39: The most commonly used variant of the weapon. It uses a unique, flat bomb rack to store the munitions. Available to the AV-42C, F/A-26B, F-45A and T-55.
- Cost: $7500
- Weight: 716 kg
- 4x GBU-39ER: A rack of four GBU-39ERs using the same mounting system as the AGM-114. Only available to the AH-94.
- Cost: $7100
- Weight: 582kg
GBU-39ER
The GBU-39ER is a variant of the GBU-39 exclusively available to the AH-94. To compensate for the AH-94's lack of flight speed, the GBU-39ER features a brief booster stage to propel the bomb forward, allowing it to quickly gain velocity upon deployment.
Failure to stabilize the aircraft and minimize side-slip before launch will likely cause the GBU-39ER to miss its intended target.
