Did it get fixed? Because afaik it works the same as any other IIR + GNSS, where you can’t launch without IIR lock. You may be mistaking it with the Kh-38ML, because GNSS launch with SALH + GNSS weapons does work.
Doesn’t the SLAM-ER have an issue right now where the missile can loose lock if the terrain following forces it to dive low enough so the missile LOS gets blocked due to terrain and afterwards just keeps on cruising in the same direction instead of impacting on the GNSS coordinates?
Haven’t used the missile myself but LOAL or sth alike kinda has to be added to this missile in order for the terrain following to function correctly
Yes, but it’s additionally caused by the terminal pop-up maneuver as well.
You right that SALH + GNSS weapons (like Kh-38ML) can be launched without pre-lock because the laser designation happens after launch.
But SLAM-ER is not a SALH weapon it’s INS/GPS mid-course with IIR terminal guidance and optional datalink.
So the key difference is:
- SALH (laser) its an external designation that naturally allows launch without lock
- SLAM-ER its pre-programmed INS/GPS route + terminal seeker
According to available sources, SLAM-ER does not rely on IIR lock before launch as its only employment mode. It can be launched toward pre-planned coordinates using INS/GPS, with IIR used in the terminal phase for target acquisition/refinement.
Right now in-game, it behaves more like a strict LOBL-only system (lock before launch), which limits its flexibility compared to its documented guidance concept.
I’m not suggesting full real-life datalink or complex LOAL implementation, but at least a simplified GPS/INS launch option (similar to how GNSS is already used in-game) would make it more consistent with its role as a stand-off weapon.
isnt it 28 GBU-53 for F-15’s?
@Beeschurger they can go on USAF F-16’s, USN F/A-18E, and USAF F-15E’s as well
They can, also TV/IR ordnance switching from POINT to TRACK when missile approaches. Or something drives into seeker view.
What makes me wonder is SLAM-ER do have IOG in guidance package, so in event it would lose line of sight due to low flying trajectory, it should continue flying with IOG looking for stuff in last known location, hopefully regaining lock once line of sight clears and target is still there.
Nope, it never could be launched without LoS and cannot be now. Same with IR HAMMERs or Spices, LoS is required.
Only SALH ordnance like 38ML, Laser HAMMERs or LJDAM (ER) can be launched blind, flying with IOG/GNSS, expecting laser there for final guidance.
and AGM-154B, where the area of effect is good enough that you can get by with only GPS guidance
That still doesnt sound like proper LOAL, which, to my understanding, in layman terms, should be when missile approaches coordinates it starts to ACTIVELY seek out targets; what you described is missile suddenly going “dont mind if i do” if something just happens to be within seeker FoV at the right time, but wont “look around” for targets to destroy.
MT needs line-of-sight to lock, just like the SLAM-ER. This is not proper LOAL, it’s a point lock onto the ground rather than a vehicle, when the missile gets close enough it can then lock k to the vehicle.
I think you mean the KH-38ML, which is laser guided, not IR guided. Which lets you just shoot it from your airfield over mountains onto the ground map without line-of-sight.
I don’t like this ability, but it’s there
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They cannot actively search for a heat signature.
Their FOV stays locked to where it was.
LOAL is active search.
And IRL, the way that Hammer and Kh-38MT sensors lock is identifying a target they were programmed to lock onto, which is why both are currently copy-paste AGM-65D seekers in-game currently.
You see this more often in TV guided munitions, but I’m quite sure this applies to IR guided munitions as well.
If you have a get a point lock and shoot it at a target, if the target hasn’t moved, the munitions will get a tracking lock once it gets within range (dependent on missile stats).
I need to do more testing, but this should still apply to tracking lock → lost LOS, fly on IOG or GPS → if target appears to the last known position → re-acquire lock
The SLAM-ER can be modified where it can be used still within this constraint however, it is a double edged sword.
If a point lock or tracking lock is achieved, the SLAM-ER can hug the terrain, purposely breaking the lock leading to it flying off of GPS. If the target hasn’t moved, once the SLAM, gets LOS, it can re-acquire lock.
The issue is if the targets has moved whilst the SLAM didn’t have LOS (flying off of GPS). This essentially means that it can only reliably hit stationary targets.