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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
I have also reported something similar in a bug report, as the missile is even missing proper GPS/GNSS guidance and launching that other missiles in the game have (specific KH-38 missiles).
It may be relevant here. No response yet.
https://community.gaijin.net/issues/p/warthunder/i/PrPY8sIc9hcq
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Well, seems they accepted the report, so I hope they will fix it soon.
KH-38s and SLAM-ERs probably have the same GNSS code, it’s just that KH-38s don’t have terrain following, so they will almost always have LOS on target unless they smoke
The GNSS issue is only really visible on the SLAM-ER as it can end up going behind a mountain due to terrain following, which cuts LOS for a long amount of time. Causing it to just go fuck off to narnia
KH-38 nor any agm can perform loal and all require either point lock or target lock.
Also kh-38, where you would need to use gps, won’t have any energy, compare that with the SLAM-ER, it would be fine cruising at 0.9 mach.
proper LOAL the way these people want it would also be completely op
imagine KH-38ML but they can actually guide themselves to target
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Yeah, the seeker does also have these issues where even diving to reach cruise altitude breaks lock, but the missile is just missing implimentation of diving on targets based on last known location, or launching on targets without LOS at all. In the game the missile just flys using IOG from what I know and passes over the target. I have seen instances where kh38s are launched without any LOS on targets, so this feature does exist in some form.
I do agree that proper LOAL would be too op but the missile just isnt even operating to its full capability without LOAL.
You would still need LOS to the missile in order to update the point of aim of the seeker(already implemented with SACLOS missiles).
Also it wouldn’t be that hard to require it to be within some angle off of the datalink’s antenna(s) (normally forward & aft) and not reduce the gain to far by commanding either it or the aircraft to turn severely.
in order to avoid it being too demanding.
This done with KH-28MTs is something I have yet to see