Nice
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Something I’ve been rather curious about: were the F-15As upgraded with MSIP II leftovers for the ANG finished at the same time as the actual MSIP II C/D-models, or did that happen later (like late 1980s to early 1990s)?
Given that several other nations get IR+GPS+IOG or IR+IOG guidance weapons, can you please forward this report for AGM-130A-12 missing its GPS+IOG?
https://community.gaijin.net/issues/p/warthunder/i/zbXxq2DCWJSp
Isn’t the AGM-130C the one with INS/GPS? Seems the AGM-130A is IIR and DL (for Man In the Loop) only.
Per the doc you linked, it seems in 1990’s it was upgraded to AGM-130C standard, then in 1994 it got the INS/GPS upgrade which would imply its atleast a AGM-130C modification and not still an AGM-130A.
Spoiler
Also checked if I had anything on AGM-130A, seems 130A was IIR and DL;
but can we see the agm130c in next major updates? Carried by existing or new aircraft that capable of carrying it (in 2025)
Sure its possible, but isn’t my decision unfortunately.
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It’s really a pity that only BLU-109. Theoretically, the warhead within the AGM-130 means nothing, because nothing prevents you from attaching a GPS kit to a high-explosive warhead. Although… For some reason, the manual for the F-15E has a restriction that the SCW can only be mounted with the BLU-109, and the LCW only for a high-explosive warhead
Maybe different warheads has different CoG?
AGM-130 is a modular system.
The difference between the A and C is merely the warhead (the C variant is for hardened targets).
Just because the GPS/INS upgrade came later doesn’t mean it was only applied to the C variant and not the A.
In fact I don’t see any mention that it was only applied to the C variant. (And it wouldn’t make sense either … Again, considering that the weapon system is modular and the C variant isn’t a replacement, but rather an alternative warhead option against hardened targets)
The USAF website reflects that:
The AGM-130 has two variants, based on the warhead: the AGM-130A with a MK-84 blast/fragmentation warhead and the AGM-130C with a BLU-109 penetrator.
The AGM-130 is equipped with either a television or an imaging infrared seeker and data link. The seeker provides the launch aircraft a visual presentation of the target as seen from the weapon. During free flight, this presentation is transmitted by the AXQ-14 data-link system to the aircraft cockpit monitor.
The seeker can be either locked onto the target before or after launch for automatic weapon guidance, or it can be manually steered by a weapon systems officer. Manual steering is performed through the two-way data link.
The AGM-130 is designed for use in the F-15E aircraft. The development of the AGM-130 was initiated in 1984 as a product improvement to the GBU-15 guided glide bomb system. In the mid-1990s, the AGM-130 weapon system received a significant modification upgrade when Global Positioning System and inertial navigation systems guidance capabilities were added. This combined enhancement provided the AGM-130 weapon system with an adverse weather capability.
It says that the difference between the two variants is the warhead, but immediately after that when it’s discussing the capabilities it uses the “AGM-130” designation without specifying the variant … Reflecting that fact that the weapon system is modular and the difference between the A and C variants is merely the warhead.
Your source is likely old and doesn’t reflect the later GPS/INS upgrades.
What’s the date on your source?
BTW not sure if FAS articles are counted as secondary source or not (are they?), but this also confirms what I said above:
Variants
The AGM-130A is designed to be used with F-15E aircraft. The AGM-130 system is capable of rapid worldwide deployment operating from main operating bases, collocated operating bases, and bare base (remote) sites. The system uses mobile support equipment to provide an organizational and intermediate level maintenance support capability. Development of the AGM-130A began in 1984 as a product improvement of the GBU-15 guided glide bomb. The first unit was operational in 1994. The acquisition category (ACAT) is ACAT II with an Air Force precedence rating of 2-06.
The AGM-130 Mid-Course Guidance [MCG] weapon, employs improved global positioning and inertial navigation systems. These upgrades allow the weapon to pursue targets with less involvement from the weapons systems officer in the aircraft. These new missiles have the ability to guide to the target with global positioning system steerage, freeing the hands and minds of the aircrew to concentrate on the tasks at hand in a high enemy threat environment. Two F-15Es from the 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons at Seymour Johnson AFB NC, fired two upgraded AGM-130s during the weapon’s first launches by operational aircrews at Eglin AFB in early December 1998.
The AGM-130LW [lightweight] is designed with global positioning system and inertial navigation system capability permitting a single-seat fighter to launch and control the weapon. The lightweight version of the AGM-130, tested from an F-16 aircraft in 1998, provides an all-weather, long-range precision standoff weapon for F-16C/D and F-15E aircraft increasing their standoff capability by 10-20 percent. It also provides better control over collateral damage because it does not carry as much explosive as the original AGM-130."
A further improvement, AGM-130C , developed, but not produced by the Air Force, adapts the munition to a 2,000-pound penetrating warhead.
AGM-130 Mid-Course Guidance [MCG] is the upgrade that brought the GPS guidance and is not specific to the C variant and is separate from it (and it makes sense, since the weapon system is modular and the C variant is just one of the warhead options).
Plus the wording of the ADA351412 itself pretty much says the same:
Furthermore from “ADA391669 United States Air Force Precision Engagement Against Mobile Targets: Is Man In or Out?”:
Confirming that the A version (which is the version that uses the MK-84 warhead) has been modified with GPS capability.
In fact, the IOG (Inertial navigation) here is not even mentioned as (a part of the MCG) upgrade, but rather part of the baseline weapon.
Furthermore from “AD1002761 Defense Resource Planning Under Uncertainty: An Application of Robust Decision Making to Munitions Mix Planning”, Page 73 (95):
Confirming that the A version has GPS capability.
@Gunjob New report with the explanation and the new evidence (ADA391669 and AD1002761):
https://community.gaijin.net/issues/p/warthunder/i/efqjn7iSTLZV
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Forwarded.
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He isn’t “overpowering” the FCS. It’s not like in the Eastern jets where there is a kicker in the system.
The F-15EX uses the same stick installation as the previous models down to the counterweight at the bottom. This was done as the early test pilots didn’t like the “feel” of the system being different than what they were used to in Legacy Eagles. It doesn’t have any of the rigging back to the PRCA obviously since that was deleted but it has everything down to the counterweight.
The reason you see him with 2 hands on the stick is because in order to jam the stick all the way back quickly, while it can be done with 1 hand, is much easier to do with 2.
Now their might be a system like the F-18s have that relaxes the FCS and allows for more AOA, but it’s not in the way the Eastern systems do it.
This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.
There is but it’s only slight, and kicks in when AoA goes negative at higher stick forces as per Figure 6 from;
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New weapon system incoming
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Very nice. I could see a potential integration of the 174B on the EX. For obvios reasons
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Makes sense. LRASM is just a further evolution of the JASSM it has been carrying for years.
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done
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Deeply appreciated, now hopefully within a short amount of time A/C F-15 models receive a proper hud, and all F-15’s receive a proper Radar MFD display.
Very happy I was able to pull this off!
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to vote!
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