But it should at least confirm that the bombs themselves can handle supersonic speeds right?
yep, but i believe this has already been shown previously. It’s the actual release that is the issue, without specifically designed release mechanisms the bombs run a high risk of flying back up into the aircraft instead of down when dropped due to the airflow around the aircraft.
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The thing is that i can find get info of what kind of armament, what mechanism (pyro, pneumatic, etc) is used in any kind of soviet/russian release mechanisms, but specifics its impossible… because in some planes the limitations is only the aerodynamics and vortices induced by the plane fuselage and of course the accuracy of the bombing…
For example, the Mach release limit on the Phantoms is 1.1 Mach and in Su-25 (if he could reach supersonic) would also be around that value because of the positioning of the tail elevators that would impede mach release on the bombs…
Personally, I haven’t found any official documentation from any specific nation explicitly stating this limitation, but there are reports and statements from manufacturers themselves confirming that these are mechanisms which, from a technical standpoint, allow safe bomb release at high speeds.
As mentioned before, even subsonic flight used to cause problems when ejector racks weren’t used. These systems were specifically designed to eject the bomb forcefully away from the aircraft,eliminating the risks caused by airflow around the airframe. With a few exceptions F-4 phantoms for exemple
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That is why some release mechanisms counter these vortices by “throwing” the bomb away from the craft, like this:
This is designed for release at supersonic speeds, but i have personally not found any good valid sources that state this.
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I can’t find any valid sources for Gajin’s perspective either, I can only find things like what you’ve just sent.That’s why I introduced this debate to the forum to see if I could get more information.
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Yes, the f-22 looks like it can https://www.edwards.af.mil/News/Article/396020/f-22-raptor-performs-first-supersonic-sdb-drop/ and Bomb can apparently reach at Mach 2. https://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/400914/air-force-basic-research-key-to-successful-supersonic-bomb-release/
Exactly, but as i said, if you could find manuals about those mechanisms, would be only from an engineering standpoint (components and such)…
Neither pilots or even ground crew would have the need to know at what speed is the release, unless in specific cases as obvious…
Glide bombs, at least Russian modern ones dont have mach limit(the only information i know).
The 1993 F-15E flight manual has data on weaponry employment speeds from pages 5-22 onwards (however, it’s apparently export restricted, even though the devs cited it recently to correct the GBU-15 release speed for the F-15E, so I won’t be linking it here).
Most employment limits are between 0.85 to 0.95 Mach, except for GBU-10 and GBU-15 at 1.4 Mach. There’s also a separate KCAS limit but I don’t think the game measures that. Carriage speed limits and carriage/employment G limits are similarly ignored in-game. The racks used are mostly BRU-46/A and BRU-47/A pyrotechnic ejection racks; I’m not sure if newer racks have been used for the Strike Eagle.
Can’t find info on F/A-18 weapon employment speeds, because USN loves compartmentalisation and their separate weapons manual isn’t available online.
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Will this source work?
Thanks for the info, but I believe the game doesn’t really have a unit that can limit the weapon’s launch ,speed only ,and in the training manuals I’ve found they say to just go ahead and launch the bomb for example, the one above, which says that the racks are made for high-speed bombing missions
It’s a good source in general but doesn’t mention any speeds at all, those issues appear already at 0.8 Mach for some craft. Sadly also “in some cases” is so vague x)
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F-35 can’t even go mach 2, has to be for F-22 or even NGAD
Yes, you’re right, I wrote it wrong, I was talking about the bomb itself, if you open the news it’s literally the bomb being ejected at mach 2 from a weapon bay. It was meant to say that the f-22 drop bomb at mach 1.5 (supersonic speeds) and the bomb can go up to mach 2
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Okay, i’m now tired and can’t really understand what i’m reading anymore lol x)
BUT i have found some interesting things (might have more but uncertain if they are okay to share so need to check first).
Things i’ve found that are okay to share so far:
Hopefully I’ll be able to share a source on the GBU-39 rack as well soon. But right now i need sleep :P
Edit:
Sleep is for the weak, here is more:
Source three
And an extra image:
@Gunjob You know way more than me about aircraft things, do you have any input on these sources and the topic?
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Thanks man
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I believe it’s fine to use that one because it’s over 30 years old. Unless I’m misremembering, there’s been many more cases of “export restricted” (unclassified) documents used when over 30 years old.
But I don’t think I’ve ever read an official statement about it, so I would double check. But since Gaijin themselves used it, I can only assume it’s a valid source to use.
EDIT: after some looking around, it may actually not apply to export restricted documents. So if it clearly does state export restricted then no. Though documents that say something like “distribution limited to …” are fine after 30 years.
BRU-61 sources are amazing
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Yeah ^^
Going to bed now though.
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| System | Type | Mechanism | Key Features | Compatible Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDZ-56FNM | Traditional Bomb Rack | Mechanical rack with electrical release control | Used for free-fall bombs, often nuclear-capable; basic arming and release functions | MiG-23, Su-17, early Su-24 variants |
| BD3-UMK | Standard Bomb Rack | Electromechanical latch system | Common across Su-24/25/27/30 series; supports standard FAB-series bombs | Su-24, Su-25, Su-27, MiG-29 |
| MBD3-U6-68 | Multiple Bomb Rack | Sequential electromechanical ejection | Holds up to 6 bombs; interval release control; service life: 1500 flight hrs / 500 releases | Su-24M, Su-30, Su-34 |
| AKU-58 | Missile/Bomb Ejector Rack | Pyrotechnic or pneumatic ejector system | Used for heavy ordnance or guided munitions like Kh-31, KAB bombs; provides separation from aircraft | Su-30, Su-34, MiG-29, Su-35 |
| KAB-500/1500 Series | Guided Bomb System | Integrated internal release mechanism | Internal or pylon-mounted; uses TV/laser/satellite guidance; autonomous targeting on release | Su-24, Su-34, Su-35 |
| UMPK Kit (JDAM-style) | Modular Glide Kit | Uses standard BDZ or BD3 racks; guidance via GLONASS + INS | Converts FAB bombs into glide munitions; folds out wings post-release for range extension | Su-34, Su-35, retrofittable to others |
| UMPB D-30SN | Advanced Glide Bomb | Modular rack or ejector; deploys aerodynamic surfaces post-release | ECCM-resistant; GPS + INS guidance; standoff range up to 50 km | Su-34, Su-30SM, Su-35 |
| PBK-500U Drel | Submunition Glide Bomb | Internal deploy; submunitions dispersed via time or altitude fuse | 15 smart submunitions with IFF, IR + radar seekers; low-RCS, high ECM resistance | Su-34, Su-35 |
| SME (Smart Modular Ejector) | Digital Ejector Rack | Electronic control, real-time telemetry on ordnance | Supports release logging, health monitoring, programmed bomb ejection profiles | Newer Su-57, possible retrofit |
| KMGU-2 | Dispenser System | Mechanical rotary drum with drop chutes | Dispenses bomblets or mines; can be dropped over area targets | Su-25, Su-24, older MiG variants |
| System | Manual Name (Russian/English) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BDZ-56FNM | Техническое описание и инструкция по эксплуатации БДЗ-56ФНМ | |
| (Technical Description and User Manual BDZ-56FNM) | Standard for bomb racks; rare in public. | |
| BD3-UMK | Техническое описание БД3-УМК | Often bundled in aircraft armament manuals. |
| MBD3-U6-68 | Руководство по эксплуатации МБД3-У6-68 | |
| (Operating Manual for MBD3-U6-68) | Likely included in Su-24/Su-30 technical libraries. | |
| AKU-58 | Техническое описание Акустического Устройства АКУ-58 | Describes pyrotechnic/pneumatic ejection system. |
| KAB-500/1500 Series | Паспорт изделия КАБ-500Л/ОД/СЭ/Э | |
| (Product Passport for KAB series) | Separate manuals for laser, TV, GLONASS guided variants. | |
| UMPK Kit | Руководство по эксплуатации УМПК (Унифицированный Модуль Планирования и Коррекции) | Not officially published; reconstructed via OSINT and recovered parts. |
| UMPB D-30SN | Описание изделия УМПБ -Д 30СН | |
| (Description of UMPB D-30SN Product) | Emerging system, likely classified. | |
| PBK-500U Drel | Техническое описание и инструкция по применению ПБК-500У «Дрель» | Includes info on SPBE-K submunitions. |
| SME (Smart Modular Ejector) | Likely Цифровое Модульное Устройство Сброса / ЦМУС | Used with Su-57, very limited public info. |
| KMGU-2 | Руководство по эксплуатации КМГУ-2 | Available in training or simulator documentation like DCS. |
I have this for USSR… will this also be taken into account or i need to open a ticket with USSR tag?