This is a question that's bugged me for a long time, but apparently never enough to make me remember to ask it - until now:

 

I've noticed that certain types of ordnance apparently will not hit anything unless the launching group's radars are left on. This includes, but probably is not limited to, the AGM-130s, the Popeyes, and the "TV Bombs". I assumed this was some sort of modeling of the need for target-designation, yet there are a few puzzling things about that theory:

 

First, it doesn't seem to matter whether the target stays within the range of the aircraft's radar - or, for that matter, whether the target is ever within the range of the radar... it just matters that the radar is active.

 

Second, if radar (sensor?) guidance is required for these types of ordnance, howcum there is no Staff Assistant advisory about turning on the sensors for guidance - like with Sparrow missiles, etc.?

 

Third, how can something like the B-52 use its Popeyes, because the B-52 has no radar to turn on!

 

So, I'm curious what's the real scoop on all this: Do the launch group's radars actually have to be on in order for these weapons to work? Or is there some other factor(s) involved with this? And if they do need to have the radars on, is there any way to tell which weapons require this?

This is a question that's bugged me for a long time, but apparently never enough to make me remember to ask it - until now: I've noticed that certain types of ordnance apparently will not hit anything unless the launching group's radars are left on. This includes, but probably is not limited to, the AGM-130s, the Popeyes, and the "TV Bombs". I assumed this was some sort of modeling of the need for target-designation, yet there are a few puzzling things about that theory: First, it doesn't seem to matter whether the target stays within the range of the aircraft's radar - or, for that matter, whether the target is ever within the range of the radar... it just matters that the radar is active. Second, if radar (sensor?) guidance is required for these types of ordnance, howcum there is no Staff Assistant advisory about turning on the sensors for guidance - like with Sparrow missiles, etc.? Third, how can something like the B-52 use its Popeyes, because the B-52 has no radar to turn on! So, I'm curious what's the real scoop on all this: Do the launch group's radars actually have to be on in order for these weapons to work? Or is there some other factor(s) involved with this? And if they do need to have the radars on, is there any way to tell which weapons require this?

 

You're talking about 'man in the loop' controlled weapons, i.e. munitions that need an operator (typically the WSO) to manually direct the weapon in the terminal phase of its attack.

 

There is no need to keep a radar or other sensor active, but you did need to loiter in the vicinity of the target in order for the weapon to have any chance of scoring a hit. If you RTB after launch or otherwise strayed from the area, the weapons would lose guidance and always miss.

 

This was a problem for the AI, which was RTB after launch.

 

So we removed the 'midcourse guidance' flag from the relevant weapons in the database. The issue is discussed here.