I've been using these in the belly of F35s against ships with devastating results. They seem like  cheating. One thing I quickly noticed was that you can launch them at the max range from any altitude, the limited data I could find specified that the range is significantly reduced when lunched from lower altitudes (as expected). Maybe some twweeking of database would be good now this sort of weapon is getting significant range (~60nm), or is it a game engine thing? Its so long since I looked at databases I can't remember if range against launch height can be specified, or is it a 'simulation thing' where the aircraft quickly climbs, releases weapon then descends so is effectively still low?

They also seem to be very effective on large ships although only a relatively small payload, ?

I think the range is fixed (as is built the DB) and independent of the launch height, and no pop-up maneouver at launch.

About the warhead, should be 25 or 32 DP as per Harpoon V, respectively GBU-39 and GBU-53.

On 11/6/2021 at 10:17 PM, donaldseadog said:

I've been using these in the belly of F35s against ships with devastating results. They seem like  cheating. One thing I quickly noticed was that you can launch them at the max range from any altitude, the limited data I could find specified that the range is significantly reduced when lunched from lower altitudes (as expected). Maybe some twweeking of database would be good now this sort of weapon is getting significant range (~60nm), or is it a game engine thing? Its so long since I looked at databases I can't remember if range against launch height can be specified, or is it a 'simulation thing' where the aircraft quickly climbs, releases weapon then descends so is effectively still low? They also seem to be very effective on large ships although only a relatively small payload, ?

 

The GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb II (now called StormBreaker) is probably living up to its manufacturer's claims.

Tri-mode seeker, long range glide, small signature, etc make it a very versatile weapon.

HCDB2 does not (yet) use H5 values, but still employs H4 values where available, giving the range 40 nm and DP 37.