FLIGHT TRAINING INSTRUCTION T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE - Cnatra

T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE CHAPTER THREE
15. Initial Target Placement (ITP). The initial placement of the Velocity Vector above the
target upon roll-out at the beginning of the tracking run.
16. Attack Cone Distance (ACD). The optimal distance (planned Z diagram) from the target
from which the roll-in maneuver is commenced. If the roll-in is accomplished on the planned
roll-in altitude, the aircraft should be established on the bombing triangle at the beginning of the
tracking run. This point is sometimes referred to as the Roll-In Point or “RIP”.
Dive Angle vs. Flight Path Angle
Figure 3-4 Target Placement Angle
For the most part, when we talk dive angle we reference the Velocity Vector for our dive angle.
If we are targeting a 30 degree delivery, we are looking at the Velocity Vector to be on the 30
degree pitch ladder. But, there is a difference between Flight Path and Dive Angle.
The aircraft attitude or waterline “W” is the top of the altitude and airspeed boxes in the HUD.
This is the same as the aircraft’s Armament Datum Line (ADL). At 450 KTAS the Velocity
Vector is equal to the waterline.
When the aircraft is traveling in a vertical plane, a headwind or tailwind component will cause
the Dive Angle to be slightly different to the Velocity Vector.
WEAPONS DELIVERY THEORY AND PRINCIPLES 3-5