FLIGHT TRAINING INSTRUCTION T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE - Cnatra

T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE CHAPTER THREE
Figure 3-16 T-45C “Z” Diagram Components
Release Altitude is the planned release altitude, were as the Minimum Release Altitude, or
“Zmin” Altitude, is the “No Lower Than” release altitude. We will strive to release with the
pipper arriving at our aimpoint as close to the planned release altitude as possible. The
minimum release altitude is just that – the absolute minimum. Releasing below the Zmin altitude
WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Consistently releasing well below the planned release altitude
will be reflected in your grades. You need to recognize a developing late sight picture,
understand what caused it and make the appropriate adjustments on subsequent runs. Releasing
below the Minimum Release Altitude is considered to be unsafe. The causes of late sight
pictures will be discussed in detail in the Target Tracking Section of this text.
Release Power Setting is the power setting prior to roll-in to achieve the planned release
airspeed. Aim Off Distance (AOD) and Aim Off Angle are shown below the Power Setting.
This is how far past the target our Velocity Vector needs to be to compensate for the trajectory
drop of the weapon. All altitudes are shown in AGL. A space is allotted on the Z diagrams to
add target elevation to the AGL altitudes thereby deriving the MSL altitudes flown in the
aircraft. ACD stands for Attack Cone Distance which is the distance from the target where the
roll-in from pattern altitude begins. This is also referred to as the Roll-In Point or “RIP”.
Figure 3-17 shows the T-45C “Z” diagrams used for Mk 76 bomb deliveries.
WEAPONS DELIVERY THEORY AND PRINCIPLES 3-15