What is the best weapon for destroy an enemy runway?

[Wasicun]

Hi guys! I'm playing the "Operation Brass Drum" scenario with Americans, and i want to destroy enemy's runways.
So my question is: what is the best weapon to be used to achieve that task? Do you know if the game makes differences beetween the weapons (for example, there are some bomb that are specifically purpose-built for the destruction of runways)that you are using for destroying structures or if the game looks only to the weapon's DPs and structure armour/Damage points?


Sorry for my poor English.

Thank you for your answer and happy 2014 !!!

Wasicun

[Dobey455]

Some of the Paveways and JDAM's have a penetrator warhead rather than the standard HE - (look for the ones using a BLU-109 warhead).

Also I suppose you could try using the JSOW with BROACH warhead, although I prefer to use those against hardened hangers, hardened ammo bunkers, etc.

I haven't tested to see how much more effective penetrator weapons are on runways, but they make a difference on hardened targets.

[Wasicun]

Thank you very much. I'll try.

[dillonkbase]

They may not be available for that mission but the Durandal is purpose built for runway destruction using multiple charges not only to crater the runway but also shift concrete surface slabs in a way that makes simple patching more difficult(although I dont think that there is a damage repair sim for runways yet). Its US identifier is the BLU-107/B, but you would need to confirm that it is in the database and see what platforms carry it.

Its also carried by a number of other countries.

It would be interesting to know how or if the software deals with specialized munitions like this

[Apocal]

ORIGINAL: dillonkbase

They may not be available for that mission but the Durandal is purpose built for runway destruction using multiple charges not only to crater the runway but also shift concrete surface slabs in a way that makes simple patching more difficult(although I dont think that there is a damage repair sim for runways yet). Its US identifier is the BLU-107/B, but you would need to confirm that it is in the database and see what platforms carry it.

Its also carried by a number of other countries.

It would be interesting to know how or if the software deals with specialized munitions like this

Its in the database as #1032 Durandal [BLU-107] with the "is retarded munition" flag, valid target only set as "Runways" and warhead worth 150DP. Everything else appears standard.

[snowburn]

When playing with soviet forces:

SS-18 Satan (yield: 24 megatons)

or

#1026 BetAB-500SP CB

[dillonkbase]

its probably a modeling thing that prevents effectivness in game maybe... "During the 1991 Gulf War the 20th Fighter Wing, flew F-111Es from Turkey, initially in low level night attacks on airfields, using the Durandal anti-runway weapon. 20th Wing flight commander Captain George Kelman said "there is nothing better at destroying a runway than a Durandal." " but it is a bomb meant solely for antirunway missions, not multipurpose

[Dimitris]

ORIGINAL: dillonkbase

They may not be available for that mission but the Durandal is purpose built for runway destruction using multiple charges not only to crater the runway but also shift concrete surface slabs in a way that makes simple patching more difficult(although I dont think that there is a damage repair sim for runways yet). Its US identifier is the BLU-107/B, but you would need to confirm that it is in the database and see what platforms carry it.

Its also carried by a number of other countries.

It would be interesting to know how or if the software deals with specialized munitions like this

Yes, it does. Try it out!

[KungPao]

I was playing Benny's sweep, 1958 yesterday. USN bomb Philippines insurgents. I sent 2 AD-6 Skyraider to destroy the Patrol Boat, they get this job done with all their 16 500lbs bombs, then I decided to use them recon the Mindoro Airport (900m Runway). they came in at 1000m height, and when they get close, they released the rest of 4 1000lbs bombs. 3 missed the runway with 200~300m, 1 1000lb bomb hit the runway, the status of the runway changed to heavy damage and heavy fire. Guess I am lucky here, but it shows even 1 1000lb can disable the airport.

[mavfin]

Well, I've used the search, and here's a thread that's not a year old yet...

What about in The Bear and the Dragon, where they post-holed the Chinese runways with cheap MK84-based LGBs to keep them out of play for the spec op helos to do their work?

How realistic is that?

[Cik]

you can use 2000 lb bombs (esp. penetrators) to temporarily disable runways. the problem is generally that non-penetrator bombs just blow a hole in the runway. which granted, obviously makes it unusable. but all you have to do to restore it is pave over it with more runway-grade material and you're good to go again.

the most obnoxious thing to fix is large numbers of relatively low-yield penetrator bombs like the BLU-107 durandal and other rocket-assisted penetrator bombs. these bombs jam themselves into the runway and then buckle up the runway material, creating lots of very unsafe and difficult to repair reverse-craters.

the brits also have something like the durandal, and i'm sure there are equivalents. if you have those they are probably preferable though i've never had much luck with them in command. who knows why.

personally i barely attack runways in command because you're rarely handed enough bomb weight to directly attack them and disable them for any length of time, they're usually well-defended and it's easier to just attrit them after they take off while they are outside the umbrella of their air defenses.

[Primarchx]

FWIW, munitions effects on runways have changed a bit in the game since Brass Drum was written.