Bomb tactics Toss bombing

1 bomb tactics

1.1 pop-up
1.2 level toss
1.3 dive toss
1.4 over-the-shoulder

bomb tactics
pop-up

in pop-up bombing, pilot approaches low altitude in level flight, , on cues computer pulls @ last moment release bomb. release occurs between 20° , 75° above horizontal, causing bomb tossed upward , forward, underarm throw of ball.

level toss

although pop-up bombing characterized low-level approach, same technique of toss starting level flight can used @ altitude when not desirable overfly target. additional altitude @ release gives bomb additional time of flight , range, @ cost (in case of unguided munitions) of accuracy due windage , increased effect of slight deviation in flight path.

dive toss

the dive-toss delivery technique first toss bombing method developed after wwii @ navy s rocket development center @ inyokern, california in 1947 method attack heavily defended targets without unduly endangering attacking aircraft. although toss bombing might seem direct opposite dive bombing, plane pitches downward aim @ target, toss bombing performed short dive before bomber raises nose , releases bomb. variant known dive tossing . gives both bomb , aircraft momentum, thereby helping aircraft regain altitude after release , ensuring airspeed @ calculated release point still sufficient bomb target.

over-the-shoulder

a more dynamic variant of toss bombing, called over-the-shoulder bombing, or labs (low altitude bombing system) maneuver (known pilots idiot s loop ), particular kind of loft bombing bomb released past vertical tossed toward target. tactic first made public on 7 may 1957 @ eglin afb, when b-47 entered bombing run @ low altitude, pulled sharply (3.5 g) half loop, releasing bomb under automatic control @ predetermined point in climb, executed half roll, completing maneuver similar immelmann turn or half cuban eight. bomb continued upward time in high arc before falling on target considerable distance point of release. in meantime, maneuver had allowed bomber change direction , distance target.

author , retired usaf pilot richard bach describes such attack in book stranger ground:

the last red-roofed village flashes below me, , target, pyramid of white barrels, visible @ end of run-in line. 5 hundred knots. switch down, button pressed. timers begin timing, circuits alerted drop. inch down treetop altitude. not fly @ 500 knots on deck, , apparent moving quickly. barrels inflate. see white paint flaking. , pyramid streaks beneath me. on stick smoothly firmly read 4 g on accelerometer , center needles of indicator used in nuke weapon drops , center them , hold there , ll bet computers grinding little hearts out , can see sky in windscreen hold g s keep needles centered there s sun going beneath me , wham.

my airplane rolls hard right , tucks more tightly loop , strains ahead though upside down. shape has released me more have released it. little white barrels 6 thousand feet directly beneath canopy. have no way tell if drop or not. decided charts , graphs , dividers , angles. kept needles centered, computers did task automatically, , device on way.