Cost of Armament & selection

Hey guys,

Having no operational experience in the military, I'm always intrigued about this;

What are the reason for choosing a specific armament over another for a mission?

Cost is obviously a factor.

Risk? What kind of Risk?

• What makes a mission briefer choose a certain type of weapon over another for a specific mission?
  
• Why are there pilots flying the F18 with MK82s instead of Mavericks? (example)
  
• Are there flights where every plane has different weapons to be ready for "anything" ?
  
• Who chooses those armament?
  
• Do pilots have something to say about it?
  
• Is there a sheet with risk asssement used as a guide for weapon deployment?
  
• In time of war, is it possible a carrier would run out of ordnance (a type of)?
  

Aircraft performance, availability and mission would be the parameters. Cost certainly wouldn't feature as a reason not to use ordnance. It would all be down to mission goals.

Aircraft performance, availability and mission would be the parameters. Cost certainly wouldn't feature as a reason not to use ordnance. It would all be down to mission goals.

Ok, so cost is not a factor. That's good to know.

Now, when do you choose dumb bombs rather than guided?

Understandably, Laser guided works only when Pods or JTAC are present.

But lets say you have access to everything;

You provide CAS to an urban area

Soft targets and light armor present.

What makes you go for a type of weapon?

Check that example by the 476th vFG with a A-10C mission planning.

Check that example by the 476th vFG with a A-10C mission planning.

Oh man, this is a gold mine.

Thanks for sharing Dragon!