Delta Force
Banned
The F-105 Thunderstick II modification achieved a CEP of 15 meters (50 meters), comparable to the GPS guided JDAM decades later. By comparison, the F-111 achieved a CEP of 46 meters (150 feet) with its original bombing systems, improving to a CEP of 24 meters (80 feet) with Pave Tack. Unlike laser guided bombs, the F-105 Thunderstick II modification had a blind attack capability. I imagine these systems were rather expensive, but the capabilities are impressive.
Given these impressive capabilities, what if the Thunderstick II modification had been more extensively deployed on the F-105, or integrated into the F-111? Could the system have allowed precision strikes on fixed targets by high altitude and/or high speed aircraft?
Experience in Vietnam demonstrated the need for a better visual and blind bombing capability. In March 1968, the Air Force ordered development of an upgraded bombing/navigation system, incorporating a Singer-General Precision inertial navigation system, improvements to the AN/APN-131 navigation radar, and solid-state circuitry for the R-14A radar, which was redesignated R-14K. Furthermore, the digital AN/ARN-92 long-range navigation receiver replaced the problematic AN/ARN-85 receiver. The additional avionics were housed in a long, raised dorsal spine. The modified bombing/navigation system was known as Thunderstick II. F-105s with this system could achieve a bombing circular error of probability (CEP) of 50 feet (15 m) from an altitude of 15,000 ft (4,600 m). Although the first Thunderstick II aircraft flew in 1969, they were not used in Vietnam. A total of 30 F-105Ds received this modification.[47]
Given these impressive capabilities, what if the Thunderstick II modification had been more extensively deployed on the F-105, or integrated into the F-111? Could the system have allowed precision strikes on fixed targets by high altitude and/or high speed aircraft?