Attacking ground targets was one of the first uses of airplanes in warfare, and remains so today. This article will discuss the uses of various munitions in Pilotmario Air Force strategy. The Pilotmario Air Force seeks to assist new air arms in creating an effective fighting force to defend their borders.

BOMBS:
One of the simplest ways to attack ground forces; simply drop something on their head and let it do damage. This damage is augmented by contact- or inertia-fused explosives packed in an aerodynamic casing referred to as a bomb. There are two bombs primarily used: the Boom 25 and the Boom 50, the latter packing a significant punch in exchange for additional weight. The Pilotmario Air Force views these weapons as too imprecise, too heavy, and too risky for use in ground attack schemes involving troops in close proximity.

As a result, it is uncommon to see Pilotmario Air Force attack wings employ bombs in any form. While a few units have perfected dive-bombing, this is by no means standard and bombs are often used for psychological effect. The immense noise and blast are often enough to at least disorient exposed troops, if not outright kill them. To this, attack wings employ the Boom 25, due to the weapon's smaller blast radius, allowing attacks to be pressed closer without risk of destroying the aircraft, as well as the ability to hit targets closer to friendly forces.

However, it is a completely different story for heavy bomber wings. Their emphasis is to carpet a designated area with explosives in order to destroy large concentrations of enemy forces. As friendly units are no longer in danger of being hit with their own weapons, the low accuracy of unguided bombs is irrelevant. In fact, it is helpful, since the bombs will be scattered more widely, increasing the area a bomber can strike. The large blast radius, severe effects of the splash damage, and mass use often ensure a target is destroyed. Due to the incredible capacity of a heavy bomber, weight is no issue. Because of this, the Boom 50 is employed in this capacity.

ROCKETS:
Rockets are the signature weapon of the Pilotmario Air Force attack wings. Because of the nature of rockets, they are highly versatile, able to hit targets precisely and if necessary, lather an area with a generous amount of explosives. A direct hit by one is capable of damaging a tank severely, if not destroying it outright. Even a near miss can destroy external components, such as tracks, road wheels, optics, etc. The precision, low weight, and firepower make it ideal for ground attack.

The precision is derived from the fact the forward-firing rockets are aimed forward, and have the benefit of using the aircraft's integral bombsight. However, care must be taken to account for the increased ballistic drop from rockets, something which takes practice.

GUNS:
Guns, like rockets, are precise and can be used effectively for precision attacks against small targets or lather an area with a generous amount of bullets. These weapons are often built into the aircraft, but are sometimes mounted as separate gun pods in order to increase the strafing potential of an aircraft. Smaller-caliber weapons tend to fire faster but are almost ineffective against armored targets. Larger-caliber munitions tend to fire more slowly but are capable of shredding tanks, as they target the flimsy top armor instead of the much more durable front armor. Both can also serve as a last-ditch weapon against enemy fighters. The Pilotmario Air Force uses a variety of guns, both wing-mounted, pod-mounted, or fuselage-mounted systems. They are either compact and slow-firing single-barrel weapons or faster-firing but heavier miniguns.

While most guns on Pilotmario Air Force attack aircraft are mounted forwards, the Guardian gunship program mounts them facing the aircraft's port side. These weapons are aimed by simply circling the target, allowing the pilot to accurately pummel a target for extended periods of time. As slow-flying cargo or patrol types are chosen for this role, Guardian gunships are vulnerable to ground fire, and often operate at night, where ground-based anti-aircraft weapons are less effective.

MISSILES:
Missiles are a relative newcomer to the Pilotmario Air Force ground attack arsenal, but already are proving useful. These weapons require the aircraft to lock onto a target by aiming the aircraft at it, keeping the designated target within its targeting circle. The indication the targeting systems is acquiring a lock is a beeping tone. A lock is confirmed when a solid tone can be heard, in which a missile can be launched. The aircraft no longer needs to illuminate the target at this point, and is free to select another target.

They have a maximum range of 4 miles, which although short, is far longer than the effective range of rockets, guns, or bombs. The Pilotmario Air Force attack and bomber wings employ them as anti-radar systems, engaging enemy radar systems in order to create a breach in the radar coverage which allied aircraft can fly through. Attack pilots often use them against hardened targets in built up areas, such as armored vehicles in urban areas, where a rocket or gun attack runs a significant risk for collateral damage. However, due to their high cost and limited utility against softer targets, rockets and guns are still carried.

OVERVIEW:
Bombs are fairly inaccurate and are only useful for destroying targets when used in large quantities. However, they are powerful psychological weapons. Rockets are the bread and butter of ground attack pilots, due to their ease of use and versatility in the right hands. Guns provide additional firepower and precision in a lightweight package, but lack the power of rockets. Missiles are great when precision against hardened targets is paramount. With this information, it is our assurance from the Pilotmario Air Force that with practice, you will be successful at engaging ground forces without too much trouble.