For your package synchronisation needs, these are kneeboard compatible (VR tested) graphs representing the ground distance covered versus the flight time of both the JSOW and the TALD for different flight parameters (Altitude and Mach dependent). No wind was considered and the day was standard with a +5°C offset to standard Free Air Temperature (which is 15°C).
Data was acquired in the F/A-18C Hornet in DCS 2.7.15 (current on 05/07/2022)
Notes :
-For the TALD, legends were added giving the altitude in hundreds of feet that the munition was at on each datapoint. A typical flight profile is provided. What can be observed is that the TALD initially slows down brutally to a True Air Speed of around 360kn (Mach 0,6 thereabouts, but this is an indications only) at a constant altitude before taking a more or less constant descent rate to maintain that speed. The descent progressively increases until the munition reaches 3200ft ASL at which point it will stop. The TALD then deccelerates before stalling at around Mach 0,18.
This means that :
->Dropping the TALDs above Mach provides incredibly little benefit, only the time for the TALD to slow down gives a range boost, it is always better to use that extra energy to climb.
->The TALD will not avoid any terrain in front of it which is why MSL altitude indications are given in the charts. Plan accordingly.
->From the true air speed, knowing wind speed and direction, you can adapt these graphs. Approximatively a +-2,8%/10kn variation in total ground distance covered (flight time should remain the same) depending on if the munition is flying upwind or downwind.
-For the JSOWs, the graphs were established for the A variant when firing at maximum range (Rmax) according to the hornet's DLZ, which as of posting this differs from the DLZ in the Viper.
This means that :
->When using the C variant you can expect slight variances.
->Firing closer than Rmax will introduce slight variances however, within 10NM I found the charts to still be accurate within 10 seconds (less than 1NM left of ground distance to travel)
->Firing further than Rmax (which is possible in the Hornet by ignoring the indications and allowed by the Viper's DLZ) will of course elongate the flight time. Consider that the munition does roughly 8-7,5NM/min on average and 6NM/min in it's final flight phase.
->Consider on average a +-2,5%/10kn of frontal/tail wind of variation in flight time.
Further Remarks for the JSOW, the most efficient altitude for release seems to be at FL350 and the most efficient release Mach at that altitude is Mach 0,95.
