Different F-18 A2A weapons

[testudine2002]

Can I just verify that these are the only 4 types of A2A weapons we have in the Hornet right now?

 

1) sidewinders

2) Sparrows

3) 120C's

4) guns / cannons

[razo+r]

Well, 3 Missiles with each different variants. Did you expect any other A2A stuff?

[shagrat]

Can I just verify that these are the only 4 types of A2A weapons we have in the Hornet right now?

 

1) sidewinders

2) Sparrows

3) 120C's

4) guns / cannons

Yep, all 3 ranges of US air-to-air missiles.

The AIM-9 series IR heat seeking short range missile in versions:

AIM-9L

AIM-9M

AIM-9X

The AIM-7 series medium range SARH missile in versions:

AIM-7F

AIM-7M

AIM-7MH (enhanced M)

The AIM-120 series medium range active radar missile in versions:

AIM-120B

AIM-120C

 

And the M-61A cannon.

 

...no photon torpedoes, no "Pack Hound" Swarm missiles or railguns. ;)

[testudine2002]

Well, 3 Missiles with each different variants. Did you expect any other A2A stuff?

No, this is plenty of stuff. I'm new, and I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything new released or if I missed something important.

 

I noticed that not only are there lima, mike, and x-ray variants of sidewinders, but they can also be launched from different launchers like lau 115 and lau 115 c and lau 127. I'm not sure what the different launchers do yet. I'm guessing not much.

[Wizard_03]

I'm not sure what the different launchers do yet. I'm guessing not much.

 

 

The different launchers are just for different suspension/configurations and station locations, they don't effect weapon performance if that's what your asking.

 

For example you can mount 120s on the cheek stations or the on dual ranks under the wing pylons. Each requires a different launcher, think of them as adapters between the jet and the weapon.

[shagrat]

The different launchers are just for different suspension/configurations and station locations, they don't effect weapon performance if that's what your asking.

 

For example you can mount 120s on the cheek stations or the on dual ranks under the wing pylons. Each requires a different launcher, think of them as adapters between the jet and the weapon.

Plus some LAUs support 2 missiles on one pylon. The F-18C can carry an impressive number of weapons.

10 AIM-120 plus 2 AIM-9 for example.

[testudine2002]

this was helpful--thanks.

[Cytarabine]

While I would love AIM-132s on the Hornet they never were used on US Hornets so I just have to substitute AIM-9X’s for them.

 

Some photon torpedoes would be nice though with quantum torpedoes for a later update.

[Shotsx74]

Any idea why the F-18 never got a longer range capable missile, like the Aim-54 the tomcat has? If they saw it relevant then, why not with the 18's?

[TLTeo]

Any idea why the F-18 never got a longer range capable missile, like the Aim-54 the tomcat has? If they saw it relevant then, why not with the 18's?

 

 

Pick your favourite:

 

 

a) the long range fleet defender mission was already covered by the Tomcat, which the vintage Hornet was not meant to replace

b) it takes a plane designed specifically for the purpose to actually take off and have passable performance with the Aim 54 (as shown by the F111B debacle), the F18 once again is not that plane

c) it was planned to receive AMRAAM capability shortly after entering service (which it did) which is more than enough and fits the airframe better

d) the Aim54 was expensive enough to operate and maintain on one fleet of aircraft, let alone multiple ones

e) the long range capability of the Super Hornet with the Aim-120D will actually rival that of the Aim54 (and be more advanced to boot), so that capability will actually be restored - but on a different, heavier, larger airframe with a more powerful radar.

[OnlyforDCS]

Any idea why the F-18 never got a longer range capable missile, like the Aim-54 the tomcat has? If they saw it relevant then, why not with the 18's?

 

Doctrine change. It's not about the launch platform, it's about the weapon itself. The AIM54 was retired with the Tomcat, and it was never meant to be replaced by another long range missile. There were even talks of retiring the missile before the airframe itself, and upgrading existing Tomcats to carry the AMRAAM. The AIM54 was always a very expensive, heavy weapon and the AMRAAM's range was judged to be good enough.

 

(Remember that most missiles in DCS severly underperform compared to their RL counterparts).

[cercata]

Any idea why the F-18 never got a longer range capable missile, like the Aim-54 the tomcat has? If they saw it relevant then, why not with the 18's?

 

The AMRAAM is supposed to be the succesor of the Phoenix, that was too big, too heavy and too expensive ... like the F-35 is the Succesor of the F-22.

 

With no real threats for US, the politicians don't aprove the big budgets needed to have those weapons.

During the cold war, military bugget was much higher.

Edited March 12, 2019 by cercata

[OnlyforDCS]

The AMRAAM is supposed to be the succesor of the Phoenix

 

That is not exactly true. The Amraam is the successor to the AIM7. It is a medium range missile just like the AIM7, and was never meant as a replacement of the Phoenix.

[Skyracer]

Yep, all 3 ranges of US air-to-air missiles.

The AIM-9 series IR heat seeking short range missile in versions:

AIM-9L

AIM-9M

AIM-9X

The AIM-7 series medium range SARH missile in versions:

AIM-7F

AIM-7M

AIM-7MH (enhanced M)

The AIM-120 series medium range active radar missile in versions:

AIM-120B

AIM-120C

 

And the M-61A cannon.

 

...no photon torpedoes, no "Pack Hound" Swarm missiles or railguns. ;)

Keep in mind that to get full advantage of 9X you can only use the pylons on the wingtips. And by full advantage i mean full off bore sight.