Gianky Posted November 27, 2019 Share Posted November 27, 2019 Hey there! With the arrival of the center drop tank, I thought I could increase the number of bombs brought to the party, but I see that we can load only a single GBU-12 on stations 4 and 6. Is there a reason for that? Shouldn't those stations be able to carry at least 2 GBUs, like on stations 3 and 7? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldur Posted November 27, 2019 Share Posted November 27, 2019 Might be to ensure clearance of gear and it's doors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gianky Posted November 27, 2019 Author Share Posted November 27, 2019 Hmmm... I don't know, Eldur, if you look at this picture: http://www.f-16.net/forum/download/file.php?id=2379&mode=view it should be able to bring two GBU-12s, just like on 3 and 7, with enough clearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
=Panther= Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 Real world, it isn't a legal -1 configuration. In the game....well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Twitch Channel [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Virtual Thunderbirds, LLC | Sponsored by Thrustmaster Z390 Aorus Xtreme, i9 9900k, G.SKILL TridentZ Series 32GB, 1080ti 11GB, Obutto R3Volution, Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog, TPR, Cougar MFDs, FSSB R3L, JetSeat, Oculus Rift S, Buddy-Fox A-10C UFC, F/A-18C UFC, Tek Creations F-16 ICP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gianky Posted November 28, 2019 Author Share Posted November 28, 2019 Real world, it isn't a legal -1 configuration. In the game....well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ So, it shoud theoretically be possible... If you can, could you explain us why in real life it's not used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
=Panther= Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 So, it shoud theoretically be possible... If you can, could you explain us why in real life it's not used? Because fuel tanks go on STA 4/6, nothing else is approved per -1, -5 and W&B. Twitch Channel [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Virtual Thunderbirds, LLC | Sponsored by Thrustmaster Z390 Aorus Xtreme, i9 9900k, G.SKILL TridentZ Series 32GB, 1080ti 11GB, Obutto R3Volution, Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog, TPR, Cougar MFDs, FSSB R3L, JetSeat, Oculus Rift S, Buddy-Fox A-10C UFC, F/A-18C UFC, Tek Creations F-16 ICP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederf Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 Some F-16s can and have employed weapons from 4/6. It's more complicated than remove fuel tank and add bomb since the tank is also the pylon so changeover means changing pylon. CFT customers have interest in 1766 munitions (JDAM, WCMD) capability but I don't think USAF pursued it. You can put dumb (interface) bombs like Paveway or MK84 though. Theoretically 4/6 can be wired for Maverick but aren't. There is a different question "what can be bolted on" compared to what configurations are flight tested for all combinations of carriage, release, and jettison. It's expensive and labor intensive to test and approve loads. Aerodynamics have tricky interactions where bomb on 3 or 4 is fine but both together is a problem. Early in F-16 life TER on 3-4-6-7 was tested and theoretically could be used. Does that apply to TER usage on 3/7 and 4/6 simultaneously for Paveway II in slant two or other loading? Maybe not. Remember that load of 12 MK82 is probably designed to release all at once. What kind of mission has a flight of 2 F-16s dropping 16 total LGB? It's not a sensible mission profile. If I was USAF the only appeal of 4/6 LGB is so I can have four LGB on 3/7 & 4/6 directly on MAU without any TER because TER are unfortunate rack parts. That's still 4 passes each airplane with one bomb which isn't a good fit for the overall battle plan. If one was going to double tap for hard target penetration then 2000 lbers would be called for instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts