I was unable to launch HARM and Maverick - what did I do wrong?

[Hoggorm]

Hello,

Today I was flying the F-16 when I realized that I was unable to launch both the HARM and AGM-65D missile. I was able to fire the gun and AIM-120C.

I've never had this happened before and was wondering if you know why this happened?

[Sarge55]

Just a WAG but in AA mode?

If it happens again try to provide a track file.

[Hoggorm]

No... I'm fairly sure I was in AG mode.

[Ramstein]

sometimes it is Helpful to go back to the training, built in DCS. And watch the training videos too.

Edited March 4, 2022 by Ramstein

[AstonMartinDBS]

If we should answer your question "what did I do wrong?" you should provide at least any information about what you did at all.

Most suitable for this purpose is to provide a short track file.

[Hoggorm]

2 hours ago, AstonMartinDBS said:

If we should answer your question "what did I do wrong?" you should provide at least any information about what you did at all.

Most suitable for this purpose is to provide a short track file.

I had the Maverick tracking a target, and later the HARM solution in the HUD was blinking, indicating a valid shot was available, but no missile was released when I pressed the trigger. And yes, I did have master arm on.

With "what did I wrong?" I was hoping someone would recognize a common mistake that probably was made by me while flying. I have very little more info to give, so if the solution is not obvious, I guess I'll just hope it never happens again. It has not happened before, and not since.

I'm afraid I do not know how to provide a short track file...

 

  

[Deano87]

43 minutes ago, Hoggorm said:

but no missile was released when I pressed the trigger.

Probably a long shot. But you do know that to launch HARM and Maverick in the F-16 you use the weapon release “pickle” button, not the trigger.

 

But like has be said. Record a short track or video of your issue and it’s much easier for us to diagnose your problem. You can save tracks after you exit a flight, during the debriefing. The shorter the flight the better. 

[AstonMartinDBS]

9 hours ago, Deano87 said:

You can save tracks after you exit a flight, during the debriefing.

If you accidentally closed the debriefing without saving your track, you can always find an autosaved track of your last flight in

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp\DCS\LastMissionTrack.trk

 

[Diesel_Thunder]

15 hours ago, Deano87 said:

Probably a long shot. But you do know that to launch HARM and Maverick in the F-16 you use the weapon release “pickle” button, not the trigger. 

I agree. The trigger only fires the gun in the Viper. 
 

Hornet does use the trigger for weapons other than the gun, mostly air to air missiles. It can fire the targeting pod laser if set for that, and AFAIK, is the only A/G use for the trigger other than the gun. All other A/G weapons are fired/released with the weapon release button like the Viper and Warthog.

The way the Navy uses the trigger does lend to some confusion I’m sure, especially here in DCS where one can fly multiple airframes.

Edited March 5, 2022 by Diesel_Thunder

[Hoggorm]

Yes, I was using the «pickle» button. Just did not know the correct term for it.

[Falconeer]

Did you press and hold the pickle button? 

 

Edited March 5, 2022 by Falconeer

[Hoggorm]

1 hour ago, Falconeer said:

Did you press and hold the pickle button? 

 

 

Indeed.

It appears to me as if there is no obvious cause of this issue. Hopefully it will not happen again.

[Deano87]

Has it happened since, Or was this a random one-off? Have you successfully launched these weapons since?

[Hoggorm]

This was a one time event. I've fired many both Maverics and HARMs since.

[Deano87]

Was it after you had landed and re-armed?

[Hoggorm]

42 minutes ago, Deano87 said:

Was it after you had landed and re-armed?

Yes, I had rearmed and boresighted the mavericks while on the ground.