AIR to AIR missile not firing for F16 after rearm.

[cptmrcalm]

This is a rare occurrence and doesn't happen often. In the  past, when this used to happen to me it would always get me killed. This problem seems to be unique to the F16.

(I cant upload a track file as it exceeds the maximum limit. -any suggestions you have for getting the file to you, let me know)

The issue is brief but can be seen on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-zoYZqWiM8

at 26:20

Unfortunately, you can't really see the MFD screens. But look closely and you can see that I am out of SJ mode when trying to fire.

I am trying to make sense of it myself and I am willing to find I have been an idiot. Happy to know what to do if its not actually finding a fault.

I lock the target up with the radar on the left MFD and the right MFD has the Store Jettison page active. This is ok - I am not trying to fire yet because I want to drop the tanks.

 

I realise I am definitely going to need to fire the missile, so I drop the tanks and come out of SJ mode back into AA. 

I fire. 

Nothing.

 

The 3 selector switch on the HOTAS (warthog - but the same for the F16 Cougar HOTAS) that is used for "Dogfight" - "NAV" - "AA" is in the middle. Confusingly to a beginner, the "NAV" centre position can also be set to AA or AG as well as pushing forward the switch and going into AA/AG.

Having had experience with this before, I react fast and I move the switch forward to AA and then back to centre (which is set to AA as well) and the missile then fires.

 

If I somehow had something setup wrong in the middle switch - then going out of it and coming back to it should return the same result but it doesn't. It suddenly allows me to fire.

 

I should add that I only ever seem to see this when I have refuelled and rearmed. Fresh from start up I never encounter this.

 

If you need the track file, let me know where I can send it to.

[razo+r]

You can upload larger track to something like dropbox or co. Or you can go to your profile and delete unneeded attachments to make room for new stuff. 

As far as I can see, you were still in S-J when you said "can't fire". S-J is indicated on your JHMCS when you briefly looked away. 

Edited March 5, 2024 by razo+r

[cptmrcalm]

Thought you (or someone) might say that -and I thought that too.. but if you look closer.. you can see I have come out of that mode. I remember coming out of it as well.

 

(HSD screen is up)

It is possible I might have been still.. but I remember switching out of it (forward on the button) and back into it again. If I had come back into it again, then it wouldn't have fired, but it did.

 

I think I am going to see if it happens again. I have a feeling its going to end up being me being an idiot. If I see that it is, I will come back here and say.. "yup' I'm an idiot!  )

 

I dont have dropbox. I will have to look at something..

Edited March 5, 2024 by cptmrcalm

[razo+r]

You were in S-J until 26:22, at which point switched, said "can't fire" and I guess also press the weapons release button, as shortly after the normal release delay the missile comes off the rails. 

But it's kind of hard to tell exactly what's going on.