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F-16.net Editor Joined: Sep 23, 2003 Posts: 2847

My "I have a dream" speech would be to see 3 - GBU-38 or GBU-12s on here that could be safely cleared for use. Razz

Enhanced Smart Triple Ejector Rack (ESTER)

http://www.terma.com/index.dsp?page=988#

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I can see 3 -38's but the -12's would still be problematical due to the clearance issues that this rack does nothing to change. The current TER can carry 2 -12's in a "slant" load, remember and they have no need for a "smart" interface.

Elp may have meant the GBU-49 rather than GBU-12. But your right that you could only carry as many GBU-49 as you could GBU-12.

My understanding is bombs aren't carried on the inboard racks of TERs due to issues of hitting the tanks when the said ordinance is dispensed. I wonder if they could possibly fit them with some type of diffuser like the ones used in bomb bays to help the bomb fall straight down. I'm pretty sure I've seen Mavericks carried three at a time on TER-9(or similar) racks. Did they have the same clearance issues?

Enthusiast Joined: Nov 12, 2004 Posts: 72 Status: Offline

Its concievable to load 3x38's on a TER. The reason you cant do such a load with 12's is due to the spring loaded fins. the 38's dont have spring loaded fins and have a significantly lower profile. It is however, still mighty close to the tank.

Mavericks are carried on a LAU-88 and are rail - launched, not ejected down or slant.

johnwill wrote:

Mavericks are carried on a LAU-88 and are rail - launched, not ejected down or slant.

I know how mavs are launched but I was wondering if they stopped carrying them 3X3 for clearance issues.

LAU-88's are no longer used on the F-16 USAF Jets.

Cheers,

ViperDude

Good. Very heavy and draggy. As far as Maverick launch clearance issues, the inboard missile (on a LAU-88) caused some heat damage to the horizontal tail, so was restricted (at one time anyway) to war time launch only.

TimmayMan wrote:

johnwill wrote:

Mavericks are carried on a LAU-88 and are rail - launched, not ejected down or slant.

I know how mavs are launched but I was wondering if they stopped carrying them 3X3 for clearance issues.

Timmayman
The triple Maverick launchers aren`t used anymore due to the high drag them cause. It has been debated several times on these forums, and the drag issue is what is stated by the loaders on here Wink

The triple launcher does look cool, I agree Cool

Enthusiast Joined: Jul 31, 2005 Posts: 93 Status: Offline

TimmayMan wrote:

My understanding is bombs aren't carried on the inboard racks of TERs due to issues of hitting the tanks when the said ordinance is dispensed. I wonder if they could possibly fit them with some type of diffuser like the ones used in bomb bays to help the bomb fall straight down. I'm pretty sure I've seen Mavericks carried three at a time on TER-9(or similar) racks. Did they have the same clearance issues?

yeah they're called ejector feet; agm-65's are not loaded on ters, loaded on lau-117's, single rack launched sta 3 and 7, mav's are not primary munitions anymore, so in loadbarn, we walk thru the load for qual.

Newbie Joined: Apr 07, 2008 Posts: 17 Status: Offline

aokeeffe wrote:

Its concievable to load 3x38's on a TER. The reason you cant do such a load with 12's is due to the spring loaded fins. the 38's dont have spring loaded fins and have a significantly lower profile. It is however, still mighty close to the tank.

I assume that you'd have the same problems with a plain vanilla Mk-82? I'm pretty sure those were carried on TERs all the time, right next to the tanks.

The TER can carry 3xMk 82's without any problem.

The problem with the GBU-12 is that it has extendable fins that puncture the tanks if loaded on the inside of the pylon.
As for the GBU-38, although physically possible to load on a TER, it will not happen as the TER do not have the necessary bus to launch it under optimal conditions. The only effect you will get out of loading GBU-38's on a TER is equal to that what you get loading Mk82's on a TER.

Enthusiast Joined: May 31, 2005 Posts: 69 Status: Offline

<i>The only effect you will get out of loading GBU-38's on a TER is equal to that what you get loading Mk82's on a TER.</i>
Actually, it's worse. You can't even drop a JDAM ballistically if you can't communicate with it. It's fins will lock and it won't be armed.

Anyway, the original post was about the ESTER, which will support GBU-38.

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Enhanced Smart Triple Ejector Rack (ESTER)