Forum: F-16 Armament & Stores

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 - 09:12 PM Posts: 901

I am not too sure how stealthy the Viper is, but I do remember DACO reference mentioned the A?? (AIM-9 looking, no fins, round head, Station 9 in the picture) is fitted on the Viper during peace time, as an requirement to be more visible to the ATC radar.

IS this normal practice?

cheers, Very Happy

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Enthusiast Joined: Dec 08, 2003 - 08:04 PM Posts: 35

Pumpkin, that would be the AMA (Acceleration Monitoring Assembly) you are referring to there... it is no longer required to be carried now... not sure but I think because of the IFF mode 4 capabilities of the Mlu...

Also the agressor squadron sometimes carry up to 3 AMAs to present bigger radar targets...

greets Mil

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 - 09:12 PM Posts: 901

Hi Mil,
thanks! Any idea why it is called the Acceleration Monitoring Assembly? As far I can remember from some picture, the AMA is not hook up to receive any power from the SMS. Hence, I don't suppose there is any monitoring part in the assembly.

There has been much discussion on the following picture. Care to id if that was a AMA or a ACMI pod on station 9?

<a href="PhotoGallery/album10/acy.jpg"><img src="PhotoGallery/album10/acy.thumb.jpg" width=150 height=113></a>

cheers, Very Happy

Well, I don't see the antenna typical to ACMI pods, so my guess is the former.

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 - 09:12 PM Posts: 901

hi Habu,
I share your guess. But your reason caught my attention. "I don't see the antenna typical to ACMI pods" Care to enlighten, which antenna exactly were you referring to?

cheers, Very Happy

This one...
<img src="http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/images/acmipoddiag.jpg" WIDTH=550>

Well it's an antenna/air data sensor. Look at the very front, it's the sharp tip I meant. I think ACMI pods have to have have those, otherwise, how do they measure stuff like airspeed and altitude?

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 - 09:12 PM Posts: 901

I see Habu,
but then again, no all ACMI has that. Not the EHUD by IAI. Smile

Well yes, but the pic yous posted shows a Shaw Viper with what looks like a dummy Sidewinder. The pod above DOES look like an ACMI pod, i.e. no fins.

That is an AMA, ACMI pods do not have the fins, The T.O for installing the AMA does show a plug to be hooked to the rail but in 13 yrs I have never seen one. The head is nothing but concrete and it is used as a counter weight most of the time. They are also painting them bright orange now along with painting them grey.

I have a pic taken of me in Saudi back in 96 with the bright orange AMA behind me. If my scanner worked I would post it . That pod is a type of ACMI in the pic above but I have never seen one like that, ours are painted blue and have an antenna on the front . The Shaw bird is carrying a dummy sidewinder on station 1 .

Rigo

Well that confirms my suspicions.

Enthusiast Joined: Dec 08, 2003 - 08:04 PM Posts: 35

I have hung those AMAs often and only thing I was ever told they were only to present a bigger radar target... maybe you could be right about the counter weight but, I'm doubting it since they aren't carried that often in BAF lately... also there is no plug whatsoever on the AMA... and yes the orange one above is an AMA...

greets Mil

It doesn't actually act as acounter weight in the sense of the word but it is used to keep from having a asymetrical load on the wingtips. I have loaded them myself too, as a crew chief at Eglin in 91-92 we loaded AMA's, the weapon troops didnt do it.

Rigo

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 - 09:12 PM Posts: 901

Hey, thanks you guys,

I think it shouldn't be in orange. Rather misleading. Should really be in blue.

cheers, Very Happy

I was told they were painted orange for ACM training purposes, That was the reason they used in Saudi when we flew ACM training missions against the Saudi AF in their GR.1's, plus they had our weapon school instructors in the backseat. It supposedly made it easier for the Saudi pilots to spot the F-16's, whatever the reasoning alot are painted bright orange and others are still the grey color.

Rigo

I was told (by some weapons loaders) that the reason for the orange was for air to air combat training between similar airframes, it helps to tell your wingman from your opponent.

Forum: F-16 Armament & Stores

F-16 AMA/ACMI probes