F-16.net

I saw a photo of a Viper with SDBs (GBU-39) on a quadruple rack here http://www.f-15estrikeeagle.com/navigat ... photos.htm and I was wondering if sta 3&7- or any other station for that matter-could take only one SDB in case of a low-intensity conflict (such as Irak today). If you check the link above the photo won't show up immediately, you'll have to select -> weapons -> GBU-39 -> second image

F-16.net Sponsor

This message from our sponsor will disappear if you log on as a member.

I don't know if the stations could take one or not, but when i was in Iraq last year, i know our pilots wanted to carry more bombs. the more they had, the more they could help the soldiers and Marines on the ground. With the all the tanker support and the fact we were in Balad, really the only limitation was that each plane only had 3 bombs.

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

The F-16 talks directly to the weapons mounted on parent carriage or on a BRU-57. With the SDB system, the rack acts as a go-between, i.e., jet talks to rack, rack talks to weapon -- sort of like ALIC and HARM. Unless the GBU-39 has the capability of emulating some other weapon interface (such as the GBU-3 Cool

, the aircraft won't be able to pass target or GPS info to the bomb.

The SDB rack is the BRU-61/A. It is required as of now. The BRU-61/A weighs in at 320lbs, each GBU-39/B weighs 285lbs. Total weight for 4 weapons and rack equal 1460lbs.

Consider a TER w/3 500 MK-82's would weigh more than this SDB system and give you one less drop.

Sliced Bread had a good run before the SDB. Force Multiplier!!!!!!!!!! Very Happy

F-16.net

Forum: F-16 Armament & Stores

SDBs only on BRU-61?