Forum: F-16 Armament & Stores

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This is my first participation in this forum. I must say I think that this site is one of the best sites related with the F-16.

On your site you say that the Aim-120 can be installed in 8 different points of a f-16 but you don´t specify if they can be used at the same time in a mission. I checked many sites (USAF museum, USAF, Federation of American Scientists) and I realised that according with these sites an F-16 airframe can only carry 6 air-to-air missiles. What is the real number of air-to-air missiles an F-16 can use at the same time in a mission - 6 or 8?

If an F-16 can carry up to 8 air-to-air missiles can it do this only with aim-120 amraam missiles or, for example, can it be loaded with a mix of 4 sidewinders and 4 aim-120?

Could you please provide some information about this? I also would like to know your opinion about the eurofighter typhoon? Do you think the F-16 is more than a match to the eurofighter? They seem quite similar to me in many aspects.

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Anyway, the maximum number will be 6 ( the inner two hardpoints can be used to mk's bombs, LGB's, AGM-65F maverick, ECM pods and external fuel tanks). The one that is under the intake can carry a fuel tank or a MK bomb (the F-16 has 9 hardpoints).

Oh and you can enter to that <a href="http://www.af.mil/news/factsheets/F_16_Fighting_Falcon.html">website</a> and there go down to "General Characteristics", you will get some more information about your question.

Peter,

The number of missiles the F-16 can carry is 8 at the same time. On the number 3 and 7 station a dual ejector rack can be carried which can accommodate 2 missiles on one station. It can be a mix of either the AIM-9 or AIM-120 on all stations.

Off course an F-16 with such a configuration will never be seen, but it is possible. Even in pure air-to-air role an F-16 will most of the time be equipped with AIM-120 on the wingtips and AIM-9 on the number 2 and 8 station together with either a centerline fuel tank or two underwing fuel tanks.

Greets,

Welcome to the site Very Happy

, and to answer your question, 8 is the maximum possible load, but as Bjorn said, you probably will never see an F-16 armed like that. And yes, it that highly unlikely case that the F-16 is sporting 8 AA missiles, there will either be 8 AMRAAMs or a mixture of Sidewinders & AMRAAMS, with there being a minimum of 4 AMRAAMs on the bird. For further info, you can check out this sites, Armament section located near the top left of your screen.

As for whether the F-16 is a match for the EFA 2000, well, that's a little bit of a tough question. Obviously it matters which block we're dealing with, and I really can't give you a straight answer yet. Give me some time to do some research, okay. A similar topic was also raised, F-16 vs. Rafale. The Rafale is a lot like the EFA 2000, at least I'm pretty sure it is, so I'd say to find at least a few answers, you could go to that debate and see what people think. Smile

It depends on the Block Configuration, Block 60 can carry the most weapons,

Agree with Commando. What configuration are we talking about? Are you interested in air to air only or air to ground? The standard is 4 air to air missiles, but in some cases a F-16 may fly 6 air to air missiles. During a deployment I went on in support of Operation Souther Watch, we were tasked with the air coverage role, we flew 4 AIM-120 and 2 AIM-9. AIM-120 at station 1, 2, 8, 9 and AIM-9 at station 3, 7. I'll see if I have any photos laying around.

The photo above shows the jet with 2 AIM-120, 2AIM-9 air to air missiles, and 2 AGM-88 HARM missiles. Infact the F-16 block 50 can carry 4 HARMS, although not normaly done, it is flight certified to do so.

regards

Is it true that USAF F-16s can carry more Air-to-Air Missiles in Block 30 then the Turkish F-16 Block 30 ?.

The Turkish Block 30 can carry up to 6 air to air missiles. AIM-9 or AIM-120. Same as USAF block 30.

Hey Commando, what's up? Smile

Well, there's been a lot of talk as about the Block 60 F-16s & their abilities. Tell me, just how many more missiles could it carry than the maximum the theoritical load of 8 AA missiles?

Look at that. This is from the USAF game (Admin 8.3)

F-16c Block 30

Great screen shot....which game is this from? Too bad you really can't put the AIM-120 on station 4 and 6.

This is from Jane's USAF

Thanks..guess I should of noticed the title at the top of the screen shot! Embarassed

Forum: F-16 Armament & Stores

How many air-to-air missiles can an F-16 airframe carry?