Forum: F-16 Armament & Stores

Good evening! I am in the process of gathering details for an upcoming 1/48th scale Tamiya F-16 Block 30 project and have some questions concerning the PIDS. The plane I plan on doing is from the Alabama ANG, 86-0346. I know that the PIDS was carried on the birds with only two dispensers, generally fiscal year 86 and 87 [Link pending approval]

1.) Which way did the dispensers on the PIDS, face? Towards the center-line or away from the jet? I ask because if you look at the picture of 87-0217, it looks like the dispenser, if that's a PIDS on the right wing, faces towards the center-line.

2.) Was the PIDS used only with specific weapons? Example, only GBU-12s, or only GBU-31s?

3.) Would only one PIDS be used at a time?

I tried to do some research on this site before posting, but I only confused myself more.

Thanks.

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FY87 Vipers have the extra chaff/flare dispensers, so they don't need the PIDS. Hence you are most likely to find it on FY86 and older Vipers.

The anser to your questions:
1) Always outwards - away from the centerline. You do not want a flare to by any chance ignite the fueltanks, however unlikelly this may seem.

2) Initially, you could not use JDAM's on PIDS as they lacked some software needed. This has however changed, and you can now load anything on a PIDS pylon.

3) ANG usually only carries 1 PIDS and 1 normal pylon at a time. Some NATO forces - Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands - have been seen carrying PIDS on both sides. Norway has 1 PIDS and 1 EPIDS these days.

Boman,

Thanks for the information. When you say "Fiscal Year 87", you are talking about jets that have tail numbers that start with 87-XXXX, correct? If so, I've seen pictures of an 87 bird with the PIDS, specifically CO ANG 87-254 according to the tail. I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just trying to wrap my head around this one. Your time and input are greatly appreciated!

Normally units fly the PIDS-3 pylon on STA#7 with the dispensers outboard. The pylon can be configured to fly on either STA# 3 or 7. Boman is correct in that they were initially dumb pylons and not JDAM capable. I think they've all been modified to the 1760 standard to carry smart weapons. Also, they are chaff only. I can't speak for FMS jets, but every U.S. jet I've ever seen with a PIDS has "chaff only" stenciled right on the pylon. As for the tails #s, all wide mouth F-16s (generally 87- up) have 4 chaff/flare dispensers. I can't recall ever seeing a small mouth 87 model. Just because they're wide mouth does not mean they cannot carry PIDS. It's just unusual to see that configuration.

Vader, small mouth vs. wide mouth has to do with engine - GE vs. PW, ie Block 30 vs 32 etc. - and nothing to do with the FY. Both types were made in FY87.

Tundra - answer is yes, FY87 are the tail numbers that start with AF87-xxxx

Thanks for the heads up on the FY87 and PIDS, Vader - I have not seen any FY87 with pids yet.

As for JDAM's on PIDS pylons, here is photo evidence for ya'
http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-12267.html

The ANG AFRES Test Center (AATC) is using flares in the pylons, but the flare type is limited. A Mod is underway that will lift that restriction but limit the number of flares a PIDS bucket can carry.

As for only "needing" to carry one, that is due to the limited numbers of PIDS available, not becasue of the extra 2 buckets that were introduced to the later jets. Ask any pilot and he'll say you can never have too many chaff or flare rounds. Two PIDS would be preferred.

To add my 2 cents. Originally the PIDS-3 (Non-1760) could have chaff/Flare buckets mounted facing inboard or outboard on any pre-1986 Blk 25/30/32 and below. Then it was restricted to facing outboard only. All USAF PIDS-3's have been upgraded to a PIDSU configuration which added smart weapon capability (1760). PIDSU's are only authorized 1 per aircraft so that's why you only carry one.

~ViperDude~

Thanks ViperDude - very interesting Smile

Early on the block 30's in AFRAC carried two pids with chaff only. Flare was loaded on the fuselage. So you need to pick the date and unit to have the right answer.

Any 2W1's (or even better, olf 462's) out there that have ever seen any PIDS variant with the dispensers facing to the right? PIDS/PIDSU/PIDS-3 all have the dispensers facing left. I guess the question of facing inboard/outboard depends on which station (3 or 7) that the PIDS is bolted to. Oh, the 301 FW will hang PIDS on bother 3 & 7 on occasion. Usuually it's just PIDS on one side & WWP on the other due to the limited number of PIDS.

-J

Forum: F-16 Armament & Stores

PIDS Questions