Forum: F-16 Armament & Stores

Does the Operational Capability Upgrade allow Block 15s to use AMRAAM? I was all along under the impression that this capability came with APG-68/F-16Cs, but reading this website (versions page) realized that even OCU may have provided this capapbility. Can anybody confirm whether OCU does indeed provide this capability or the section needs to be updated?

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Maybe, but after MLU-Mid Life Update,our block-15s will be able to carry Amraams and other types of advance weaponry for AA and AG targets.

pakviper wrote:

Maybe, but after MLU-Mid Life Update,our block-15s will be able to carry Amraams and other types of advance weaponry for AA and AG targets.

Pakviper,
with all due respect my question referred to OCUs as of today and not after MLU. So my question still stands.

The OCU mods that went in in the late 80's added wiring, radar, and SMS support for AMRAAM but I can't recall how many units, if any, flew it regularly at the time. It was still a new-ish missile then so not many people had 'em.

They were wired to take the Sparrow and certainly could fire it. But regarding the AMRAAM, it only has provisions to incorporate it, but not use it. and that was AIM-120A at the time. The Italians were the only ones to modify their block 15's to carry AMRAAM without upgrade to MLU or others. However the spagetti falcons cannot take full advantage of those missiles.

Block 15 OCU's were wired to carry the missile, but no operator (not even the Italians because they used the ADF version which was completely modified to carry and use the missile) ever modified the radar and some other necessary systems to operate the missile on a block 15 OCU. So capable yes, operationally used no.

Greets,

Well Blk 10 OCU started first and included the DTU, improved APG-66 Radar, 128K XFCC, 64K XCIU, CARA and only 2 stations for AMRAMM provisions not use. When it went to Blk 15 OCU the only difference was adding 9kw ECS cooling , partial E/O, FLIR pod provisions, and 6 station AMRAAM provisions but again no use. They did not become capable to use until Blk 15 ADF.

ViperDude

Forum: F-16 Armament & Stores

F-16 Block 15 OCU