What are these small tubes on the F-16 MLU?

oskarposkar · by **oskarposkar** » 25 Nov 2025, 02:55

I have seen on a few specific F-16 MLUs that there are small tubes, one on each wing leading edge out toward the missile rail. I don't think these are standard as I've only seen them on a few aircraft, specially the Taiwanese F-16s have these.

I am kind of curious because I've seen it on a few Norwegian F-16s but not on all other RNoAF F-16s, same with the RDAF F-16s.

I don't see them at all present in older photos of upgraded f-16s before MLU upgrades so I think this is MLU specific.

Does anyone know why this is on only some F-16 MLUs but not all and their purpose?

: F-16 wing stick; f16stickforum.jpg (11.89 KiB) Viewed 1031 times

kekosam · by **kekosam** » 25 Nov 2025, 15:42

I think it's from AN/ALR-56M RWR on Tape M5.6.

pron · by **pron** » 25 Nov 2025, 18:40

kekosam wrote:I think it's from AN/ALR-56M RWR on Tape M5.6.

Sounds right - https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/an-alr-56.htm

Gums · by **Gums** » 26 Nov 2025, 18:01

Salute!

I tink those are RHAW antennas added to earlier sets to solve directional ambiguities.

Gums recalls...

Boman · by **Boman** » 26 Nov 2025, 20:42

In modern times, the standard replacement wing for the F-16 is based on the "latest" standard wing design applicable for the modern F-16 fleet. As already mentioned by others, this iincludes the RAWH antennas as typically seen on the late-block F-16's. So when the older A/B/C/D fleet get wing replacements, they get the modern wing with the RAWH antenna by default and not the old ones without.

For most of the RNoAF fleet in the 6xx series, ie original block 15 series, you will see these new wings mounted. The antenna is from what I've understood "empty", so really not in use.

For the 2xx/3xx series fleet, which is the older block 5/10 series, I haven't seen them mounted. Not sure why this is, but guess it is linked to differences between the block 15 vs earlier blocks.

Roscoe · by **Roscoe** » 02 Dec 2025, 09:46

Gums wrote:Salute!

I tink those are RHAW antennas added to earlier sets to solve directional ambiguities.

Gums recalls...

Curious how many folks here besides you and me actually understand that

sprstdlyscottsmn · by **sprstdlyscottsmn** » 02 Dec 2025, 12:28

I figured what their were but didn't realize the reason for them. Things like that are why you guys are treasures for the rest of us.

johnwill · by **johnwill** » 02 Dec 2025, 19:46

Gums wrote:Salute!

I think those are RHAW antennas added to earlier sets to solve directional ambiguities.

Gums recalls...

You are correct. Early block airplanes had RWR antennas in the small streamlined blisters just in front of the Rescue arrows. Soon after the airplanes entered operational service in 1979, USAF asked GD to find a better location to improve system performance. They were called Donkey Dicks by some of us at GD.

gustav109 · by **gustav109** » 02 Dec 2025, 20:12

We avionics specs called them 'beer can' antenna. The 'donkey dick' was the A/R test probe.

[/quote]You are correct. Early block airplanes had RWR antennas in the small streamlined blisters just in front of the Rescue arrows. Soon after the airplanes entered operational service in 1979, USAF asked GD to find a better location to improve system performance. They were called Donkey Dicks by some of us at GD.[/quote]

sprstdlyscottsmn · by **sprstdlyscottsmn** » 02 Dec 2025, 22:15

Wow, we got all three of you in on this one. Too bad it's not engine related are we might have been able to add TEG to the list.