Well, yes…I agree with you wholeheartedly. That is exactly the case and if more people felt the same way, this would be a much better world.
However, what I am talking about is normal, controlled helicopter landings. In the Navy, we remain seated, with our tray tables up and our lap belts securely fastened, until the helicopter is safely on the deck. Then, and only then, do we exit the helicopter (by rank mind you*), usually by some means of short set of stairs. It is the civilized and dignified way to exit a helicopter.
My son, and I can only assume @Maico and other current and former members of the “Screaming Eagles” tend to prefer to slide down ropes or repel out of the helicopter while it is still some ways above the ground. Evidently one must shout “Air Assault” whilst doing this. My son informed me that to get out of a helicopter in any other fashion is “boring”. (Seriously, he actually said that)
. * Yes, we actually board and exit helicopters using something called “small boat etiquette”. The most senior person is the last to board and the first to exit…so that the most senior person spends the least amount of time waiting. As the name implies, we do the same wen boarding/debarking small boats.
More of a real F-16 question but applicable here due to weapons loading in the ME…
External Fuel Tanks and the TGP…if fuel for a mission is not a big factor (i.e. short range or tankers available) is one centerline tank better than the two wing tanks as far as TGP visibility goes?
It seems to me that the wing tank on the right side obstructs the TGP view more…than an empty pylon (MOTO) or other smaller bombs. But maybe not.
USAF F-16s typically always had ECM pods on the centreline so tanks on 4/6 only if your mission is going somewhere with defences and is this side of the 1980s.
They have used zero tanks in combat before with ECM on the centreline - but very rare.
That cheek position is a lot better for a pod than where the Hornet had it on that AA station
Most of the pics I’ve seen just have two wing tanks and double bombs on the outer pylons. It seems like the center tank would actually mask more than the wing tanks given the location of the pod compared to the hornet.
Also found a pave penny looking pod, wondering if that is a newer TGP or what?
The pod on the right cheek is unusual for more recent times but the lack of ECM pod and missiles on 2/8 suggests an IraqiStan situation with mostly insurgent forces.
The pod is the AN/ASQ-213 HTS (HARM Targetting System) (aka STING) for Wild Weasel anti radar work.
Wow just read about that HTS. It appears the latest version also has gps precision guided capability and datalink. So you can jdam a radar site without seeing it. I’m assuming you could carry the hts as well as a TGP or is it one or the other?
Both on USAF F-16s - the HTS pod goes on the left because I think during the CCIP mod from 2002 they rewired things so typically the HTS goes on the left and the TGP on the right.
That photo is possibly 2004 Enduring Freedom before that F-16 was upgraded (maybe)
That makes sense. The article I read said basically there were revisions made to the HTS. The “R6” model went on the right, the “R7” model goes on the left and includes the GPS/datalink upgrades.
Interesting… DL seems like a smart thing to add, as hts/has will only give an approximate triangulation that improves as the emitter is on the air for longer. Having multiple f16s in DL triangulate the same emitter from different angles greatly reduces the time for an accurate fix I suppose.
Enjoyed the recent update. CZ is a godsend! I was just wondering how Snow Plow was working for other people. I tried to SP into a CCRP attack but on the HUD, the diamond was not on the target but remained in a fixed position as if it were bore sighted. Time to release was stuck at 00:25 regardless of my actions. The issue persists in either point or area track.
Slowing from a waypoint to a target works fine. Anyone else have issues with the tgp?
I may be…I’m not sure. It is probably just “buttonolog”.
I select a GBU-12 and set to CCRP. On the left MFD select TPG. DMS down; L MFD is SOI. Move the view a bit, then decide I need to recenter it. Press CZ. It recenters. The L MFD still shows SOI. I try to move the view, nothing happens - stuck. DMS Up, DMS Down. Still nothing. Select SP then CZ again, still frozen. Tried TMS Up and Down, nothing. I went back to SMS and cycled to CCIP and back to CCRP. That worked…but I cannot think that is the correct procedure.
I think I am missing something after I press CZ but cannot think what it might be.
The primary development items for the Viper remain the AGM-65 Maverick and the AGM-88C HARM in HARM As Sensor (HAS) mode. These were introduced into our internal builds today, and they will be subject to testing over the next several days. Initial tests are good, but there are several items to still resolve.
We are shooting (not a promise) to release both weapons for the Viper in our September update. However, as always, it will highly depend on testing and how long it takes to resolve issues discovered in testing.
We understand how eager many of you are for these two systems, and we apologize that it has taken longer than expected due to several reasons. However, we are getting there, and we thank you for your patience.
In addition to these two new systems, we are continuing to investigate and make needed changes to the Viper targeting pod, flight model/FLCS, HMCS, and data link where needed.
