Benner Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 (edited) 15 hours ago, clevzy said: There´s no LAU-128, all 4 rails are LAU114. If you increase the pic you see I don't know, looks different to me than what you see in this pic of a 1st TFW jet, the rail adapter and such .. in any case, not the greatest pic to use. here's a better angle on a 53rd TFS jet. Clezy, Thanks for posting those photos of the 58th TFS jets with AIM-120; excited to see those 🙂 Edited April 28, 2019 by Benner Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BoeingDriver Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 On 4/28/2019 at 5:47 AM, clevzy said: In this book are pictures of 85-0114, 85-0102 and 85-0100 carrying AIM120 during Desert Storm Well this answers your question of 120's being carried. I'm 1000% sure 120's can only be carried on LAU-128's and LAU-106's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
clevzy Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 Yes, it answers. This pic proofs they mixed the rails in the conflict. It seems logical, the LAU-128 was new and not available in number. Thanks to all.... every answer motivated me to do a more intensive research 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JakubJakepilot Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Gents, great topic here. Can anybody post side-by-side pic of both pylons with adapters from any (correct) kit ? Thanks a lot ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
clevzy Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 Another good pic from Desert Storm, Signal/Squadron Publication "F-15 Eagle in Action" The 58rd TFS used 2 types of rails Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alpagueur Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 (edited) Do USAFE F-15Cs of Reykjavik (Keflavik) ever used LAU-128 & AIM-120? (I suppose not, but I would like a confirmation) https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Air-Force/McDonnell-Douglas-F-15C-Eagle/1710662 the photos above were taken both in 1992.... Edited September 1, 2019 by Alpagueur Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mrvark Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 The original F-15 Sidewinder rail was the LAU-114, which used the ADU-407 adapter. The LAU-128 Sidewinder/AMRAAM rail uses the ADU-552 adapter. The LAU-127/8/9 launchers are physically compatible with all AIM-9 (although only the AIM-9M & -9X are currently used) and AIM-120 variants. The AIM-9 uses a 'T' configured hanger, where the top of the T slides into the C-shaped rails (note: I just using letters to explain how the missiles are carried, the launchers obviously aren't shaped exactly like that). The AIM-120 uses "U" shaped hangers were the top of the U slides over the T-shaped rail. So, the 'new' LAUs actually have two rails superimposed on each other (C on the inside and T on the outside) that allow them to carry either missile. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 The use of the LAU-128 during Dessert Storm is debated from time to time. The 33TFW received some before the end of hostilites, and some were carried but not used operationally. When carried, the AIM-120A's were carried on the outboard shoulder pylon, with AIM-9M's on the inner and AIM-7M's on the belly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 On 9/1/2019 at 2:08 PM, Alpagueur said: Do USAFE F-15Cs of Reykjavik (Keflavik) ever used LAU-128 & AIM-120? (I suppose not, but I would like a confirmation) https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Air-Force/McDonnell-Douglas-F-15C-Eagle/1710662 the photos above were taken both in 1992.... The 57th FIS never flew MSIP jets, so they did not carry AIM-120s or LAU-128s. After the 57th shut down the units that replaced them on a rotational basis did carry them though. 1 hour ago, Niels said: The use of the LAU-128 during Dessert Storm is debated from time to time. I'm not sure why there's a debate. There are pictures of Eglin jets carrying them in the closing weeks of Desert Storm, and I know several of the Eglin pilots that flew with them and have posted as such. Regards, Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 The debate tends to circle around wether they were carried or not, as there are relatively few photos of the F-15C's carrying them. And then follows the discussion on use 😉 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JakubJakepilot Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 On 9/2/2019 at 10:29 PM, Niels said: The use of the LAU-128 during Dessert Storm is debated from time to time. The 33TFW received some before the end of hostilites, and some were carried but not used operationally. When carried, the AIM-120A's were carried on the outboard shoulder pylon, with AIM-9M's on the inner and AIM-7M's on the belly. AIM-120 on the inner shoulder pylon and AIM-9M on outboard shoulder pylon. Scan from some book, got it off internet, hope not breaking any copyrights... Regards Jakub Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Thanks, guess I have to re-learn which is which of left and right/inner-outer 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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