F-16 with dual rail missile launchers

[Raptor.777]

Can that be done on a F-16? Was thinking about where the sidewinder usually goes but 2 instead of 1. Feasable?

Thanks

Jeff

[habu2]

There was a thread with photos here some time back of a dual rail launcher but it was on a test bird and apparently was never in operational service. 

[Crash Test Dummy]

The wingtips and outboard wing stations 2&8 are not stressed for anything more than a single missile. I think the weight limit is around 500lb.  Station 3&7 are where you would find multi-rail adapters. Triple rail launchers have been proposed for the F-21 proposal to India and the Block 70, but I don't think they've made it to the hardware stage yet.

 

 

[Niels]

Concept photos only, relating to the proposed F-21. Never came to life.

 

The F-16 can carry AIM-9/AIM-120 on station 1/2/3/7/8/9, but only singles on each station.  

[Thadeus]

Even better, it carries the missiles on LAU-127 (or 128 or 129 I can never remember). It does look quite interesting with different than usual pylons on stations 3 and 7.

I believe for most of the time, there simply is no need for more than 4 or 6 missiles. I also remember reading an article on USAF F-15's and F-16's where it was said that F-16 was quite easy to plan during Op planning, since it was an half of F-15 (one engine, half the missile load).

There were also some tests of bomb pylons for stations 2 and 8.

[admiralcag]

On 6/5/2023 at 8:44 AM, Thadeus said:

There were also some tests of bomb pylons for stations 2 and 8.

Correct. When I started as a technician with the COANG, we were flying wing weapons pylons with TERs on 2, 3, 7, and 8. 4 jets x 12 BDU-33's x 3 sorties per day with one load crew will wear you out. One of my crew dogs said it reminded of loading B-52s at Utapao...

 

Vern

[admiralcag]

I misspoke.  The pylons were on 3, 4, 6, and 7. Personally, I have never seen anything on 2 and 8 other than missile rails. Doesn't mean there couldn't be.

 

Vern