Hurricane363 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I'm looking to do (as the title says) a F/A-18E as my next model, i'm not really sure about weapons that are mounted on US Navy jets.... Was wondering if anyone could help? Mat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MaRiO FDZ Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Joe Hegedus is the man when it comes to Hornet Loadout info... he's probably done this question several dozen times, so I would suggest try a search... hehehe If it doesn't make it for you, drop him a line :) Take Care Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Will2K65 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 A lot of recent combat loads over Iraq and Afghanistan are assymetric, with a 'goofy gas' configuration - a fuel tank under the centreline and one under the right wing, with a mix of small PGMs (typically chose a mix of 2 or 3 500 JDAMs, 2 or 3 500lbs Paveway IIs, and occasionally a laser AGM-65E Maverick missile is carried as well). Wingtip sidewinders are the norm, with an ATFLIR targetting pod on the left side fuselage weapons pylon. AMRAAMs are rarely carried these days from what I've seen. Typically when carrying this mix of GBU-12 (500lb paveway 2) and GBU-38 (500lb JDAM) it seems that the smaller and less bulky JDAMs get loaded closer to the fuselage, presumably as these stations are more restricted for space around them and as such weapons loading is easier with the smaller bombs. The larger paveway IIs are more commonly are hung on the middle or outer wing pylons. Personally I find the asymmetric loads seriously ugly, but they seem very common indeed! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hurricane363 Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 Typically when carrying this mix of GBU-12 (500lb paveway 2) and GBU-38 (500lb JDAM) it seems that the smaller and less bulky JDAMs get loaded closer to the fuselage, presumably as these stations are more restricted for space around them and as such weapons loading is easier with the smaller bombs. The larger paveway IIs are more commonly are hung on the middle or outer wing pylons.Personally I find the asymmetric loads seriously ugly, but they seem very common indeed! So on the 3 wing pylons, the GBU-38's would be on the inboard left, and the remaining pylons would be taken up with GBU-12's? Or would there be a different mix? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reddog Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Most common load out; Station 1 = empty Station 2 =empty Station 3 = GBU-12 or GBU-38 Station 4 = GBU-12 or GBU-38, but the same weapon as station 3 Station 5 = ATFLIR Pod Station 6 = Drop Tank Station 7 = AIM-120 or empty Station 8 = Drop Tank Station 9 = GBU-12 or GBU-38, which ever weapon you didn't use on the other side Station 10 = empty Station 11 = AIM-9X That is the most common load out I have seen the fleet do recently, rarely would you see the bird loaded something like this; Station 1 = empty Station 2 =empty Station 3 = AGM-65 Station 4 = GBU-38 Station 5 = ATFLIR Pod Station 6 = Drop Tank Station 7 = AIM-120 or empty Station 8 = Drop Tank Station 9 = GBU-12 Station 10 = empty Station 11 = AIM-9X Reddog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shion Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 It depends on the squadron. Most Echo squadrons I saw, use a mix of GBU-12-GBU-38 and L-Mav (VFA-105, VFA-115, VFA-14, VFA-137). VFa-143 used to fellow VFA-103 loadouts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spongebob Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Reddog hit it for common OIF/OEF load outs; and it's standardized by each air wing (so, -115 and -122 would use the same loads). Usually for OIF one jet in each section will have an LMav loaded. That said, there are numerous possibilities with the Rhino (such as, depending on what was going on the loads could be vastly different from "common")....best shot is a picture if you want accurate. HTH Spongebob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Hegedus Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Reddog hit it for common OIF/OEF load outs; and it's standardized by each air wing (so, -115 and -122 would use the same loads). Usually for OIF one jet in each section will have an LMav loaded. That said, there are numerous possibilities with the Rhino (such as, depending on what was going on the loads could be vastly different from "common")....best shot is a picture if you want accurate.HTH Spongebob I'm sure you meant VFA-115 and VFA-22 and just made a typo; VFA-122 is the RAG and doesn't deploy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spongebob Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 I'm sure you meant VFA-115 and VFA-22 and just made a typo; VFA-122 is the RAG and doesn't deploy. Thanks for the back-up...I totally fat fingered that. Spongebob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twhite80 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 I thought the built the the Super Hornet bigger and added 2 pylons so that they could avoid those asymmetric loads. They make me feel all funny, like when we used to climb the rope in gym class A lot of recent combat loads over Iraq and Afghanistan are assymetric, with a 'goofy gas' configuration - a fuel tank under the centreline and one under the right wing, with a mix of small PGMs (typically chose a mix of 2 or 3 500 JDAMs, 2 or 3 500lbs Paveway IIs, and occasionally a laser AGM-65E Maverick missile is carried as well). Wingtip sidewinders are the norm, with an ATFLIR targetting pod on the left side fuselage weapons pylon. AMRAAMs are rarely carried these days from what I've seen. Typically when carrying this mix of GBU-12 (500lb paveway 2) and GBU-38 (500lb JDAM) it seems that the smaller and less bulky JDAMs get loaded closer to the fuselage, presumably as these stations are more restricted for space around them and as such weapons loading is easier with the smaller bombs. The larger paveway IIs are more commonly are hung on the middle or outer wing pylons. Personally I find the asymmetric loads seriously ugly, but they seem very common indeed! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reddog Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 The reason for the goofy gas (or double ugly) load is to give the ATFLIR a better field of view, so it will not be blocked by a drop tank. Reddog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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