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ARMING

Prior to take-off, the pilot can select the armament appropriate to fulfill the mission objectives on a dedicated Arming screen. In some missions specific armament may not be available.

Every weapon has limited, specific attachement points it can be mounted to.
A2G cannot be mounted on outer pylons and wingtips.
Some air 2 ground weapons can be mounted multiple times on the same pylon - for example 3 bombs or 3 mavericks per pylon.

In some missions some weapons may not be available.

See General weapons usage information for more information about weapons usage.

Cannon

Your F-16 is always equipped with cannon. Only aerial targets can be destroyed by cannon. You can fire 50 bursts (100 in Rapidus version).

Note that since v. 1.4.0 cannon rounds fly slower and are affected by gravity so you must aim much more ahead (use aiming circle as reference).

Cannon effective RANGE: below 1M.

AIM-9L Sidewinder

AIM-9L Sidewinder Air To Air missile is good at short ranges, are more maneuverable, but have lower fuel amount and lower range.
AIM-9L Sidewinder can be shot only at targets showing their rear hemisphere - inability to shoot at target is shown by moving heat seeking sensor diamond marker.

Sidewinder effective RANGE: around 1M.

AIM-120 AMRAAM

AIM-120 AMRAAM Air To Air missile has longer range and more firepower, but for few seconds after launch doesn't maneuver so it is less suitable for close range combat.

Amraam effective RANGE: around 3M.

LAU-87 Rocket pod

Short range, unaimed rockets good for destroying unarmoured vehicles, ineffective against armoured structures.

Note that since v. 1.4.0 unguided rockets are affected by gravity so you must aim above the target to account for ballistic trajectory.

Unguided missiles effective RANGE: below 1M.

AGM-65 Maverick

Air To Ground missile suitable for light and medium armoured vehicles, may need to use several to destroy buildings. May not hit it's target when fired from too steep angle or too short distance.

Effective RANGE: around 3M.

MK-84 Bombs

Unguided bombs, largest explosive firepower. Around 1500ft and below a CCIP (Constantly Calculated Impact Point) marker is shown for aiming. Still hardest structures may require more than 1 hit for complete destruction. Watch out not to be too low at the time of the impact as your plane may get damaged by the blast.

AGM-88 HARM

Can only lock on radars, has very long range so it often can be fired before entering enemy radar & SAM range.

Effective RANGE: around 6M.

Payload presets

AIR1 preset

  • 2 * SIDEWINDER
  • 4 * AMRAAM
  • 2 * ROCKETS POD
  • FUEL TANK 300GAL

AIR2 preset

  • 2 * SIDEWINDER
  • 4 * AMRAAM
  • 2 * FUEL TANK 600GAL
  • FUEL TANK 300GAL

GND1 preset

  • 2 * SIDEWINDER
  • 2 * AMRAAM
  • 6 * MAVERICK
  • 2 * ROCKETS POD
  • FUEL TANK 300GAL

GND2 preset

  • 2 * SIDEWINDER
  • 2 * AMRAAM
  • 6 * MAVERICK
  • 6 * BOMB
  • FUEL TANK 300GAL