https://x.com/Aviation_Intel/status/2028986046302830733
Nice picture. The F-15E can carry lots of ordinance. However, an F-16 can carry "lots" as well. In Ukraine an F-16 probably would forgo the AIM-120s (for weight reduction) and carry only two AIM-9s. The AIM-9s are mostly for self-defense anyway. In the F-15E picture the AIM-120s are included mostly because those hard points can't be used for APKWS and the "goal" of the configuration was to highlight its carrying capacity :-). They are useful against larger conventional cruse missiles, like the KH-101 and Kalibr. They are massive overkill for Shahed/Geran-2. An F-16 can carry 42 APKWS, 6 pods of 7 missiles each. However, the APKWS can be carried in an "unusual" configuration of three pods to a hardpoint. See https://militarnyi.com/en/news/us-demons...m-ukraine/ The wingtip F-16 hard points can only carry AIM-9 or AIM-120 missiles.
The F-15E in the picture is "clean", i.e. it is not carrying conformal fuel tanks (CFT) or a centerline fuel tank. F-16s in Ukraine can definitely carry a centerline fuel tank and MAYBE CFTs. However, the Sniper pod has to go somewhere, and normally that is the centerline. I am not sure the older F-16s have the plumbing for CFTs. Fortunately the two inboard hardpoints can carry external fuel tanks on all models, as shown in the photo. Obviously Ukraine doesn't have tankers to support long-duration missions against Geran-2 class drones, so the F-16 will be limited in endurance by its fuel load. That said, such a configuration is formidable. Too bad there would be so few of them.
I suspect that right now the USAF is regretting not assigning more F-15Es (and other platforms) to anti-drone missions in protection of the Gulf States. Unlike Ukraine, the USAF has enough platforms and pilots. We just didn't bring enough of them and/or mis-allocated what we did bring. The consequences of not effectively protecting the Gulf States against Shahed class drones are now IMO threatening their willingness/ability to continue supporting US policy against Iran. The LNG shutdown definitely is hurting the world economy and European fuel supplies.
Nice picture. The F-15E can carry lots of ordinance. However, an F-16 can carry "lots" as well. In Ukraine an F-16 probably would forgo the AIM-120s (for weight reduction) and carry only two AIM-9s. The AIM-9s are mostly for self-defense anyway. In the F-15E picture the AIM-120s are included mostly because those hard points can't be used for APKWS and the "goal" of the configuration was to highlight its carrying capacity :-). They are useful against larger conventional cruse missiles, like the KH-101 and Kalibr. They are massive overkill for Shahed/Geran-2. An F-16 can carry 42 APKWS, 6 pods of 7 missiles each. However, the APKWS can be carried in an "unusual" configuration of three pods to a hardpoint. See https://militarnyi.com/en/news/us-demons...m-ukraine/ The wingtip F-16 hard points can only carry AIM-9 or AIM-120 missiles.
The F-15E in the picture is "clean", i.e. it is not carrying conformal fuel tanks (CFT) or a centerline fuel tank. F-16s in Ukraine can definitely carry a centerline fuel tank and MAYBE CFTs. However, the Sniper pod has to go somewhere, and normally that is the centerline. I am not sure the older F-16s have the plumbing for CFTs. Fortunately the two inboard hardpoints can carry external fuel tanks on all models, as shown in the photo. Obviously Ukraine doesn't have tankers to support long-duration missions against Geran-2 class drones, so the F-16 will be limited in endurance by its fuel load. That said, such a configuration is formidable. Too bad there would be so few of them.
I suspect that right now the USAF is regretting not assigning more F-15Es (and other platforms) to anti-drone missions in protection of the Gulf States. Unlike Ukraine, the USAF has enough platforms and pilots. We just didn't bring enough of them and/or mis-allocated what we did bring. The consequences of not effectively protecting the Gulf States against Shahed class drones are now IMO threatening their willingness/ability to continue supporting US policy against Iran. The LNG shutdown definitely is hurting the world economy and European fuel supplies.