Delivered and expected: weapons for the F-16 transferred to Ukraine
Fighter F-16 with missiles AIM-120 (on the tips), AIM-9 (under the wing) and bombs. Raytheon Photos(
A number of foreign countries are planning to provide the Kyiv regime with F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters. It is assumed that American-made aircraft will partially make up for the losses of the Ukrainian Air Force and increase their combat capability. Probably along with aviation equipment will also be supplied with compatible weapons of various types. It is they who will eventually determine the combat qualities and the real potential of the newly transferred aircraft and units on them.
aerial platform
Any combat aircraft is actually an air platform designed for the transportation and use of air weapons (ASP). Armament acts directly on the target and determines the results of combat work. The effectiveness of ASP application, in turn, depends on the flight performance, on-board equipment and pilot training.
The American-made F-16 Fighting Falcon, regardless of modifications, is no exception. It was created as a carrier of a variety of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons to combat a wide range of targets. With the development of the aircraft and the creation of new modifications, the range of compatible ASPs and the range of tasks to be solved gradually expanded.
Aircraft of the main serial modifications, such as the F-16C / D, have a maximum take-off weight of more than 19 tons. At the same time, the maximum combat load can exceed 8,5-9 tons. There are nine external suspension points for placing weapons: one under the fuselage, three under each plane and one at the wingtips. The ventral pylon is designed for a load of 1 ton, the inner underwing ones - more than 2 tons each. The endings, in turn, can withstand less than 200 kg.
Missiles AIM-120 AMRAAM. In the background are F-16 fighter jets. Photo by the US Department of Defense
The F-16 is capable of carrying and using all current air-to-air missiles that meet NATO standards. First of all, these are short-range AIM-9 products, as well as medium-range AIM-7 and AIM-120. A number of types of air-to-surface guided missiles can also be used - AGM-65, AGM-88, AGM-154, etc. The use of guided and free-falling bombs is envisaged. Suspension of containers with additional sighting equipment is possible.
Transferred earlier
It should be recalled that deliveries of NATO-style ASP to Ukraine began last year and continue to this day. The United States and other countries have transferred various types of guided missiles to attack ground targets, including long-range, unguided weapon etc. Also shipped several batches of bombs. Almost all of these weapons are compatible with F-16 fighters or require some integration, probably short and simple.
It was reported that AIM-7 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles were sent to the Kyiv regime, but there was no exact information about their use with existing Soviet-style platforms. AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range missiles were supplied, but only as part of the NASAMS anti-aircraft complex. Probably, the transferred products cannot be used on aircraft. However, now nothing prevents foreign partners from shipping AMRAAM products for aircraft.
The situation is similar with the AIM-2000 IRIS-T missile. Such products were supplied as part of the land-based air defense systems of the same name, but there is also an aviation modification. Whether foreign partners will provide the latter is unknown.
AGM-88 missile that fell away from the target, August 2022. Photo by Telegram / "Military informant"
To combat Russian radars, several batches of AGM-88 HARM missiles were handed over to Ukrainian formations. Also, it was supposed to use unguided missiles Hydra 70 and Zuni for ground targets. JDAM guided bombs were supplied. All of these products have been adapted to available platforms. Getting F-16 aircraft will make them easier to use.
Not so long ago, Ukraine received and began to use Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Similar products SCALP-EG and KEPD-350 are expected to arrive. Whether the F-16s expected in the future will be able to carry and use such ASP is unclear. European missiles have not yet been officially included in the nomenclature of American fighter ammunition. However, the experience of recent months shows that the integration of new weapons is not a serious difficulty.
Together with cruise missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force used decoys ADM-160 MALD. Like other American-made missiles, these items are fully compatible with the F-16 and can be used without any special training.
Possible deliveries
Having received the F-16 fighters, the Kiev regime may request new types of compatible TSA. In addition, the United States and other foreign patron partners may be the first to come up with such an initiative and expand the range of ammunition for the Ukrainian Air Force. In this case, rockets and bombs of various types will again hit Ukraine.
Recently donated Zuni unguided rockets. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
In recent months, Ukrainian aviation has been unsuccessfully trying to solve mainly strike missions. Newly received F-16s with the appropriate ASPs can also be involved in such combat work. The existing range can be supplemented with guided and unguided bombs of various types. In particular, Kyiv has been asking for Mk 20 Rockeye cluster bombs for a long time. It is alleged that they are used as a source of small ammunition for UAVs, but if the appropriate platforms are available, they can also be used for their intended purpose.
Of interest to the Ukrainian Air Force is the AGM-65 missile, which is capable of hitting armored vehicles and buildings, incl. right on the battlefield. The latest modifications of this product show high performance, and in addition, they are already integrated into the F-16 weapons system.
As an addition to the Storm Shadow and other cruise missiles, American AGM-154 or AGM-158 air-to-ground products may be requested. Whether foreign countries will agree to provide such complex and expensive TSA is a big question. In addition, the negative experience with similar Storm Shadow products should be taken into account.
Last year, Ukraine received Harpoon anti-ship missiles from abroad, designed for use with ground-based launchers. The F-16 fighter can use the aviation version of this anti-ship missile - AGM-84. It is likely that the Kiev regime will be one of the first to request such a missile in order to harm the Russian Black Sea the fleet.
Guided bombs GBU-39 SDB. Ukraine has already received a similar weapon designed for HIMARS ground launchers. Photo by the US Department of Defense
F-16s of all modifications are equipped with airborne radars of various models and modifications, with the help of which the search for targets and the use of weapons is carried out. To improve the ability to observe and search for various objects, hanging containers with radio or optoelectronic equipment have been developed and implemented. Third countries have not yet reported whether they are going to transfer such products to Ukraine. It is likely that such assistance is not planned at all.
Potential Threat
Deliveries of foreign F-16 fighters will allow the Ukrainian Air Force to restore part of its aircraft fleet. Together with this technique, the Kiev regime will receive some new combat capabilities. In addition, it is possible to supply new batches of ASP, incl. currently missing types. Each of these steps and their consequences can pose a potential threat to our troops and civilians.
At the same time, American F-16s and their weapons should not be overestimated. It should be expected that such aircraft and ASP will add to the work of the Russian Aerospace Forces and Air Defense, will be able to inflict some damage, but will not be able to have any effect on the overall course of events. A number of factors will contribute to this development.
First of all, it should be borne in mind that the F-16, despite all the upgrades, is a fairly old aircraft. In addition, one should not expect that Ukraine will be given the equipment of the latest modifications. All this will seriously limit the technical and combat qualities of the aircraft.
You also need to remember that over the past decades, the American Fighting Falcon has been considered as one of the typical and expected targets for our fighters, radars and air defense systems. When creating anti-aircraft and aviation weapons, the need for destruction was taken into account, incl. such fighters. Accordingly, the F-16s will not be able to operate freely in the areas of responsibility of our Aerospace Forces and Air Defense. It is very likely that some of the aircraft will be hit even before the drop of weapons.
Suspension of the AGM-158B rocket on the F-16 pylon. Photo by the US Department of Defense
Ukraine has already received a number of foreign ASPs, and such products have not lived up to expectations. Thus, there is no reliable information about the use of air-to-air missiles, while Ukrainian aviation suffered heavy losses as a result of air battles. AGM-88 anti-radar missiles turned out to be obsolete and do not cope with the tasks. Our air defense has learned how to shoot down long-range cruise missiles, and their carriers are also intercepted.
It is unlikely that foreign partners will transfer the latest and most advanced TSA to the Kyiv regime. Accordingly, the fight against such a threat will not be a particularly difficult task, although it will require certain efforts on the part of the air defense and other branches of the military.
old script
Foreign states are only going to supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but the results of this process are generally clear. The Kiev regime will receive a limited number of such equipment, and its deliveries may stretch over time. We should also expect new deliveries of aviation weapons, and also not large and not one-time.
The fate of the equipment planned for transfer is generally understandable and predictable. The Russian army will use various means to destroy aircraft on the ground and in the air, as well as to prevent the use of weapons. Limited volumes and rates of deliveries will simplify such work to some extent. Probably, abroad they understand what awaits the transferred equipment and weapons, but they are not going to abandon their plans. The reasons for this have long been known and understood.
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