Weapon Management

This group on the left area of the main panel provides all weapon related settings, such as arming missiles or selecting the bomb delivery mode. It features a true airspeed indicator (1), a Head Up Display Indicator (2), a flight instrument brightness knob (3), the nose/tail arming switch (4), the station select buttons (5), the master arm switch (6), the delivery mode knob (7), the weapon selector knob (8), the missile status lights (9), the radar missile power switch (10), the centerline tank aboard light (11), the interlock switch (12), the selective jettison control (16) and the AWRU controls (13, 14 and 15).

Range Indicator

This panel provides the pilot with a readout of the slant range measured by the Pave Spike Targeting Pod (x100 ft).

When the Test-Button (3) is pressed, the display shows 888. The knob underneath (5) the test button controls the brightness of the readout (2).

The Mode-Knob (1) allows the pilot to select one of two weapon delivery modes available with the pod:

• WRCS - Automatic Delivery
• ROR - Release on Range

In the SET position, the display shows the desired release range used in the ROR mode. The knob below the readout (4) can be used to adjust this range.

Head Up Display Indicators

The Head Up Display indicator panel provides weapon status for the Master Arm control as well as the current selected air-to-air weapon based on the position of the pinky switch on the left throttle handle.

UHF Remote Channel Indicator

Provides the current selected channel value when the radio is set to PRESET. Otherwise, the indicator displays M if the radio is set to Manual, G when the COMM function is set as GUARD/ADF, or A when the A-3-2-T switch is in A.

True Airspeed Indicator

Provides the aircraft's true Airspeed in knots, and is calibrated from 150 to 1500 knots; airspeeds below this range are thus not reliable.

Flight Instrument Brightness Knob

Controls edge lighting of the main flight instruments of both cockpits.

Rotating clockwise will increase their brightness, but at the same time also dim most warning and indication lamps in the aircraft.

💡 When dimmed, SHOOT lamps are turned off entirely.

Flight instrument lights can additionally be controlled individually with knobs on the Flight Instrument Lights Intensity Panel, located on the right wall.

See 3.9. Interior Lighting for details.

🚧 The flight instrument lighting is currently linked to the Instrument Panel Knob on the right console instead. The correct controls will be made available later during Early-Access.

Nose/Tail Arming Switch

Controls the arming solenoids of the MER and TER racks, selecting what MER/TER position(s) arming lanyards are pulled from released bomb fuzes upon separation, thus making them live. This function also controls selective low/high drag capability for retarded bombs.

For example, MK-82 Air or Snakeye variants will only detonate if the nose fuze is selected and switch between high drag configuration with the tail fuze set and low drag if not set.

Station Select Buttons

The Station Select Buttons are used to activate air to ground munition stations and the nose gun. Upon selection of a station, the upper half denoting the position will illuminate green to confirm the station is active. The lower half will illuminate amber once the necessary mode is selected, the weapon is compatible with the weapon select knob option, the Master Arm is in the ARM position, and any necessary warm up period for the selected weapon type is completed. L and R positions are left and right, respectively, with O denoting outboard and I denoting inboard stations. The centerline weapon position is CL, and the nose gun is armed with the GUN station selector button.

Dimmer Knob

A dimmer knob is also provided to raise or lower the lighting of the station select buttons relative to current cockpit conditions.

If the Flight Instrument Brightness Knob above it is set to the full CCW position, it overrides the dimmer knob and Station Select Buttons are always illuminated at full brightness.

💡 The dimmer knob can control brightness only within a limited range.

Master Arm Switch

Provides master arming function for all aircraft weapons.

Delivery Mode Knob

The Delivery Mode Knob sets the fire control system to the desired air to ground weapon release type. Split into two halves, the left side of the dial references ARBCS (Altitude Reference and Bombing Computer Set) delivery modes, while the right side provides automated release functions using the WRCS (Weapon Release Computer Set) with possible tie-in to the navigation computer, depending on mode. At the 11 o'clock position is the OFF position, which is utilized for air-to-air weapons (including the gun). The next mode, DIRECT, is used for video-directed weapons such as the AGM-65 and as a direct delivery bombing mode. The full series of positions is as follows, clockwise from the left:

For further information see 4.3 Air-to-Ground weaponry chapter.

Weapon Selector Knob

Used to select the appropriate type of weapon, providing release signals to the AWRU (Aircraft Weapons Release Unit). ARM and TV positions inhibit air-to-air weapon firing unless a CAGE signal is active. ARM and TV positions do not affect tuning status of radar guided weapons. Positions are as follows:

Aircraft Weapons Release Unit

Provides timed interval release scheduling of single or multiple bombs or rockets and dispensed munitions based on the selections made between the interval knob, the QTY (quantity) knob and the INTRVL switch.

For further information see 3.11.2 Aircraft Weapons release unit (AWRU).

Interval Knob

The interval knob (1) provides release pulse sequences between 0.05 second and 1 second.

Interval Switch

The INTRVL switch (2) provides the option of a 10x multiplier of the set value of the interval knob. In the NORM position, the interval knob value is the trigger timer.

Quantity Knob

The quantity knob (3) controls how many stores are released per impulse.

Selecting "1" places the AWRU into single manual bombing mode; one push of the bomb release button releases one bomb.

Selecting a value from "2" to "18" sets the AWRU into single ripple mode; in this mode, the AWRU will release bombs according to the programmed interval until the set number of rounds is dropped, or the bomb button is released. Upon release, the count is reset, and a subsequent press and hold will drop the programmed number of bombs.

Selecting "C" sets the AWRU into single continuous mode; pressing the bomb release button drops rounds according to the programmed interval until the bomb button is released, or all munitions from the selected pylons are expended.

The "P" setting is for pairs manual mode. With at least two stations selected, each push of the bomb button will release two bombs; like single manual mode, this does not include an interval function.

Lastly, the "S" setting, for salvo, releases bombs in accordance to the chosen interval from all selected stations simultaneously, until the bomb button is released. Ergo, if four stations are selected with a 2 second interval (0.2 on the interval dial, X10 INTRVL switch setting), four bombs will be released every two seconds the bomb button is held down.

Missile Status Lights

The Missile Status Light window provides confirmation of currently installed and configured 4.2 air-to-air missiles chapter.

Radar Lights

The RDR lights (2) illuminate once AIM-7 missiles are properly tuned with the fire control system; any station that does not carry a Sparrow, does not correctly sync up during tuning, or is launched, will turn off.

The left pair of lights indicates stations 4 and 3 from top to bottom, while the right pair links to stations 6 and 7 respectively.

Heat Lights

The HEAT lights (1) illuminate one at a time, rather than all up upon circuit configuration. The light of the currently selected station will illuminate beginning at the raising of the gear handle, and remain in that position until the weapon is either cycled using the throttle's Gun/Missile Switch reject option, or is launched. The HEAT light arrangement corresponds with the launch sequence of the AIM-9.

The left pair of lights represent station 2L and 2R respectively, while the right pair is linked to stations 8L and 8R.

Radar Missile Power Switch

The Radar Missile Power Switch provides power to the klystron continuous wave (CW) emitter responsible for guidance signals. This also powers the Sparrow tuning drive which is responsible for tuning the Sparrows to the correct continuous wave carrier frequency for guidance.

When the radar power knob is out of the OFF position, power is applied to the circuit 30 seconds after this selection.

The STBY position maintains warmup power to the missiles and continuous wave tuning drive once the missiles have been tuned. This keeps the Sparrows and Tuning Drive warm, but the Sparrows not tuned.

The CW ON position allows for constant tuning and missile state monitoring with the radar mode not in TV. This also causes the radar klystron to begin continuous wave emission.

Tuning can be performed on the ground with the radar in TEST mode to preclude emissions endangering ground crew.

Centerline Tank Aboard Light

Illuminates when a stores condition exists that precludes ejection or launch of an AIM-7 missile installed in one of the two forward positions. To use the Sparrows on these stations the centerline store must be first jettisoned.

See 3.12.1 Multiple Weapons System for details.

Interlock Switch

A two position switch that determines whether the fire control system launch parameter interlocks can prevent an AIM-7 from being launched when the trigger is pulled.

Selective Jettison Control

The Selective Jettison Control knob provides the pilot direct access to dump stores on a position by position basis.

The pilot selects the desired position by rotating the knob and then presses the button on its front to jettison the selected stores.

As example, to jettison the right and left external fuel tanks, the pilot must select STORES on the knob, press the corresponding station select buttons LO, RO and then push the jettison button.

Recorder Lamp

This dimmable lamp is lit to indicate operation of the Airborne-Video-Tape-Recorder (AVTR).

The AVTR system is controlled by the WSO and records the intercom sound, as well as the rear radar screen.