"Fred J. McCall" wrote:

Guy Alcala wrote:

: But "other birds", such as the F-15, can carry four of them *plus* a couple
: of AIM-9's and *still* have their gun to fall back on.
:
:4/4, 6/2, or 8/0. The F-15E and export siblings, at least, can carry AIM-120s on
:the pylon shoulder stations. I don't know if the As through Ds are so wired. I
:remember an article a few years ago saying that there was a bit of a conflict
:between armorers and F-15E pilots, at least at the base mentioned in the article.
:They typically were carrying 2/2 on the pylon shoulders. IIRR the pilots wanted
:the AIM-9s on the outsides, to improve seeker FOV for lock-on, while the armorers
:wanted the AIM-120s there because there was limited space for loading/unloading
:them on the inside of the pylons. I've seen photos of them both ways, as well as
perational a/c carrying four of one or the other.

Essentially what the Super Hornet can do - 8 AAMs in pretty much any
combination, plus the gun. That can probably go up to 10 AAMs in any
combination if they ever routinely start fitting the outermost under
wing stations and clear them for AIM-120. That leaves a belly station
for a tank, if you need it.

14 AAMs max. if all pylons are fitted. Dual launchers on inboard and intermediate
pylons, singles on the O/Bs and tips (AIM-9 only in the latter case, IIRR), and single
AIM-120s in each fuselage well. Not a very realistic load, to be sure, but I know
the USN has flown F-18Cs with 12, and they've probably loaded the F-18E/F up to the
max. for giggles.

Ordinary Hornets carry up to 4 and 2, plus a belly tank, I think.

Depends. Even during Desert Shield, USMC Hornets flying BARCAP were carrying 3 x
AIM-7s and 4 x AIM-9s plus two tanks.

Guy