Zephyr Net

Excellent F-18F Walk around picture site...

http://www.b-domke.de/AviationImages/Superbug.html

with absolutely AWESOME closeups of the an AIM-9X training missile...

IOC is 2003 ... dunno when exactly.

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"Smile, AMRAAMs love you!"
"May the PATRIOTS down the FROGS!"
1Lt. Centurian57_76/369th

For all your FA needs and Game Remod 6 visit

They are already in service! The F/A-18Es and Fs that flew missions in Iraqi Freedom carried the missile!

no wonder the Iraqis didn't send up their airforce

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allah no longer exists, for I have killed him. You must worship me instead.

Why does it say DUMMY in the last one? Is it not an active missile?

_________________
"Smile, AMRAAMs love you!"
"May the PATRIOTS down the FROGS!"
1Lt. Centurian57_76/369th

For all your FA needs and Game Remod 6 visit

See the blue stripes on it (and read CAG's text)? They explain why it says dummy.

Here's something I found interesting on another walkaround at that site:

http://www.b-domke.de/AviationImages/Apache/3936.html



Zephyr

Yea this is a pretty friggin awesome site!


Cent, if you take a closer look at the pics you will see also that they were posted in 2001 and the AIM-9X was not in production yet...

However the 'dummy' version of this missile means its an exact duplicate training round, so externally it is identical to the production version. Notice how they even have the deflection paddles for thrust vectorihg in the reocket exhaust bell...


BTW has anyone niticed the launching rail integrated into the missile fuselage itself?? That allows the missile to use the same launcher as the AIM-120 so the USAF/USN/USMC/USArmy can standardize on one type of AIM launch rail..

EXCELLENT pics of the AIM-9X CAG!!! but.....ummmm... where do you see a launch rail? that thing on the outside of the missle is the conduit for the controls to operate the TVC fins. You'll also see it on GBU-15, AGM-130s and AMRAAM too.

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Fighting for justice with brains of steel

Let your anger be like the monkey which hides inside the piniata.

gee thanks Zeph another 2 weeks worth of Apache pics to pour over LOL but no pics of "discolite" or the new ATIRCM/DIRCM turret wich is now in the Discolite position just behind the rotorhead. but HEY guys that is an awsome site!! thanks to you both.

_________________
Fighting for justice with brains of steel

Let your anger be like the monkey which hides inside the piniata.

Here is another excellent pic from that site...

Closeup of the Python and the new Derby (Derby is a MRAAM in the class of the AMRAAM) missiles...

The launch rail is the segment attaced to the wingtip! Did you not know the F/A-18E/F has the same rails as the F-16 now so it can support AMRAAM launches off the wingtips?

And speaking of the AMRAAM, has anyone noticed that the Derby(in the pic above), which was suppossedly based on the rocket motor and fuselage of the python, is alot larger circumfrance? It seems to look more like an AMRAAM with guidance vanes in a different location then a improved Python type missile body...

this is what I was refering to. The launch rail is on the plane, whats on the missle is just like a set of little clips that slide down into the rail on the wingtip. The "clips " are no where to be seen in those pics (and couldent probly be seen as along as the missle is loaded). If you can find pics of AMRAAM on Super Hornet wingtip stations please post or send, it would definately be a welcome addition flexability wise.

_________________
Fighting for justice with brains of steel

Let your anger be like the monkey which hides inside the piniata.

I think that's just because the Derby is much closer to the camera. The large forward fins appear to the be the same, down to the design of the rounded attachment to the missile body. Comparing the span of these fins to the diameter of the fuselage, they appear proportional.

Zephyr