2016: F22 without AIM 120 D ?

[Wasicun]

Hi all!
Is it correct that in 2016 the F22 Raptor are not equipped with AIM-120-D but with AIM-120-C-7 ?

While F16s and F15s are qeuipped with AIM-120-D.

Thank you for your time

[Dimitris]

Hi,

Yes, this is the information available to us.

[mikmykWS]

Wasicun if you have a source that says they do please do post. Although the D is the newest that's not really how it works.

Thanks!

Mike

[Rocksoldier]

The Aim-120D upgrade should be planned for next year (2017), part of increment 3.2b

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ ... b_2015.pdf

[mikmykWS]

Bingo. Thanks!

Mike

[Wasicun]

Thank you for the replies. I had no infos about the current status of AIM 120 D on F22, i was curious because it's strange that F15s and F16s are equipped with AIM 120 D.

Greetings

[Wasicun]

I mean, in Command Modern Air/Naval Operation's editor you can equip a 2016 F15 or F16 with aim-120D while you have to wait to the 2019 (if i correctly remember) for a f-22 with aim -120D

[Rory Noonan]

Yup, because new equipment often requires upgrades to the aircraft this obviously costs money so things often happen at different times.

[thewood1]

Just because a new missile comes out, you don't automatically put it on an aircraft, especially one that was still ramping up operational tempo. F-15s and F-16s are stable technology platforms and its completely reasonable that they would see upgrades first. Just look at the budget doc provided. Its 4-5 years from initiation before the D is even planned to be standard on F-22s. Also keep in mind you might have large inventories of C7s that might still be with deployed F-22s.

These aren't cardboard counters that you can just change the parameters of the units. There are long and arduous processes to integrated even simple upgrades on to complex aircraft. The only way to compare what aircraft is getting what in current times is look at the air force budget docs.

[jtoatoktoe]

For comparison. Despite testing it, the F-14 was never given AMRAAM, so its not as simple as just throwing it on the rails.