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Quick Guide for UPT Hopefuls to USAF Aircraft & Terms
The goal of this discussion post is to give aspiring aviators a quick start guide to help them navigate aircraft, terms, to give a baseline understanding, and a good place to start before going to units to rush. I recommend deep diving on specific units you will be rushing and not just use this post alone.
I’ll start with fighters today so let’s dive right in!
F-16 Fighting Falcon
- known as the “Viper” to pilots
- USAF/ANG/AFR currently fly F-16C and F-16D
- C= Single seat
- D= Two seater
- “Block” is a generational, avionics, and engine type derivative
- Block 30 is one of the oldest generation currently flying. It uses what is known as SCU computer to operate and is known as pre-block. They have had upgrades but baseline understanding is this information.
- Block 40 are the most prevalent and either have GE(blk40) or Pratt & Whitney(blk42) motors. They are middle aged aircraft and operate on the MMC computer. This is in the post block family.
- Block 50/52 are the newest aged vipers we fly. They are MMC and have further avionics upgrades. This post block of aircraft also performs the all the normal viper missions with the addition of SEAD.
- mech scan= mechanical sweeping radar, AESA= new electronic fixed radar, SEAD= suppression of enemy air defenses, sniper pod= manufacture type of targeting pod, litening pod= different manufacturer targeting pod, JHMCS/HEMIT/HOBIT= all different types of helmet mounted cueing systems, ATD/Bscope= referencing radar control screens
There is plethora of information on the F-16 but this will help get you started down the right path with your own research! I’ll will post about the other respective fighters throughout the day today, cheers!!
STK!
-CAGE
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8 Replies
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Next up on the fighter list…
F-35 Lightning
- Known as Panther or Puma to pilots and is 5th Gen
- These are prevalent in the USAF/Navy/Marines and will one day replace all F-16
- F-35A is the USAF variant
- F-35B is the Marine VTOL variant
- F-35C is the Navy & Marine variant for carrier use
- There are no 2seat F-35
- “TR” is similar to the “Block” system of the F-16 but is more so software driven.
- Each variant above has different capabilities based on the physical aircraft as well so it is good info to know
- The jets are capable of Air-to-Air(A-A) and Air-to-Ground(A-G) with multiple different missions including SEAD. Do your research!
- 4th Gen aircraft are incorporated with the F-35 using what’s called FI or Force Integration.
- F-35 carries weapons in internal weapons bays but have hard points for external carriage.
- Pratt & Whitney are the primary engine manufacturer but GE is in the process of testing
- AESA radar, has an internal “targeting pod”, is considered a stealth fighter
As before there is so much more on the F-35 so do some reading! BogiDope coaches or Panther pilots pile on with any other basic in, cheers!
STK!
-CAGE
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Several Air Force pilots call it the “War Penguin” or “Battle Penguin” from back when it was constantly grounded for problems and operational test defects. No longer the case but the name stuck around.
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This reply was modified 1 week ago by Joseph Zinke.
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Also know as Fat Amy.
I’ve heard that it’s called tuxedo penguin because it looks a lot like a penguin sliding on its belly.
Panther, but I don’t know why.
But it’s like your siblings. I can call it Fat Amy, but no buddy else better.
And they slay at red flag.
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This reply was modified 1 week ago by
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Next up on the fighter list is the;
F-15E Strike Eagle
- Known as the “Strike” or “Dark Grey”
- This is a two seat aircraft with the pilot in the front seat and WSO or a weapon system operator in the back. Both are officers
- The strike is flown by several other NATO non-nato countries.
- This aircraft is also a multi role capability with both A-A and A-G. One thing that sets itself apart is that this aircraft is simultaneously able to perform both functions at once. The pilot can fly and shoot A-A while the WSO can target A-G.
- Radar upgrades a changed the original APG-70 mech scan radar with the AESA APG-82 radar giving greater range capes.
- This MWS is capable of dropping almost every weapon in the USAF inventory.
- Most if not all E models are powered by the Pratt & Whitney 229
- Top speed of Mach 2.5+ and max altitude of 60,000ft
- They use a targeting pod like the F-16 and also have helmet mounted weapon cueing systems
As always do your research specifically to the unit rushing but here is a great place to start, cheers!
STK!
-CAGE
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Next up the F-22!
- Single seat air superiority fighter, meaning total control of the airspace!
- Known as the raptor
- Hard to believe it was manufactured in 1996 by Skunkworks at Lockheed Martin
- Driven by two Pratt & Whitney F119 motors with a Mach 2 super cruise and above 50k foot ceiling
- Super cruise means the aircraft can cruise at super sonic speeds while in mil power; meaning no AB use. This is a massive fuel saving capability.
- Only USAF aircraft with thrust vectoring which allows high AOA maneuvers
- Was strictly designed for air to air engagements but in recent years has dropped JDAM weapons, block 20 capabilities onward.
- Still flying block 20,30,35
- Newer lots have the upgraded APG-77 AESA radar giving it new capes
- Currently pilots have no helmet mounted displays
- Pilots are now able to wear the upgraded ATAGS gsuit from what they formally had.
The raptor is a beast in the skies and a BFM machine! If you’re interviewing or looking to at a Raptor unit, deep dive and do your research!
STK!
-CAGE
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Next on the list is…
The F-15C Eagle!
- The Eagle is an all weather air-to-air fighter for air superiority!
- Pilots are known as “Eagle Drivers or C model drivers” (C model is different from the Strike Eagle)
- This is a single seat platform with a two seater variant. The 2 seater is similar as the F-16 as it is for training and not a WSO.
- It has been around since the 70s and still holds major records and milestones for the aviation community!
- The C model is a BFM machine and has a gun built for it!
- Flown by several nations across the globe and is still flying today until the F-15EX comes to full operational capability
- Has an eye popping 2.45M speed cape and a ceiling of 65k!
- Has a helmet cuing system and can fly with the new IRST pod.
- Wild for the time but the only aircraft to shoot an anti-satellite missile! This was done in the mid 80’s!
Unfortunately limited places to fly this but if you happen to get a chance at applying for UPT so your research as always, cheers!
STK!
-CAGE
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Awesome thread Cage! That F-15C sounds like quite the machine😁
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Best I could do from a Viper side of the house! If you have any good add ons please chime in!!
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