Jet guys/Firing weapons and W&B

[minitour]

Hey guys (and gals)
Question:

I see pics all the time of military jets loaded with weapons.
Just wondering how it affects your weight and ballance if you fire off one of those missiles? (Obviously you're shifting the CG to one side?)
Is it noticible on the controls?
Does it affect a landing?
What about a crosswind landing (could the crosswind make it tough to land depending on the CG location)?
How about airborne handling (rate of turn, pitch, air speed, rate or foll, etc.)?

Just curious...thanks for the help.

-mini

 

[Swede]

The air-mud guys will have a more detailed response, but flying air to air in the F15, our normal training load was a practice AIM9, and a centerline tank which weighs in at ~4,000lb full. The handling of the aircraft in this manner was similar (supposedly) to a full combat load of 8 air-air missiles, and no external tanks.

Basic handling isn't much affected, but the ability to fight via maneuvering certainly is. Given similar pilots, a clean F15 will kill an Eagle with a centerline bag in a mature fight where every joule is critical.

 

[minitour]

Cool...thanks for the reply!

-mini

 

[RJP]

Minor. Dropping MK-84 is the only one you really feel. 2000 lbs each. It's like dropping a VW Bug off the wing. But since you're diving up to 45º anyway, you don't really notice any change in flight characteristics.

When you're heavy, she rides like a Cadillac. Roll is a little slower and you need more power. Just like any airplane you fly.