A year after NATO teamed up to supply F-16 fighters to Ukraine, Kiev officially unveiled its new fighter jets earlier this week. Four planes – two flying and two on the ground – were presented by President Volodymyr Zelensky, marking a long-awaited delivery by the Ukrainian Air Force (UAF).
Although it is not considered equipment capable of changing the balance of war in favor of Ukraine, the F-16 certainly favors the use of newer weapons. Some were adapted for use on MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters already in service with the UAF, but on board the F-16, their capabilities could be improved.
Discover now some of the weapons that can be seen under the wings of Ukraine's F-16s.
AIM-120 AMRAAM
The AMRAAM is an active radar-guided air-to-air missile manufactured by Raytheon, developed by the United States in the 1980s to replace the semi-active radar-guided AIM-7 Sparrow. It is a “fire and forget” weapon, not requiring continuous guidance from the radar on board the aircraft, depending on the engagement distance.
The model, which has received several updates, is the main weapon of its type in use in the world, with more than 4.900 test shots and at least 13 victories in real combat. Ukraine already used AMRAAM, but in its NASAMS anti-aircraft systems. The F-16s presented were carrying these missiles, proving that they are now being used as air-to-air weapons.
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 is the most popular air-to-air missile in the world. It is a heat-guided weapon, that is, it searches for the infrared signature emitted by the enemy aircraft through its engines, developed for combat at short distances. The Sidewinder's development began in the 1940s by the US Navy, which manages the project and its updates to this day.
Like AMRAAM, it was also used by Ukraine in air defense systems and was also loaded on F-16s presented to the public.
AGM-88 HARM
Another weapon that should be widely used on the F-16 is the AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile, or simply HARM. It is an anti-radar missile, used in Suppression of Enemy Air Defense missions. Anti-radar (also called anti-radiation) missiles work with a ive sensor, which detects and orients itself through emissions from enemy radars.
Developed for use in fighters such as the F-16, F-15 and F/A-18, the AGM-88 was delivered to Ukraine two years ago, being adapted for use in the Ukrainian MiG-29 and Su-27. Aboard the F-16, an already integrated platform, Ukrainian pilots will have better conditions to use the AGM-88 HARM.
Smart bombs
At least three main models of smart bombs, which are already in Ukraine, could also be used by F-16s. They are the JDAM (t Direct Attack Munition), Paveway and SDB (Small Diamater Bomb).
JDAM is a GPS coordinate-guided bomb widely used by other countries. It comes in various weights and sizes and Ukraine has employed a version called the JDAM-ER, with wings that extend its reach. Paveway IV is guided by both laser and GPS. They were donated by Great Britain but so far they have not been seen on Ukrainian fighters.
Like JDAM-ER, the GBU-39 SDB is also GPS-guided and has wings for greater range. However, it only weighs 350 pounds, allowing up to four units to be carried per hanger. Despite having a smaller warhead than other models, the SDB has high precision, guaranteeing the elimination of targets. These weapons were also adapted for use on the MiG-29
