F-16 A/A stores speed test

I did this test for the F-18 maybe a month ago (and threw in a quick comparison to the F-16).

You can find that thread here:

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=279839

Decided to focus solely on F-16 this time to attempt to answer same basic question.. cost of stores drag, pylons, etc.

I used the exact same PG mission as before, only difference is 2 DCS updates since I last did this test.

This time around, I wanted to know about each of the stores vs pylon.. ie as you dropped your tank(s), fired your 120s, and pylon remaining, what effect did it have on max speed. To keep the autopilot happy, i fired 2 at a time (6->4->2->0).

Note: JETT = Jettison

F-16 A/A Load-outs (HUD indicated kts /mach) (V2)

652/1.17 remove center, tank 4/6 pylons, 6x120c

792/1.43 remove center, JETT tank 4/6 pylons, 6x120c

805/1.46 remove center, JETT tank 4/6 pylons, JETT 2 of 6x120c

817/1.48 remove center, JETT tank 4/6 pylons, JETT 4 of 6x120c

828/1.50 remove center, JETT tank 4/6 pylons, JETT 6 of 6x120c

780/1.41 center tank, remove 4/6 pylons, 6x120c

806/1.46 JETT center tank, remove 4/6 pylons, 6x120c

816/1.48 JETT center tank, remove 4/6 pylons, JETT 2 of 6x120c

828/1.50 JETT center tank, remove 4/6 pylons, JETT 4 of 6x120c

839/1.52 JETT center tank, remove 4/6 pylons, JETT 6 of 6x120c

I still feel the single tank is the best option given we are usually fighting with 100 miles of AO. The drop tank pylons only have a minor impact on speed (806/1.46 vs 792/1.43) once Jett'd. but even 14kts helps! :-)

My usual strategy is to set the external fuel feed to WING FIRST, and drop the wing tanks as I get closer to bandits so I can get my speed up, and keep the CL tank. Wing tanks on the viper are quite draggy, but does give it quite a bit of extra fuel and range for when you have decently long transit times.

Going to be interesting when they make the wing tank pylons jettison as part of the tanks.