At Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, Warthog News contributor Ned Harris from the United States had the rare opportunity to take this very interesting close-up shot of A-10C 78-0633 from the 190th Fighter Squadron, 124th Wing (ANG), on January 18, 2013:
Close-up view of A-10C 78-0633. AN/AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod on station 10. But WHAT'S THAT on station 9??? It seems to be a LAU-131 rocket pod, but WHAT ARE THESE "EXTENDED" TUBES??? (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size
Note: Can/will any expert (pilot, crew chief, weapons loader) explain this??? I would be very grateful for any support.
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Those are IR rockets.
ReplyDeleteNothing crazy, just M257 illum rockets. You can look them up in a number of places... http://www.google.com/search?q=m257+illumination+rocket&hl=en&client=ms-android-verizon&tbo=d&source=android-launcher-widget&v=141338691&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=rGD8UKbuNKnmiAKR2ICQAw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=360&bih=563&sei=x2D8UKSdMOWciQLL-IG4Aw#i=168
ReplyDeletethey are illumination rockets for night sorties. They shoot out, a parachute opens at a pre-determined distance/altitude, a flare ignites, and presto.... lots of light to see the target. It's very rare to see them loaded on a daytime sortie which is why you haven't seen them before.
ReplyDeleteThe rockets on station #9 are Infared target designators to mark targets.
ReplyDeleteThose are illumination rockets - either M257 or M278 per my A-10 pilot son.
ReplyDeleteThey're illum rockets (M257 or M278), looks odd because they have that snub nose and are way longer than the 131 and stick out the front.
ReplyDeleteNah, they are extended rifled tubes to improve accuracy of slugs instead of buckshot ;)
ReplyDelete