F-16 'Wild Weasel'

Description

In the United States Air Force, suppression of enemy air defense, or SEAD, duties fall to the F-16 ‘Wild Weasel’. This is a F-16 Block 50, otherwise known as the F-16CJ. Unique in its ability to carry the AN/ASQ-213 High Speed Anti Radiation Missile (HARM) Targeting System, this pod allows the F-16CJ to more effectively use the HARM anti-radiation missile to destroy enemy surface to air missile systems. The F-16CJ can also carry the ALQ-119 Electronic Jamming Pod for self-protection,

As the only dedicated SEAD aircraft in the United States Air Force, the F-16 Wild Weasel is a critical capability. It remains the only aircraft equipped with the HARM Targeting System, although the US Navy has equivalent systems on its F/A-18s and EA-18s. In high threat situations such as in Kosovo during OPERATION ALLIED FORCE the F-16CJ usually flew with jamming aircraft such as the EA-6B Prowler.

PRIMAL Assessment

The Wild Weasel is a highly capable system that has no equivalent within the PRIMAL arsenal. Mitch has floated the idea of fitting a HARM capability to the PAIN TRAIN. At this stage he has been unable to locate a suitable weapon on the open market. He is attempting to source a similar Chinese capability.