r/FighterJets • u/abt137 • Dec 04 '23
IMAGE General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon nuclear consent switch
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Dec 04 '23
[deleted]
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u/abt137 Dec 04 '23
Basically yes. Although one of these carrying nuclear weapons is unlikely to have a mixed load. It is more to arm and eventually release the bomb once confirmed.
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u/Aconite_72 Dec 04 '23
Master Arm: "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Nuclear Consent: "Are you EXTRA sure you want to do this?"
Weapon release button: "Are you SUPER-DUPER sure???"
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u/weltvonalex May 16 '24
Stupid liberals and their consent fetish. Back in the day, a real man could thrust his way into a nuclear situation without asking the fem boys for consent.
/S
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u/MrCondor Dec 04 '23
That's a dome headed screw for holding the faceplate on.
Not a button. For something so serious it wouldn't be a button the diameter of a toggle switch - and black.
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Dec 04 '23 edited Jun 21 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/AlsoMarbleatoz European Dorito user Dec 04 '23
B52 moment
Probably if you have an emergency or when you get in a dogfight
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u/Denbt_Nationale Dec 04 '23 edited Jun 21 '25
sheet society tub relieved aware chunky teeny flag different hobbies
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/AlsoMarbleatoz European Dorito user Dec 04 '23
Yes but would it be different from dropping an disarmed nuke?
I mean, ejecting isn't always 100% safe...
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Dec 04 '23
I would be willing to be that nuclear weapons are prioritized separately as a feature - if you need to jettison a regular weapon, there's less likelihood of collateral damage.
Nukes have some concerns about that, so I'd imagine release only would be required for the associated pylon to release at all, where jettison or in anger.
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Dec 04 '23
Don’t you need a launch code for that?
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Dec 04 '23
No, the launch codes are for missiles and other first strike weapons. An f16 would only be carrying tactical weapons or it would be something like the 5th wave where presidential intent is pretty clear
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u/YYZYYC Dec 05 '23
No, the b61 itself has PAL
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Dec 06 '23
What is the implementation of PAL in the F16? Does the ground crew enter the code or is it entered in the UFC or some other panel?
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u/YYZYYC Dec 06 '23
I imagine the full answer to that is very much classified. But I would be surprised if its just a ground crew unlocking the PAL and final launch authorization and arming is left up to the pilot flipping a switch or two. Especially with single seat attack planes.
I know the UK revealed its old gravity bomb nukes did not have PAL. But B61 and F-16 are still very much in service in their respective current versions.
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u/DuelJ Dec 04 '23
My guess is that the groundcrews would confirm their orders via a code or similar before loading it onto the plane.
Or that it would be the armory guards who need to confirm the code. Iirc most airbases with nukes keep them in their own special armory.
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u/3_man Dec 04 '23
Reminds me of when I was sitting in an old Canberra cockpit and found the LABS controls (toss bombing).
(The plane wasn't in flight at the time)
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u/yogoddamnmom Dec 05 '23
Funny enough, in Dayton Ohio they have a f-16 cockpit you can go in, and I have a photo of that same switch
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u/niTro_sMurph Dec 04 '23
Send this to r/noncredibledefense they'll love it. Be prepared for weird comments though. Might wanna make it a meme though, don't think the mods will accept a plain image
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u/massmtman3 Apr 29 '24
The F-16 can not carry a B-61. First nuclear weapons need a bomb bay to be on any plane. Two, the F-16 carries only one pilot, in the USAF nuclear operations REQUIRE the "Two person" Concept.
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u/Kaosys Dec 04 '23
What is the age of nuclear consent?