MLU Documentation/Tutorials
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Are the MLU versions of the F16 “supported” by BMS? With supported, I mean if there are official resources about their features. I’ve been looking through the manual TO-BMS1F-16CM-1 and TO-BMS1F-16CM-34-1-1, but it seems to be Block 50 and 52 specific (as mentioned on the first page).
I like playing the Balkans campaign and that one has MLU F16s. They even have the differently modeled cockpit panels. Are they “meant to be played” with or are they on the same page as the F18 and other “side aircraft”? If they are indeed usable, where do people find out what those different switches and buttons exactly do and what’s implemented in BMS? For example, the CMDS panel is very different and I don’t know if I’m using it properly.
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Flying a Danish one in Polar Vortex. Was a bit different at the start, but I clicked my way around. The switch for recording ACMI is above the Master Arm… well hidden. I continually found I had zero flares once airborne. Turns out there is a switch next to the RWR power knob that ejects them… don’t flick it
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MLU’s are pretty good in BMS. At my squad we only fly Belgian MLU’s.
What are your questions? And about what MLU version? -
I continually found I had zero flares once airborne. Turns out there is a switch next to the RWR power knob that ejects them… don’t flick it
Yes, learned that the hard way too.
MLU’s are pretty good in BMS. At my squad we only fly Belgian MLU’s.
What are your questions? And about what MLU version?I think it’s the MLU version that the Dutch squadron in the Balkans Theater uses.
I’m looking to verify that I’m using the CMDS panel correctly. I managed to turn it on and I think it’s working, but it would be neat to have explanations what every switch and button does like in the manuals shipped with BMS.
I’m also unsure about the Flight Control panel. I figured out that the Self-Test (setting on test) runs the FLCS test. But there are a few others on there which I don’t really know what they do. It’s also missing a Digital Backup switch? Does the block not have one (as mentioned that some older blocks don’t have it in the tutorial manual for BMS)? Some of those aren’t clickable (those that say Servos) and I’m also interested in what those do in the real aircraft.
I guess the RWRs are explained in the BMS manuals. I’m not sure about other MLU versions, because I haven’t run into them yet.
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Yes, learned that the hard way too.
I think it’s the MLU version that the Dutch squadron in the Balkans Theater uses.
I’m looking to verify that I’m using the CMDS panel correctly. I managed to turn it on and I think it’s working, but it would be neat to have explanations what every switch and button does like in the manuals shipped with BMS.
https://i.ibb.co/0m0Gv02/2020-07-26-175939.jpgI’m also unsure about the Flight Control panel. I figured out that the Self-Test (setting on test) runs the FLCS test. But there are a few others on there which I don’t really know what they do. It’s also missing a Digital Backup switch? Does the block not have one (as mentioned that some older blocks don’t have it in the tutorial manual for BMS)? Some of those aren’t clickable (those that say Servos) and I’m also interested in what those do in the real aircraft.
https://i.ibb.co/CW1ZndZ/2020-07-25-192428.jpgI guess the RWRs are explained in the BMS manuals. I’m not sure about other MLU versions, because I haven’t run into them yet.
Hi there,
I hope that my inputs are going to be helpful to you, I mainly fly the Belgian MLU. Software wise the MLU tapes are the same amongst MLU’s in BMS, in the real world it is another story, European countries using MLU’s are aiming to have the same MLU tape upgrade but that happens on different time scales amongst the different air forces concerned by it.
The CMDS panel you have on the picture, you have all the switches in the right position.
The switches in the lower column has the tree following switches:
MWS - JMR - RWR and DISP. They should be all in the ON position.
MWS stands for the Missile warning system.
JMR for Jammer, turning this on turns the interlink between the Jammer and the RWR to ON. So that when you set the system in AUTO you will get the appropriate override function from the system to turn the ECM pod on if you carry one. It will also automatically dispense a program of countermeasures if you have one assigned via the program switches, which here, is selected via the up and down arrows (just across of it), the selected program will indicate next the to GO mnemonic, here on the picture you have program 1 selected.
And RWR for Radar warning receiver, turn it ON or OFF via this switch.
Jettison does exactly as it indicates, you will dump out all your cartridges of flares and chaff.
NB: to be able to drop flares and chaffs you need the mnemonic CHAFF and FLARE to appear on the little screen. Simply push on the upward pointing arrows to bottom left of the screen.
For the flight controls, what you need to consider is that this is still and F-16 A airframe, some systems like the flight controls are particular to the F-16A. F-16A does not have digital flight controls, but analogue one. This is why you do not have a digital backup switch. For more thorough explanations on what every switch does on the flight control panel, check out the F-16A -1 available on google.
For the different RWR, all the RWR modelled in BMS are explained in the BMS manuals. Now if you want to know which country uses what type of RWR, check it via the avionics configurator.
For example in Belgium we use the CARAPACE system, which is modelled in its very basic form, a lot of features are not modelled (yet ? maybe one day ?). If you take a look at what the system can do in real life … i am even wondering if it is not on par with the HTS R7 pod.
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Hi there,
I hope that my inputs are going to be helpful to you, I mainly fly the Belgian MLU. Software wise the MLU tapes are the same amongst MLU’s in BMS, in the real world it is another story, European countries using MLU’s are aiming to have the same MLU tape upgrade but that happens on different time scales amongst the different air forces concerned by it…
Thanks for the information. I have found a manual which I assume is the MLU manual you talked about (F-16 A/B Mid-Life Update Production Tape M1 THE PILOT’S GUIDE to new capabilities & cockpit enhancements). It explained the CMDS panel (or EWMU how it’s called in the manual/MLU). Seems like some things are not implemented. To turn it on, I also have to rotate the BRT rotary, but it’s not explained in the manual. I assume it just adjusts the brightness of the RWR, and in BMS, the off/on state? If I’ve seen correctly, there’s no Test button, so I can’t test it pre-flight (which is just eye candy I assume)?
Possibly related question: I asked what the unknown sound which plays occasionally is in this thread. I was told it’s the self-test sound. But why is it playing back if the self test isn’t implemented in BMS?What are the ADV and SLEW switches for in the SELF TEST section of the FLIGHT CONTROL panel? Also the RESET SERVO ELEC switches? I searched the forum but couldn’t find them mentioned once.
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If I’ve seen correctly, there’s no Test button, so I can’t test it pre-flight (which is just eye candy I assume)?
Possibly related question: I asked what the unknown sound which plays occasionally is in this thread. I was told it’s the self-test sound. But why is it playing back if the self test isn’t implemented in BMS?Check the TO-BMS1F-16CM-34-1-1.pdf, p. 104. That has more information about the AN/ALR-69. It also explains the self-test sound.
After boot up test patter is on scope, after while F appears in middle of scope for a moment. After initial BIT finishes indications disappear. System runs periodical self-tests in background. Pilot can initiate manual Self-Test.
Unlike USAF blocks, the MLU RWRs run their self-test autonomously on start-up, so they don’t need pilot input for that, but there is the possibility to initiate one if you need / want to for some reason.
What are the ADV and SLEW switches for in the SELF TEST section of the FLIGHT CONTROL panel? Also the RESET SERVO ELEC switches? I searched the forum but couldn’t find them mentioned once.
When running the self-test, there’s a possibility it stops, for a few reasons:
From our start-up checklist (we fly the Belgian MLU primarily): “In case green ADV lights up, it indicates a stop in test program which requires manual advance (ADV switch). In case amber MAL lights up and is accompanied by an amber dot (segment display corners), it indicates a malfunction in FLCS has been detected. You can use the SERVO and/or ELEC RESET switch when needed.”I know when 4.33 implemented the different MLUs, we made a document detailing the differences between the USAF blocks and the Belgian MLU, but I’m unable to find it right away. I’ll keep looking, ask around, and if I can dig it up, and I think it might have some value to you, I’ll share it here.
EDIT: Here’s the document: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ji94usijaflfaoh/MLU-cockpit-showdown.pdf?dl=1
Keep in mind this was made for a 4.32 Block 50/52 vs 4.33 Belgian MLU comparison. Some things may not be entirely correct for 4.34 or future versions, or other nation MLUs. -
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I know when 4.33 implemented the different MLUs, we made a document detailing the differences between the USAF blocks and the Belgian MLU, but I’m unable to find it right away. I’ll keep looking, ask around, and if I can dig it up, and I think it might have some value to you, I’ll share it here.EDIT: Here’s the document: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ji94usijaflfaoh/MLU-cockpit-showdown.pdf?dl=1
Keep in mind this was made for a 4.32 Block 50/52 vs 4.33 Belgian MLU comparison. Some things may not be entirely correct for 4.34 or future versions, or other nation MLUs.Thanks, that’s pretty neat and has a bunch of stuff covered. Things are slowly making more sense.
Hopefully, sometimes in the future, the MLUs will get some official love and their avionics incorporated into the official manual.