Quote:
Originally Posted by svandamme
Could be s short or defect with the rocket or how it was loaded.
In principle the Master Arm Switch is not something you "accidentally" flip
followed by accidentally setting the right weapons, and pulling the trigger
the HUD is pretty clear when the thing is armed
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Yep.
Master Arm switch is a "lock-out" type switch. From the SAFE position, you have to pull on the switch lever and then move it to ARM. Notice in the picture the switch has a TRAIN position.
And to launch a missile, it has to be selected on one of the displays, I suspect the Master Mode needs to be in A/G, Master Mode to ARM, follow symbols on the HUD for guidance to the target and finally you press the Weapon Release switch (red pushbutton on top left of stick) when within range.
Don't see anything "unintentional" about launching a missile. Lots of procedures to get the missile ready to launch and an "intentional" press of the weapon release. And the weapon release switch takes 8 pounds pressure to do so.
So, me thinks the pilot may have gotten a bit, shall we say, trigger happy.
But still, why were the missiles NOT inert, without a motor, if he was out on a training mission.