*** Posted by Rick ***
Hi all;

I serviced ALQ-119s in the USAF. Unless Westinghouse put winglets on them, you're not going to tow them behind anything. They are usually mounted inboard, or on the F-4 they were often stored in a foward point udner and behind the cockpit on modified F4-s. 119s would be a good choice for Wild Weasel missions, being fairly specific to SAM launch sites. Little of their electronics would easily lend itself to being a target drone, especially the aerodynamics (more like a brick than an F-4). I suspect anything towed behind an F-16 is either a magnetometer (very unlikely), or a specific drone pod. 119s were awfully expensive to use for target practice. Much easier to use a simple repeater for practice.

ps- I don't know how much 119 info is declassified. I'd assume none still. So I've basically told you all I can, since even my training material was restricted. Further questions I'd entertain, respecting security concerns.

Rick

[Hi Melvin,

Now I have been doing some more research for you and I think I know what your on about now. The F16's you mentioned are a special version in some ways, they carry the ALQ-119 (there are other versions of this pod) Electronic Jamming Pod for self protection. They basically work by towing them at a desired distance from the rear (they are fitted at the rear) of the aircraft and they send out a radar signal that is similar to a threat aircraft, except it is stronger that the F-16's so if a missle is fired it has more chance of hitting the trailing pod than the Aircraft. It's become something which is a good concept and is sure to be a standard feature of future Aircraft such as the F22. It is mostly used for SEAD missions & I think it has been developed by Raytheon, it works very well.

I hope this helps.

Rapier]