hardpoints

External equipment mounts

Hardpoints are mounting locations on aircraft, vehicles, or spacecraft designed to attach external equipment—weapons, fuel tanks, sensor pods, or cargo.

Fighter jets have hardpoints under wings and fuselage for missiles and bombs: The F-16 has nine hardpoints.

In video games, especially shooters and space sims, hardpoints determine what weapons or modules can be equipped to a ship or mech.

The term emphasizes structural reinforcement: these aren't arbitrary spots but engineered attachment points rated for specific loads.

mounting

bracket

Support or category

fixtureAttached building component
anchorSecures ships to seabed
attachmentConnection or fondness

fastening · support · clamp · adapter · interface · coupling · slot · cradle · frame · bolt-on

aircraft

pylons

Structural support towers

wingsLimbs for flight
fuselageAircraft's central structure
ordnanceMilitary weapons collectively

stores · external · payloads · ejector · racks · air-to-air · air-to-ground · missiles · bombs · rockets

gaming

mech

Piloted robot suit

BattleTechMech combat game universe
loadoutSelected equipment configuration
weaponsTools for fighting

equipment · slots · customization · configuration · tonnage · energy · ballistic · missile · support · chassis

vehicles

chassis

Structural support base

towbarTrailer-pulling attachment
bullbarVehicle front impact guard
skidplateUnderbody protective panel

bumper · undercarriage · bed · tie-downs · anchors · cargo · towing · aftermarket · accessory · off-road

Opposites

mounting location

hardpointscargo holds

Ship's freight compartments

attachment permanence

hardpointsembedded systems

Dedicated computing within devices

structural components

Family

hardpoint

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