Significant Mach position errors exist at airspeeds above Mach 0.81 indicated due to the EVS pod installation. The pods create a region of localised supersonic flow in the vicinity of the pitot tube. This results in sensing a lower pressure and causes the airspeed and Mach indicating systems to read low. Therefore, the aircraft will not be flown at speeds greater than 0.84 Mach indicated to prevent exceeding the limiting Mach of 0.91 true.
If an airspeed calibration is made, the aircraft (clean or with cruise missile pylons) may be flown to 400 knots calibrated airspeed and 0.91 Mach true under conditions allowing 390 knots IAS and 0.84 Mach indicated. Cruise missile pylons with or without missiles have no effect on the previous limitations.