Mike Yeo

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has integrated the Diehl BGT Defence IRIS-T missile as part of a mid-life upgrade (MLU) for its Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs. The air-to-air missile was seen for the first time on F-16s that are currently deployed to Australia for a multinational exercise.

 


The IRIS-T is among a package of improvements fitted onto some of the RTAF’s F-16s that also includes the Northrop-Grumman AN/APG-68(v)9 radar, Link 16 datalink, the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), Terma ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management System and improved night-fighting capabilities.

 


All these were used by the RTAF F-16s taking part at Exercise Pitch Black 2016, a biannual large force multinational air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in northern Australia taking place August 1to 19.

 


Thailand has deployed four of its F-16 MLUs and 93 personnel from Takhli-based 403 Squadron to the exercise, with the Thai aircrew relishing the vast tracts of unrestricted airspace available to conduct large force employment tactics in a coalition setting, a luxury not available in Thailand.

 


According to group captain Chanon Mungthanya, commander of the RTAF detachment at Pitch Black 2016, the RTAF’s F-16s undertook both air-to-air and air-to-ground sorties at the exercise, the former as part of both the attacking Blue and defending Red Air. He also confirmed that the RTAF will put 16 of its F-16A/Bs through the MLU, with the possibility of more aircraft being upgraded being dependent on budget and airframe suitability.

 


Speaking to AIN at the exercise, Mungthanya said that the IRIS-T is a improvement over older AIM-9 Sidewinders previously operated by the RTAF, offering increased agility, engagement envelope and off boresight targeting capability “equivalent to the AIM-9X” when used in conjunction with JHMCS. The RTAF is also using the IRIS-T on its Saab JAS-39C/D Gripen fighters.

 


The RTAF F-16s employed simulated laser guided bombs for air-to-ground missions at the exercise, although the Sniper targeting pods integrated under the MLU program were not employed on this occasion. Mungthanya also lauded the improved interoperability with the exercise partners offered by Link 16 on the upgraded F-16s, compared to previous occasions when communication was performed exclusively by voice transmissions.

 


This year’s Pitch Black saw 115 participating aircraft from seven nations including Australia, the United States, Singapore and Indonesia, with a further three nations contributing personnel.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Thai F-16 Upgrade Includes German Air-to-Air Missiles

The Diehl BGT IRIS-T weapon was carried by aircraft flown to Australia for big multinational exercise.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

An average of seven Vision Jets per month were delivered during the first three quarters of this year

Cirrus Delivers 600th Vision Jet Since 2016 EIS

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Latest prototype of the two-seater now features improved rotors 

Volocopter Makes Final Push Toward eVTOL Aircraft Type Certification

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Agreement covers up to 12 of the Alia-250 model and is Beta's second sale in New Zealand

New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Orders Beta's eVTOL Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Midnight eVTOL aircraft production begins in 2025

Archer Completes Georgia eVTOL Factory

AmyWilder

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Deliveries of the turboprop single can now start in the UK

Piper M700 Fury Secures UK CAA Nod

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Testing on Quarterhorse Mk 1 was completed in 21 days

Hermeus Completes Quarterhorse Demonstrator Ground Tests

Jessica Reed

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

More In Aircraft

Cirrus Delivers 600th Vision Jet Since 2016 EIS

An average of seven Vision Jets per month were delivered during the first three quarters of this year

Volocopter Makes Final Push Toward eVTOL Aircraft Type Certification

Latest prototype of the two-seater now features improved rotors

New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Orders Beta's eVTOL Aircraft

Agreement covers up to 12 of the Alia-250 model and is Beta's second sale in New Zealand

Archer Completes Georgia eVTOL Factory

Midnight eVTOL aircraft production begins in 2025

Piper M700 Fury Secures UK CAA Nod

Deliveries of the turboprop single can now start in the UK

Hermeus Completes Quarterhorse Demonstrator Ground Tests

Testing on Quarterhorse Mk 1 was completed in 21 days

Dave Yip To Take Over as Acting CEO of Metrojet

Leadership changes will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025

U.S. Start-up Nimbus Flies Electric Bizjet Demonstrator

N1000-XSS1 technology demonstrator achieves first test flight

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN