Well, we know it can likely carry Pythons cause Israel put Pythons on an older F-16 model.
I saw an image of an OCU equipping AIM-120s as well though I lost it as a rage-closed all the related tabs and forgot to save it. -_-
1 Like
I’ve seen a few articles and qebsites state Thai F-16s use Python 3, but I haven’t actually seen images of it. My guess is it might’ve been assumed since they were integrated with the upgraded F-5E, but not actually done.
That being said,Python 3 on an F-16 is nothing completely unheard of, and the weapon was in Thai inventory, so there isn’t really anything stopping Gaijin to add it anyways.
18 Thai OCUs were upgraded to MLU standard in the early 2010s, that included AMRAAM integration since it was mainly intended to combine the capabilities of the ADF (AMRAAM) and OCU (CAS).
Just a bit weird they chose an MLU over the more unique Thai specific (e)MLU.
1 Like
I more care about it being either named correctly, or replacing the YF-16 Japan Demonstrator [F-16AJ].
Though IF AIM-120s are correct, then I can’t really do much of that.
2 Likes
Apparently f5t can also use the Iris-t
Yeah, it sould probably be named MLU rather than OCU, before the upgrade Thai OCU couldn’t carry AMRAAM
F-16AJ (the proposal) was not really the demonstrator, but an implementation of the tech tested with it. The demonstrator itself for example lacked any radar, which was obviously included with the AJ design.
It might count as unfinished prototype, but since the demonstrator preceded the F-16J project and wasn’t specifically made for Japan it might be a hard sell.
But current AJ is just a completely fictional F-16A-10 / ADF hybrid that should have the visual model corrected, as well as the missing landing gear Sparrows and GBU-8 added.
This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.
It is not. The YF-16 never mounted radar, and also had other visual differences to the Block 10 airframe we see in game (also to the AJ, which was based on the Block 10 but did feature further changes).
Loadouts are also not the same, the YF-16 tested Sparrows on landing gear, the two outer underwing and wingtip pylons, we only have 2 of those 8 in game and the two we have are not the ones preswnted in the AJ brochure.
There’s also no “Japan Demonstrator” for the F-16AJ. The F-16 was only ever presented to Japan for the initial F-16J, a basic, unmodified export Block 10.
Though the aircraft presented to Japan was the YF-16, it did not carry sparrows while doing so, and the proposal didn’ include Sparrow capability yet.
If it’s renamed to YF-16A, 3D model is adjusted and radar is removed and the only Sparrows capable of being launched (but not guided) are the landing gear mounted ones I will accept it as YF-16.
But since it’s in the Japanese tree, and named after the F-16AJ proposal I will assume it is intended to be that.
3 Likes
What does the (e) MLU do compared to the MLU?
New radar, more countermeasures, HMD and a better targeting pod.
Checking the suggestion for the (e)MLU again, it seems the earlier upgrades like initial AMRAAM integration were also part of the (e)MLU upgrade, just one of 3 separate phases.
I think a “complete” (e)MLU would’ve been more interesting, while an unupgraded OCU without AMRAAM could’ve replaced the AJ.
YF-16 version whatever obviously mounted a radar to fire the AIM-7 it was pictured firing.
The AIM-7 test bed YF-16 was a Block 10 airframe with minor external modifications.
The pictures of YF-16 you provided are a different version that didn’t go to Japan.
The YF-16 proposed to Japan couldn’t carry 4 AIM-7s.*
Well if they did that then gaijin would be forced to admit that the mlu can carry amraams and they have been reluctant so far.
1 Like
Afaik they were launch tests to see if the landing gear hardpoints would allow for a launch, and not actually guided to target.
Yes, they are very similar, but differences are still there.
The AJ was shown to have a Block 10 airframe, but with minor visual aspects from the YF-16s appearance as well.
No version did go to Japan. Japan was only ever presented with one YF-16A that they observed from an F-4 while a US pilot showed off the F-16.
I don’t know which of the two was presented, but only 01568 tested sparrows, so it’s either all or nothing for capability.
Though the outer wing and wingtip hardpoints weren’t received well, so likely AJ would’ve been limited to the inner wing hardpoints and thelanding gear ones, which would match the F-15s loadout the proposal was competing with.
3 Likes
Do you have any images of the F-16A OCU with AMRAAM?
18 Thai F-16A OCUs were upgraded as part of Thai (e)MLU program.
This article suggests that all of these were upgraded to (e)MLU standard and the phases of the upgrade were only batches of 6 aircraft being upgraded rather than stages of modernization.
(Which would also mean I made a mistake calling Thai MLU a separate upgrade when it is not)
This would also mean the OCUs couldn’t carry AMRAAM until (e)MLU. Depending on what Gaijin does this could mean AMRAAM are removed, or that we might get it changed to proper (e)MLU.
Fingers crossed it will be changed to (e)MLU. Because if it becomes (e)MLU, we will be able to use Sniper XR (which is too advanced and will be Lightning)
2 Likes
From what I understand, mounting AMRAAM on OCU should be impossible due to its radar, yet, in the image from the RTAF Photobook, Wing 103th’s F-16 OCU being mounted with AMRAAM could be seen there.
Nvm, 103rd wing has been using at least some ADFs since 2021
1 Like
So are there any visual diffferences between the OCU and MLU?
IFF antennas and armament are different.
IFF antennas on the nose are the easiest way to tell
OCU has none. These two are OCUs
ADF has it added on with a noticeable raised rectangle around them. This is an ADF
(e)MLU has it added flush onto the nose, with the individual “blades” of the IFF sticking out less as well. This is an (e)MLU
Thailand also received 7 OCUs from Singapore (3 single seat As and 4 twin seat Bs), these have a block 30 and can be identified by the brake chute in the tail. This is a former Singaporean OCU
