First F-16 RTAF to Enter MLU Program

15 November 2012

F-16 RTAF with body number 4038-90021 to enter the MLU program (all photos : TAI)

On 13 November 2012 a ceremony for hand over of the first F-16 from 403th Squadron to enter the first scheme of the MLU program was held in the Thai Aviation Industries - Aircraft Maintenance Division at Takhli Nakhonsawan, Thailand.

All Mid-Life Upgrade program for 18 F-16A/B will run for four years. Also attending the event were representatives from the Royal Thai Air Force, Thai Aviation Industries, and Lockheed Martin.

In September 30, 2010 DSCA notified Congress of a possible FMS to Thailand of a three-phased program to upgrade 18 F-16A/B Block 15 aircraft with the Mid-Life Upgrade worh approximately $ 700 million. Each phase will upgrade six aircraft over a three-year period, with each phase overlapping by one year.

The MLU with Modular Mission Computer includes :

-APG-68(V)9 Radar,

-APX-113 Combined Interrogator and Transponder,

-ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management System,

- ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser System,

spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

(Thai Aviation Industries)