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Greek F-5A with AIM-9L


YK GOH

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In researching the web for an interesting weapon load to attach onto a NATO country F-5A, I came across two photos of this Greek F-5A 89047 with AIM-9L missile on its wingtip.

All other photos of F-5As I know of show either AIM-9B or AIM-9P missiles.

Did the Greek AF armed their F-5As with AIM-9Ls, or perhaps 89047 is an exception, ie. for certification trials and never introduced fleetwide?

Interestingly, 89047 is one of the subjects featured in the 1/48 Kinetic F-5A kit.

 

f5afr_reference1

 

002

 

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Shortly after I posted the above, I did a quick check on airliners.net and realised that the Turkish upgraded F-5As are equipped with AIM-9Ls. 

https://www.airliners.net/photo/Turkey-Air-Force/Northrop-F-5A-2000-Freedom-Fighter/2252558/L?qsp=eJwtjLEOwjAMBf/FM0y0KupWBlYY%2BAEreYKI0ES2JYiq/jtJYbw76RZyaTZ87FYyaCQFi3vQjjILv5TGhThIDHOL/TB0h9qeKO8kvlY67/upGk1ip1LZs2FyDtng//4iHtIS1G3je3u1T4Zcf3TsKvqgOfJ2gXGItK5fGRgyqQ%3D%3D

 

Question remains whether the Greek F-5As fly with AIM-9Ls as operational configuration.

 

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That is a acquisition training missile, not a test item. If they were  training with AIM9L they must have had it in their inventory. The Greek air force retired its last F5 in 2002 IIRC.

 

Selwyn

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Shouldn't be much adaption needed to the missile rail as most have the same attachment points/system. The challenge usually lies in exploring the higher technology that comes with the newer missiles to the fullest. Up to the M-version of the missile this should be no big deal.
FWIW Greek F-4E's have also been seen flying with AIM-9L's in combination with AIM-9LIMA's (re-built AIM-9P/J/N with L-warhead)

  

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Because the fins of the -L have some difference in function compared to -P model, the launchers in F-5A had to be modified.

The HAF F-4E used AERO-3B launchers (for AIM-9B) and from the '80s and '90s they use LAU-7/LAU-105 for (AIM-9L/P). 

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On 10/5/2020 at 7:12 PM, Boman said:


FWIW Greek F-4E's have also been seen flying with AIM-9L's in combination with AIM-9LIMA's (re-built AIM-9P/J/N with L-warhead)

  

You mean seeker head or warhead(explosives) ?

I did nit hear about this mod before...

 

I think Iran did borrow some tech of the X model for uts P model upgrades...

And Diehl? did upgrade the Luftwaffe's B models with later technoligy in the 80ies

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On 10/5/2020 at 1:12 PM, Boman said:


FWIW Greek F-4E's have also been seen flying with AIM-9L's in combination with AIM-9LIMA's (re-built AIM-9P/J/N with L-warhead)

  

Can you provide a source for this info?  I have never heard of anything but a standard AIM-9L being referred to as a "Lima" (after the NATO phoenetic alphabet for the letter L).

 

I understand BGT of Germany had offered an AIM-9J upgraded they branded "JULI"  that incorporated the AIM-9L seeker into AIM-9J airframes. This would makes more sense, given the 9L is rather famous for offering all-aspect capability.  Germany had previously rebuilt AIM-9Bs with improved seekers in a mod known as AIM-9B FGW.2, sometimes referred to as AIM-9F.

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Sure thing; 

http://thecombatworkshop.blogspot.com/2017/10/sidewinder-overview-part-iv-aim-9jnp.html

One correction though: Should have been AIM-9JULI, not LIMA - sorry, me bad. One should be weary of mixing up letters with the phonetic alfabet in this case. 

 

 

As for Iran aquiring AIM-9X technology for upgrading its own AIM-9J's? Not sure I believe the US would allow that🤔 

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3 hours ago, Boman said:

Sure thing; 

http://thecombatworkshop.blogspot.com/2017/10/sidewinder-overview-part-iv-aim-9jnp.html

One correction though: Should have been AIM-9JULI, not LIMA - sorry, me bad. One should be weary of mixing up letters with the phonetic alfabet in this case. 

 

 

As for Iran aquiring AIM-9X technology for upgrading its own AIM-9J's? Not sure I believe the US would allow that🤔 

no, the US would not allow that, I said it "borrowed" some AIM-9X technology, allegedly some IIR seeker upgrade... all news from Iran need to be taken with a grain of salt anyways...

 

that is a great document by the way! thanks!

 

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On 05/10/2020 at 06:00, vangos said:

In some of HAF F-5s the wingtip launchers were modified so as to carry the AIM-9L.  

Here are some examples.

 

54002.jpg

 

54003.jpg
 


 

 

I recall that the F-5's wingtip missile launchers are the LAU-100 for LHS and LAU-101 for RHS. It came with the 19-pin connector for AIM-9P missiles. With the AIM-9L/M which has the 34-pin connector, the mod to carry it would require the swop of the 19-pin connector to the bigger diameter 34-pin. I suppose this and any other mods to the launcher to carry/fire the AIM-9L/M are internal and no change to its external profile?

 

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The HAF F-5As used the LAU-57(L) and LAU-58 (R) wingtip launchers. You are right YK GOH about the connectors. An easy way to distinguish a modified launcher is to spot two small coils above and below the nose of the launcher. 

This photo may help you.

https://www.airliners.net/photo/Greece-Air-Force/Northrop-F-5A-Freedom-Fighter/5188691/L?qsp=eJxtjb0OgkAQhN9lahpFNFwnjaUUvsBmb9VLEC57W0gI7%2B55JFZ2k/nmZwFPo8nbbnMUOCQh5ScqRFJ6JbgFFJSV7tZRCrzF2mbfVD9wkVH0P4KrT4d2VyFNat2cDzyZnJklmnhs/lW96BdJ4vL8yDu5E0X7olEfs%2B9DigOVDTEKA9b1A/HXPqw%3D

 

On 05/10/2020 at 20:12, Boman said:

FWIW Greek F-4E's have also been seen flying with AIM-9L's in combination with AIM-9LIMA's (re-built AIM-9P/J/N with L-warhead)  

The HAF F-4E were armed with a combination of L/J/P/JULI. 

 

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14 hours ago, YK GOH said:

Thanks very much vangos for enlightening on the launcher mod.

Looks like the USN/USMC Aggressor F-5Es which carry the AIM-9L/M on the RHS did the same treatment for its LAU-101s.

You are welcome!

I think you are right about the LAU 100/101 and the AIM-9L/M.

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