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Aviation
▄F-5TH TCU
VIII
Rank
AB
13.0
RB
13.0
SB
13.0
AB
—
RB
12.0
SB
12.0
AB
13.0
RB
13.0
SB
—
Battle rating
Japan
Research country
Fighter
Main role
320,000
RP
Research
860,000
SL
Purchase
Thailand
Operator
General information

The F-5TH TCU (Third Capability Upgrade), also known as the F-5TH Super Tigris, is the third modernisation of the American F-5E fighter-bomber by the Thai military. The modernisation programme began in 2015 due to financial constraints which necessitated the Royal Thai Air Force keeping the ageing F-5T SCU in service. The F-5TH programme was jointly conducted by the Israeli company Elbit (which had worked on the F-5T in the late 1990s) and the Thai company RV Connext. The modernisation includes the new EL/M-2032 radar in place of one of the 20 mm guns, the Link-T/TH tactical datalink developed by the RTAF, the addition of the LITENING III targeting pod, and compatibility with AIM-9M, Python 4, and Derby missiles. The F-5TH is expected to remain in service until the early 2030s.

The Thai F-5TH TCU was introduced in Update "Tusk Force" as part of the Japanese air tree. It is a further upgrade from the F-5T SCU with even more ordnance options. In exchange for one of the 20 mm guns, the F-5TH gains the ability to use a wide variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. The aircraft's arsenal includes several active radar-homing and infrared-homing air-to-air missiles, including a pair of BVR-capable Derby missiles. For ground attack purposes, the F-5TH features an additional selection of guided munitions, as well as improved HMD targeting with thermal and NVD. However, as it is commonly pitted against Gen 4 fighters, the F-5TH's airframe begins to show its age, as it often struggles to keep up with faster opposition in a dogfight due to its limited top speed and acceleration.



Flight performance
Max speed
at 11,582 m 1,7781,7421,8331,753 km/h
Rate of Climb 150116.7171.4130.6 m/s
Turn time 2627.824.927.2 s
Max altitude 15,240 m
Takeoff Run 850 m

Landing
flaps
Take-off
flaps
Combat
flaps
Air
brake
General characteristics
Crew 1 person
Engine
Length 14.7 m
Wingspan 8.1 m
Wing Loading 402 kg/m²

Weight:
Base weight 4.955.114.825.08 t
Fuel in main tanks 2 t (38m)
Fuel in drop tanks 1.38 t (26m)

Limits:
Max Speed Limit (IAS) 1,458 km/h
Mach Number Limit 1.75 M
G limit ≈ -5/11 G
Flap Speed Limit (IAS) L / T / C
463 / 472 / 1,203 km/h
Gear Speed Limit (IAS) 482 km/h
Offensive armament
20 mm M39A3 cannon
Ammunition 280 rounds
Fire rate 1,698 shots/min
One-second Burst Mass 2.82 kg

BeltBelt fillingArmor penetration (mm) at a distance:
10 m100 m500 m1000 m1500 m2000 m
HEF-I/HEF-I/API-T/AP-I3834201053
HEF-I/API-T/AP-I3834201053
HEF-I/HEF-I/HEF-I/API-T/AP-I3834201053
API-T/AP-I/AP-I3834201053
HEF-I/HEF-I/HEF-I/AP-I3834201053
Suspended armament
Max weight 7,257 kg
Wing loading left / right
Maximum 3,000 kg
Max. difference 1,500 kg

NameWeightSlot
84.5 kg
84.5 kg
121 kg
118 kg
19 × 233.7 kg
4 × 280.3 kg
210.5 kg
226.8 kg
240.9 kg
277.1 kg
401.4 kg
446.8 kg
893.6 kg
LITENING III targeting pod208 kg
Drop tank (275 gal.)80 kg
Economy
Repair cost Basic → Reference
AB 3,276 → 4,426 SL
RB 9,456 → 12,775 SL
SB 11,135 → 15,043 SL
Crew training 250,000 SL
Experts 860,000 SL
Aces 3,600 GE
Research Aces 1,350,000 RP
Reward multiplier AB / RB / SB
90 / 320 / 500 % SL
256 % RP
Total cost of modifications 261,200 RP
402,000 SL
Talisman cost 3,200 GE

Research order:

Flight performance
Survivability
Weaponry
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Settings
Settings
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