Thailand tests upgraded F-5ST Super Tigris with Elbit Lizard laser guided bomb

An RTAF F-5ST Super Tigris light combat aircraft with the Elbit Lizard LGB. Photo c/o AAG_Th Journal.

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) conducted tests to integrate the Elbit Systems Lizard laser guided bomb with the newly upgraded F-5E/F Tiger II which is now called the F-5ST Super Tigris light combat aircraft.

The aircraft, which was upgraded in Thailand by Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) with assistance from Elbit Systems of Israel, was seen in videos released by the RTAF to be carrying and dropping the Lizard laser-guided bomb supplied by Elbit Systems.

The RTAF has undertaken the upgrade to the F-5ST standard to 14 of its Tiger II fighter aircraft, with structural repairs to increase the aircraft’s service life, installation of upgraded cockpit and new mission computer, the Elta Systems ELM-2032 fire control radar, and the integration of the Litening III targeting pod, Tactical Data Link 16, Have Quick II radios, and Rafael Python V and Derby air-to-air missiles.

Normally a standard F-5E/F Tiger II fighter aircraft like the pre-upgrade variant used by the RTAF do not have the capability to use laser guided bombs similar to the Elbit Lizard.


[1] AAG_Th Journal Thai Defense Page
[2] Combat Aircraft