blain with all due respect, i thought you knew better.
i dont know why people still have this presumption of MLU M3 being so much inferior to block52+. i can provide you a ebook link on F-16 MLU "M2" basic pilot training manual with JDAM AMRAAM coverage.
also in 1980s F-16 "block30" conducted Harpoon tests so yes, our MLU fleet can do anything that new Block52 will do. the only advantage i see of new block is that it has new air frame, more operational time and minor technical advantage.
I am not claiming that its an impossibility to have support for JDAM and Harpoon on MLU'd blk15s, however none of the reported upgrades in the MLU program cater to JDAM and Harpoon delivery. By the way, PAF F-16s are not getting M3 tape. We are getting M4/5 which includes support for JSOW as well. Harpoon is capable of being integrated with Block 20, 30/32, 40/42, 50/52, and 60 aircraft. The only blocks that have not been integrated with Harpoon are 10/15. Secondly, I recall that of the original MLU countries, only Norway was able to integrate an AShM and it was the Penguin AShM on their blk15s because the Harpoon integration was not forthcoming.
I also think that an MLU is a great thing. It gives our older aircraft parity with some of the most modern 4.5 gen aircraft. Even if we do not have Harpoon/JDAM capability, there is plenty of other stuff that these aircraft can do.
Here is a list of updates in the MLU program from open source.
DT&E software tapes 1 thru 4
The DT&E aircraft now use the MLU Tape-1 software. This version will be replaced in June 1996 by the more extensive Tape-2 at the beginning of the OT&E phase. Tape-4 denote the final version which will be used in the Mid Life Update of other aircraft to be modified.
Development of the M1-tape went through four phases of Flight Test Tapes (FTT). In each of these test tapes, other performances where met, including:
FTT-1 tape
* Radar performance evaluation
FTT-2 tape
* Weapon modes Air-Air and Air-Ground testing
* Navigation (INS and GPS)
* Basic MMC core functions integration
FTT-3 tape
* Datalink
* IFF interrogation
* Horizontal Situation Display
* DTS integration
* Cockpit color screen implementation
FTT-4 tape
* "Clean-up" tape (intended as correction to imperfections found in earlier phases)
After the M1 tape, the M2 tape followed in 2000, M3 tape in 2003, M4 tape in 2005 and M5 tape in 2009. All these tapes incorporate other features, including:
M2 tape
* Automatic Target Hand-off System (ATHS)
* Integration of anti radiation missile capability
* Integration of target designator system
* Further implementation of the Digital Terrain System
M3 tape
* Integration of the Link-16 system
* Integration of capability for GPS controlled weapons (GBU30/32)
* Introduction of Helmet Mounted/Cueing Sight
* Introduction of NVG compatible helmets
M4 tape
* Introduction of advanced short-range missile, as a replacement for the current Sidewinder (AIM-9X, IRIS-T)
* Integration of advanced Link-16 functions
* Integration of SNIPER targeting pods
M5 tape
* Integration of capability for stand-off weapons (AGM-154)
* Introduction of more advanced A/G weapons (EGBU-12)
* Introduction of advanced Stores Management System