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Aviation History
1968
1968 - 1765.PDF
MULTI-MISSION LIGHTNING The potent F.53 development of the F.6 Lightning for interception, strike and reconnaissance AMODERN DEFENCE FORCE must be alble to cope withrapidly changing situations. One of the most valuabletools for this purpose is a first-class multi-role airborne weapons system that can quickly switch from the interception role—capable of tackling both high-altitude supersonic marauders and older, slower but manoeuvrable aircraft—to carry out reconnaissance, and/or ground attack against a variety of targets. The multi-role aircraft is not only opera- tionally versatile, but also simplifies problems of spares holdings and maintenance, compared with those for separate fleets of more specialised aircraft. Although the latter may appear to be cheaper in first cost, in overall usefulness and value for money the multi-role defence aircraft may well prove a better investment. History has provided many examples of this, the most noteworthy being the F-104 and the Phantom. Such is the reasoning behind the development of the latest versions of the Lightning, the private-venture export multi- mission F.53 now in production at the Preston division of the British Aircraft Corporation, and a still more heavily armed proposal recently announced 'by BAC and illustrated in this article. These aircraft are not only quick-change artists, but are able to combine two or more different roles during the same sortie. Heading picture: foe's-eye view of the strike Lightning, with overwing tanks, drop-down rocket launchers under forward fuselage and 1,0001b bomb on each under-wing pylon. The pronounced leading-edge kink is noteworthy in this attitude Evolution The Lightning was originally developed to fulfil a require- ment for a specialised all-weather intercepter for defence of the United Kingdom against high-altitude, supersonic bombers, operating from well-equipped airfields in a temperate climate. Today the Lightning is still supreme in the high-altitude super- sonic interception role—but is now operating in the severe winter conditions of Western Germany, and in the heat and humidity of Singapore and Saudi Arabia; and, in addition to its high-altitude role, is asked to function as a low-level strike aircraft bristling with offensive weapons for ground attack. In each of these missions it must be ready for action at a moment's notice. How has this evolution come about? Largely because the initial conception of the aircraft, and its subse- quent development as a complete weapons system, was a typical Warton blend of inspiration and perspiration—pin- pointing the right design, systematic and exhaustive research in the wind tunnels, and intensive development on the P.IA and P.IB aircraft—the latter programme embracing every aspect of the weapons system. Over 150 aircraft-years of development flying have now been clocked up by the Warton test pilot team, four of whom have completed 1,000 Lightning flights, while two others are in the 900s. Vital contributors to the weapons system were, among others, Ferranti, Elliott Brothers (London) Ltd (now Elliott-Automation), and de Havilland Propellers Ltd (now Hawker Siddeley Dynamics). The prime factor that has given the Lightning its outstand-
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