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Aviation History
1978
1978 - 2098.PDF
1050 Super Jaguar unveiled BRITISH AEROSPACE believes that the Jaguar could eventually have a combat performance close to that of the F-16. A new wing and improved Adour Dash 63 engines could improve turning performance by up to 70 per cent. In the shorter term, changes to the existing wing and the use of Adour Dash 58 engines could give Jaguar a combat performance in the F-5/MiG-21 class. These improvements are essential if the aircraft is to be able to defend itself against the more agile air-combat fighters. Future ground-attack aircraft will be designed from the outset with some degree of air-combat ability. Existing low-level attack aircraft like Jaguar must be developed to in crease their chances of survival. Jaguar International already carries overwing Matra Magic dogfight mis siles and was demonstrated at Farn- borough with the latest Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour RT.172-58. This engine gives 15 per cent more take-off thrust and 38 per cent more combat thrust compared with the original Mk 102. The Dash 58 is virtually inter changeable with the Mk 804, which powers the standard Jaguar Inter national. BAe is also considering the use of the existing leading-edge slats as manoeuvring devices. At present the slats deflect through 23° on take-off and landing, but are restricted to 9° when the flaps are retracted. Full de ployment of the slats throughout the speed range is now being investigated. Combined slat and flap deflection would be used to improve turning per formance. Sustained turn rate and specific excess power could be in creased by 30 per cent and take-off distance reduced by 15 per cent if the Dash 58 engine was coupled with the improved wing. Longer-term thrust growth is avail able in the Adour Dash 63, which offers 38 per cent more take-off thrust and 65 per cent more combat thrust than the original Mk 102. The greater size of the Dash 63 would result in a slightly angled engine installation and redesigned engine doors. British Aero space claims that the specific fuel con sumption of the engine with reheat off could be slightly better than that of the original engine. To make full use of the potential of the improved Adour, BAe is propos ing a new wing which could bolt onto the existing wing pick-ups. Incorporat ing full-span leading-edge droops and flaperons, the wing has more area and features powered hinges in place of the present bulky hydraulic jacks. A span increase makes room for six underwing pylons, and four dogfight missiles can be carried, two over the wing and two on the wingtips. Poten tial performance gains from the new wing could be as much as a 70 per cent increase in sustained turn rate and a 40 per cent shorter take-off run. Jaguar systems improvements have been on their way for some time. The Thomson-CSF Agave radar, flight tested in an under-fuselage fuel tank, will be nose-mounted; the present laser rangefinder will be relocated under the nose. Development of a raster head-up display (HUD) — FLIGHT International, It September 1978 capable of presenting pictures from low-light television (LLTV), forward- looking infra-red (FLIR) or radar—in continuing. It is hoped eventually that the pictures will be displayed on a helmet-mounted sight (HMS). A high- angle-of-attack autostabiliser has been test-flown, and increases of 40 per cent in usable angle of attack have been demonstrated. A Jaguar fitted with active controls is due to fly in 1980, and a carbon- fibre wing is being designed by BAe. Both of these improvements, once fully flight-tested, could be incorpor ated in any future Jaguar develop ment. The outcome of Britain's AST 403 requirement could determine the future of the Jaguar. If AST 403 pro duces an air-combat aircraft, there may be a niche in the RAF inventory for a low-level attack aircraft with a significant self-defence capability. But if a true Harrier/Jaguar replacement emerges, the "Super Jaguar" may never be built. Overseas requirements are another matter, however, and the improved aircraft may have export appeal. India, with its Deep Penetra tion Strike Aircraft (DPSA) require ment, is reported to have been impressed by the Dash 63-powered Jaguar with the new wing. Work on improved versions of Jaguar could help to keep BAe's Warton line busy between the end of Tornado production and the arrival on the shop floor of an AST 403-class fighter. * 30% 1 •-m \ 70% t Mk 102 Engine + 9 Slats Dash 58 Engine-|- 23 Slats Dash 63 Engine-f- NewWing Sustained Turn Rate 38% 66% Adour Mk. 102 Adour Dash 58 Adour Dash 63 Engine Thrust Growth,Combat Condition 6 Underwing Pylons 2 Overwing Pylons 2 Tip Missiles New Wing One of the new wing proposals
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