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Aviation History
1979
1979 - 0018.PDF
16 j? AIR-SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS AND INTERCEPTERS COMPARED FLIGHT International, 6 January 1979 Aircraft Ajeet Shenyang F-6 F-5E Tiger II MiG-21MF Mirage 50 Kfir F-104S Mirage F.1C Mirage 2000 F-16 F-5G F-18 Hornet F-18L Sea Harrier Super Etendard Yakovlev Forger F-4E Phantom MiG-23S Flogger MiG-23 Flogger E F-15 Eagle Mirage 4000 JA37 Viggen Tornado F.2 F-14 Tomcat Su-15 Flagon MiG-25 Foxbat Combat weight (lb, at 50 per cent internal fuel) 6,800 14,900 12,800 16,400 18,800 21,000 (C1) 20,300 (C2) 19,400 21,000 19,700 18,900 14,500? 27,900 23,300 16,000 18,200 14,500 37,900 31,600 30,600 35,700 35,000? 32,500 34,700 ; 48,200 36,400 62,300 Combat thrust/ weight ratio Dry Afterburni 0-69 — 0-77' 0-96 0-55 0-78 0-52 0-88 0-58 0-84 0-59 0-88 0-61 0-92 0-52 0-76 0-63 1-01 0-76 1-26 0-62 103? 0-64 1-07 0-77 1-29 1-34 — 0-60 — 1 14 — 0-63 0-94 0-55 0-80 0-51 0-74 0-81 1-33 0-6+ 10+ 0-50? 0-86 0-46 0-89 0-51 0-87 0-5? 0-87 0-54 0-87 Combat wing loading ng (lb/in2) 50 55 69 66 50 53 (C1) 46 (C2) 99 78 46 63 78? 70 58 76 59 85 72 79 76 59 ? 58 107 85 97 103 Fuel fraction 0-32 0-23 0-32 0-26 0-28 0-30 0-45 0-32 0-33 0-33 ? 0-35 0-31 0-29 0-34 0-31 0-30 0-28 0-30 0-29 ? 0-28? 0-33 0-31 0-34 0-43 Cannon 2 x 30mm 3 x 30mm 2 x 20mm Missiles No of hard points none 4 none 2 Sidewinder 5 1 twin- Atoll 5 barrel 23mm 2 x 30mm 2 x 30mm 1 x 20mm 2 x 30mm 2 x 30mm 1 x 20mm 1 x 20mm 1 x 20mm 1 x 20mm 2 x 30mm 2 x 30mm none 1 x 20mm 1 x twin- barrel 23mm Magic 5 Shafrir 7 Sidewinder Sidewinder 6 Sparrow Aspide Magic R.530 7 Super 530 Magic 9 Super 530 Sidewinder 9 Sidewinder 5 Sparrow Sidewinder 9 Sparrow Sidewinder 11 Sparrow Sidewinder 5 Magic 5 Atoll 4 Aphid? Sidewinder 9 Sparrow Atoll 4 Apex 1 x twin- Atoll 4 barrel 23mm 1 x 20mm 2 x 30mm 1 x 30mm 1 x 27mm 1 x 20mm Sidewinder 5 Sparrow Magic ? Super 530 Sidewinder 7 Sky Flash Sidewinder 6 Sky Flash Sidewinder 6 Sparrow Phoenix 1 twin- Anab 4 barrel 23mm Acrid? optional gunpack Acrid 4 Fire-control radar none Scan Can APO-159 Jay Bird Aidall EL/M-2001B R21G/H Cyrano IV Track- while-scan — no no no no no no no developed by no? Thomson-CSF and EMD developed by no Westinghouse as on F-16 APG-65 APG-65 Blue Fox Agave gun-ranging radar only APQ-120 High Lark Jay Bird APG-63 ? PS-46/A "Fox Hunter' AWG-9 RP11 Skip Spin Fox Fire no 8 targets 8 targets no no no no no no on F-15C & D ? yes 6 targets? 20 targets no? no * optional equipment. first Phoenix missile salvo arrives. This feature will there fore also discuss some of the specialised intercepters which, although not primarily intended for close-range dogfighting, could be used to win and hold air superiority. A good air-superiority fighter must excel in three areas: detection of targets, manoeuvrability and weaponry. Ever since the days of the F-86 Sabre, fighters have been equipped with some form of radar. This must have enough range to match the enemy threat and be resistant to hostile jamming. Modern radars are expected to have some de gree of look-up and look-down ability and must incorpor ate an illuminator if semi-active radar-guided missiles are to be carried. Recent fighter designs have stressed the importance of 360° vision from the cockpit, while the use of head-up displays and control stick/throttle-mounted controls allows the pilot to keep his quarry continuously in view through out the engagement. If positive identification of likely tar gets at long range is necessary, some kind of electro- optical viewing system must be fitted. A radar or infra-red warning receiver is another valuable accessory, giving the pilot clear indication if his own aircraft is likely to come under attack. Most fighters carry an internally mounted cannon for close-in combat. This must have a high rate of fire and enough ammunition to allow about five seconds of firing time. Recoil forces can be significant, so the gun is best placed close to the aircraft centreline. Air-to-air missiles fall into two categories. Short-range "dogfight" weapons generally use infra-red homing, while the heavier medium-range weapons tend to have semi- active radar guidance. Missiles often mean high-drag in stallations which penalise the parent aircraft, especially if missiles are retained during close-in combat. On the other hand, wingtip launchers for Sidewinder-class missiles can act like Whitcomb winglets, reducing drag during cruise. What makes a successful fighter? IRRESPECTIVE of starting conditions, most aerial combats quickly come down to around or below Mach 1 • 2 and 35,000ft and often fall to subsonic speeds. Manoeuvr ability must therefore be optimised for these conditions. The pilot who enters combat with most aircraft energy, either in the form of height or speed, will have the advant-
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