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Air-to-Air Combat

SOLO HERMELIN

http://www.solohermelin.com

Table of Content

Air-to-Air CombatSOLO

Air-to-Air Combat IntroductionAir-to-Air Weapon System

History of Air-to-Air Combat in Gun Only AgeWorld War I (1914 – 1918)Spanish Civil War (1936 - 1939)

World War II (1939 – 1945) Battle of Britain (10 July – 31 October 1940)WWII USA vs Japan (1941 – 1945)

Jet propulsion Korean War (1950-1953)Sinai War 1956Six Days War 1967 Air Combat

History of Air-to-Air Combat in Missile AgeVietnam war (1965 – 1975)Attrition War (1969 – 1970)India-Pakistan Conflicts: MiG-21s in Air-to-Air Combat (1971)

Yom Kippur War of October 1973Falkland War (1982)Bekaa Valley Air Battle 1982

Operation Desert Storm's (1991)

Table of Content (continue - 1)

Air-to-Air CombatSOLO

Air-to-Air Weapon System DevelopmentAir-to-Air Missiles

USA Air-to-Air MissilesHughes AIM-4 Falcon

Sidewinder FamilyAIM - 7 SparrowPhoenixAMRAAM AIM-120Sidewinder AIM-9X

A-A Missiles Development in RAFAELSHAFRIRPYTHON 3PYTHON 4PYTHON 5EVOLUTION OF SHORT RANGE A/A IR MISSILESDERBY

British Air-to-Air MissilesSky FlashActive Sky Flash

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Table of Content (continue - 2)

Air-to-Air Combat

French MATRA R.530

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Russian Air-to-Air Missiles

R-27 Air-to-Air Missile TypesAA-11, R-73 ArcherVYMPEL RVV-AE, R-77 Adder

People’s Republic of China (PRC) Air-to-Air MissilesAspide (Albatros/Spada) ASTRA - India BVR Air-to-Air Missile

Taiwan Tien Chien II (Sky Sword 2)Japan Type 99 (AAM - 4)

French MATRA R.550 MAGICFrench MICAIRIS - T

ASRAAM

Meteor BVRAAM

Summary Air-to-Air Missiles

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Table of Content (continue - 3)

Air-to-Air CombatSOLO

Modern FightersSukhoi Su-25Sukhoi Su-27 (Flanker)

Sukhoi Su-30Sukhoi Su-33Sukhoi Su-35Sukhoi Su-37

Sukhoi Su-47 (Berkut)Sukhoi PAK FAMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 (Foxbat)Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27 (Flogger D/J)

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 (Fulcrum)Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 (Foxhound)Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-35 (Fulcrum F)

Dassault RafaleEurofighter TyphoonSaab JAS 39 GripenLockheed_Martin_F-22_Raptor

Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II

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Air-to-Air CombatAir-to-Air Combat Movies History (TV Channel)

WWII Dogfight Movies

SOLO

WWI Dogfight MoviesDogfights – The First Dogfighters – Part 1-5

The War File - The Battle Of Britain 1-4

Battle of Britain Movies

WWII in Color-The Battle of Britain and the Blitz Over LondonThe Lost Evidence: The Battle of Britain, 1-5Battle of Britain Heroes

Dogfights: The Zero Killer Part 1-5

Dogfights – The P-51 Mustang – Part 1-5

Dogfights – The Thunderbolt– Part 1-5

Dogfights – No Room for Error– Part 1-2

Incredible Dogfight in Korean WarDogfights – No Room for Error– Part3-4

MIG15 Trashed the Americans in Korea – Part 1-5How Russian

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Air-to-Air CombatAir-to-Air Combat Movies (Continue – 1)

History (TV Channel)SOLO

Dogfights Desert Aces – Part 1Dogfight of the Middle East – Part 1-4Motti Hod about the Six Day War

Israeli Air Force During Six Day War

Six Day War MoviesOperation Focus - 05 Jun 07 - Part 1-2

IAI Kfir

Dogfights, Gun Kills Of Vietnam, Part 1-5

Dogfights, The Bloodiest Day, Part 1-4

F15 Dogfight Movies – 1979:Dogfight of the Middle East – Part 4 - 5

Dogfights Desert Aces – Part 2 - 4Giora Epstein (Ace of the Aces – 17 Victories, in Jet Aircraft Era)

Falkland War (1982)

1982 Israeli Air Force Gave a Lesson to Syria

Israeli Air Force and their F-15

Israeli and American Mig-21 Kills

Bekaa Valley Air Battle 1982 Movies

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Air-to-Air CombatAir-to-Air Combat Movies (Continue – 2)

History (TV Channel)SOLO

AMRAAM AIM 120A

AIM 9X

PYTHON 4Python 5 and Shafrir Air-to-Air Missiles

PYTHON 5DERBY Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile

RVV-MD, RVV-BD New Generation Russian Air-to-Air MissilesRussian Air Power

Russian Air Force vs USAF (NATO) ComparisonSU-30SM Intercept with R-77 MissileUkranian A-A Missile ALAMO, R-27

Russian Air-to-Air Missiles

MICA A-A Missile Movie

IRIS - T

Meteor BVRAAM

Meteor promo

ASRAAM Movie

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Air-to-Air CombatAir-to-Air Combat Movies (Continue – 3)

History (TV Channel)SOLO

SU-27 Flanker, MovieSu-30 MKI The Thrust Vectored Beast, Movie

Su-30 SM Intercept with R77 Missile, Movie

Sukhoi Su-30 MK2, Movie

Sukhoi Su-33 NATO Code Flanker D

Su-33 Great Video

Su-35 Most Advanced Russian Fighter, Movie

SU-37 The best fighter in the world

Sukhoi Su-47 , MovieSu-47 (Pentagon’s Nightmere), Movie

MIG 29 Fulcrum Western Analysis MovieF-22 RAPTOR in Action, Movie

F-22 RAPTOR Cancelled, Movie

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Air-to-Air CombatAir-to-Air Combat Movies (Continue – 4)

History (TV Channel)SOLO

F-35 Data Fused SensorsF-35 JSF-Radar MovieF-35 EO DAS MovieF-35 Cockpit MovieF-35 Glass Cockpit, Movie

The Unique F-35 Fighter Plane, Movie

USP 3” part F35 Joint Strike Fighter ENG, Movie

Dogfights of the Future, Movie

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Air-to-Air Combat

Destroy Enemy Aircraft to achieve Air Supremacy in order to prevent the enemyto perform their missions and enable us to achieve our goals.

UNCLASSIFIEDSOLO

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Air-to-Air Weapon System

• Pilot - performs the Air-Combat tasks• Air Control supervises, controls and provides data• Sensors (internal & external) provide the Air Situation Picture• Fighter Avionics (Displays, Weapon System, Navigation, Communication,…)• Air-to-Air Missiles• Guns

UNCLASSIFIEDSOLO

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History of Air-to-Air Combat in Gun Only Age• First Powered Flight – December 17, 1903, Wright Brothers

•WWI (1914 - 1918) - Piston Engines

• Spanish Civilian War (1936 - 1939) - Piston Engines German Air superiority over Republicans

• WWII (1939 - 1945) - Piston Engines 1500 HP German Air Superiority at the beginning lost to the Allied Air Forces at the end

• Korea War (1950 - 1953) - Jet Fighters

• Sinai War (1956) - Jet Fighters

• Six Days War (1967) - Jet Fighters - Israeli scored 79 victories

60 Mystere IV

72 Mirage III 1962

UNCLASSIFIEDSOLO

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Enemy pilots at first simply exchanged waves, or shook their fists at each other. Due to weight restrictions, only small weapons could be carried on board. Intrepid pilots decided to interfere with enemy reconnaissance by improvised means, including throwing bricks, grenades and sometimes rope, which they hoped would entangle the enemy plane's propeller. The first dogfight is believed to have taken place on 28 August 1914, when Norman Spratt, flying an unarmed Sopwith Tabloid,[7] forced down a German Albatros C.I two-seater.

Pilots then began firing hand-held guns at enemy planes, such as pistols and carbines. In August 1914, Staff-Captain Pyotr Nesterov, from Russia, became the first pilot to ram his plane into an enemy spotter aircraft. In October 1914, an airplane was shot down by a hand gun from another plane for the first time over Rheims, France. Once machine guns were mounted to the plane, either on a flexible mounting or higher on the wings of early biplanes, the era of air combat began.

The biggest problem was mounting a machine gun onto an aircraft so that it could be fired forward, through the propeller, and aimed by pointing the nose of the aircraft directly at the enemy. Roland Garros solved this problem by mounting steel deflector wedges to the propeller of a Morane Saulnier monoplane. He achieved three kills, but was shot down behind enemy lines, and captured before he could destroy his plane by burning it. The wreckage was brought to Anthony Fokker, a Dutch designer who built aircraft for the Germans. Fokker decided that the wedges were much too risky, and improved the design by connecting the trigger of an MG 08 Maxim machine gun to the timing of the engine.[8][9] The Germans acquired an early air superiority due to the invention of the synchronization gear in 1915, transforming air combat with the Fokker E.I, the first synchronized, forward firing fighter plane.[8][9] On the evening of July 1, 1915, the very first aerial engagement by a fighter plane armed with a synchronized, forward-firing machine gun occurred just to the east of Luneville, France. The German Fokker E.I was flown by Lieutenant Kurt Wintgens, earning the victory over a French two-seat observation monoplane. Later that same month, on July 25, 1915, British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) Major Lanoe Hawker, flying a very early production Bristol Scout C., attacked three separate aircraft during a single sortie, shooting down two with a non-synchronizable Lewis gun which was mounted next to his cockpit at an outwards angle to avoid hitting the propeller. He forced the third one down, and was awarded the Victoria Cross.[8]

World War ISOLO

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World War I Movies

Dogfights – The First Dogfighters – Part 1

Dogfights – The First Dogfighters – Part 2

Dogfights – The First Dogfighters – Part 3

Dogfights – The First Dogfighters – Part 4

Dogfights – The First Dogfighters – Part 5

A Historystartsnow Production

Ernst Udet (62 Victories) Georges Guynmer (53)

Werner Voss (48) Sep 23 1917, Last Fight

Raymond Brooks, Sep 14 1918

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I do not own any copyrights over those videos. Credits for making this great series belong to the History Channel and the makers of the Dogfights series.

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Battles in the air increased as the technological advantage swung from the British to the Germans, then back again. The Feldflieger Abteilung observation units of the German air service, in 1914-15, consisted of six two-seat observation aircraft each, with each unit assigned to a particular German Army headquarters location. They had but a single Fokker Eindecker aircraft assigned to each "FFA" unit for general defensive duties, so pilots such as Max Immelmann and Oswald Boelcke began as lone hunters with each "FFA" unit, shooting unarmed spotter planes and enemy aircraft out of the sky.[9] During the first part of the war, there was no established tactical doctrine for air-to-air combat. Oswald Boelcke was the first to analyze the tactics of aerial warfare, resulting in a set of rules known as the Dicta Boelcke. Many of Boelcke's concepts, conceived in 1916, are still applicable today, including use of sun and altitude, surprise attack, and turning to meet a threat.

British Brigadier General Hugh Trenchard ordered that all reconnaissance aircraft had to be supported by at least three fighters, creating the first use of tactical formations in the air. The Germans responded by forming Jastas, large squadrons of fighters solely dedicated to destroying enemy aircraft, under the supervision of Boelcke. Pilots who shot down five or more fighters became known as aces. One of the most famous dogfights, resulting in the death of Major Hawker, is described by the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen,

World War I (continue)

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Name Country Air service(s) Victories Notes

von Richthofen, Manfred† Germany Luftstreitkräfte 80[25] The Red BaronPLM plus 22 other awards

Fonck, René France Aéronautique Militaire 75[26]

Top Allied and French aceCdeLd'h, MM(Fr), CdeG, BCdeG, MC, MM

Bishop, Billy Canada Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force 72[27][a] Top Canadian aceVC, DSO, MC, DFC, CdeLd'h, CdeG

Udet, Ernst Germany Luftstreitkräfte 62[25] PLM, HOH, IC

Mannock, Edward† United Kingdom Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force 73Top British aceVC, DSO**, MC*

Collishaw, Raymond CanadaRoyal Naval Air Service, Royal Air Force

60[28] Top Royal Naval Air Service aceDSO*, DSC, DFC, OSA, CdeG

McCudden, James† United Kingdom Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force 57[27] VC, DSO*, MC*, MM, CdeG

Beauchamp-Proctor, Andrew South Africa Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force 54[27] Top South African aceVC, DSO, MC*, DFC

Löwenhardt, Erich† Germany Luftstreitkräfte 54[25] PLM, ICMacLaren, Donald Canada Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force 54[27] DSO, MC*, CdeLd'h, CdeG

Guynemer, Georges† France Aéronautique Militaire 53[29] CdeLd'h, MM(Fr), CdeG, DSO, OLII

Barker, William George Canada Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force 50[27] VC, DSO*, MC**, MMV*(Silver), CdeG

Jacobs, Josef Germany Luftstreitkräfte 48[25] PLM, ICVoss, Werner† Germany Luftstreitkräfte 48[25] PLM, HOH, IC

Little, Robert A.† AustraliaRoyal Naval Air Service, Royal Air Force

47[27] Top Australian aceDSO*, DSC*, CdeG

McElroy, George† United Kingdom Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force 47[30] MC**, DFC*

Dallas, Roderic† AustraliaRoyal Naval Air Service, Royal Air Force

45[31] DSO, DSC*

Rumey, Fritz† Germany Luftstreitkräfte 45[25] PLM, ICBall, Albert† United Kingdom Royal Flying Corps 44[32][27] VC, DSO**, MC, OSGBerthold, Rudolph Germany Luftstreitkräfte 44[25] PLM, MOSH, ICLoerzer, Bruno Germany Luftstreitkräfte 44[25] PLM, HOH, ICBäumer, Paul Germany Luftstreitkräfte 43[25] PLM, MMC(P), IC, WB

Partial List of World War I Aces Credited with 20 or More VictoriesSOLO

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WWI Aces(1914 – 1918)

Nieuport 17 Biplane fighterSynchronised Vickers Gun

Fokker DR1 Triplane2 × 7.92 mm (.312 in)

"Spandau" lMG 08 machine guns

Manfred von RichthofenRed Baron

(1892 –1918)Luftstreitkräfte

80 Confirmed Victories

William Avery "Billy" Bishop(1894- 1956)

Royal Air Force72 Confirmed Victories

Rene Fonck(1983 – 1953)

French Air Force75 confirmed Victories

SPAD S.VII Biplane

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General characteristics

•Crew: One•Length: 5.77 m (18 ft 11 in)•Wingspan: 7.20 m (23 ft 7 in)•Height: 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)•Wing area: 18.70 m² (201 ft²)•Empty weight: 406 kg (895 lb)•Loaded weight: 586 kg (1,292 lb)•Powerplant: 1 × Oberursel Ur.II 9-cylinder rotary engine, 82 kW (110 hp)•Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0323•Drag area: 0.62 m² (6.69 ft²)•Aspect ratio: 4.04

Performance

•Maximum speed: 185 km/h at sea level (115 mph at sea level)•Stall speed: 72 km/h (45 mph)•Range: 300 km (185 mi)•Service ceiling: 6,095 m (20,000 ft)•Rate of climb: 5.7 m/s (1,130 ft/min)•Lift-to-drag ratio: 8.0

Armament

•2 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) "Spandau" lMG 08 machine guns

Role Fighter Manufacturer Fokker-Flugzeugwerke Designer Reinhold Platz First flight 5 July 1917 Primary user Luftstreitkräfte Number built 320

Fokker Dr.I , Dreidecker (triplane)WWI FightersSOLO

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General characteristics

•Crew: one•Length: 5.80 m (19 ft 0 in)•Wingspan: 8.16 m (26 ft 9 in)•Height: 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in)•Wing area: 14.75 m² (158.8 ft²)•Empty weight: 375 kg (825 lb)•Loaded weight: 560 kg (1,232 lb)•Powerplant: 1 × Le Rhône 9Ja 9-cylinder rotary engine, 82 kW (110 hp)

Performance

•Maximum speed: 177 km/h [4] (96 kn, 110 mph) at 2000m•Endurance: 1.75 hours•Service ceiling: 5,300 m (17,390 ft)•Rate of climb: 11.5 min to 3,000 m (9,840 ft) ()•Wing loading: 37.9 kg/m² (7.77 lb/ft²)•Power/mass: 0.15 kW/kg (0.09 hp/lb)

Armament

Guns:

•(French service) 1 × synchronised Vickers machine gun•(British service) 1 × Lewis gun on Foster mounting on upper wing•Rockets: 8 Le Prieur rockets

Role Fighter Manufacturer Nieuport First flight January 1916 Introduction March 1916 Primary user Aéronautique Militaire Variants Nieuport 23

Nieuport 17

WWI FighterSOLO

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Airplane technology rapidly increased in sophistication after World War I. By 1936, dogfighting was thought to be a thing of the past, since aircraft were reaching top speeds of over 250 miles per hour (400 km/h).[11] This was proved wrong during the Spanish civil war, as quoted by the U.S. Attaché in 1937, “The peacetime theory of the complete invulnerability of the modern type of bombardment airplane no longer holds. The increased speeds of both the bombardment and pursuit plane have worked in favor of the pursuit … The flying fortress died in Spain.”

Large scale bombing of the civilian population, thought to be demoralizing to the enemy and impossible to stop ("The bomber will always get through"), proved to have the opposite effect. Dr. E. B. Strauss surmised, “Observers state that one of the most remarkable effects of the bombing of open towns in Government Spain had been the welding together into a formidable fighting force of groups of political factions who were previously at each others throats…”, to which Hitler’s Luftwaffe, supporting the Spanish Nationalists, generally agreed.

At the beginning of the war, new tactics were developed, most notably by Luftwaffe Condor Legion Lieutenant Werner Mölders. He advised abandoning the standard “V” formation used in combat, and grouping fighters in pairs, starting the practice of having a wingman at one's side. He advised that pairs of aircraft approaching a fight should increase the distance between them instead of holding tight formations, which became a precursor to the combat spread maneuver. He also started the practice of training pilots to fly at night, and with instruments only. Using the new tactics, and flying the newest Messerschmitt Bf-109 fighters, the Germans shot down 22 Spanish Republican fighters within a five day period, suffering no losses of their own.

Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939)

Messerschmitt Bf 109 Polikarpov I-16

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General characteristics

•Crew: One•Length: 8.95 m (29 ft 7 in)•Wingspan: 9.925 m (32 ft 6 in)•Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 2 in)•Wing area: 16.05 m² (173.3 ft²)•Empty weight: 2,247 kg (5,893 lb)•Loaded weight: 3,148 kg (6,940 lb)•Max. takeoff weight: 3,400 kg (7,495 lb)•Powerplant: 1 × Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1 liquid-cooled inverted V12, 1,475 PS (1,455 hp, 1,085 kW)•Propellers: VDM 9-12087 three-bladed light-alloy propeller •Propeller diameter: 3 m (9.84 ft) ()

Armament

Guns:

•2 × 13 mm (.51 in) MG 131 machine guns with 300 rounds per gun•1 × 20 mm MG 151 cannon as Motorkanone with 150 rpg. G-6/U4 variant: 1 × 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 cannon as Motorkanone with 65 rpg•2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 underwing cannon pods with 135 rpg (optional kit - Rüstsatz VI)•Rockets: 2 × 21 cm (8 in) Wfr. Gr. 21 rockets (G-6 with BR21)•Bombs: 1 × 250 kg (551 lb) bomb or 4 × 50 kg (110 lb) bombs or 1 × 300 litres (79 USgal) drop tank

Avionics

FuG 16Z radio

Performance

•Maximum speed: 640 km/h (398 mph) at 6,300 m (20,669 ft)•Cruise speed: 590 km/h (365 mph) at 6,000 m (19,680 ft)•Range: 850 km (528 mi) 1,000 km (621 mi) with droptank•Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)•Rate of climb: 17.0 m/s (3,345 ft/min)•Wing loading: 196 kg/m² (40 lb/ft²)•Power/mass: 344 W/kg (0.21 hp/lb)

Messerschmitt Bf 109

WWII FighterSOLO

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Focke Wulf 190

General Characteristics• Crew: 1• Length: 10.20 m (33 ft 5½ in)• Wingspan: 10.50 m (34 ft 5 in)• Height: 3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)• Wing area: 18.30 m² (196.99 ft²)• Empty weight: 3,490 kg (7,694 lb)• Loaded weight: 4,270 kg (9,413 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 4,840 kg (10,670 lb)• Powerplant: 1 × Junkers Jumo 213 A-1 12-cylinder inverted-Vee piston engine, 1,287 kW, (1,750 PS) , 1,544 kW (2,100 PS) with boost

Performance• Maximum speed: 685 km/h (426 mph) at 6,600 m (21,655 ft), 710 km/h (440 mph) at 37,000 ft (11,000 m)• Range: 835 km (519 mi)• Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)• Rate of climb: 17 m/s (3,300 ft/min)• Wing loading: 238 kg/m² (48.7 lb/ft²)• Power/mass: 0.30–0.35 kW/kg (0.18–0.21 hp/lb)

Armament• Guns: ** 2 × 13 mm (.51 in) MG 131 machine guns with 475 rpg

*2 × 20 mm MG 151 cannons with 250 rpg in the wing root

• Bombs: 1 × 500 kg (1,102 lb) SC 500 bomb (optional)

Specifications (Fw 190 D-9)

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Polikarpov I-16

General Characteristics• Crew: One• Length: 6.13 m (20 ft 1 in)• Wingspan: 9 m (29 ft 6 in)• Height: 3.25 m (10 ft 8 in)• Wing area: 14.5 m² (156.1 ft²)• Empty weight: 1,490 kg (3,285 lb)• Loaded weight: 1,941 kg (4,279 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 2,095 kg (4,619 lb)• Powerplant: 1 × Shvetsov M-63 supercharged air-cooled radial engine, 820 kW (1,100 hp) driving a two-blade propeller

Performance• Maximum speed: 525 km/h (283 kn, 326 mph) at 3,000 m (9,845 ft)• Range: 700 km (378 nmi, 435 mi (with drop tanks))• Service ceiling: 9,700 m (31,825 ft)• Rate of climb: 14.7 m/s (2,900 ft/min)• Wing loading: 134 kg/m² (27 lb/ft²)• Power/mass: 346 W/kg (0.21 hp/lb)• Time to altitude: 5.8 minutes to 5,000 m (16,405 ft

Armament• 2 × fixed forward-firing 7.62 mm (0.30 in) ShKAS machine guns in upper cowling• 2 × fixed forward-firing 20 mm (0.79 in) ShVAK cannons in the wings• 6 × unguided RS-82 rockets or up to 500 kg (1,102 lb) of bombs

At the start of Spanish Civil War in 1936, Republican forces pleaded for fighter aircraft. After receiving payment in gold, Joseph Stalin dispatched around 475 I-16 Type 5s and Type 6s.

I-16 in Spanish Republican colors with "Popeye mascot”

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World War II

Battle of Britain (10 July – 31 October 1940)

The Battle of Britain (literally "Air battle for England" or "Air battle for Great Britain") is the name given to the Second World War air campaign waged by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940. The objective of the campaign was to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force (RAF), especially Fighter Command. The name derives from a famous speech delivered by Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the House of Commons: "…the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is

about to begin."

Date10 July – 31 October 1940[nb 1]

(3 months and 3 weeks)

Location United Kingdom airspace

Result Decisive British victory[nb 2]

Belligerents

United Kingdom Canada

GermanyItaly

Commanders and leaders

Hugh DowdingKeith ParkTrafford Leigh-MalloryCJ Quintin BrandRichard Saul

Hermann GöringAlbert KesselringHugo SperrleHans-Jürgen StumpffRino Corso Fougier

Strength

1,963 serviceable aircraft [nb 5] 2,550 serviceable aircraft. [nb 6] [nb 7]

Casualties and losses

544 aircrew killed[8][9][10]

422 aircrew wounded[11]

1,547 aircraft destroyed[nb 8]

2,698 aircrew killed[12]

967 captured638 missing bodies identified by British authorities[13]

1,887 aircraft destroyed

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World War II

Chain Home radar cover, bases and group boundaries

Usually the first indications of incoming air raids were received by the Chain Home Radio Direction Finding (RDF) facilities which were located around the coastlines of Great Britain. In most circumstances, RDF could pick up formations of Luftwaffe aircraft as they organised over their own airfields. Once the raiding aircraft moved inland over England, the formations were also plotted by the Observer Corps. The information from RDF and the Observer Corps were sent through to the main operations room of Fighter Command Headquarters at Bentley Priory. The plots were assessed to determine whether they were "hostile" or "friendly". If hostile, the information was sent to the main "operations room", which was in a large underground bunker.Here the course information of each raid was plotted by WAAFs who received information by a telephone system. Additional intelligence was provided by the "Y" Service radio posts, which monitored enemy radio transmissions, and the "Ultra" decoding centre based at Bletchley Park. Colour coded counters representing each raid were placed on a large table, which had a map of Britain overlaid and squared off with a British Modified Grid. The colour of counter to use for a new sighting was determined by the time of the sighting, the proper colour being indicated by the minute hand of the sector clock. As the plots of the raiding aircraft moved, the counters were pushed across the map by magnetic "rakes".

British Control systems

Battle of Britain (10 July – 31 October 1940)

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World War II

British Control systems

Battle of Britain (10 July – 31 October 1940)

FightersThe Luftwaffe's Messerschmitt Bf 109E and Bf 110C squared off against the RAF's workhorse Hurricane Mk I and the less numerous Spitfire Mk I. The Bf 109E had a better climb rate and was 10–30 mph (16–48 km/h) faster than the Hurricane Mk I, depending on altitude.[43] In spring and summer 1940, RAF fighters benefited from increased availability of 100 octane aviation fuel, which allowed their Merlin engines to generate significantly more power through the use of an Emergency Boost Override. In September 1940, the more powerful Mk IIa series 1 Hurricanes started entering service in small numbers. This version was capable of a maximum speed of 342 mph (550 km/h), some 25–30 mph (40–48 km/h) more than the Mk

Messerschmitt Bf 109

Messerschmitt Bf 110

Hawker Hurricane Mk1

Supermarine Spitfire

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World War II

Phases of the battle

The Battle can be roughly divided into four phases:• 10 July – 11 August: Kanalkampf, ("the Channel battles").• 12 – 23 August: Adlerangriff ("Eagle Attack"), the early assault against the coastal airfields.• 24 August – 6 September: the Luftwaffe targets the airfields. The critical phase of the battle.• 7 September onwards: the day attacks switch to British towns and cities.

Battle of Britain (10 July – 31 October 1940)

The War File - The Battle Of Britain (1_4)

The War File - The Battle Of Britain (2_4)

The War File - The Battle Of Britain (3_4)

The War File - The Battle Of Britain (4_4)

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I do not own any copyrights over those videos. Credits for making this great series belong to the History Channel and the makers of the Dogfights series.

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World War II

Phases of the battle

The Battle can be roughly divided into four phases:• 10 July – 11 August: Kanalkampf, ("the Channel battles").• 12 – 23 August: Adlerangriff ("Eagle Attack"), the early assault against the coastal airfields.• 24 August – 6 September: the Luftwaffe targets the airfields. The critical phase of the battle.• 7 September onwards: the day attacks switch to British towns and cities.

Battle of Britain (10 July – 31 October 1940)

The Lost Evidence: The Battle of Britain, Part 1/5

The Lost Evidence: The Battle of Britain, Part 2/5

The Lost Evidence: The Battle of Britain, Part 3/5

The Lost Evidence: The Battle of Britain, Part 4/5

The Lost Evidence: The Battle of Britain, Part 5/5

WWII in Color-The Battle of Britain and the Blitz Over London

Battle of Britain Heroes

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I do not own any copyrights over those videos. Credits for making this great series belong to the History Channel and the makers of the Dogfights series.

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Name Country Service Victories File

Hartmann, Erich "Bubi" Germany Luftwaffe 352 (top ace of all time)

Barkhorn, Gerhard Germany Luftwaffe 301

Rall, Günther Germany Luftwaffe 275

Kittel, OttoOtto Kittel Germany Luftwaffe 267

Nowotny, Walter "Nowi"Walter "Nowi" Nowotny

Germany Luftwaffe 258

Batz, WilhelmWilhelm Batz Germany Luftwaffe 237

Rudorffer, ErichErich Rudorffer Germany Luftwaffe 222 (12 Me-262)

Bär, HeinzHeinz Bär Germany Luftwaffe 220 (16 Me-262)

Top of the List of World War II German Aces (They count A/ C destroyed on the Ground and in Air)

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Top German Aces Kills Comments Medal Unit East West Plane

Erich Hartmann 352 First kill Nov. 1942 KCOSD JG 52 352 - Bf 109

Gerhard Barkhorn 301 120 sorties w/o a kill

KCOS JG 52, 6, JV 44 301 - Bf 109

Günther Rall 275 two long injury layoffs

KCOS JG 52, 11, 300 272 3 Bf 109

Otto Kittel 267 583 sorties, KIA Feb '45

KCOS JG 54 267 - Fw 190

Walter Nowotny 258 Austrian, KIA Nov '44

KCOSD JG 54, Kdo. Nov. 255 3 Fw 190

Wilhelm Batz 237 - KCOS JG 52 232 5 Bf 109

Erich Rudorffer 222

1000+ sorties, downed

16 times, 12 Me 262 kills

KCOS JG 2, 54, 7 136 86 Fw 190

Heinz Bär 220 16 in Me 262, downed 18 times KCOS various 96 124 various

Hermann Graf 211 830+ sorties KCOSD various 201 10 Fw 190Heinrich Ehler 209 - KCO JG, 5, 7 209 - Bf 109

Theodore Weissenburger 208 500+ sorties,8 kills with Me 262

KCO JG 77, 5, 7 175 33 Bf 109

Hans Philipp 206 shot down by Robert S. Johnson KCOS JG 76, 54, 1 177 29 Fw 190

Walter Schuck 206 - KCO JG 5, 7 198 8 Bf 109Anton Hafner 204 - KCO JG 51 184 20 -Helmut Lipfert 203 - KCO JG 52, 53 199 4 Bf 109

Walter Krupinksi 197 - KCO JG 52 177 20 Bf 109Anton Hackl 192 - KCOS JG 77 130 62 Bf 109

Joachim Brendel 189 - KCO JG 51 189 - Fw 190

Max Stotz 189 - KCO JG 54 173 16 Fw 190

Joachim Kirschner 188 - KCO JG 3 167 21 Bf 109

Kurt Brändle 180 - KCO JG 53, 3 160 20 Bf 109Gunther Josten 178 - KCO JG 51 178 - -

Johannes "Macky" Steinhoff

176 - KCOS JG 52 148 28 Bf 109

Günther Schack 174 - KCO JG 51 174 - -Heinz Schmidt 173 - KCO JG 52 173 - Bf 109

Emil "Bully" Lang 173 18 in one day KCO JG 54 148 25 Fw 190

Hans-Joachim Marseille 158 - KCOSD JG 27 - 158 Bf 109

Adolph Galland 104 - KCOSD JG.26, JG.27, JV.44

- 104 Bf 109, Me 262

Knights Cross (KC) with Oak Leaves (O), Swords (S), and Diamonds (D). More about WW2 German medals here.

Top of the List of World War II German Aces (They count A/ C destroyed on the Ground and in Air)

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Ivan Kozhedub Soviet Union Soviet Air Force62 (Highest scoring

Allied Ace of WWII)

Aleksandr Ivanovich Soviet Union Soviet Air Force 59 Pokryshkin

Grigoriy Rechkalov Soviet Union Soviet Air Force 58

, Nikolay Dmitrievich Gulayev

Soviet Union Soviet Air Force 57

Kirill A. Yevstigneyev Soviet Union Soviet Air Force 53 —

Dmitriy Glinka Soviet Union Soviet Air Force 50 —

Arseniy Vorozheikin Soviet Union Soviet Air Force46 (+6 in Manchuria)

Koldunov, Aleksandr

Soviet Union Soviet Air Force 46

Skomorohov, Nikolay Soviet Union Soviet Air Force 46

Sergey Luganski Soviet Union Soviet Air Force 37 —

Alexandr Kumanichkin Soviet Union Soviet Air Force 31

Amet-Han Sultan Soviet Union Soviet Air Force 30+19 shared

List of Soviet World War II flying Aces SOLO

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33

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, in the Hawaiian Islands, the United States entered the war. The Japanese used the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, an extremely lightweight fighter known for its exceptional range and maneuverability.[20] The U.S. military tested out the Akutan Zero, an A6M2 which was captured intact in 1942, advising "Never attempt to dogfight a Zero." Even though its engine was rather low in power, the Zero had very low wing loading characteristics, a small turn radius, a top speed over 330 MPH, and could climb better than any fighter used by the U.S. at that time, although it was poorly armored compared to U.S. aircraft.

A pilot who realized that new tactics had to be devised was Lieutenant Commander John S. "Jimmy" Thach, commander of Fighting Three in San Diego. He read the early reports coming out of China and wrestled with the problem of his F4F Wildcats being relatively slower and much less maneuverable than the Japanese planes. He devised a defensive maneuver called the "Thach Weave." Lieutenant Commander Thach reasoned that two planes, a leader and his wingman, could fly about 200 feet apart and adopt a weaving formation when under attack by Japanese fighters.

Thach later faced the A6M Zero during the Battle of Midway, in June 1942, for the test of his theory. Although outnumbered, he found that a Zero would lock onto the tail of one of the fighters. In response, the two planes would turn toward each other. When the Zero followed its original target through the turn it would come into a position to be fired on by the target's wingman, and the predator would become the prey. His tactic proved to be effective and was soon adopted by other squadrons. The Thach Weave helped make up for the inferiority of the US planes in maneuverability and numbers, until new aircraft could be brought into service. The usefulness of this strategy survives until today.

Another effective maneuver used by the U.S. Pilots was a simple break, which consisted of turning sharply across an attacker's flight path, which worked well because the large nose of the Zero tended to obstruct the pilot's view.[22] Still another good tactic was to dive upon the Zero, shoot in one pass, and use the speed to climb back above the fight to dive again.[23] By 1943 the U.S. technology began to produce planes that were better matched against the Japanese planes, such as the Grumman F6F Hellcat, and the Vought F4U Corsair.

WWII USA vs Japan (1941 – 1945)

Mitsubishi A6M Zero Vought F4U Corsair Grumman F6F Hellcat

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Supermarine Spitfire

WWII Fighter

General characteristics

•Crew: one pilot•Length: 29 ft 11 in (9.12 m)•Wingspan: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)•Height: 11 ft 5 in (3.86 m)•Wing area: 242.1 ft² (22.48 m²)•Airfoil: NACA 2209.4(tip)•Empty weight: 5,090 lb (2,309 kg)•Loaded weight: 6,622 lb (3,000 kg)•Max. takeoff weight: 6,770 lb (3,071 kg)•Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 supercharged V12 engine, 1,470 hp (1,096 kW) at 9,250 ft (2,820 m)

Performance

•Maximum speed: 378 mph, (330 kn, 605 km/h)•Combat radius: 410 nmi (470 mi, 760 km)•Ferry range: 991 nmi (1,140 mi, 1,840 km)•Service ceiling: 35,000 ft (11,300 m)•Rate of climb: 3,240 ft/min (13.5 m/s)•Wing loading: 27.35 lb/ft² (133.5 kg/m²)•Power/mass: 0.22 hp/lb (0.36 kW/kg)

Armament

Guns:

•2 × 20 mm (0.787-in) Hispano Mk II cannon, 60 rpg (drum magazine)•4 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns, 350 rpg•Bombs: 2 × 250 lb (113 kg) bombs

Role Fighter / Photo-reconnaissance aircraft Manufacturer Supermarine Designer R. J. Mitchell First flight 5 March 1936[1] Introduction 4 August 1938[1] Retired 1961 Irish Air Corps[2] Primary user Royal Air Force Produced 1938–1948 Number built 20,351[3] Unit cost £12,604 (Estonian order for 12 Spitfires in 1939)[nb 1].[4] Variants Supermarine SeafireSupermarine Spiteful Greatest ever_ Fighters #2 Supermarine Spitfire (WW2), Movie

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Hawker Huricane MK1

WWII Fighter

Hawker Hurricane Mk1

Role Fighter

Manufacturer

Hawker AircraftGloster Aircraft CompanyCanadian Car and FoundryAustin Motor Company

Designer Sydney Camm

First flight 6 November 1935

Introduction 1937

Primary userRoyal Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air Force

Produced 1944–1937

Number built 14,533

The aircraft became renowned during the Battle of Britain, accounting for 60% of the RAF's air victories in the battle, and served in all the major theatres of the Second World War

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1• Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.84 m)• Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)• Height: 13 ft 1½ in (4.0 m)• Wing area: 257.5 ft² (23.92 m²)• Empty weight: 5,745 lb (2,605 kg)• Loaded weight: 7,670 lb (3,480 kg)• Max. takeoff weight: 8,710 lb (3,950 kg)• Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Merlin XX liquid-cooled V-12, 1,185 hp (883 kW) at 21,000 ft (6,400 m)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 340 mph (547 km/h) at 21,000 ft (6,400 m) [N 11]

• Range: 600 mi (965 km)• Service ceiling: 36,000 ft (10,970 m)• Rate of climb: 2,780 ft/min (14.1 m/s)• Wing loading: 29.8 lb/ft² (121.9 kg/m²)• Power/mass: 0.15 hp/lb (0.25 kW/kg)

Armament

Guns: 4 × 20 mm (.79 in) Hispano Mk II cannonsBombs: 2 × 250 or 500 lb (110 or 230 kg) bombs

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General characteristics

• Crew: 2 (3 for night fighter variants)• Length: 12.3 m (40 ft 6 in)• Wingspan: 16.3 m (53 ft 4 in)• Height: 3.3 m (10 ft 9 in)• Wing area: 38.8 m² (414 ft²)• Loaded weight: 7,790 kg (17,158 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × Daimler-Benz DB 605B liquid- cooled inverted V-12, 1,085 kW (1,455 HP) 1,475 PS each

Armament

Guns:

• 2 × 20 mm MG 151 cannons 750 rounds: 350 rpg + 400 rpg rounds• 4 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17 machine guns with 1,000 rounds per gun• 1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 81Z twin machine gun installation in rear cockpit, with 850 rounds per gun

Performance

• Maximum speed: 595 km/h (370 mph)• Range: 900 km (558 mi) ; 1,300 km (807 mi) with droptanks• Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)• Rate of climb: 8 min to 6,000 m (20,000 ft)• Wing loading: max. 243 kg/m²

Messerschmitt Bf 110

WWII Fighter

The Bf 110's lack of agility in the air was its primary weakness. This flaw was exposed during the Battle of Britain, when some Bf 110-equipped units were withdrawn from the battle after very heavy losses and redeployed as night fighters, a role to which the aircraft was well suited

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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1

WWII Fighter

General characteristics

•Crew: One[10]•Length: 8.16 m (26 ft 9 in)•Wingspan: 10.20 m (33 ft 5 in)•Height: 2.62 m (8 ft 7 in)•Wing area: 17.5 m² (188 ft²)•Airfoil: Clark YH•Empty weight: 2,602 kg (5,736 lb)•Loaded weight: 3,099 kg (6,832 lb)•Max. takeoff weight: 3,319 kg (7,317 lb)•Powerplant: 1 × Mikulin AM-35A liquid-cooled V-12, 1,007 kW (1,350 hp)

Performance

•Maximum speed: 657 km/h (410 mph)•Range: 580 km (362 mi)•Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)•Rate of climb: 16.8 m/s (3,306 ft/min)•Wing loading: 177 kg/m² (36 lb/ft²)•Power/mass: 0.32 kW/kg (0.20 hp/lb)

Armament

•1 × 12.7 mm BS machine gun•2 × 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns•up to 200 kg (440 lb) of bombs

Role Fighter Manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevich First flight 5 April 1940 Retired 1943 Primary user VVS Produced 1940 Number built 100 + 3 prototypes Variants Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3

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Mitsubishi A6M Zero

WWII Fighter

General characteristics

•Crew: 1•Length: 9.06 m (29 ft 9 in)•Wingspan: 12.0 m (39 ft 4 in)•Height: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)•Wing area: 22.44 m² (241.5 ft²)•Empty weight: 1,680 kg (3,704 lb)•Loaded weight: 2,410 kg (5,313 lb)•Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Sakae 12 radial engine, 709 kW (950 hp)•Aspect ratio: 6.4

Performance

•Never exceed speed: 660 km/h (356 kn, 410 mph)•Maximum speed: 533 km/h (287 kn, 331 mph) at 4,550 m (14,930 ft)•Range: 3,105 km (1,675 nmi, 1,929 mi)•Service ceiling: 10,000 m (33,000 ft)•Rate of climb: 15.7 m/s (3,100 ft/min)•Wing loading: 107.4 kg/m² (22.0 lb/ft²)•Power/mass: 294 W/kg (0.18 hp/lb)

ArmamentGuns: •Divergence of trajectories between 7.7 mm and 20mm ammunition

•2× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 97 machine guns in the engine cowling, with 500 rounds per gun.•2× 20 mm Type 99 cannon in the wings, with 60 rounds per gun.Bombs:

•2× 60 kg (132 lb) bombs or•1× fixed 250 kg (551 lb) bomb for kamikaze attacks

Role Fighter Manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd First flight 1 April 1939 Introduction 1 July 1940 Retired 1945 (Japan) Primary users Imperial Japanese Navy Air ServiceChinese Nationalist Air Force Produced 1940–1945 Number built 10,939 Variants Nakajima A6M2-N

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General characteristics

•Crew: 1•Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m)•Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)•Height: 13 ft 4½ in (4.08 m:tail wheel on ground, vertical propeller blade.)•Wing area: 235 ft² (21.83 m²)•Empty weight: 7,635 lb (3,465 kg)•Loaded weight: 9,200 lb (4,175 kg)•Max. takeoff weight: 12,100 lb (5,490 kg)•Powerplant: 1 × Packard V-1650-7 liquid-cooled supercharged V-12, 1,490 hp (1,111 kW) at 3,000 rpm;[77] 1,720 hp (1,282 kW) at WEP•Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0163•Drag area: 3.80 ft² (0.35 m²)•Aspect ratio: 5.83

Performance

•Maximum speed: 437 mph (703 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,600 m)•Cruise speed: 362 mph (580 km/h)•Stall speed: 100 mph (160 km/h)•Range: 1,650 mi (2,755 km) with external tanks•Service ceiling: 41,900 ft (12,800 m)•Rate of climb: 3,200 ft/min (16.3 m/s)•Wing loading: 39 lb/ft² (192 kg/m²)•Power/mass: 0.18 hp/lb (300 W/kg)•Lift-to-drag ratio: 14.6•Recommended Mach limit 0.8

Armament

•6× 0.50 caliber (12.7mm) M2 Browning machine guns with 1,880 total rounds (400 rounds for each on the inner pair, and 270 rounds for each of the outer two pair)•2× hardpoints for up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) of bombs•6 or 10× T64 5.0 in (127 mm) H.V.A.R rockets (P-51D-25, P-51K-10 on)[

P-51D 44-14888 of the 8th AF/357th FG/363rd FS, named Glamorous Glennis III, is the aircraft in which Chuck Yeager achieved most of his 12.5 kills, including two Me 262s

Chuck Yeager

15,100 planes produced. P-51D specs: 440 MPH, six 50 caliber machine guns

SOLONorth American P-51D Mustang

WWII & North Korea

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Republic P-47 ThunderboltWWII & North Korea

General characteristics

•Crew: 1•Length: 36 ft 1 in (11.00 m)•Wingspan: 40 ft 9 in (12.42 m)•Height: 14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)•Wing area: 300 ft² (27.87 m²)•Empty weight: 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)•Loaded weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)•Max. takeoff weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)•Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 twin-row radial engine, 2,535 hp (1,890 kW)

Performance

•Maximum speed: 433 mph at 30,000 ft (697 km/h at 9,145 m)•Range: 800 mi combat, 1,800 mi ferry (1,290 km / 2,900 km)•Service ceiling: 43,000 ft (13,100 m)•Rate of climb: 3,120 ft/min (15.9 m/s)•Wing loading: 58.3 lb/ft² (284.8 kg/m²)•Power/mass: 0.14 hp/lb (238 W/kg)

Armament

•8 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns (3400 rounds)•Up to 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of bombs•10 × 5 in (127 mm) unguided rockets

Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine

Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski was the top American fighter ace in Europe during World War II, a jet fighter ace in Korea, and a career officer in the United States Air Force with more than 26 years service.

Although best known for his credited destruction of 34½ aircraft in aerial combat and being one of only seven U.S. pilots to become an ace in two wars

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Grumman F6F Hellcat

General characteristics

• Crew: 1• Length: 33 ft 7 in (10.24 m)• Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.06 m)• Height: 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m)• Wing area: 334 ft² (31 m²)• Airfoil: NACA 23015.6 mod root; NACA 23009 tip• Empty weight: 9,238 lb (4,190 kg)• Loaded weight: 12,598 lb (5,714 kg)• Max. takeoff weight: 15,415 lb (6,990 kg)• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W "Double Wasp“ two-row radial engine with a two-speed two-stage supercharger, 2,000 hp (1,491 kW[69])• Propellers: 3-blade Hamilton Standard • Propeller diameter: 13 ft 1 in (4.0 m)• Fuel capacity: 250 gal (946 L) internal; up to 3 × 150 gal (568 L) external drop tanks• Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0211• Drag area: 7.05 ft² (0.65 m²)• Aspect ratio: 5.5

Performance

• Maximum speed: 330 kn (380 mph, 610 km/h)• Stall speed: 73 kn (84 mph, 135 km/h)• Combat radius: 820 nmi (945 mi, 1,520 km)• Ferry range: 1,330 nmi (1,530 mi, 2,460 km)• Service ceiling: 37,300 ft (11,370 m)• Rate of climb: 3,500 ft/min (17.8 m/s)• Wing loading: 37.7 lb/ft² (184 kg/m²)• Power/mass: 0.16 hp/lb (260 W/kg)• Time-to-altitude: 7.7 min to 20,000 ft (6,100 m)• Lift-to-drag ratio: 12.2• Takeoff roll: 799 ft (244 m)

ArmamentGuns:most F6F-5) or• 2 × 20 mm (.79 in) cannon, with 225 rpg and 4 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) Browning machine guns with 400 rpg (F6F-5N only)• either 6× 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns, with 400 rpg, (All F6F-3, and•Rockets: * 6 × 5 in (127 mm) HVARs or * 2 × 11¾ in (298 mm) Tiny Tim unguided rockets• Bombs: up to 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) full load, including: • Bombs or Torpedoes:(Fuselage mounted on centerline rack) * 1 × 2,000 lb (907 kg) bomb or * 1 × Mk.13-3 torpedo;• Underwing bombs: (F6F-5 had two additional weapons racks either side of fuselage on wing centre- section) * 2 × 1,000 lb (450 kg) or * 4 × 500 lb (227 kg) * 8 × 250 lb (110 kg)

The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft developed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat in United States Navy (USN) service.

Dogfights: The Zero Killer

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A Historystartsnow Production

I do not own any copyrights over those videos. Credits for making this great series belong to the History Channel and the makers of the Dogfights series.

42

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1 pilot• Length: 33 ft 8 in (10.2 m)• Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.5 m)• Height: 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m)• Empty weight: 9,205 lb (4,174 kg)• Loaded weight: 14,670 lb (6,653 kg)• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-18W radial engine, 2,100 hp (1,565 kW

Performance

• Maximum speed: 446 mph (366 kn, 718 km/h)• Range: 897 mi (602 nmi (1,115 km))• Service ceiling: 41,500ft (12,649 m)• Rate of climb: 3,870ft/min (19.7 m/s)

Armament

• Guns:•6 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) AN/M2 Browning machine guns, 400 rpg or*4 × 20 millimetre (0.79 in) M2 cannon

• Rockets: 8 × 5 in (12.7 cm) high velocity aircraft rockets and/or• Bombs: 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg)

Vought F4U Corsair

Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War.

It quickly became the most capable carrier-based fighter-bomber of World War II. Some Japanese pilots regarded it as the most formidable American fighter of World War II,[5] and the U.S. Navy counted an 11:1 kill ratio with the F4U Corsair.[6] As well as being an outstanding fighter, the Corsair proved to be an excellent fighter-bomber, serving almost exclusively in the latter role throughout the Korean War and during the French colonial wars in Indochina and Algeria.[

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WWII Dogfight Movies

Dogfights – The P-51 Mustang – Part1

Dogfights – The P-51 Mustang – Part2

Dogfights – The P-51 Mustang – Part3

Dogfights – The P-51 Mustang – Part4

Dogfights – The P-51 Mustang – Part5

Dogfights – The Thunderbolt– Part1

Dogfights – The Thunderbolt– Part2

Dogfights – The Thunderbolt– Part3

Dogfights – The Thunderbolt– Part4

Dogfights – The Thunderbolt– Part5

Dogfights – No Room for Error– Part1

Dogfights – No Room for Error– Part2

A Historystartsnow Production (TV Channel)

Donald S. Bryan, Nov. 2 1944, 5 kills, Me 109

Robert Scamara, June 23 1945, 3 kills +4 Damaged Japanes, Lead Computing Gun Sight

Richard Candeleria, April. 7 1944, kills, 1 Me 262 Jet Fighter, + 4 Me 109

Robert S. Johnson vs Egon Mayer, June 26 1943

George Sutcliffe, June 14 1944, 2 vs 40 Me 109

Ken Dahlberg, Dec. 19 1944, 4 kills Me 109

Art Fiedler, July 26 1944, P51 Mustang Kills 1 FW 190 and 1 Me 109

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I do not own any copyrights over those videos. Credits for making this great series belong to the History Channel and the makers of the Dogfights series.

44

Jet propulsion

Technology advanced extremely fast during World War II in ways that would change dogfighting forever. Jet propulsion had been demonstrated long before the war, by German engineer Hans von Ohain in 1934, and by a British engineer named Frank Whittle in 1937. The Messerschmitt Me 262 was the first jet fighter to be used in battle, with a speed over 500 mph, and began taking a toll on Allied bombing missions in 1944. The British were testing a jet that same year, the Gloster Meteor, which would later see action in the Korean War. Although U.S. General Hap Arnold test flew the XP-59A in 1942, the plane was never used in combat. Other prime inventions of the era include radar and air-to-air missiles

Hans Joachim Pabst von Ohain

(1911 –1998)

Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe ("Swallow") was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft.[5] Design work started before World War II began but engine problems prevented the aircraft from attaining operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944.

Sir Frank Whittle) 1907– 1996(

The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. Although the German Messerschmitt Me 262 was the world's first operational jet, the Meteor was the first production jet as it entered production a few months before the Me 262. The Meteor's development was heavily reliant on its ground-breaking turbojet engines, developed by Sir Frank Whittle and his company, Power Jets Ltd. Development of the aircraft began in 1940, work on the engines had started in 1936. The Meteor first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF).

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Jet propulsion

Sir Frank Whittle) 1907– 1996(

Role Fighter Manufacturer Gloster Aircraft Company First flight 5 March 1943 Introduction 27 July 1944 Retired 1980s (RAF target tugs/Ecuador combat roles) Primary users Royal Air ForceRoyal Australian Air ForceBelgian Air ForceIsraeli Air Force Number built 3,947

Initial deliveries of the F.8 to the RAF were in August 1949, with the first squadron receiving its fighters in late 1950. Like the F.4, there were strong export sales of the F.8. Belgium ordered 240 aircraft, the majority assembled in The Netherlands by Fokker. The Netherlands had 160 F.8s, equipping seven squadrons until 1955. Denmark had 20, ordered in 1951; they were to be the last F.8s in front line service in Europe. The RAAF ordered 94 F.8s, which served in Korea (see below). Despite arms embargoes, both Syria and Egypt received F.8s from 1952, as did Israel (where they served until 1961). On 1 September 1955, two Israeli F.8s shot down two Egyptian Vampires and in the 1956 Suez Crisis, F.8s were employed by both Egypt and Israel in ground attack roles. After the crisis, both Egypt and Syria disposed of their Meteors in favour of various MiG variants. Brazil ordered 60 new Meteor F.8s and 10 T.7 trainers in October 1952, paying with 15,000 tons of raw cotton

F.8SOLO

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Korean War (1950-1953)

After World War II, the question began to rise about the future usefulness of fighter aircraft. This was especially true for the U.S., where the focus was placed on small, fast, long-range bombers capable of delivering atomic bombs. The Korean War began in June 1950, and the North Koreans were outmatched by the U.S. Air Force. The war was nearly over by October, with the surrender of North Korea when, on November 1, Chinese MiG-15s attacked. The Chinese began supplying North Korea with troops and provisions, and the war quickly resumed.

At 100 MPH faster, the MiG-15 was more than a match for the U.S. P-80 Shooting Star, using the same dive and shoot tactic that the Americans found so useful against Japan. The U.S. jets had inferior weaponry, and suffered from problems with production and parts. The U.S. resorted to using mainly the more maneuverable propeller driven fighters during the war, such as the P-51 Mustang and the P-47 Thunderbolt, which were both carried over from World War II.

To combat the MiGs, the F-86 Sabre was put into production. The U.S. pilots had one major advantage over the Chinese, the G-suit. Chinese fighters were often seen spinning off out of control during a hard turn because the pilot had lost consciousness. The Chinese were very competent in a dogfight, and large swirling battles were fought in the skies over Korea. However, it is highly suspected by many U.S. pilots that some of the opponents they faced over Korea were in fact well-trained Soviet pilots, who the Americans referred to as "honchos," (a Japanese word, meaning "bosses"). Major Robinson Risner recalls,

Seeing one another about the same time, the MiG flight and my flight dropped [our extra fuel] tanks.. He was so low he was throwing up small rocks. I dropped down to get him, but to hit him I had to get down in his jet wash. He'd chop the throttle and throw out his speed brakes. I would coast up beside him, wingtip to wingtip. When it looked like I was going to overshoot him, I would roll over the top and come down on the other side of him. When I did, he'd go into a hard turn, pulling all the Gs he could. This guy was one fantastic pilot.

The war in the air, however, eventually came to a stalemate as fighting ceased between the two factions.

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Korean War (1950-1953) Air Combats

Those first encounters established the main features of the aerial battles of the next two and a half years. The MiG-15 and MiG-15bis had a higher ceiling than all the versions of the Sabre – 15,500 m (50,900 ft) versus 14,936 m (49,003 ft) of the F-86F – and accelerated faster than F-86A/E/Fs due to their better thrust-to-weight ratio – 1,005 km/h (624 mph) versus 972 km/h (604 mph) of the F-86F. The MiG-15's 2,800 m (9,200 ft) per minute climbing rate was also greater than the 2,200 m (7,200 ft) per minute of the F-86A and -E (the F-86F matched the MiG-15s rate). A better turn radius above 10,000 m (33,000 ft) further distinguished the MiG-15, as did more powerful weaponry – one 37 mm N-37 cannon and two 23 mm NR-23 cannons, versus the inferior hitting power of the six 12.7 mm (.50 in) machine guns of the Sabre. But the MiG was slower at low altitude – 935 km/h (581 mph) in the MiG-15bis configuration as opposed to the 1,107 km/h (688 mph) of the F-86F. The Soviet World War II-era ASP-1N gyroscopic gunsight was less sophisticated than the accurate A-1CM and A4 radar ranging sights of the F-86E and -F. All Sabres turned tighter below the 8,000 m (26,000 ft) altitude.[14]

Thus if the MiG-15 forced the Sabre to fight in the vertical plane, or in the horizontal one above 10,000 m (33,000 ft), it gained a significant advantage. Furthermore, a MiG-15 could easily escape from a Sabre by climbing to its ceiling, knowing that the F-86 could not follow him. Below 8,000 m (26,247 ft) however, the Sabre had a slight advantage over the MiG in most aspects excluding climb rate, especially if the Soviet pilot made the mistake of fighting in the horizontal plane.

MiG-15

North American F-86 Sabre

Incredible Dogfight in Korean WarDogfights – No Room for Error– Part3

Dogfights – No Room for Error– Part4

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I do not own any copyrights over those videos. Credits for making this great series belong to the History Channel and the makers of the Dogfights series.

48

Photo Name Service Rank Victories Unit Aircraft Notes

Zhao Baotong PLAAFnot applicable

[note 1] 9[12]

3rd FighterAviation Division

Mig15First Chinese pilot to achieve ace

status.[15] Also known as Chao Bao Tun.[14]

Wang Hai PLAAF not applicable 9[12]

3rd Fighter Aviation Division

Mig1515

Although the US Air Force acknowledged Wang's nine victories, historian Zhang Xiaoming contended that only four victories were actual kills while other five were damages.

[16] Also known as Van Hai.[12]

Li Han PLAAF not applicable 8[12]

4th Fighter Aviation Division

Mig15First Chinese pilot credited with shooting down a U.S. aircraft.[17]

— Lu Min PLAAF not applicable 8[12]

12th Fighter Aviation Division

Mig155

Later purged due to alleged connections with Marshal Lin Biao's coup attempt against Mao Zedong.[19]

Fan Wanzhang* PLAAF not applicable 8[12]

3rd Fighter Aviation Division

Mig155

Also known as Fan Van Chou.[14] Killed in action on August 8, 1952.[13]

Sun Shenlu PLAAF not applicable 6[12]

3rd FighterAviation Division

Mig15Killed in action on December 3, 1952

near the Ch'ongch'on River.[20]

— Liu Yudi PLAAF not applicable 6[13]

3rd Fighter Aviation Division

Mig15

Although Liu was credited with four victories during a single mission on November 23, 1951, US Air Force

records indicated that only two F-84 were

List of Korean War flying Aces SOLO

49

General characteristics

•Crew: One•Length: 34 ft 5 in (10.49 m)•Wingspan: 38 ft 9 in (11.81 m)•Height: 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m)•Wing area: 237.6 ft² (22.07 m²)•Aspect ratio: 6.37•Empty weight: 8,420 lb (3,819 kg)•Loaded weight: 12,650 lb (5,738 kg)•Max. takeoff weight: 16,856 lb (7,646 kg)•Powerplant: 1 × Allison J33-A-35 centrifugal compressor turbojet, 5,400 lbf (24.0 kN)•Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0134•Drag area: 3.2 ft² (0.30 m²)

Performance

•Maximum speed: 600 mph (P-80A 558 mph at sea level and 492 mph at 40,000 ft)[7] (965 km/h)•Cruise speed: 410 mph (660 km/h)•Range: 1,200 mi (1,930 km)•Service ceiling: 46,000 ft (14,000 m)•Rate of climb: 4,580 ft/min (23.3 m/s) 5.5 min to 20,000 ft (6,100 m)•Wing loading: 53 lb/ft² (260 kg/m²)•Thrust/weight: 0.43•Lift-to-drag ratio: 17.7

Armament

•Guns: 6 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns (300 rpg)•Rockets: 8 × unguided rockets•Bombs: 2 × 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs

Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star

The Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star was the first jet fighter used operationally by the United States Army Air Forces.[2] Designed in 1943 as a response to the German Messerschmitt Me-262 jet fighter, and delivered in just 143 days from the start of the design process, production models were flying but not ready for service by the end of World War II. Designed with straight wings, the type saw extensive combat in Korea with the United States Air Force (USAF) as the F-80.

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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15

General characteristics•Crew: MiG-15bis=1, MiG-15UTI=2•Length: 10.11 m (33 ft 2 in)•Wingspan: 10.08 m (33 ft 1 in)•Height: 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in)•Wing area: 20.6 m² (221.74 ft²)•Airfoil: TsAGI S-10 / TsAGI SR-3•Empty weight: 3,580 kg (7,900 lb)•Loaded weight: 4,960 kg (10,935 lb)•Max. takeoff weight: 6,105 kg (13,460 lb)•Fuel capacity: 1,400 L (364 US gal)•Powerplant: 1 × Klimov VK-1 turbojet, 26.5 kN (5,950 lbf)

Performance•Maximum speed: 1,075 km/h (668 mph)•Cruise speed: 850 km/h (530 mph)•Range: 1,310 km, 1,975 km with external tanks (815 mi / 1,230 mi)•Service ceiling: 15,500 m (50,850 ft)•Rate of climb: 50 m/s (9,840 ft/min)•Wing loading: 240.8 kg/m² (49.3 lb/ft²)•Thrust/weight: 0.54

Armament•2x NR-23 23mm cannons in lower left fuselage (80 rounds per gun, 160 rounds total)•1x Nudelman N-37 37 mm cannon in lower right fuselage (40 rounds total)•2x 100 kg (220 lb) bombs, drop tanks, or unguided rockets on 2 underwing hardpoints.

Role Fighter

ManufacturerMikoyan-Gurevich

First flight30 December 1947

Introduction 1949

StatusTrainers in service

Primary users

Soviet Air ForcePLA Air ForceKorean People's Air Force41 others

Number built~12,000 + ~6,000 under licence

Developed into

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17

Egypt bought a handful of MiG-15bis and MiG-17 fighters in 1955 from Czechoslovakia with the sponsorship and support of the USSR, just in time to participate in the Suez Canal Crisis. By the outbreak of the Suez Conflict in October 1956, four squadrons of the Egyptian Air Force were equipped with the type although few pilots were trained to fly them effectively.During the air combat against the Israeli Air Force the Egyptian MiG-15bis managed to shoot down only three Israeli aircraft: a Piper Cub and a Meteor F.8 on 30 October 1956, and a Dassault Ouragan on 1 November which then performed a belly landing — this last victory was scored by the Egyptian pilot Faruq el-Gazzavi.

MIG15 How Russian Trashed the Americans in Korea – Part 1

MIG15 How Russian Trashed the Americans in Korea – Part 2

MIG15 How Russian Trashed the Americans in Korea – Part 3

MIG15 How Russian Trashed the Americans in Korea – Part 4MIG15 How Russian Trashed the Americans in Korea – Part 5History (TV Channel)

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51

General characteristics

•Crew: 1•Length: 37 ft 1 in (11.4 m)•Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.3 m)•Height: 14 ft 1 in (4.5 m)•Wing area: 313.4 sq ft (29.11 m²)•Empty weight: 11,125 lb (5,046 kg)•Loaded weight: 15,198 lb (6,894 kg)•Max. takeoff weight: 18,152 lb (8,234 kg)•Powerplant: 1 × General Electric J47-GE-27 turbojet, 5,910 lbf (maximum thrust at 7.950 rpm for five min) (26.3 kN)•Fuel provisions Internal fuel load: 437 US gallons (1,650 L)), Drop tanks: 2 x 200 US gallons (760 L) JP-4 fuel

Performance

•Maximum speed: 687 mph (1,106 km/h) at sea level at 14,212 lb (6,447 kg) combat weight also reported 678 mph (1,091 km/h) and 599 at 35,000 feet (11,000 m) at 15,352 pounds (6,960 kg). (597 knots (1,106 km/h) at 6446 m, 1,091 and 964 km/h at 6,960 m.)•Stall speed: 124 mph (power off) (108 knots (200 km/h))•Range: 1,525 mi, (2,454)•Service ceiling: 49,600 ft at combat weight (15,100 m)•Rate of climb: 9,000 ft/min at sea level (45.72 m/s)•Wing loading: 49.4 lb/ft² (236.7 kg/m²)•lift-to-drag: 15.1•Thrust/weight: 0.38

Armament

•Guns: 6 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns (1,602 rounds in total)•Rockets: variety of rocket launchers; e.g: 2 × Matra rocket pods with 18× SNEB 68 mm rockets each•Bombs: 5,300 lb (2,400 kg) of payload on four external hardpoints, bombs are usually mounted on outer two pylons as the inner pairs are wet-plumbed pylons for 2 × 200 US gallons (760 L) drop tanks to give the Sabre a useful range. A wide variety of bombs can be carried (max standard loadout being 2 × 1,000 lb bombs plus two drop tanks), napalm bomb canisters and can include a tactical nuclear weapon.

North American F-86 Sabre

The F-86 was the primary U.S. air combat fighter during the Korean War, with significant numbers of the first three production models seeing combat

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52

On 30 October 1956 (Suez Crisis) the Mystere IV gets its first kill when eight aircraft were in combat with 12 Egyptian Air Force MiG-15s. The Mysteres shot down one MiG and damaged a second. In the following days two Mysteres engaged four Egyptian De Havilland Vampires and destroyed them all.

60 Mystere IV

Six Days War 1967During the Six Days War, the Israeli Air Force, with 196 combat[3] aircraft at its disposal had prevailed over a coalition with approximately 600 combat aircraft. The IAF destroyed 452 enemy aircraft, including 79 in air combat, while losing 46 of its own. 24 Israeli pilots and hundreds of Arab pilots were killed

War of Attrition (1969 – 1970)On July 30, 1970, the tension peaked: An IAF ambush resulted in a large scale air brawl between IAF planes and MiGs flown by Soviet pilots – five MiGs were shot down, while the IAF suffered no losses. Fear of further escalation and superpower involvement brought the war to a conclusion. By the end of August 1970, the Israeli Air Force had claimed 111 aerial kills while admitting losing only four aircraft to Arab fighters.

72 Mirage III 1962

F4 Phantom 1969

Sinai War 1956

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk1967

Arab-Israeli Air WarsSOLO

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Shlomo Aloni, Arab-Israeli Air Wars 1947-82

Shlomo Aloni, Israeli Mirage and Nesher Aces

Shlomo Aloni, Israeli F-4 Phantom II Aces

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54

Name Command Period

Amir Eshel * May 2012 - Present

Ido Nechushtan May 2008 - May 2012Elyezer Shkedy April 2004 - May 2008

Dan Halutz April 2000 - April 2004

Eitan Ben Eliyahu July 1996 - April 2000

Herzl Bodinger January 1992 - July 1996

Avihu Ben-Nun September 1987 - January 1992

Amos Lapidot December 1982 - September 1987

David Ivri October 1977 - December 1982

Binyamin (Benny) Peled May 1973 - October 1977

Mordechai Hod April 1966 - May 1973

Ezer Weizmann July 1958 - April 1966

Dan Tolkovsky May 1953 - July 1958

Hayim Laskov August 1951 - May 1953Shlomo Shamir December 1950 - August 1951

Aharon Remez July 1948 - December 1950

Yisrael Amir May 1948 - July 1948

Israeli Air Force Commanders-in ChiefSOLO

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A few P-51 Mustangs were illegally bought by Israel in 1948, crated and smuggled into the country as agricultural equipment for use in the War of Independence (1948) and quickly established themselves as the best fighter in the Israeli inventory.[52] Further aircraft were bought from Sweden, and were replaced by jets at the end of the 1950s, but not before the type was used in the Suez Crisis, Operation Kadesh (1956). Reputedly, during this conflict, one daring Israeli pilot literally cut communications between Suez City and the Egyptian front lines by using his Mustang's propeller on the telephone wires.[53]

Sinai War 1956

P-51D at the Israeli Air Force Museum; the marking beneath the cockpit notes its participation in the wire-cutting operation at the onset of the Suez Crisis

Most of the IDF weapons in 1956 came from France. The main aircraft were the Dassault Mystère IVA (50) and the Ouragan (75). Superior pilot training was to give the Israeli Air Force an unbeatable edge over their Egyptian opponents

Dassault M.D.450 Ouragan

Dassault Mystère IVA

On 30 October 1956 the Mystere IV gets its first kill when eight aircraft were in combat with 12 Egyptian Air Force MiG-15s. The Mysteres shot down one MiG and damaged a second. In the following days two Mysteres engaged four Egyptian De Havilland Vampires and destroyed them all.

Israeli Ouragans entered combat on 12 April 1956, shooting down an Egyptian Vampire. At the onset of the Suez Crisis on 29 October 1956, Ouragans shot down an additional four Vampires. The two documented encounters with Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 fighters (also powered by the Nene engine but with a more modern swept wing) ended with one Ouragan surviving several 37 mm (1.46 in) cannon hits to fly the next day and one MiG-15 being heavily damaged after it entered a turning dogfight with the Ouragans.[8] The poor training of the Egyptian pilots who were consistently unable to realize their advantage in numbers as well as the MiG-15's speed and climb characteristics helped Ouragans to survive despite their inferior performance. On 31 October, a pair of Ouragans armed with rockets strafed the Egyptian destroyer Ibrahim el Awal (ex-HMS Mendip), resulting in the capture of the ship.[

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Dassault M.D.450 Ouragan (French: Hurricane)

The Dassault M.D.450 Ouragan was the first French-designed jet fighter-bomber to enter production, playing a key role in resurgence of the French aviation industry after World War II. The Ouragan was operated by France, Israel, India and El Salvador. While in Israeli service it participated in both the Suez Crisis and Six-Day War.

General Characteristics• Crew: One• Length: 10.73 m (35 ft 2 in)• Wingspan: 13.16 m (43 ft 2 in)• Height: 4.14 m (13 ft 7 in)• Wing area: 23.8 m² (256.2 ft²)• Aspect ratio: 7.3:1• Empty weight: 4 142 kg (9,132 lb)• Loaded weight: 7 404 kg (16,323 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 7 900 kg (17,416 lb)• Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Nene 104B turbojet, 22.2 kN (4,990 lbf)Performance• Never exceed speed: Mach 0.83• Maximum speed: 940 km/h (508 knots, 584 mph) (Mach 0.76) at sea level• Cruise speed: 750 km/h (405 knots, 465 mph)• Combat radius: 450 km (245 nm, 280 mi)• Ferry range: 920 km (500 nm, 570 mi)• Service ceiling: 13 000 m (42,650 ft)• Rate of climb: 38 m/s (7,480 ft/min)• Takeoff distance: 783 m (2,570 ft) • Landing distance: 910 m (2,985 ft)

Armament• Guns: 4× 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon with 125 rounds per gun• Rockets: 16× 105 mm (4.1 in) Brandt T-10 air-to-ground unguided rockets; or, 2× Matra rocket pods with 18× SNEB 68 mm rockets each• Bombs: 2,270 kg (5,000 lb) of payload on four external hardpoints, including a variety of unguided iron bombs such as 2× 454 kg (1,000 lb) bombs or 2× 458 liter (121 US gallon) napalm bombs or Drop tanks for extended range.

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General characteristics

•Crew: 1•Length: 12.89 m (42 ft 4 in)•Wingspan: 11.12 m (36 ft 6 in)•Height: 4.46 m (14 ft 8 in)•Wing area: 32 m² (340 ft²)•Empty weight: 5,870 kg (12,940 lb)•Loaded weight: 7,750 kg (17,090 lb)•Max. takeoff weight: 10,200 kg (22,490 lb)•Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza Verdon 350, 34.4 kN (7,725 lbf)

Performance

•Maximum speed: 1,120 km/h (700 mph) at sea level•Range: 1,310 km (810 mi)•Service ceiling: 15,000 m (50,000 ft)•Rate of climb: 45 m/s (8,900 ft/min)•Wing loading: 240 lb/ft² (50 kg/m²)•Thrust/weight: 0.4543

Dassault Mystère IV

Armament

•Guns: 2× 30 mm (1.18 in) DEFA cannons with 150 rounds per gun•Rockets: 2× Matra rocket pods with 18× SNEB 68 mm rockets each•Bombs: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) of payload on four external hardpoints, including a variety of bombs or Drop tanks

Dassault Mystère IVA

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The IDF/AF purchased three models of the Mirage III:

70 Mirage IIICJ single-seat fighters, received between April 1962 and July 1964.Two Mirage IIIRJ single-seat photo-reconnaissance aircraft, received in March 1964.Four Mirage IIIBJ two-seat combat trainers, three received in 1966 and one in 1968.The Israeli AF Mirage III fleet went through several modifications during their service life.

Over the demilitarized zone on the Israeli side of the border with Syria, a total of six MiGs were shot down the first day Mirages fought the MiGs. In the Six-Day War, except for 12 Mirages (four in the air and eight on the ground), left behind to guard Israel from Arab bombers, all the Mirages were fitted with bombs, and sent to attack the Arab air bases. However the Mirage's performance as a bomber was limited. During the following days Mirages performed as fighters, and out of a total of 58 Arab planes shot down in air combat during the war, 48 were accounted for by Mirages.

Six Days War 1967 Air Combat

Totals by waves• First wave (7:45am): 101 flights; 11 airfields were attacked by 183 IAF aircraft; 197 Egyptian aircraft and 8 radar stations were destroyed. Five IAF pilots were killed and five more fell captive.• Second wave (9:30am): 164 flights; 16 airfields were attacked; 107 Egyptian aircraft destroyed; 2 Syrian planes destroyed in dogfights• Third Wave (12:15pm): 85 flights against Egypt, 48 against Jordan, 67 against Syria and one against H-3 airbase in Iraq.• Other waves (afternoon & evening): 2 more attacks against H-3; several additional attacks on Egyptian airfields.

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Six Day War Movies

Dogfights Desert Aces – Part 1

Dogfight of the Middle East – Part 1

Dogfight of the Middle East – Part 2

Dogfight of the Middle East – Part 3

Dogfight of the Middle East – Part 4

Israeli Air Force During Six Day War

Motty Hod about the Six Day War - 1967

A HistorystartsnowProduction

Ran Ronen Mirage III vs Hawker Hunters, Nov 13 1966

Giora Romm Mirage III vs 3 MIG 21 + 2 MIG17 June 7 1967, 1st Jet Ace

Ran Ronen Mirage III vs 2 MIG 19, June 5 1967

Iraki MIG 21 Landed in ISRAEL, Aug.16 1966

Operation Focus - 05 Jun 07 - Part 1

Operation Focus - 05 Jun 07 - Part 2

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History (TV Channel)

I do not own any copyrights over those videos. Credits for making this great series belong to the History Channel and the makers of the Dogfights series.

60

Number of aircraft destroyed by aircraft typeCombat aircraft

148 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 'Fishbeds' (104 from Egypt; 32 from Syria; 12 from Iraq)29 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 'Farmers' (all from Egypt)112 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 'Frescos' (94 from Egypt; 16 from Syria; 2 from Iraq)14 Sukhoi Su-7 'Fitters' (all from Egypt)27 Hawker Hunters (21 from Jordan; 5 from Iraq; 1 from Lebanon)

Bomber aircraft 31 Tupolev Tu-16 'Badgers' (30 from Egypt; 1 from Iraq)31 Ilyushin Il-28 'Beagles' (27 from Egypt; 2 from Syria; 2 from Iraq)

Transport aircraft 32 Ilyushin Il-14 'Crates' (30 from Egypt; 2 from Syria)8 Antonov An-12 'Cubs' (all from Egypt)4 others (two Syrian C-27 medium transports; and two C-27's from Egypt)

Transport helicopters 10 Mil Mi-6 'Hooks' (8 from Egypt; 2 from Syria)6 Mil Mi-4 'Hounds' (2 from Egypt; 4 from Syria)

Number of aircraft destroyed by country• Egypt: 338 aircraft• Syria: 61 aircraft• Jordan: 29 aircraft• Iraq: 23 aircraft• Lebanon: 1 aircraft• Israel lost 19 aircraft in the operation.

Six Days War 1967 Air Combat (continue)SOLO

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Dassault Mirage III

The IIIE featured Thomson-CSF Cyrano II dual mode air / ground radar; a radar warning receiver (RWR) system with the antennas mounted in the vertical tailplane; and an Atar 09C engine, with a petal-style variable exhaust.

General characteristics

•Crew: 1•Length: 15.03 m (49 ft 3½ in)•Wingspan: 8.22 m (26 ft 11⅝ in)•Height: 4.50 m (14 ft 9 in)•Wing area: 34.85 m² (375 ft²)•Empty weight: 7,050 kg (15,600 lb)•Loaded weight: 9,600 kg (21,164 lb)•Max. takeoff weight: 13,700 kg (30,203 lb)•Powerplant: 1 × SNECMA Atar 09C turbojet •Dry thrust: 41.97 kN (9,436 lbf)•Thrust with afterburner: 60.80 kN (13,668 lbf)

Performance

•Maximum speed: Mach 2.2 (2,350 km/h, 1,268 knots, 1,460 mph) at 12,000 m (39,370 ft)•Combat radius: 1,200 km (647 nmi, 746 mi)•Ferry range: 4,000 km (2,152 nmi, 2,486 mi)•Service ceiling: 17,000 m (55,775 ft)•Rate of climb: 83 m/s+ (16,405 ft/min)

Armament

•Guns: 2× 30 mm (1.18 in) DEFA 552 cannons with 125 rounds per gun•Rockets: 2× Matra JL-100 drop tank/rocket pack, each with 19× SNEB 68 mm rockets and 66 US gallons (250 liters) of fuel•Missiles: 2× AIM-9 Sidewinders OR Matra R550 Magics plus 1× Matra R530,•Bombs: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) of payload on five external hardpoints, including a variety of bombs, reconnaissance pods or Drop tanks; French Air Force IIIEs through 1991, equipped for AN-52 nuclear bomb.

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General characteristics

•Crew: 1•Capacity: 4200kg•Length: 15.65 •Wingspan: 8.22 •Height: 4.25m •Wing area: 34.8 •Empty weight: 6,600kg •Max. takeoff weight: 13,500kg •Powerplant:1 × IAl Bedek-built SNECMA Atar 09C turbojet •Dry thrust: 41.97 kN (9,436 lbf)•Thrust with afterburner: 60.80 kN (13,668 lbf)

Performance

•Maximum speed: mach 2.1 (39,370ft)•Range: 1,300km () 1186 with 4700 litres of auxiliary fuel in drop tanks plus 2 Air to Air missiles and 2600 lb of bombs•Service ceiling: 17,680 (55,775ft)•Rate of climb: 16,400ft/min

Armament

•up to 4200kg of disposable stores•Shafrir II

IAI Nesher

Role Multi-role fighter aircraft Manufacturer IAI First flight 1971

Introduction 1972 Retired 1977 (Israel)

Status Active Primary users Israeli Air Force (historical)

Argentine Air Force Number built 61 (51+10)

Developed from Dassault Mirage 5

The Nesher was identical to the Mirage 5, except for the use of some Israeli avionics, a Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seat, and provisions for a wider range of AAMs (Air-to-Air Missiles), including the Israeli Shafrir heat-seeking missile. Fifty-one Nesher fighters (Nesher S) and ten Nesher two-seat trainers (Nesher T) were built in all.

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General characteristics

•Crew: One•Length: 15.65 m (51 ft 4¼ in)•Wingspan: 8.22 m (26 ft 11½ in)•Height: 4.55 m (14 ft 11¼ in)•Wing area: 34.8 m² (374.6 sq ft)•Empty weight: 7,285 kg (16,060 lb)•Loaded weight: 11,603 kg (25,580 lb) two 500 L drop tanks, two AAMs•Max. takeoff weight: 16,200 kg (35,715 lb)•Powerplant: 1 × General Electric J-79-J1E turbojet (same as for F4 Phantom) •Dry thrust: 52.9 kN (11,890 lb st)•Thrust with afterburner: 79.62 kN (17,900 lb st)

Performance

•Maximum speed: 2,440 km/h (1,317 knots, 1,516 mph) above 11,000 m (36,000 ft)•Combat radius: 768 km (415 nmi, 477 mi) (ground attack, hi-lo-hi profile, seven 500 lb bombs, two AAMs, two 1,300 L drop tanks)•Service ceiling: 17,680 m (58,000 ft)•Rate of climb: 233 m/s (45,950 ft/min)

Armament

•Guns: 2× Rafael-built 30 mm (1.18 in) DEFA 553 cannons, 140 rounds/gun•Rockets: assortment of unguided air-to-ground rockets including the Matra JL-100 drop tank/rocket pack, each with 19× SNEB 68 mm rockets and 66 US gallons (250 liters) of fuel•Missiles: 2× AIM-9 Sidewinders or Shafrir or Python-series AAMs; 2× Shrike ARMs; 2× AGM-65 Maverick ASMs•Bombs: 5,775 kg (12,730 lb) of payload on nine external hardpoints, including bombs such as the Mark 80 series, Paveway series of LGBs, Griffin LGBs, TAL-1 OR TAL-2 CBUs, BLU-107 Matra Durandal, reconnaissance pods or Drop tanks

Role Fighter-bomber National origin Israel

Manufacturer Israel Aircraft Industries First flight June, 1973

Introduction 1976 Retired 1996 (Israeli Air Force)

Status Active Primary users Israeli Air Force (historical)

United States Navy (historical)Colombian Air ForceSri Lanka Air Force Number built 220+

Unit cost US$4.5 million Developed from IAI Nesher

Variants IAI Nammer

The Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir (Hebrew: כפיר, "Lion Cub") is an Israeli-built all-weather, multirole combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine.

IAI Kfir, Movie

SOLO IAI Kfir

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64

Sukhoi Su-7Role

Fighter-bomber/Ground-attack

Manufacturer Sukhoi OKB

First flight 7 September 1955

Introduction 1959

Retired 1986 (Soviet Union)

Primary user Soviet Air Force

Produced 1957-1972

Number built 1,847 (mainly Su-7B series)

Developed into Sukhoi Su-17

EGYPT: The Su-7 saw combat with Egypt in the 1967 Six Day War, the subsequent War of Attrition, and saw use in the Yom Kippur War by the Egyptians to attack Israeli ground forces.

Syrian Air Force - Shortly after the Six Day War, Syria received 25 Su-7s. In the October War Syria lost most of the aircraft supplied. After 1973, The Soviet Union resupplied Syria with 35 more aircraft. By the mid 1980s, the Su-7 had been transferred to the reserves, and by the 1990s were decommissioned

General Characteristic• Crew: One• Length: 16.80 m (55 ft 1 in)• Wingspan: 9.31 m (30 ft 7 in)• Height: 4.99 m (16 ft 4 in)• Wing area: 34 m² (366 ft²)• Empty weight: 8937 kg (lb)• Loaded weight: 13,570 kg (29,915)• Max. takeoff weight: 15,210 kg (33,530 lb)• Powerplant: 1 × Lyulka AL-7F-1 afterburning turbojet

Dry thrust: 66.6 kN (14,980 lbf)Thrust with afterburner: 94.1 kN (22,150 lbf)

*Fuel capacity: 3,220 kg (7,100 lb

Performance•Maximum speed: 1,150 km/h (620 kn, 715 mph, Mach 0.94) at sea level; 2,150 km/h (1,160 kn, 1,335 mph) at high altitude• Range: 1,650 km (890 nmi, 1,025 mi)• Service ceiling: 17,600 m (57,740 ft)• Rate of climb: 160 m/s (31,500 ft/min)• Wing loading: 434.8 kg/m² (89.05 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weigth: 0.71• Takeoff roll: 950 m (3,120 ft)• Landing roll: 700 m (2,300 ft)

Armament• 2 × 30 mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 cannon, 80 rounds each• Up to 2,000 kg (4,410 lb) on six hardpoints, typically including two 950 l or 600 l fuel tanks under the fuselage, and a combination of 250 kg (551 lb) or 500 kg (1,102 lb) bombs and 57-mm spin-stabilized unguided rockets in UB-16-57U pods. One 8U69 5-kiloton nuclear bomb could be carried on the left fuselage hardpoint. Some versions could also carry two 600 l underwing drop tanks.

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Sukhoi Su-17/20/22

The Syrian Air Force used Su-20/22s to attack Israeli forces in the Yom Kippur War and 1982 Lebanon Warr. Several Su-20/22s were shot down by Israeli Air Force

General Characteristics• Crew: 1• Length: 19.02 m (62 ft 5 in)• Wingspan:

Spread: 13.68 m (44 ft 11 in)Swept: 10.02 m (32 ft 10 in)

• Height: 5.12 m (16 ft 10 in)• Wing area:

Spread: 38.5 m² (415 ft²)Swept: 34.5 m² (370 ft²)

• Empty weight: 12,160 kg (26,810 lb)• Loaded weight: 16,400 kg (36,155 lb)• Powerplant: 1 × Lyulka AL-21F-3 afterburning turbojet

Dry thrust: 76.4 kN (17,185 lbf)Thrust with afterburner: 109.8 kN (24,675 lbf)

• Fuel capacity: 3,770 kg (8,310 lb)

Performance• Maximum speed:

Sea level: 1,400 km/h (755 knots, 870 mph)Altitude: 1,860 km/h (1,005 knots, 1,380 mph, Mach 2.0)

• Range:Combat: 1,150 km (620 nm, 419 mi) in hi-lo-hi attack with 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) warloadFerry: 2,300 km (1,240 nmi, 1,430 mi)

• Service ceiling: 14,200 m (46,590 ft)• Rate of climb: 230 m/s (45,275 ft/min)• Wing loading: 443 kg/m² (90.77 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weight: 0.68• G-force limit: 7• Airframe lifespan: 2,000 flying hours, 20 years

Armament• 2 × 30 mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 cannon, 80 rpg• Two underwing launch rails for R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') air-to-air missiles for self-defense• Up to 4000 kg (8,820 lb) on ten hardpoints (three under the fixed portion of each wing, four on the fuselage sides), including free-fall bombs, rocket pods, cluster bombs, SPPU-22-01 cannon pods with traversable barrels, ECM pods, napalm tanks, and nuclear weapons. Current aircraft compatible with Kh-23 (AS-7 'Kerry'), Kh-25 (AS-10 'Karen'), Kh-29 (AS-14 'Kedge'), and Kh-58 (AS-11 'Kilter') guided missiles as well as electro-optical and laser-guided bombs.

Role Fighter-bomber

National origin Soviet Union

Manufacturer Sukhoi OKB

First flight August 2, 1966

Introduction 1970

Status limited service

Primary users

Russian Air ForceLibyan Air ForceEgyptian AirForcePolish Air Force

Produced 1969–1990

Number built 2,867

Developed fromSukhoi Su-7

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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17

General Characteristics•Crew: One•Length: 11.26 m (36 ft 11½ in)•Wingspan: 9.63 m (31 ft 7 in)•Height: 3.80 m (12 ft 5½ in)•Wing area: 22.6 m² (243.3 ft²)•Empty weight: 3,919 kg[31] (8,640 lb)•Loaded weight: 5,350 kg (11,770 lb)•Max. takeoff weight: 6,069 kg (13,375 lb)•Powerplant: 1 × Klimov VK-1F afterburning turbojet •Dry thrust: 22.5 kN (5,046 lbf)•Thrust with afterburner: 33.8 kN (7,423 lbf)

Performance•Maximum speed: 1,145 km/h (618 knots, 711 mph) at 3,000 m (10,000 ft)•Range: 2,060 km (1,111 nmi, 1,280 mi) with drop tanks•Service ceiling: 16,600 m (54,450 ft)•Rate of climb: 65 m/s (12,800 ft/min)•Wing loading: 237 kg/m² (48 lb/ft²)•Thrust/weight: 0.63

Armament

•1x 37 mm Nudelman N-37 cannon (40 rounds total)•2x 23 mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 cannons (80 rounds per gun, 160 rounds total)•Up to 500 kg (1,100 lb) of external stores on two pylons, including 100 kg (220 lb) and 250 kg (550 lb) bombs, unguided rockets or external fuel tanks.•(some versions equipped with 3x NR-23 cannons and 2x AA-2 Atoll missiles)

Role Fighter aircraft

National origin Soviet Union

Manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevich

First flight 14 January 1950

Introduction October 1952

Status

Active with North Korea airforce and Pakistan air force

Primary users

Soviet Air ForcePLA Air ForcePolish Air ForceVietnam People's Air Force

Number built 10,603

Developed fromMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15

VariantsPZL-Mielec Lim-6Shenyang J-

MiG-17s were sold and/or imported to many Middle Eastern countries and saw action in nearly all of the Arab-Israeli conflicts starting when 12 of them served with the Egyptian Air Force during the Suez Crisis of 1956, plus hundreds more served, and were mostly destroyed, in the Egyptian and Syrian Air Forces during the Six-Day War of 1967 as well as the War of Attrition, the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and the 1982 Israeli Invasion of Lebanon

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67

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19

General characteristics• Crew: One• Length: 12.54 m (41 ft)• Wingspan: 9.0 m (29 ft 6 in)• Height: 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in)• Wing area: 25.0 m² (270 ft²)• Empty weight: 5,447 kg (11,983 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 7,560 kg (16,632 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × Tumansky RD-9B afterburning turbojets, 31.9 kN (7,178 lbf) each

Armament

• Guns: 3x 30 mm NR-30 cannons (75 rounds per gun for wing guns, 55 rounds for the fuselage gun)• Hardpoints: 4 underwing pylons and provisions to carry combinations of:

• Rockets: unguided rockets• Missiles: 4 Vympel K-13 AAMs• Bombs: Up to 250 kg (550 lb) of bombs

Role Fighter

Manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevich OKB

First flight 18 September 1953

Introduction March 1955

Status retired

Primary users

Soviet Air ForcePeople's Liberation Army Air Force

Number built2,172 (excluding production in China)

VariantsShenyang J-6Nanchang Q-5

The first reported air combat in the Mideast with the MiG-19 was on 29 November 1966, when two Egyptian MiG-19 fighters battled Israeli Mirage IIICs. The Israelis claimed two kills and no losses. Around 80 MiG-19s were in service with Egypt during the Six-Day War in 1967, but more than half were destroyed on the ground during the opening Israeli airstrikes of Operation Focus. Israeli pilots, however, did find the MiG-19 a potentially dangerous adversary because of its performance, maneuverability, and heavy armament.Following the war, the Egyptians organized the surviving MiG-19 aircraft and assigned them air defense tasks of Egypt's interior. The Soviet Union did not supply Egypt with any replacement of the MiG-19s destroyed in the Six Day War, but Egypt might have received some from Syria and Iraq, so that by the end of 1968 there were 80+ MiG-19s in service with the Egyptian Air Force (EAF). The aircraft also saw combat during the War of Attrition; in one engagement on 19 May 1969, a MiG-19 aircraft engaged two Israeli Mirages, shooting down one with cannon fire while the other escaped.[8] Egypt had around 60 Mig-19s in service during the Yom Kippur War of 1973 in which they served as close support aircraft.

Performance•Maximum speed: 1,455 km/h (909 mph)•Range: 1,390 km (860 mi) 2,200 km with external tanks•Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft)•Rate of climb: 180 m/s (35,425 ft/min)•Wing loading: 302.4 kg/m² (61.6 lb/ft²)•Thrust/weight: 0.86

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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

General characteristics

•Crew: 1•Length: 15.76[54] m (51 ft 8.47 in)•Wingspan: 7.154 m (23 ft 5.66 in)•Height: 4.1 m (13 ft 5.41 in)•Wing area: 23.0 m2 (247.3 ft2)•Empty weight: 4,871 kg (10,738 lb)•Gross weight: 7,100 kg (15,650 lb)•Powerplant: 1 × Tumansky R11F-300, 37.27 kN (8,380 lbf) thrust dry, 56.27 kN (12,650 lbf) with afterburner each

Performance

•Maximum speed: 2,125 km/h (1,385 mph)•Maximum speed: Mach 2.05•Range: 1,580 km (981 miles)•Service ceiling: 19,000 m (62,335 ft) Armament

•1x internal 30 mm NR-30 cannon, plus•2x K-13 or K-13A (R-3S) AAM or•2x 500 kg (1,102 lb) of bombs

Role Fighter

Manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevich OKB

Designer Artem Mikoyan

First flight 14 February 1955 (Ye-2)

Introduction 1959 (MiG-21F)

Retired 1990s (Russia)

Status In active service (see list)

Primary users

Soviet Air ForcePolish Air ForceIndian Air ForceRomanian Air Force

Produced1959 (MiG-21F) to 1985 (MiG-21bis)

Number built

11,496[1]

(10,645 produced in the USSR, 194 in Czechoslovakia, 657 in India)

Variants Chengdu J-7

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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

Role Fighter

ManufacturerMikoyan-Gurevich OKB

Designer Artem Mikoyan

First flight14 February 1955 (Ye-2)

Introduction 1959 (MiG-21F)

Retired 1990s (Russia)

StatusIn active service (see list)

Primary users

Soviet Air ForcePolish Air ForceIndian Air ForceRomanian Air Force

Produced1959 (MiG-21F) to 1985 (MiG-21bis)

Number built

11,496[1]

(10,645 produced in the USSR, 194 in Czechoslovakia, 657 in India)

Variants Chengdu J-7

Egyptian-Syrian-Israeli conflicts

The MiG-21 was also used extensively in the Middle East conflicts of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s by the air forces of Egypt, Syria and Iraq. The MiG-21 first encountered Israeli Mirage IIICs on 14 November 1964, but it was not until 14 July 1966 that the first MiG-21 was shot down. Another six Syrian MiG-21s were shot down by Israeli Mirages on 7 April 1967. The MiG-21 would also face F-4 Phantom IIs and A-4 Skyhawks, but was later outclassed by the more modern McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon, which were acquired by Israel beginning in the mid-1970s. During the opening attacks of the 1967 Six Day War, the Israeli Air Force struck Arab air forces in four attack waves. In the first wave, IDF aircraft claimed to have destroyed eight Egyptian aircraft in air-to-air combat, of which seven were MiG-21s; Egypt claims 10 Israeli aircraft destroyed, four or five of which were scored by MiG-21PFs. During the second wave the Israelis claimed four MiG-21s downed in air-to-air combat, and the third wave resulted in two Syrian and one Iraqi MiG-21s claimed destroyed in the air. The fourth wave destroyed some more Syrian MiG-21s on the ground. Overall, the Egyptians lost around 100 out of about 110 MiG-21s they had, almost all on the ground; the Syrians lost 35 of 60 MiG-21F-13s and MiG-21PFs in the air and on the ground

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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Egyptian-Syrian-Israeli conflicts

Between the end of the Six Day War and the start of the War of Attrition, IDF Mirage fighters had six confirmed kills of Egyptian MiG-21s, in exchange for Egyptian MiG-21s scoring two confirmed and three probable kills against Israeli aircraft. During the War of Attrition itself, the Israelis claimed 56 confirmed kills against Egyptian MiG-21s, while Egyptian MiG-21s claimed 14 confirmed and 12 probable kills against IDF aircraft. During this same time period, from the end of the Six Day War to the end of the War of Attrition, the Israelis claimed a total of 25 Syrian MiG-21s destroyed; the Syrians claimed three confirmed and four probable kills of Israel aircraft.[1]

High losses to Egyptian aircraft and continuous bombing during the War of Attrition caused the Egyptians to ask the Soviet Union for help. In June 1970, Soviet pilots and SAM crews arrived with their equipment. On 22 June 1970, a Soviet pilot flying a MiG-21MF shot down an Israeli A-4E. After some more successful intercepts by Soviet pilots and another Israeli A-4 being shot down on 25 July, the Israelis decided to plan an ambush in response. On 30 July Israeli F-4s lured Soviet MiG-21s into an area where they were ambushed by Mirages. Asher Snir, flying a Mirage IIICJ, destroyed a Soviet MiG-21; Avihu Ben-Nun and Aviam Sela, both piloting F-4Es, each got a kill, and an unidentified pilot in another Mirage scored the fourth kill against the Soviet-flown MiG-21s. Three Soviet pilots were killed and the Soviets were alarmed by the losses. However, Soviet MiG-21 pilots and SAM crews destroyed a total of 21 Israeli aircraft, which helped to convince the Israelis to sign a ceasefire agreement.[1]

In September 1973 a large air battle erupted between the Syrians and the Israelis; the Israelis claimed a total of 12 Syrian MiG-21s destroyed, while the Syrians claimed eight kills scored by MiG-21s and admitted five losses.During the Yom Kippur War, the Israelis claimed a total of 73 kills of Egyptian MiG-21s. Egypt claimed 27 kills of Israeli aircraft by its MiG-21s, plus eight probables.[1] However, according to most reliable sources, these were exaggerated claims as Israeli air-to-air combat losses for the entire war did not exceed five to eight.On the Syrian front of the war, 6 October 1973 saw a flight of Syrian MiG-21MFs shoot down an IDF A-4E and a Mirage IIICJ while losing three of their own to Israeli IAI Neshers. On 7 October, Syrian MiG-21MFs downed two Israeli F-4Es, three Mirage IIICJs and an A-4E while losing two of their MiGs to Neshers and one to an F-4E, plus two to friendly SAM fire. Iraqi MiG-21PFs also operated on this front, and on that same day destroyed two A-4Es while losing one MiG. On 8 October 1973 Syrian MiG-21PFMs downed three F-4Es, but six of their MiG-21s were lost. By the end of the war, Syrian MiG-21s claimed a total of 30 confirmed kills against Israeli aircraft; 29 MiG-21s were claimed as destroyed by the IDF.[1]

Between the end of the Yom Kippur War and the start of the 1982 Lebanon War, the Israelis had received modern F-15s and F-16s, which were far superior to the old Syrian MiG-21MFs. According to the IDF, these new planes accounted for the destruction of 24 Syrian MiG-21s over this time period, though the Syrians did claim five kills against IDF aircraft with their MiG-21s armed with outdated K-13 missiles.[1]

The 1982 Lebanon War started on 6 June 1982, and in the course of that war the IDF claimed to have destroyed about 45 Syrian MiG-21MFs. The Syrians claimed two confirmed and 15 probable kills of Israeli aircraft.[1] This air battle was the largest to occur since the Korean War.

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Hawker Hunter

General Characteristics• Crew: One• Length: 45 ft 11 in (14.00 m)• Wingspan: 33 ft 8 in (10.26 m)• Height: 13 ft 2 in (4.01 m)• Wing area: 349 ft² (32.42 m²)• Empty weight: 14,122 lb (6,405 kg)• Loaded weight: 17,750 lb (8,050 kg)• Max. takeoff weight: 24,600 lb (11,158 kg)• Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Avon 207 turbojet, 10,145 lbf (45.13 kN)

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 0.94, 620 kn (715 mph, 1,150 km/h) at sea level• Combat range: 385 nmi (445 mi, 715 km)• Ferry range: 1,650 nmi (1,900 mi, 3,060 km) with external fuel• Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,240 m)• Rate of climb: 17,200 ft/min (87.4 m/s)• Wing loading: 51.6 lb/ft² (251.9 kg/m²)• Thrust/weight: 0.56

Armament• Guns: 4× 30 mm (1.18 in) ADEN revolver cannons in a removable gun pack with 150 rpg• Hardpoints: 4 underwing (7 hardpoints on Singaporean FGA/FR.74S, essentially refurbished FGA.9 derived from F.6[67]) with a capacity of 7,400 lb (3,400 kg) and provisions to carry combinations of:

Rockets:

4× Matra rocket pods (each with 18 × SNEB 68 mm (2.68 in) rockets) or32× Hispano SURA R80 80 mm (3.15 in) rockets

Missiles:

4× AIM-9 Sidewinder Air-to-air missiles, mounted on Singaporean FGA/FR.74S (two on Swiss Mk.58 and Swedish Mk.50)4× AGM-65 Maverick Air-to-surface missiles, mounted on Singaporean FGA/FR.74S (two on Swiss Mk.58)

Bombs: a variety of unguided iron bombsOther: 2× 230 US gallons (870 l; 190 imp gal) drop tanks for extended range/loitering time

The Hawker Hunter is a subsonic British jet aircraft developed in the 1950s. The single-seat Hunter entered service as a manoeuvrable fighter aircraft, and later operated in fighter-bomber and reconnaissance roles in numerous conflicts. Two-seat variants remained in use for training and secondary roles with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy until the early 1990s. The Hunter was also widely exported, serving with 21 other air forces; 50 years after its original introduction it is still in active service, operating with the Lebanese Air Force

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History of Air-to-Air Combat in Missile Age• Vietnam War (1969 - 1975)

• Attrition War (1969 - 70), Israel claimed 111 victories against 4

• Yom Kipur War (1973) - 334 Israeli victories (about 100 by Shafrir 2)

• Falkland War - Harrier with AIM-9L scored 15 victories against Argentine fighters

• First Lebanon War (1982) - Israel scored around 100 victories (35 by Python 3, 8 by AIM 7, the rest by AIM-9L) against 0 by Syria’s Air Force.

• Operation Desert Storm (1991) around 32 coalition victories (24 by AIM-7, 6 by AIM-9L, 2 by Guns)

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During the Vietnam war, the limitations of strategic bombing were becoming very apparent, but the use of air strikes to provide battle field support had proved to be of value. Despite the many aerial engagements during the Korean war, the U.S. continued with its emphasis on long-range fighter/bombers, such as the F-105 Thunderchief, a plane known for its high speed, but lack of maneuverability. Believing that long-range radar interception and guided air-to-air missiles would render dogfighting obsolete, the U.S. equipped their top fighter, the F-4 Phantom, with missiles only, leaving out the guns that were necessary for in-close combat. However, the U.S. rules of engagement required visual identification of enemy targets, which usually ensured that in-close combat would occur.[32]

Being designed as a long-range fighter/bomber, the F-4 was very heavy, and far less maneuverable than the lighter MiG-17s and MiG-21s that were used by the North Vietnamese. The missiles used by the U.S. were not very effective against the small, fast, and highly maneuverable MiGs. Heat seeking missiles, like the AIM-4 Falcon and the AIM-9 Sidewinder, and radar guided missiles, like the AIM-7 Sparrow, were originally designed to target the slower moving Russian-made bombers. The Sparrow had difficulty tracking the small radar signature of the MiGs. The Sidewinder could easily be out-maneuvered by the Russian built fighters, while the Falcon's lack of a proximity trigger required a direct hit, making it practically useless. The most reliable of the missiles, the Sidewinder, only scored one hit out of every seven that were fired, and, quite often, engagements occurred too close for a missile to be used.[32]

Learning from the mistakes in Vietnam, the U.S. was forced to confront the problems with their tactics and designs. John R. Boyd, a fighter pilot from the Korean war, began to examine the performance characteristics of aircraft, noting that the U.S. aircraft designers emphasized speed, range, and the ability to make a tight turn. Boyd recalled from the Korean war that, while the F-86 could not out-run or out-turn the MiG-15s, its better performance came from its ability to quickly switch from one maneuver to another, or from its "agility," allowing it to defeat the Russian planes. In 1960, Boyd devised special theory for determining an aircraft's agility based on its energy-to-weight ratio. Boyd's Energy-Maneuverability theory described in scientific terms how an aircraft will perform as a function of speed (kinetic energy) and altitude (potential energy), resulting in the modern energy-management diagram. Boyd's work helped pave the way for the design of modern fighter planes, starting with the F-15 Eagle, which was released in 1972, near the end of the war

Vietnam War (1965 – 1975)

F-105 F-4 PhantomMiG-17MiG-21

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Vietnam War Movies

Dogfights, Gun Kills Of Vietnam, Part 1

Dogfights, Gun Kills Of Vietnam, Part 2

Dogfights, Gun Kills Of Vietnam, Part 3

Dogfights, Gun Kills Of Vietnam, Part 4

Dogfights, Gun Kills Of Vietnam, Part 5

Dogfights, F4 Phantom II

Dogfights, The Bloodiest Day Of Vietnam , Part 1

Dogfights, The Bloodiest Day Of Vietnam, Part 2

Dogfights, The Bloodiest Day Of Vietnam, Part 3

Dogfights, The Bloodiest Day Of Vietnam, Part 4

History (TV Channel)

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A HistorystartsnowProduction

I do not own any copyrights over those videos. Credits for making this great series belong to the History Channel and the makers of the Dogfights series.

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Republic F-105 Thunderchief

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Mach 2 capable F-105 conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it has the dubious distinction of being the only US aircraft to have been removed from combat due to high loss rates

General Characteristics• Crew: 1 (2 for F-105C/E/F/G variants)• Payload: 14,000 lb (6,700 kg) of weapons• Length: 64 ft 4.75 in (19.63 m)• Wingspan: 34 ft 11.25 in (10.65 m)• Height: 19 ft 8 in (5.99 m)• Wing area: 385 ft² (35.76 m²)• Airfoil: NACA 65A005.5 root, NACA 65A003.7 tip• Empty weight: 27,500 lb (12,470 kg)• Loaded weight: 35,637 lb (16,165 kg)• Max. takeoff weight: 52,546 lb (23,834 kg)• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W afterburning turbojet

Dry thrust: 14,300 Ibf (63,74kN)Thrust with afterburner: 24,500 Ibf (109 kN)

• Zero Lift Drag Coefficient: 0.0173• Drag area: 6.65 ft² (0.62 m²)• Aspect ratio: 3.16

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 2.08 (1,372 mph, 2,208 km/h) at 36,000 ft (11,000 m)• Combat radius: 780 mi (680 nmi, 1,250 km)• Ferry range: 2,210 mi (1,920 nmi, 3,550 km)• Service ceiling: 48,500 ft (14,800 m)• Rate of climb: 38,500 ft/min (195 m/s)• Wing loading: 93 lb/ft² (452 kg/m²)• Thrust/weight: 0.74 Lift-to-drag ratio: 10.4•Time to altitude: 1.7 min to 35,000 ft (11,000 m)

Armament• Guns: 1x 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barreled gatling cannon, 1,028 rounds• Hardpoints: 5 total: 4× under-wing, 1× centerline pylon stations plus an internal bomb bay with a capacity of Up to 14,000 lb (6,400 kg) of ordnance, including conventional and nuclear bombs, and AIM-9 Sidewinder and AGM-12 Bullpup missiles.

Avionics• NASARR R-14A radar• AN/ASG-19 Thunderstick fire control system• AN/ARN-85 LORAN (AN/ARN-92 in Thunderstick II-modified aircraft)

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General characteristics

•Crew: 2•Length: 63 ft 0 in (19.2 m)•Wingspan: 38 ft 4.5 in (11.7 m)•Height: 16 ft 6 in (5.0 m)•Wing area: 530.0 ft² (49.2 m²)•Airfoil: NACA 0006.4–64 root, NACA 0003-64 tip•Empty weight: 30,328 lb (13,757 kg)•Loaded weight: 41,500 lb (18,825 kg)•Max. takeoff weight: 61,795 lb (28,030 kg)•Powerplant: 2 × General Electric J79-GE-17A axial compressor turbojets, 11,905 lbf dry thrust (52.9 kN), 17,845 lbf in afterburner (79.4 kN) each•Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0224•Drag area: 11.87 ft² (1.10 m²)•Aspect ratio: 2.77•Fuel capacity: 1,994 U.S. gal (7,549 L) internal, 3,335 U.S. gal (12,627 L) with three external tanks (370 U.S. gal (1,420 L) tanks on the outer wing hardpoints and either a 600 or 610 U.S. gal (2,310 or 2,345 L) tank for the centerline station).•Maximum landing weight: 36,831 lb (16,706 kg)

Performance

•Maximum speed: Mach 2.23 (1,472 mph, 2,370 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,190 m)•Cruise speed: 506 kn (585 mph, 940 km/h)•Combat radius: 367 nmi (422 mi, 680 km)•Ferry range: 1,403 nmi (1,615 mi, 2,600 km) with 3 external fuel tanks•Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,300 m)•Rate of climb: 41,300 ft/min (210 m/s)•Wing loading: 78 lb/ft² (383 kg/m²)•lift-to-drag: 8.58•Thrust/weight: 0.86 at loaded weight, 0.58 at MTOW•Takeoff roll: 4,490 ft (1,370 m) at 53,814 lb (24,410 kg)•Landing roll: 3,680 ft (1,120 m) at 36,831 lb (16,706 kg)

Armament

•Up to 18,650 lb (8,480 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including general purpose bombs, cluster bombs, TV- and laser-guided bombs, rocket pods (UK Phantoms 6 × Matra rocket pods with 18 × SNEB 68 mm rockets each), air-to-ground missiles, anti-runway weapons, anti-ship missiles, targeting pods, reconnaissance pods, and nuclear weapons. Baggage pods and external fuel tanks may also be carried.•4× AIM-7 Sparrow in fuselage recesses plus 4 × AIM-9 Sidewinders on wing pylons; upgraded Hellenic F-4E and German F-4F ICE carry AIM-120 AMRAAM, Japanese F-4EJ Kai carry AAM-3, Hellenic F-4E will carry IRIS-T in future. Iranian F-4s could potentially carry Russian and Chinese missiles. UK Phantoms carried Skyflash missiles[117]•1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barreled gatling cannon, 640 rounds•4× AIM-9 Sidewinder, Python-3 (F-4 Kurnass 2000), IRIS-T (F-4E AUP Hellenic Air Force)•4× AIM-7 Sparrow, AAM-3(F-4EJ Kai)•4× AIM-120 AMRAAM for F-4F ICE, F-4E AUP (Hellenic Air Force)•6× AGM-65 Maverick•4× AGM-62 Walleye•4× AGM-45 Shrike, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-78 Standard ARM•4× GBU-15•18× Mk.82, GBU-12•5× Mk.84, GBU-10, GBU-14•18× CBU-87, CBU-89, CBU-58•Nuclear weapons, including the B28EX, B61, B43 and B57

Dogfights, F4 Phantom II

SOLO McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

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Following the Six Day War of 1967, the Israeli Defense Force/Air Force (IDF/AF), needed a front-line fighter. In January 1968, the United States completed delivery of 48 aging A- 4 Skyhawks promised before the war, and President Johnson offered Premier Eshkol 20 more. But pressure built to supply Jerusalem with a newer fighter. Although Johnson was opposed, he began negotiations on October 9, 1968, after presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon came out in favor of it. On December 27, 1968, after Nixon's election but before he took office, the announcement was made of the sale of 50 Phantoms to Israel to be delivered beginning in 1969 at a cost of $200 million.The Phantoms began to arrive in September 1969 and were committed to battle on January 7, 1970. The first mission was led by squadron leader Samuel l Chetz, already an ace, against Soviet-constructed SAM (surface-to-air missile) and radar installations at Dahashur. Chetz, known for his aggressive spirit, was later killed in a low-level strike on a SAM site, a loss which permitted Jerusalem to reveal his name although the identities of active pilots remained undisclosed.The war of attrition was coalescing as a struggle in which air power could help Israel compensate for its inferiority in artillery along the Suez Canal. To redress the 'artillery gap,' Skyhawks and Phantoms silenced Egyptian missile, antiaircraft and artillery batteries.To a nation under siege, fiercely proud of its plucky and undaunted air arm, the arrival of the $4 million F-4E Phantom was timely. In the hands of aggressive and spirited Israeli crews, the Phantom shook Egyptian leaders who watched their air defense network being systematically picked apart in low-level strikes. Other F-4Es ranged against targets deep inside Egypt.On July 30, 1970, Soviet pilots helping the Egyptians tangled with Israeli Phantoms in a raging dogfight over the Gulf of Suez. It was the first test of the E model Phantom's cannon in combat. The Israelis shot down five MiG-21s. Soon thereafter, on a marathon 2,000-mile strike mission to Ras Banas, Phantoms bombed and sank a Komar-class missile boat and a 2,500-ton Z-class destroyer.A more controversial incident occurred in February 1973. Israeli Phantoms intercepted a Libyan Boeing 727 airliner when it penetrated the Israeli-occupied Sinai Desert on a heading which suggested an intelligence-gathering mission. 'We tried desperately to force it down, not shoot it down,' said Maj. Gen. Mordechai Hod, IDF/AF chief. Two Phantom pilots exchanged hand signals with the Libyan pilot but were unable to persuade him to follow them to Bir Gifgafa Air Base. A Phantom fired a warning burst of 20mm. The airliner lowered its wheels but raised them again and banked in an apparent attempt to escape. The Phantoms shot it down. One hundred five of the 112 people aboard died.

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McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in Israeli Air Force

On March 13, 1973, State Department officials reported that, in addition to further F-4E Phantoms already committed, Washington would sell Israel four squadrons of fighter-bombers, a mix of A-4 Skyhawks and improved F- 4Es with leading-edge maneuvering slats, TISEO (target identification system, electro-optical), and 'man-efficient' to be delivered by January 1974. TISEO was a Northrop-built long-range television in a cylindrical extension from the Phantom's port wing, and was untested in air-to-air battle, although the principle-use of a zoom lens to guide ordnance visually-had planted bombs squarely in the center of Hanoi's Paul Doumer Bridge.The new deliveries would enhance Jerusalem's military muscle-but January 1974, it would turn out, would be too late. With stunning swiftness, the region erupted into conflict on the eve of Yom Kippur, the traditional Hebrew Day of Atonement-October 6, 1973, with a dramatic assault by Egyptian, Syrian and other Arab forces.An official release says that 150 Phantoms made up the fighting spearhead of the IDF/AF defensive effort as the Arabs' surprise attack was unleashed. In the early hours of the fighting, Egyptian Tupolev Tu-16 bombers carrying AS- 5 air-to-surface standoff missiles pressed their attacks deep into Israeli territory. One Tu-16 approaching Tel Aviv on the first day of the war, October 6, was shot down by an Israeli F-4E Phantom.Phantoms were thrown into action on both fronts and faced a variety of new threats, including vehicle-mounted SA- 6 and shoulder-mounted SA-7 Strella surface-to-air missiles. The Israelis struck decisively against Syrian SAM sites on October 7, and acknowledged the loss of one Phantom in that fighting.On the Syrian front, MiG-17s and Sukhoi i Su-7s flew ground attack missions escorted by MiG-21s and Iraqi Hawker Hunters. Israel struck back on October 9 by sending Phantoms to bomb downtown Damascus. Seeking to neutralize the Arabs' second front by seizing the Golan Heights and blunting Syria's fighting potential, Israel confirmed yet another Phantom loss on October 11.There were to be no further acknowledgments of losses despite intensified fighting over October 12-24, but Israeli authorities have consistently stated that no Phantoms were lost in air-to-air combat.It appears that the F-4E Phantom was used primarily in the long-range strike role, with the Mirage III flying top cover, and most air-to-air engagements appear to have been fought mainly with IR (infrared) heat-seeking missiles rather than at close range with guns.When they found themselves in closequarters fights with very maneuverable MiGs and less effective Sukhois, Israeli pilots made use of the new notion of 'energy maneuverability' in which the battle was fought in three dimensions without regard for the location of the ground or (to put it another way) for 'up' and 'down.' That emphasis on the importance of specific excess power, the standard of thrust-to-weight ratio reached at various conditions of speed, altitude and maneuver, although devised by Americans rather than Israelis, had arrived too late for the Linebacker campaigns in North Vietnam, and some fighter veterans still viewed it as an impertinence.In certain maneuvering situations, the level flight .73-to-1 thrust-to-weight ratio of the F-4E Phantom could be increased to a more advantageous .9-to-1 or better and, by careful attention to energy maneuvering, the F-4E could prevail over the MG-21 even in a very close, protracted fight.

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Pilot experience helped, too, and while IDF/AF pilots seemed remarkably young they enjoyed an enormous advantage in experience.Just as Americans in Vietnam found themselves pitted against highly motivated, Soviet-trained pilots of great ability, the Israelis faced Egyptian and Syrian fliers whose talent and aggressiveness warrant mention. A fierce fighting spirit was exhibited by MiG pilots who seemed to be flying ground control intercept (GCI) with orders to engage Israeli Phantoms only when conditions of altitude, possible surprise, and relative fuel advantage favored them. On occasion, a brace of MiG-21s above a Phantom formation might make a single diving, slashing attack-using the technique of the North Vietnamese to catch the ordnance-laden F-4Es at a disadvantage.Although the IDF/AF's acknowledged loss of 22 Phantoms to SAMs and ground fire in the Yom Kippur War may seem small, the total, when 45 A-4 Skyhawk losses are added, is a full 20 per cent of the warplanes Israel had received from the United States.Before the October 1973 conflict, the United States had been delivering Phantoms at the rate of two per month. When war erupted, Operation Nickel Grass followed, through which F-4Es pulled directly from the U. S. inventory were ferried to Israel and immediately thrown into battle, once modified with the Israeli-style refueling receptacle on the right front in place of the U.S.-style dorsal receptacle. One TISEO-equipped late model F-4E actually flew into combat still wearing an SJ tail code telling the world that it had just arrived from Colonel Len C. Russell's 4th Thactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.Thirty-four Phantoms were added to Israel's inventory through Operation Nickel Grass. Counting further purchases made after the 1973 fighting, Israel received 204 Phantoms in all.

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List of Vietnam War Flying Aces

Cunningham and Ritchie were the only USA pilot aces of the Vietnam War. The other three were Weapon Systems Officers (WSOs, in the USAF) or Radar Intercept Officers (RIOs, in the USN

Name Country Service VictoriesNguyễn Văn Cốc North Vietnam Air Force 9Mai Văn Cường North Vietnam Air Force 8

Nguyễn Hồng Nhị North Vietnam Air Force 8Phạm Thanh Ngân North Vietnam Air Force 8

Đặng Ngọc Ngự North Vietnam Air Force 7Nguyễn Văn Bảy North Vietnam Air Force 7

Lê Hải North Vietnam Air Force 6Lê Thanh Đạo North Vietnam Air Force 6Lưu Huy Chao North Vietnam Air Force 6

Nguyễn Đăng Kỉnh North Vietnam Air Force 6Nguyễn Đức Soát North Vietnam Air Force 6Nguyễn Ngọc Độ North Vietnam Air Force 6

Nguyễn Nhật Chêu North Vietnam Air Force 6Nguyễn Tiến Sâm North Vietnam Air Force 6

VadimPetrovichShchbakov

Soviet Union PVO Strany 6[1]

Vũ Ngọc Đỉnh North Vietnam Air Force 6Nguyễn Văn Nghĩa North Vietnam Air Force 5

Capt. Charles B. "Chu" DeBellevue United States Air Force 6

LT Randall "D Cunningham United States Navy 5

LTJG William P. Driscoll United States Navy 5

Capt. Steve Ritchie United States Air Force2 5Capt. Jeff Feinstein United States Air Force 5

Dogfights – No Room for Error– Part4 Dogfights – No Room for Error– Part5

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Attrition War (1969 – 1970)Arab-Israeli Air Wars

F4 Phantom 1969

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk1967

Mystere IV

Mirage III 1962

IAI Nesher

The „official“ part of the Attrition War came to an end by a cease-fire, at Midday of 4 August 1970. By that time, both sides were actually on the end of their strengths: the Egyptians have suffered a loss of between 101 and 113 aircraft, of which 25 to Hawk SAMs, but their human losses were at least ten times higher and including – according to Egyptian sources – up to 4.000 civilian engineers and workers. Besides, in his book “MiG-21 v Lokalniyh Konfliktah”, A.V. Kotlobovskiy specified that a total of 68 Soviet and Egyptian MiG-21s were shot down by the Israelis between July 1967 and September 1973, while 68 others were lost in training accidents. The Israelis suffered a loss of 594 dead (including 33 IDF/AF personnel) in addition to 15 or 16 aircraft. Both sides could actually not push for much longer, then there was a need to absorb more modern equipment, train additional personnel and prepare for the inevitable new war that everybody knew had to come, then it was clear that the Egyptians would sooner or later request Sinai to be returned.

The conflict, namely, was far from over, and it was clear that both sides were not satisfied with the situation. The Egyptians wanted Sinai back, just like Syrians wanted Golan, but the Israeli political leadership lacked the will to negotiate, feeling safe after the huge success of the Six Day War, in 1967, and the successes of the IDF(AF during the War of Attrition. Israeli Air Force, however, knew that the situation was different. Not only have the Egyptians established a powerful SAM-belt between the Canal-zone and Cairo, but they now also had a free hand to move their SAMs closer to Suez, and thus disturb IDF/AF aircraft in their operations there. The Israelis, namely, needed the freedom of operation to be able to conduct reconnaissance operations, needed in order to detect Egyptian preparations for attack into Sinai, which clearly had to come – sooner or later. They also needed the ability to hit back so to pre-empt any Egyptian surprise-attack. If the EAF/ADF could control the skies over the Suez, however, the IDF/AF could not complete its task and it was clear that the Egyptian Army could also cross it without being disturbed by Israeli Air Force. Exactly this was now to happen and therefore influence heavily the outcome of the next round.

Mig 21

Mig 21 MFRussian Pilots

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Attrition War (1969 – 1970)Arab-Israeli Air Wars

F4 Phantom 1969

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk1967

Mystere IV

Mirage III 1962

IAI Nesher

Mig 21

Mig 21 MFRussian Pilots

July 30, 1970: A large-scale dogfight occurs between Israeli and Soviet aircraft, codenamed Rimon 20, involving twelve to twenty-four Soviet MiG-21s (besides the initial twelve, other MiGs are "scrambled", but it is unclear if they reach the battle in time), and twelve Israeli Dassault Mirage IIIs and four F-4 Phantom II jets. The engagement takes place west of the Suez Canal. Ambushing their opponents, the Israelis shoot down four of the Soviet-piloted MiGs. A fifth is possibly hit and later crashes en route back to base. Four Soviet pilots are killed, while the IAF suffers no losses except a damaged Mirage.[39] Following the Soviets' direct intervention, known as "Operation Kavkaz",[39] Washington fears an escalation and redoubles efforts toward a peaceful resolution to the conflict.Early August, 1970: Despite their losses, the Soviets and Egyptians manage to press the air defenses closer to the canal, shooting down a number of Israeli aircraft. The SAM batteries allow the Egyptians to move in artillery which in turn threatens the Bar Lev Line.

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India-Pakistan Conflicts: MiG-21s in Air-to-Air Combat (1971)

Date Aircraft Scoring Kill Pilot Victim

4 September 1965[16] PAF F-86E ? IAF MiG-21F-13

4 December 1971[1] IAF MiG-21FL "C1111" FltLt Manbir Singh PAF Sabre F.6

6 December 1971[16] IAF MiG-21FL FltLt Samar Bikra Shah PAF F-6

6 December 1971[16] IAF MiG-21FL ? PAF CC-130

11 December 1971[1] IAF MiG-21FL ?

12 December 1971[1] IAF MiG-21FL "C750" FltLt Bharat Bhushan Soni PAF F-104A

12 December 1971[1] IAF MiG-21FL FltLt Niraj Kukreja PAF F-104A

12 December 1971[1] IAF MiG-21FL SqnLdr Iqbal Singh Bindra PAF F-104A

14 December 1971[16] PAF F-6 A. A. Shafieff IAF MiG-21FL

16 December 1971[1] IAF MiG-21FL FltLt Samar Bikram Shah PAF F-6

17 December 1971[1] PAF F-86F FltLt Maqsood Amir IAF MiG-21FL "C716"

17 December 1971[16] IAF MiG-21FL A. K. Datta PAF F-104A

17 December 1971[16] IAF MiG-21FL Samar Bikram Shah PAF F-104A (damaged)

1997[16] 02xIAF MiG-21bis Anza SAM PAF

10 August 1999[1] IAF MiG-21bis (45 Sqn) SqnLdr Prashant Kumar Bundela PAF Br.1150 Atlantic

* IAF – Indian Air Force

* PAF – Pakistanian Air Force

MiG-21

PakistanSabre F6

PakistanLockheed F-104 Starfighter

F-86 F&E Sabres in Pakistan

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Yom Kippur War of October 1973During the Yom Kippur War of October 1973, the Israeli Air Force shot down 334 enemy warplanes in air-to-air combat for the loss of only five of its own. A further 180 Arab aircraft were shot down or lost due to circumstances other than aerial combat. The IAF lost 104 aircraft, nearly all due to anti aircraft artillery or surface-to-air missile fire.

The Shafrir 2 was credited with 89 kills in the 1973 Yom Kippur War.[1] During its whole service life, the Shafrir 2 is credited with destroying a total of 106 aircraft.

The Israeli Air Force lost 102 airplanes: 32 F-4s, 53 A-4s, 11 Mirages and 6 Super Mysteres. Two helicopters, a Bell 205 and a CH-53, were also lost.

Between 341[19] and 514[24] Arab aircraft were shot down. According to Herzog, 334 of these aircraft were shot down by the Israeli Air Force in air-to-air combat for the loss of only five Israeli planes.[24] The Insight Team of The Sunday Times notes Arab aircraft losses of 450.

The first Nesher prototype flew in September 1969, with production deliveries to the IAF beginning in May 1971, ending in February 1974. These aircraft performed well during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, claiming over a hundred kills. An estimated 15 Neshers were lost in combat or otherwise

Arab-Israeli Air Wars

F4 Phantom 1969

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk1967

Mystere IV

Mirage III 1962

IAI Nesher

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The Arab states, particularly Egypt, responded by establishing a system of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) to deal with any future Israel incursions into their airspace. During the War of Attrition from 1967-70 the IAF admitted losing at least 22 aircraft to the new Arab missile defenses, though Egypt claimed 21 in July 1970 alone. Even so, it was not until the three-week-long October War in 1973 that SAM warfare came of age in the Middle East. Egyptian SAMs (SA-2s, SA-3s, and SA-6s) along with 23-mm ZSU23-4 antiaircraft cannons destroyed some 40 Israeli aircraft in the first 48 hours of the war, or 14 percent of the frontline strength of the IAF.3 In contrast, only five Israeli aircraft were destroyed in air-to-air combat during the entire conflict.4 Coupled with the high number of aircraft lost to groundbased air defenses in Vietnam, the results of the October War prompted some analysts to ask whether tactical aircraft had outlived their usefulness on the modern battlefield.

Arab-Israeli Air Wars

Yom Kippur War of October 1973

In early 1970, the Soviets initiated Operation Caucasus, and deployed an overstrength division of Soviet PVO air defence troops, comprising 18 battalions in three brigades, led by General Smirnov of the PVO, and drawn from PVO units in the Dnepropetrovsk, Moscow, Leningrad and Belarus districts. Each battalion comprised four SA-3 batteries, a platoon of ZSU-23-4 SPAAGs and supporting SA-7 MANPADS teams. While these units were ostensibly “instructors”, they were dressed in Egyptian uniforms and provided full crewing for the deployed SAM systems. Through early 1970 the PVO units were deployed along the Suez Canal. Operational doctrine was similar to NVN, with batteries relocating frequently, and setting up ambushes for Israeli aircraft, using multiple mutually supporting batteries

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Arab-Israeli Air Wars

Yom Kippur War of October 1973The Yom Kippur War started with Egyptian and Syrian air strikes on Israel. During this opening phase a pair of Phantoms managed to shoot down seven Egyptian aircraft, and others shot down five Mil Mi-8s carrying assault troops over the Sinai desert.On the second day of the war, the IDF launched attacks with F-4s and A-4 Skyhawks but the enemy air defence and MiGs shot down six Phantoms and 30 A-4s. The new SA-6 Gainful missile systems and ZSU-23-4 Shilka mobile guns were much more effective than the old SA-2 Guideline. The SA-6 uses semi-active radar homing, paired with Straight Flush radar which operates in the G,H,I and J bands, making it very difficult to jam. The Israeli ALR-36 radar warning receivers were ineffective against this system.[28]

Some aerial maneuvers were believed to fool the SA-6 systems and these were used while the IDF waited for better ECM weapons. Some of the maneuvers were quite effective, but the SA-6 threat was only reduced on 9 October 1973 when A-4s surprised many SA-6 batteries without their missiles ready to fire and destroyed them. That same day another F-4 strike hit the Damascus HQ of the Syrian Army.[28]

By the middle of October, 37 Phantoms had been lost in combat and another six were damaged beyond repair. U.S. President Richard Nixon authorized the delivery of 36 ex-USAF F-4s under Operation Nickel Grass, from the USAF 4th and 401st Tactical Fighter Wings. These aircraft were flown directly to Israel, some by U.S. pilots. At least one F-4E flew in combat still bearing a U.S. tail code, while others stayed painted in USAF camouflage patterns.[31][32] During the war Israeli Phantoms first used the new AGM-65 Maverick missile.Israel employed three F-4E(S), which were equipped with a special high-altitude camera system (HIAC) for reconnaissance missions.[33] These RF-4Es were special high-performance Phantoms, with the same cameras planned for the Mach 3.2 RF-4X that was cancelled in 1975. The camera performed well but mounting it in an external pod caused too much drag, so it was installed in the nose of three normal F-4Es instead. [28][34]

During the Yom Kippur War it was reported that one Israeli F-4 Squadron was put on alert for a nuclear strike, but this was never confirmed, as is always the case with Israeli nuclear plans.[28] After several weeks of combat, losses included four F-4s delivered under the Nickel Grass program.

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Name Country Service Victories

Giora Epstein (Even) Israel Israeli Air Force 17[1] Abraham Shalmon Israel Israeli Air Force 14.5[1] Asher Snir Israel Israeli Air Force 13.5[1][2] Amir Nachumi Israel Israeli Air Force 13 Israel Baharav Israel Israeli Air Force 12[1] Yiftah Spector Israel Israeli Air Force 12[1][2] Oded Marom Israel Israeli Air Force 11[3] Ya'akov Richter Israel Israeli Air Force 10.5[1] Yehuda Koren Israel Israeli Air Force 10.5[1] Shlomo Levi Israel Israeli Air Force 10[1] Dror Harish Israel Israeli Air Force 9[1] Eitan Carmi Israel Israeli Air Force 9[1] Moshe Melnik Israel Israeli Air Force 8.5[2] Shlomo Egozi Israel Israeli Air Force 8[2] Ilan Gonen Israel Israeli Air Force 8[1] Amos Bar Israel Israeli Air Force 8[1] Ran Ronen (Pecker) Israel Israeli Air Force 8[3] Uri Gil Israel Israeli Air Force 7.5[1] Menachem Enian Israel Israeli Air Force 7.5 Michael Tsuk Israel Israeli Air Force 7[1] Yirmiahu Kadar Israel Israeli Air Force 7[1] Amos Amir Israel Israeli Air Force 7[1] Roy Manoff Israel Israeli Air Force 7[2]

List of flying Aces (at least 5 Victories) in Arab–Israeli wars

1.Aloni (2004), Mirage and Nesher Aces, p. 812 Aloni (2004), Phantom Aces, p. 863.^ a b '900-901 'מע ,ריהק לעמ םיאפר חור ,םולש ינדני שלום, רוח רפאים מעל קהיר, עמ

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Name Country Service Victories

Moshe Hertz Israel Israeli Air Force 6.5[1] Ali Wajai Egypt Egyptian Air Force 6 Majid Zugbi Syria Syrian Air Force 6 Ehud Hankin Israel Israeli Air Force 6 Rudy Augarten Israel Israeli Air Force 6 (2 WWII) Yoram Agmon Israel Israeli Air Force 6[1][2] Uri Even-Nir Israel Israeli Air Force 6[1] Menachem Sharon Israel Israeli Air Force 6[1] Eli Menachem Israel Israeli Air Force 6[1] Eitan Peled Israel Israeli Air Force 6[2] Yossi Yavin Israel Israeli Air Force 6[2] Gideon Livni Israel Israeli Air Force 5.5[1] Jur Abid Adib Syria Syrian Air Force 5 Majdat Halabi Syria Syrian Air Force 5 Aviam Sela Israel Israeli Air Force 5+ Ezra Dotan Israel Israeli Air Force 5[1] Reuven Rozen Israel Israeli Air Force 5[1] Gideon Dror Israel Israeli Air Force 5[1] Shlomo Navot Israel Israeli Air Force 5[1] Itzhack Amitay Israel Israeli Air Force 5[2] Ben-Ami Peri Israel Israeli Air Force 5[2] Itamar Neuner Israel Israeli Air Force 5[1] Avraham Gilad Israel Israeli Air Force 5[1] Yoram Geva Israel Israeli Air Force 5[1] Ariel Cohen Israel Israeli Air Force 5[1] Assaf Ben-Nun Israel Israeli Air Force 5[1] Giora Romm Israel Israeli Air Force 5[1] Menachem Shmul Israel Israeli Air Force 5[1][2]

List of flying Aces (at least 5 Victories) in Arab–Israeli wars (continue) SOLO

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Colonel Giora "Hawkeye" Epstein (Hebrew: גיורא אפשטיין, born 1938), today Giora Even (Hebrew: גיורא אבן), is a retired colonel in the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and a fighter ace credited with 17 kills, 16 against Egyptian jets, making Epstein the "ace of aces" of modern, supersonic fighter jets and of the Israeli Air Force.[1][2] Epstein was an active IAF pilot from 1963 until 1997, when he retired at age 59. He, like many retired IAF fliers, is currently a captain for El-Al Airlines.

Giora Epstein (Ace of the Aces – 17 Victories, in Jet Aircraft Era)

Victories: 1967-1973Epstein's first kill came on June 6, 1967 during the Six Day War, when he downed an Egyptian Sukhoi-7 at El Arish. During the War of Attrition in 1969-1970, Epstein downed a MiG-17, another Sukhoi-7 and two MiG 21s. The rest of his kills came during 1973's Yom Kippur War. Between October 18 and 20, 1973, he downed an Mi-8 helicopter and eight jets: two Sukhoi-7s, two Sukhoi-20s and four MiG 21s. Then, on October 24, 1973, Epstein downed three more MiG-21s west of the Great Bitter Lake. Eight of these victories were with the French-built Mirage III, a delta wing fighter designed primarily as a high altitude interceptor. His other nine victories came in an IAI Nesher, an Israeli-built version of the Mirage V

Dogfights Desert Aces – Part 2Dogfights Desert Aces – Part 3

Dogfights Desert Aces – Part 4

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90

Dogfight of the Middle East – Part 4

Dogfight of the Middle East – Part 5

F15 Dogfight Movies –June 27, 1979

History (TV Channel)

Moshe Melnik Python 3 First kill of F15 Yoel Felchiuh AIM-7E kill Eithan ben Eliayahu – Gun kill

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91

Falkland War (1982)

The Air-to Air combat award goes to the thirty-six British Harriers deployed with the task force. These fighters shot down 24 Argentine aircraft (using AIM-9L missiles) with no air-to-air losses themselves. A total of 109 Argentine aircraft were shot down, captured, or destroyed on the ground.

2 RN FRS Sea Harriers 1982AIM-9L AA Missiles

Photo of the FAA A-4C Skyhawk of the IV Air Brigade refueling in flight from a KC-130H Hercules on May 9, 1982. Pilot Lt Jorge Casco would not return from this mission

Israeli supplied 39 IAI Dagger since 1978

The Super Etendard was the platform for the Exocet missile

Argentina Air-to-Air missiles: AIM-9B Sidewinder short-range IR: only Navy A-4Q Skyhawks up to May 1Rafael Shafrir 2 short-range IR: only IAI Daggers on May 1Matra R550 Magic short-range IR: received April 15 for Mirage IIIEA [18]

Matra R530 short-range semi-active radar: Mirage IIIEA

Dassault Mirage III

Falkland War Part1 (1982)

Falkland War Part2 (1982)

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Falkland War (1982)System Observations

Ships SunkHMS Sheffield, HMS Coventry, HMS Ardent, HMS Antelope, RFA Sir Galahad, Atlantic Conveyor plus a Landing Craft Utility ("Foxtrot Four" from Fearless)

Ships Damaged [21]

HMS Glasgow, HMS Antrim, HMS Brilliant, HMS Broadsword, HMS Alacrity, HMS Arrow, HMS Argonaut, HMS Plymouth, RFA Sir Bedivere, RFA Sir Lancelot, RFA Sir Tristram, RFA Stromness

A-4 Skyhawk

133 sorties by the A-4B and 86 by the A-4C. They flew with unreliable ejection seats due to the US embargo placed from 1977. Naval A-4Q performed 12 sorties. They were highly dependent on the two available KC-130 tankers, limiting the number of aeroplanes that could attack simultaneously.

Canberra 46 bombing sorties against ground targets, operating from Trelew, to avoid more congestion on the closer southern airfields.

Israeli Dagger

153 sorties against naval/ground targets by the two squadrons. Their lack of aerial refueling capacity severely affected their performance without any chance of manouvering over the islands. They were obliged to fly the shortest flightpath and had less than 10 minutes to find their targets. The discovery of their approach corridor by the British led to 7 aircraft being shot down by Sea Harriers CAP, something just realized when one of the downed Dagger pilots was recovered by own troops. By the end of May they began carrying an improvised chaff dispenser consisting of aluminium strips inside their airbrakes.

Total Sorties:The above figures shown a total of 430 attack sorties from the mainland of which 18 aircraft were intercepted by the Sea Harriers and another 14 were shot down by anti aircraft defences

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Falkland War (1982)

System Observations

Mirage IIIEA

Argentine sources indicate that a number were withdrawn from operations over the islands to protect the mainland against Vulcan strikes, however, they made 58 sorties providing decoys for the strike units with particular success on the June 8 attacks against the British landings ships. Their lesser internal fuel capacity, compared to the Daggers, prevented them from being used in their escort role.

Boeing 707

The unarmed airliner made 54 cargo flights and other 61 for reconnaissance and surveillance duties against the British Task Force heading south locating the fleet for the first time on April 21 when a Sea Harrier shepherded the 707 away. On May 22 another 707 managed to evade 4 Sea Dart missiles launched against it but the risk of further sorties was too great and from that point on the 707's made no further attempt to find the Task Force. On another occasion they made a casual encounter with a British Nimrod both unarmed aircraft looked each other over and continued their missions.

IA 58 Pucará

They performed reconnaissance and ground attack missions from the Falklands airfields and surveillance of the Patagonian coast from bases in Southern Argentina. Most of the island-based Pucarás were destroyed on the ground, due to the lack of Hardened Aircraft Shelters. They shot down a Royal Marines Westland Scout during the battle of Goose Green.

Fenix Squadron126 decoying plus 52 reconnaissance sorties. They were also extensively used as communications relay and pathfinder flights to guide the combat jets with the Learjets’ superior navigation systems.

C-130 Hercules

33 night flights to BAM Puerto Argentino in May/June (Blockade runner). Among the cargo transported in those flight were the 602 Army Commandos Coy, 155 mm CITEFA cannons, an improvised land based Exocet launcher, the Roland SAM system and a RASIT radar replacement. They evacuated 263 wounded and a British PoW in their returning flights.Starting 15 May, they also took over the dangerous task of searching for naval targets for the strike units, after the retirement of the last SP-2H Neptune available. On one of these daylight missions, a Hercules was intercepted and shot down by a Sea Harrier.29 May, the British tanker British Wye was hit by bombs dropped by a Hercules, north of South Georgia (Not officially recognized by

the FAA)

KC-130 Hercules Refueling sorties for A-4s and Super Étendards, also for battle damaged fighters.Fokker F-28 Navy 15 night flights to BAM Puerto Argentino in May/June (Blockade runner)

Army Aviation 796 helicopter flights on the islands

1st Air Brigade Construction Group Air Force

In charge of maintaining Port Stanley airbase operable. Throughout the conflict, the airport installations were attacked with 237 bombs, 1,200 shells from the Royal Navy gunline and 16 missiles, however, it was never out of action entirely. Many sources claim that the runway was covered with piles of dirt during the day causing British intelligence to surmise that repairs were still in progress. Craters were in fact heaps of earth placed there to make it look as though the runway was damaged. In fact, the British were well aware that the runway was still in use by C-130 [30] and attempted to interdict these flights leading to the loss of a C-130 on June 1.

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11 IAI Dagger A 9 by Sea Harrier,[33] 1 Sea Wolf HMS Broadsword,[34] 1SAM Rapier [35]

10 A-4B Skyhawk 3[36] by Sea Harrier, 3[37] Sea Wolf HMS Brilliant, 1[38] Sea Dart, 1[39] AAA HMS Fearless, 1[40] 20mm cannon Fire from HMS Antelope and 1[41] friendly fire

7 A-4C Skyhawk 2[42] by Sea Harrier, 3[43] Sea Dart, 1[44] Sea Cat from HMS Yarmouth, 1[45] combination Sea Cat/Rapier/Blowpipe/

3 FMA IA 58 Pucará 1[46] by Sea Harrier, 1 SAM Stinger, 1 small arms fire 2nd PARA

3 A-4Q Skyhawk Navy

3[47] by Sea Harrier. (3rd damaged by 30 mm cannon fire, attempted to land at Port Stanley but the undercarriage was inoperative and the pilot elected to eject.)

2 Mirage IIIEA 1[48] by Sea Harrier, 1[49] friendly fire2 B.Mk62 Canberra 1[50] by Sea Harrier, 1[51] Sea Dart1 C-130E Hercules 1[52] by Sea Harrier

1Aermacchi MB.339A Navy 1[53] by Blowpipe

1 Learjet 35A 1[54] by SAM Sea Dart

3Puma SA330L Army 1 gun fire, 1 by SAM Sea Dart, 1 FIM-92 Stinger.[55]

1Puma SA330L Army Royal Marines gun fire in South Georgia, April 3

Aircraft Lost in the Air: no suffix: Air Force

Argentine strike aircraft did not carry air-to-air missiles, with the exception of 8th Air Brigade Mirage IIIEA fighters and 6th Air Brigade Daggers on May 1. All retained a secondary armament of either 20 mm or 30 mm cannon.

24 Aircraft Shoot Down by Sea Harrier

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Bekaa Valley Air Battle 1982Arab-Israeli Air Wars

In contrast with the desperate air battles of October 1973, Israel's 46-hour Bekaa Valley air war set a new standard for orchestrated air operations and proved that even sophisticated mobile SAMs could be dismembered by well-coordinated air attacks.

Ivry's tactic was to vector four-ship formations of Israeli fighters into the engagement zone, one at a time. Each air battle lasted one to two minutes. Ivry did not want to let any more than one four-ship into the battle area. "Never mind if I'm not going to catch all the MiGs" he said; he wanted "to be on the safe side that I'm not going to intercept one of ours.“For the Syrians, the battle was hopeless, tactically and psychologically. Selective airborne communications jamming frazzled the airwaves for the Syrian MiG-21s and MiG-23s and cut them off from ground control.Ivry described their lack of confidence as the Syrian fighter pilots launched and came up into the fight without any idea of the interception route they would run. When they did try something, the interceptions attempted by the MiG pilots were "not very efficient," in Ivry's opinion.

The Israeli pilots kept the advantage. "I can only tell you that, within half an hour, we shot down about 26 MiGs," Ivry said. After two hours Ivry called off the SAM attacks. The tally grew so that by noon on Friday, when a cease-fire took effect, IAF pilots had shot down 82 airplanes without losing any in air combat

It is generally accepted that in the course of the first attack against the Bekaa an 9 June 1982, the IAF destroyed 17 of the 19 Syrian SAM batteries and their radar sites, as well as 29 Syrian Air Force (SAF) fighters, without loss.15 The following day, the IAF destroyed the remaining two missile batteries. The SAF once more challenged the Israelis and lost approximately 35 more aircraft, again without downing an Israeli aircraft. By the end of July, Syria had lost at least 87 aircraft, while Israeli losses amounted to a few helicopters, one RF-4E, and an A-4 Skyhawk downed by a PLO SA-7

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Syria lost at least 26 MiG-23 in 1982 over the Bekka Valley

This is the MiG-23MLD that was flown to Israel by a Syrian defector in 1989

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General Characteristic• Crew: 1• Length: 49 ft 5 in (15.06 m)• Wingspan: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)• Height: 16 ft (4.88 m)• Wing area: 300 ft² (27.87 m²)• Airfoil: NACA 64A204 root and tip• Empty weight: 18,900 lb (8,570 kg)• Loaded weight: 26,500 lb (12,000 kg)• Max. takeoff weight: 42,300 lb (19,200 kg)• Powerplant: 1 × F110-GE-100 afterburning turbofan

Dry thrust: 17,155 lbf (76.3 kN)Thrust with afterburner: 28,600 lbf (127 kN)

Performance• Maximum speed:

At sea level: Mach 1.2 (915 mph, 1,470 km/h)[47]

At altitude: Mach 2+ (1,500 mph, 2,410 km/h[1]) clean configuration

• Combat radius: 340 mi (295 nmi, 550 km) on a hi-lo-hi mission with six 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs• Ferry range: 2,280 NM (2,620 mi, 4,220 km) with drop tanks• Service ceiling: 60,000+ ft (18,000+ m)• Rate of climb: 50,000 ft/min (254 m/s)• Wing loading: 88.3 lb/ft² (431 kg/m²)• Thrust/weight: 1.095

Armament• Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barreled gatling cannon, 511 rounds• Hardpoints: 2× wing-tip Air-to-air missile launch rails, 6× under- wing & 3× under-fuselage pylon stations holding up to 17,000 lb (7,700 kg) of payload• Rockets:

4× LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods (each with 19× /7× Hydra 70 mm rockets, respectively) or4× LAU-5003 rocket pods (each with 19× CRV7 70 mm rockets) or4× LAU-10 rocket pods (each with 4× Zuni 127 mm rockets)

• Missiles:Air-to-air missiles:

2× AIM-7 Sparrow or6× AIM-9 Sidewinder or6× IRIS-T or6× AIM-120 AMRAAM or6× Python-4/5

Air-to-ground missiles: 6× AGM-45 Shrike or6× AGM-65 Maverick or4× AGM-88 HARM

Anti-ship missiles: 2× AGM-84 Harpoon or4× AGM-119 Penguin

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McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

General Characteristics• Crew: 1: pilot• Length: 63 ft 9 in (19.43 m)• Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.05 m)• Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.63 m)• Wing area: 608 ft² (56.5 m²)• Airfoil: NACA 64A006.6 root, NACA 64A203 tip• Empty weight: 28,000 lb (12,700 kg)• Loaded weight: 44,500 lb (20,200 kg)• Max. takeoff weight: 68,000 lb (30,845 kg)• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney F100-100 or − 220 afterburning turbofans

Dry thrust: 17,450 lbf (77.62 kN) eachThrust with afterburner: 25,000 lbf for −220 (111.2 kN for −220) each

• Fuel capacity: 13,455 lb (6,100 kg) interna

Performance• Maximum speed:

High altitude: Mach 2.5+ (1,650+ mph, 2,660+ km/h)Low altitude: Mach 1.2 (900 mph, 1,450 km/h)

• Combat radius: 1,061 nmi (1,222 mi, 1,967 km) for interdiction mission• Ferry range: 3,450 mi (3,000 nmi, 5,550 km) with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks• Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (20,000 m)• Rate of climb: >50,000 ft/min (254 m/s)• Wing loading: 73.1 lb/ft² (358 kg/m²)• Thrust/weight: 1.12 (−220)

Armament• Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barreled gatling cannon, 940 rounds• Hardpoints: Total 11 (not including CFTs): two under- wing (each with additional two missile launch rails), four under-fuselage (for semi-recessed carriage of AIM-7 Sparrows) and a single centerline pylon station, optional fuselage pylons (which may include conformal fuel tanks, known initially as Fuel And Sensor Tactical (FAST) pack for use on the C model) with a capacity of 16,000 lb (7,300 kg) and provisions to carry combinations of:

• Missiles:AIM-7 SparrowAIM-120 AMRAAMAIM-9 SidewinderPython

• Other:up to 3× 600 US gallons (2,300 L) external drop tanks for ferry flight or extended range/loitering time.MXU-648 Cargo/Travel Pod – to carry personal belongings, and small pieces of maintenance equipment

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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (Flogger)

General Characteristics• Crew: One• Length: 16.70 m (56 ft 9.5)• Wingspan: Spread, 13.97 m (45 ft 10 in)• Height: 4.82 m (15 ft 9.75 in)• Wing area: 37.35 m² spread, 34.16 m² swept (402.05 ft² / 367.71 ft²)• Empty weight: 9,595 kg (21,153 lb)• Loaded weight: 15,700 kg (34,612 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 18,030 kg (39,749 lb)• Powerplant: 1 × Khatchaturov R-35-300 afterburning turbojet, 83.6 kN dry, 127 kN afterburning (18,850 lbf / 28,700 lbf)

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 2.32, 2,445 km/h at altitude; Mach 1.14, 1,350 km/h at sea level (1,553 mph / 840 mph)• Range: 1,150 km with six AAMs combat, 2,820 km ferry (570 mi / 1,750 mi)• Service ceiling: 18,500 m (60,695 ft)• Rate of climb: 240 m/s (47,245 ft/min)• Wing loading: 420 kg/m² (78.6 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weight: 0.88

Armament• 1x Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23L 23 mm cannon with 200 rounds• Two fuselage, two wing glove, and two wing pylons for up to 3,000 kg (6,610 lb) of stores, including:• R-23/24 (AA-7 "Apex")• R-60 (AA-8 "Aphid")also, upgraded aircraft may carry:• R-27 (AA-10 "Alamo")• R-73 (AA-11 "Archer")• R-77 (AA-12 "Adder")

RoleInterceptor/Fighter (M series)Fighter-bomber (B series)

Manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevich

First flight 10 June 1967

Introduction 1970

StatusIn service with foreign users

Primary users

Soviet Air ForceLibyan Air ForceSyrian Air ForceCuban Air ForceSee Operators below

Produced 1967–1985

Number built 5,047

Variants Mikoyan MiG-27

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1982 Israeli Air Force Gave a Lesson to Syria

Israeli Air Force and their F-15

Israeli and American Mig-21 Kills

Bekaa Valley Air Battle 1982 Movies

History (TV Channel)

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I do not own any copyrights over those videos. Credits for making this great series belong to the History Channel and the makers of the Dogfights series.

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Operation Desert Storm's (1991)

Sidewinders fired by US Air Force F-15C Eagle jets downed 6 Iraqi combat aircraft. 2 more Su-22 Fitters were shot down by AIM-9s 3 weeks after the ceasefire. A Saudi F-15 pilot downed 2 French-built Iraqi Mirage F1s with Sidewinders in a single attack. 2 F/A-18 Hornets and an F-14 Tomcat scored with AIM-9s, the Hornets shooting down MiG-21 Fishbeds and the Tomcat downing a helicopter

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Aircraft loss summary: 1977-1985SOLO

Operation Desert Storm Air-to-Air Victories by Coalition Air Forces, 17 January to 28 February. Source: Joint Staff/J3

(Joint Operations Division)

Operation Desert Storm Air-to-Air Victories by Coalition Air Forces, 17 January to 28 February. Source: Joint Staff/J3

(Joint Operations Division)

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Air-to-Air Weapon System Development

104

Aircraft Avionics Armament

Analog DisplaysRadar = BST RangeAnalog Gun SightAnalog IMURadio Communication

Mirage III Nesher • Gun

• Matra 550 EM• Sidewinder IR• Shafrir II IR

F4 Phantom 1969 Analog DisplaysRadar A/A, A/G, NAVAnalog Gun SightAnalog IMUECCM PodsRadio Communication

• Gun (after Vietnam)• AIM-9 Sidewinder, • Python-3 (F-4 Kurnass 2000)• AIM-7 Sparrow,

Radar: Raytheon AN/APG-63 or AN/APG-70 orRaytheon AN/APG-63(V)1 orRaytheon AN/APG-63(V)2 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) orRaytheon AN/APG-63(V)3 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA)[95][N 2]

Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System

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106Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS)Helmet-mounted display system

F-35 cockpit and instrument panel mock-up

F-15 Eagle Cockpit

AN/APG-70 Radar

AN/APG-81 F-35 AESA Radar

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F-16 Integrated Sensor Suite, Northron Grumman Movie

Scaleable Agile Beam Radar (SABRE), Movie

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http://www.f-22raptor.com/af_radar.php

Airborne Radars

AN/APG 77Active Electronically

Scanned Array

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN/APG-77

The AN/APG-77 is a multifunction radar installed on the F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft. The radar is built by Northrop Grumman.It is a solid-state, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Composed of 1500 transmit\receive modules, each about the size of a gum stick, it can perform a near-instantaneous beam steering (in the order of tens of

nanoseconds).The APG-77 provides 120° field of view in azimuth and elevation. The highest value, which can be achieved for the

Field of View (FOV) of a phased array antenna is 120° (60° left and 60° right. 60° up and 60° down).

F-22 Raptor

Air- to-Air missile launch envelopeSOLO

Kinematics no-escape-zoneSOLO

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AIR-TO-AIRAIR-TO-AIRMISSILESMISSILES

AIR-TO-AIRAIR-TO-AIRMISSILESMISSILES

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An air-to-air missile (AAM) is a missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft. AAMs are typically powered by one or more rocket motors, usually solid fuelled but sometimes liquid fuelled. Ramjet engines, as used on the MBDA Meteor (currently in development), are emerging as propulsion that will enable future medium-range missiles to maintain higher average speed across their engagement envelope.

Air-to-air missiles are broadly put in two groups. The first consists of missiles designed to engage opposing aircraft at ranges of less than approximately 20 miles (32 km), these are known as short-range or “within visual range” missiles (SRAAMs or WVRAAMs) and are sometimes called “dogfight” missiles because they emphasize agility rather than range. These usually use infrared guidance, and are hence also called heat-seeking missiles. The second group consists of medium- or long-range missiles (MRAAMs or LRAAMs), which both fall under the category of beyond visual range missiles (BVRAAMs). BVR missiles tend to rely upon some sort of radar guidance, of which there are many forms, modern ones also using inertial guidance and/or "mid-course updates".

Air-to-air missilesSOLO

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Air-to-air missiles HistoryThe air-to-air missile grew out of the unguided air-to-air rockets used during the First World War. Le Prieur rockets were sometimes attached to the struts of biplanes and fired electrically, usually against observation balloons, by such early pilots as Albert Ball and A. M. Walters.[1] Facing the Allied air superiority in World War II, Germany invested considerable effort into missile research, using the R4M unguided rocket first and later the first guided rockets like the Ruhrstahl X-4.

Post-war research led the Royal Air Force to introduce Fairey Fireflash into service in 1955 but their results were unsuccessful. The US Navy and US Air Force began equipping guided missiles in 1956, deploying the USAF's AIM-4 Falcon and the USN's AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder. The Soviet Air Force introduced its Kaliningrad K-5 into service in 1957. As missile systems have continued to advance, modern air warfare consists almost entirely of missile firing. The faith in Beyond Visual Range combat became so pervasive in the US that early F-4 variants were armed only with missiles in the 1960s. High casualty rates during the Vietnam War caused the US to reintroduce autocannons and traditional dogfighting tactics but the missile remains the primary weapon in air combat. In the Falklands War British Harriers were able to defeat faster Argentinian opponents using AIM-9L missiles provided by the United States as the conflict began [1]. The latest heat-seeking designs can lock-on to a target from various angles, not just from behind, where the heat signature from the engines is strongest. Other types rely on radar guidance (either on-board or "painted" by the launching aircraft).

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The Ruhrstahl X-4 was a wire guided air-to-air missile designed by Germany during World War II. The X-4 did not see operational service and thus was not proven in combat. The X-4 was the basis for the development of experimental, ground launched anti-tank missiles that became the basis for considerable post-war work around the world, including the Malkara missile.

Ruhrstahl X-4

Fireflash

Fireflash was the first British air-to-air guided missile. Constructed by Fairey Aircraft, the missile utilised radar beam-riding guidance. Generally unsuccessful, it served (1955 – 1958) only in small numbers

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Air-to-Air Missiles Modes of Operation

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Lock-On Before Launch

•High agility

•Tight radius turn

•Excellent minimum ranges

Active Homing Phase

•IMU alignment

•Radar slave- full target data

•HMD Slave- partial target data

•Seeker activation

•Target Lock-On

Pre Launch Phase

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2

• Inertial navigation

• Trajectory shaping for maximum range

Midcourse Guidance Phase

• IMU alignment

• Target data transfer

Lock-On After Launch

3

• Seeker activation• Target Lock-On

• Final homing

Homing Phase

1 Pre Launch Phase

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Hughes AIM-4 Falcon

Length: 78 in (2.0 m) / 79.5 in (2.02 m)Wingspan: 20 in (510 mm)Diameter: 6.4 in (160 mm)Weight: 119 lb (54 kg) / 135 lb (61 kg)Speed: Mach 3Range 6 mi (9.7 km)Guidance: semi-active radar homing / rear-aspect infraredWarhead: 7.6 lb (3.4 kg) high explosive

Specifications (GAR-1D/ -2B / AIM-4C/D)

The Hughes AIM-4 Falcon was the first operational guided air-to-air missile of the United States Air Force

The GAR-1 had semi-active radar homing (SARH), giving a range of about 5 miles (8 km). About 4,000 rounds were produced. It was replaced in production by the GAR-1D (later AIM-4A), with larger control surfaces. About 12,000 of this variant were produced, the major production version of the SARH Falcon.

The GAR-2 (later AIM-4B) was a heat-seeker, generally limited to rear-aspect engagements, but with the advantage of being a 'fire and forget' weapon. As would also be Soviet practice, it was common to fire the weapon in salvos of both types to increase the chances of a hit (a heat-seeking missile fired first, followed moments later by a radar-guided missile). The GAR-2 was about 1.5 in (40 mm) longer and 16 lb (7 kg) heavier than its SARH counterpart. Its range was similar. It was replaced in production by the GAR-2A (later AIM-4C), with a more sensitive infrared seeker. A total of about 26,000 of the infrared-homing Falcons were built.

7.6 lb (3.4 kg) warhead, limiting their lethal radius. Also limiting them tactically was the fact that Falcon lacked a proximity fuze: the fuzing for the missile was in the leading edges of the wings, requiring a direct hit to detonate

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AIM-9 EARLY SUBTYPE COMPARISON TABLE

Subtype AIM-9B AIM-9D AIM-9E AIM-9G AIM-9HService Joint USN USAF USN USNSeeker Design Features Origin NWC AIM-9B AIM-9B AIM-9D AIM-9GDetector PbS PbS PbS PbS PbSCooling Uncooled Nitrogen Peltier Nitrogen NitrogenDome Window Glass MgF2 MgF2 MgF2 MgF2

Reticle Speed [Hz] 70 125 100 125 125Modulation AM AM AM AM AMTrack Rate [deg/s] 11.0 12.0 16.5 12.0 >12.0Electronics thermionic thermionic hybrid thermionic solid stateWarhead blast/fragment continuous rod blast/fragment continuous rod continuous rodFuse Passive-IR, Passive-IR/HF Passive-IR Passive-IR/HF Passive-IR/HFPowerplant Specifications

Manufacturer Thiokol Hercules Thiokol Hercules Hercules Bermite

Type Mk.17 Mk.36 Mk.17 Mk.36 Mk.36 Mod 5, 6, 7

Launcher Aero-III LAU-7A Aero-III LAU-7A LAU-7AMissile Dimensions[ft] Length 9.28 9.4 9.84 9.4 9.4Span 1.83 2.06 1.83 2.06 2.06

Weight[lb] 155.2 195.1 164.2 191.8 186.3

AIM-9 EARLY SUBTYPE COMPARISON TABLE Author's note: This table was compiled from a wide range of sources, many of which do not specify the exact conditions under which the stated performance figures apply. Therefore caution must be exercised in interpreting the figures. Since newer variants are still current in service, detailed figures for these are hard to acquire.

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AIM-9 LATE SUBTYPE COMPARISON TABLE

Subtype AIM-9J AIM-9L AIM-9M AIM-9P-4/5 AIM-9RService USAF Joint Joint USAF USNSeeker Design Features Origin AIM-9E AIM-9H AIM-9L AIM-9J/N AIM-9M

Detector PbS InSb InSb InSb Focal Plane Array

Cooling Peltier Argon Argon Argon -Dome Window MgF2 MgF2 MgF2 MgF2 Glass

Reticle Speed [Hz] 100 125 125 100 Focal Plane Array

Modulation AM FM FM FM Focal Plane Array

Track Rate [deg/s] 16.5 classified classified >16.5 classifiedElectronics hybrid solid state solid state solid state solid stateWarhead blast/fragmention Annular BF Annular BF Annular BF Annular BFFuse Passive-IR IR/Laser IR/Laser IR/Laser IR/LaserPowerplant Specifications

Manufacturer Hercules/Aerojet Hercules/Bermite MTI/HerculesHercules/Aerojet MTI/Hercules

Type Mk.17 Mk.36 Mod.7,8 Mk.36 Mod.9 SR.116 Mk.36 Mod.9Launcher Aero-III Common Common Common CommonMissile Dimensions[ft] Length 10.0 9.5 9.5 10.0 9.5Span 1.9 2.1 2.1 1.9 2.1Weight[lb] 170.0 191.0 191.0 190.0 191.0

AIM-9 LATE SUBTYPE COMPARISON TABLE SOLO

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AIM - 7 Sparrow

Specifications

 AIM-7F AIM-7M AIM-7P AIM-7R

Length 3.66 m 3.66 m 3.66 m 3.66 m

Body diameter

203 mm 203 mm 203 mm 203 mm

Wing span 1.02 m 1.02 m 1.02 m 1.02 m

Launch weight

227 kg 231 kg 231 kg 231 kg

Warhead 39 kg HE continuous rod

40 kg HE blast/fragmentation

40 kg HE blast/

fragmentation

40 kg HE blast/fragmentation

Fuze RF Active radar Active radar Active radar

Guidance Semi-active radar

Semi-active radar

Command and semi-active radar

Command and semi-active radar

and IR

Propulsion Solid propellant Solid propellant

Solid propellant

Solid propellant

Range 40 km 45 km 45 km 45 km

The AIM-7 Sparrow missile is an all-weather, all-aspect air-to-air missile, which has also been adapted for use with shipboard air defence systems. The missile has four moving delta wings at the middle and four fixed delta fins at the rear. The current models, the AIM-7F and the AIM-7M, are both 3.66 m long, have a body diameter of 203 mm and a wing span of 1.02 m. The AIM-7F has a 39 kg HE Mk 71 continuous-rod warhead and weighs 227 kg at launch, whereas the AIM-7M weighs 231 kg and has a 40 kg HE focused blast/fragmentation warhead (WDU-27/B assembly). The AIM-7F models were the first Sparrow missiles to use solid-state electronics; this condensed the guidance section, which allowed the warhead to be moved forward of the wings and allowed the use of a more powerful motor to increase both speed and range. An additional change in the 7F model was the introduction of a conical scan semi-active seeker, which gave the missile a look-down/shoot-down capability against heavy clutter (unfortunately it was later found to be relatively easy to jam). The missile also had the ability to snap start in two seconds and was fitted with a new RF fuze. The AIM-7M version has an inverse monopulse semi-active seeker with digital processing, this improves the missile's performance under heavy ECM and weather conditions. This model also has the advantage of an active radar fuze, which together with the built-in test system has provided a more reliable missile, capable of attacking low-flying aircraft targets. The AIM-7P has improved guidance electronics, a new fuze and an onboard computer with twice the capacity and speed of the AIM-7M models. Also incorporated is the capability to receive mid-course uplink information in the same formats used by the AIM-54 Phoenix and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.

The Sparrow missiles use solid-propellant motors, either the Alliant Techsystems Mk 58 or the Aerojet Mk 65. ATK's Mk 58 solid rocket motor is the current production unit. The steel-cased rocket is 59.6 in long, has a diameter of 8 in and weighs 211.4 lb. The propellant is aluminised CTPB and the rocket provides a boost-sustain flight profile. The AIM-7F missiles have a maximum range of 40 km, while the AIM-7M/P versions have a maximum range of 45 km.

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SPARROW, AIM-7

COMPARATIVE CUTAWAYS OF AIM-7E (TOP) AND AIM-7F/7M,SHOWING HOW IN TODAY’S SPARROW MORE COMPACTGUIDANCE HAS ENABLED THE WARHEAD TO BE MOVED

AHEAD OF THE WING, ROOM FOR NEW MOTOR.

COMPARATIVE CUTAWAYS OF AIM-7E (TOP) AND AIM-7F/7M,SHOWING HOW IN TODAY’S SPARROW MORE COMPACTGUIDANCE HAS ENABLED THE WARHEAD TO BE MOVED

AHEAD OF THE WING, ROOM FOR NEW MOTOR.

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Phoenix

THIS CUTAWAY SHOWS THE AIM-54A: AIM-54C DIFFERS ONLY INTHE MINIATUREIZED DIGITAL AVIONIC SECTION AND RADAR.

THIS CUTAWAY SHOWS THE AIM-54A: AIM-54C DIFFERS ONLY INTHE MINIATUREIZED DIGITAL AVIONIC SECTION AND RADAR.

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AMRAAM Missile - General View

X BAND SEEKER, TAIL CONTROL BY ELECTRIC SERVO, RF PF

ACTIVE RADAR AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES (ARCHITECTURES(SOLO

Propellant EstimationAIM - 120A:

Lp = 140 cm lengthD = 17.8 cmη = 0.82 fill factorρ = 1.7 g/cm3 density

mp~(π D2/4) Lp η ρ =(π 17.82/4) 140 0.82 1.7

= 47 kgIsp ~ 2300 1/secWtot=mp Isp ~ 109,000 N s

Specifications TOP

Length: 3.65 m

Body diameter: 178 mm

Wing span: 63 cm AIM-120A/B, 44.5 cm AIM-120C-5

Launch weight: 157 kg AIM-120A/B, 161 kg AIM-120C-5

Warhead: 22 kg HE directed fragmentation, 20 kg AIM-120C-5

Fuze: Active radar and contact

Guidance: Inertial and active radar

Propulsion: Solid propellant

Range: 50 km

Janes 16-Jul-2009the propellant massis given as 49 kg

AMRAAM Missile

AMRAAM AIM 120A, Movie

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AMRAAM AIM 120ASOLO

AIM-120A and AIM-120B: The baseline AMRAAM variant was the AIM-120A, produced during Production Lots 1 to 5. The AIM-120A was a non-reprogrammable missile so any change to the weapon's operational software required a return to the factory. A reprogrammable EPROM signal processor was fitted to the next variant, the AIM-120B

P3I Phase I, AIM-120C: With the introduction of the current production AIM-120C in Lot 8, the AMRAAM programme embarked on a phased spiral development plan that has seen several distinct versions of the AIM-120C developed and fielded, and has led to the further enhanced AIM-120D weapon. The AMRAAM Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P3I) programme began with the first AIM-120C. This variant was fitted with revised clipped fins, allowing it to be carried internally by the F/A-22 Raptor. For this aircraft the AIM-120C-5 is carried on a LAU-142/A launcher that uses a hydraulic trapeze mechanism and a pneumatic ejection system to launch missiles from the main weapon bays. It also incorporated numerous software improvements. AIM-120Cs were built in Production Lots 8 to 10 and the first missiles were delivered in 1996.

P3I Phase II, AIM-120C-4/C-5/C-6: Phase II of the P3I covered the AIM-120C-4 and AIM-120C-5 variants. The C-4 missile was fitted with an improved WDU-41/B warhead, with 15 lb of PBXN-110 explosive. However, the Mk 44 Mod 1 booster fitted to this warhead was found not to meet IM (Insensitive Munitions) requirements and a 1999 test programme led to its replacement with a revised Mk 80 Mod 0 booster. The C-4 was quickly supplanted, in Lot 11/12, by the AIM-120C-5. Deliveries began in July 2000. This version incorporated subtle, but significant change to its rocket motor unit. Under the Propulsion Enhancement Programme, ATK (Alliant Techsystems) developed a new rocket with its casing lengthened by 5 in. This motor, commonly referred to as the 'Plus 5' motor, took advantage of a redesign of the AMRAAM's internal electronics that freed up additional space for the motor. Missile flyout range and overall kinematic performance is enhanced in the AIM-120C-5. The warhead of the AIM-120C-5 was modified to correct the problems discovered with the C-4 variant. The C-5 was followed by the AIM-120C-6, beginning in Lot 16. This version has improved lethality through a new fuze system, the quadrant target detection device. While AIM-120C deliveries were underway to the US, the AIM-120B continued to be the standard for export customers. Only with Lot 15 missiles did the AIM-120C-5 become the first C variant available for export. The AIM-120C-7 became export approved in 2007.

In May 1997 the US Air Force launched an AIM-120B upgrade programme, the AIM-120B SWUP (software upgrade). The programme will be lead by Raytheon on behalf of the USAF Air Materiel Command, Air Armament Center. The US Air Force is also working on a three-year project to replace the motors on (sizeable) stocks of AIM-120B/Cs with motors from AIM-120As. A fault has been identified in the Aerojet-supplied AIM-120B/C motors that shortens their operational life, and so the USAF is replacing them with rockets from the (less capable) AIM-120A. The work is being undertaken by Raytheon and the US Air Force in Europe and the US. The Rocket Motor Transfer project was initiated in February 2007 and 690 missiles are scheduled to be modified in FY07 alone

AMRAAM Development Program

P3I Phase III, AIM-120C-7: Phase III of the P3I programme covered the AIM-120C-7 variant, a missile that incorporates significant improvements to its radar seeker architecture. The C-7 has an upgraded seeker antenna, receiver, and signal processor plus new software algorithms to counter new threats. The C-7 was funded and in development during the UK's BVRAAM programme and Raytheon reapplied some of the systems developed for its BVRAAM submission. One example of this is the new circular circuit cards that have replaced the longitudinal cards found in older missiles. The space required by the C-7's electronic systems was again reduced over the C-5 variant, providing another inch of 'free space' within the missile body. This could accommodate a further enlarged rocket motor. Work on the AIM-120C-7 began in 1998 and the first test launches were conducted by the USAF in August and September 2003. It had been planned to field the AIM-120C-7 by 2004, but this was delayed. The AIM-120C-7 Engineering Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase was concluded in March 2004. Operational Testing (OT) of the C-7 began in February 2005 and was due to be completed by March 2006. Several software problems with the missile were encountered and the decision was taken to delay the OT plan to allow a planned software upgrade to be incorporated into the missile. Operational Test was due to be completed by June 2007. This was delayed but the AIM-120C-7 did successfully complete OT by the end of 2007. AIM-120C-7 acquisition began in Production Lot 16. In October 2008 the AIM-120C-7 was fired by a US Navy F/A-18E for the first time as part of the Navy's Weapons System User Program (WSUP). The WSUP firing was part of the joint Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) with the USAF. The AIM-120C-7 was fired successfully at a BQM-167A target drone, in a joint mission with USAF F-15Cs.Raytheon is currently building missiles at a rate of 10 per week (40 per month). In 2007 the AIM-120C-7 became available for export and Taiwan became the first foreign customer to request the C-7 in February.

P3I Phase IV AIM-120D: Phase IV of the P3I programme was initiated in some secrecy and with little official comment on the technical details or developmental status of the resultant missile. This new missile is the AIM-120D and the contract for its development was awarded in December 2003. The designation AIM-120C-8 has been attached to this variant in several sources, but Raytheon says that the C-8 designation would have been allocated to its ERAAM design. The shift to the AIM-120D designation points to a significant improvement in capability. The AIM-120D is an increased range development that incorporates GPS-aided navigation for more accurate mid-course guidance. It is fitted with a two-way datalink allowing for greater control over the missile's end-game targeting. The missile also has improved guidance software to improve kinematic performance and overall effectiveness. However, the rocket propulsion system is unchanged compared to the existing AIM-120C and earlier variants, so the AIM-120D remains only an incremental improvement on current AMRAAMs and not a leap-ahead weapon. The USAF is the lead service in AMRAAM development, but the AIM-120D is understood to be driven by a US Navy requirement for a next-generation long-range missile that will be compatible with the AESA radar of the F/A-18E/F (and fill the gap left by the retirement of the F-14/AIM-54 Phoenix combination). In future USAF service the AIM-120D will equip the F-15, F-16, F-22 and F-35 (Block 4 standard). The missile remains in developmental testing.

AMRAAM Development Program (continue)SOLO

AMRAAM

MISSILE SEEKER

AMRAAM AIM - 120C-5 SpecificationsLength: 12 ft 3.65 mDiameter: 7 in 17.8 cmWing Span: 17.5 in 44.5 cmFin Span: 17.6 in 44.7 cWeight: 356 lb 161.5 kgWarhead: 45 lb 20.5 KgGuidance: Active RadarFuzing: Proximity (RF) and ContactLauncher: Rail and eject

AIM-120CRocket motor PN G672798-1 is an enhanced version with additional 5” (12 cm) of propellant.Estimation: add 10% (12/140) to obtainmp ~ 52 kgWtot ~ 120,000 N s

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AIM-9X AIM-9X Movie

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141

A-A Missiles Development in RAFAEL

BVRBVR

Short RangeShort Range

PYTHON-4PYTHON-4

PYTHON-3PYTHON-3

SHAFRIR-2SHAFRIR-2

SHAFRIR-1SHAFRIR-1

PYTHON-5PYTHON-5

DERBYDERBY

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Python-5 and Shafrir Air to Air Missiles by Rafael, Israel Military

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142

Evolution of Air-to-Air Missiles in RAFAEL

PYTHON-4PYTHON-4

1st GENERATION

 

SHAFRIR-1SHAFRIR-1

2nd GENERATION

SHAFRIR-2SHAFRIR-2

3rd GENERATION

PYTHON-3PYTHON-3

4th GENERATION

   SERVICE: SINCE 1993SERVICE SINCE 1978HITS: OVER 35 A/CDURING 1982 WAR

SERVICE: 1968-1980HITS: OVER 100 A/CDURING 1973 WAR

SERVICE: 1964-1969

0°-(10°)

30°

180°

45°

30°

LEAD/LAGANGLE

0°

MAX.ASPECTANGLE

TYPICAL 3rd

GENERATIONMISSILE

LAUNCHER

Short Range

DERBYDERBY

 

ACTIVR BVR

Dual Range

PYTHON-5

5th GENERATION

   

Full Sphere IR Missile

Full Scale Development

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SEEKERS COMPARISON

SHAFRIRSHAFRIR AIM-9DAIM-9D PYTHON-3PYTHON-3 AIM-9LAIM-9LAIM-9BAIM-9BOFF BORESIGHTOFF BORESIGHTANGLE [degANGLE [deg[[

TRACKINGTRACKINGVELOCITYVELOCITY

] ]deg/secdeg/sec[[

0

20

40

60

80

100

75

50

25

PYTHON-4PYTHON-4

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ATTACKING PLANE

VERTICAL MANEUVER

3RD GENERATIONMISSILE FIRING POSITION

ENEMY PLANE

HORIZONTAL MANEUVER

2ND GENERATIONFIRING POSITION 

HEAD ON

ENCOUNTER

PYTHON-4 MISSILE

EVOLUTION OF FIRING POSITIONSEVOLUTION OF FIRING POSITIONS

~ 5           MINUTES

2 - 3         MINUTES

5 - 30       SECONDS

LAUNCH CONDITIONS

REAR ASPECT :

ALL ASPECT ANGLE, 45° OFF BORESIGHT :

ALL ASPECT ANGLE, FRONT HEMISPHERE :

SHAFRIRSHAFRIR

PYTHON-3PYTHON-3

PYTHON-4PYTHON-4

11..

2.2.

3.3.

DOGFIGHT DURATION

UNCLASSIFIEDSOLO

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SHAFRIR

THIS CUTAWAY SHOWS THE DISPOSITION OF MAJORELEMENTS IN SHAFRIR 2. THE PNEUMATICALLY

CANARDS ARE DRIVEN IN PARIS

THIS CUTAWAY SHOWS THE DISPOSITION OF MAJORELEMENTS IN SHAFRIR 2. THE PNEUMATICALLY

CANARDS ARE DRIVEN IN PARIS

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Python-3 Missile SectionsUNCLASSIFIEDSOLO

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PYTHON 4

•Superior “agile” aerodynamic configuration optimized for within visual range dogfights

•Radically expands the “no escape zone” to most of the frontal

hemisphere

•Increased range and cinematic performance

•Unique pursuit trajectories

•Advanced IRCCM capability

A Leader in Short RangeAir-to-Air Weapon Systems

PYTHON 4 Air-to-Air Missile, Movie

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PYTHON-4 MISSILE TYPICAL TRAJECTORY

LAUNCHINGA/C

TARGET

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149

Full Sphere Launch &Dual RangeIR Missile

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150

PYTHON 5, Movie

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151

LOBL Mode

• Minimum integration– No A/C changes– Very limited Pylon adaptation

• Unique operational capabilities in LOBL mode in a short time.

• Communal A/A A/D use.

Immediate operational capability

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confidential 152

• Robustness • Wide field of view • Low false alarm rate• Long acquisition ranges

UNCLASSIFIEDSOLO

Summary

• Full sphere launch envelope

• Dual-band imaging seeker • LOAL mode

• Extended acquisition ranges• Long launching ranges • Excellent IRCCM

UNCLASSIFIEDSOLO

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EVOLUTION OF SHORT RANGE A/A IR MISSILES

V IMAGING

1950 200050 60 70 80 90 10

IV

III

II

I AIM--9B

9D

9G

9H

9J

9L

9M

9P4

9R

9X

SHAFRIR 1

SHAFRIR 2

PYTHON - 3

PYTHON - 4

PYTHON - 5

EXPORT VERSIONS

MANEUVERINGTARGETS

ALL ASPECTIRCCM

“NO ESCAPE”HIGH RESOLUTIONHIGH SENSITIVITY

2010

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155

DERBY

•Active radar seeker

•Both medium and short range

•All weather performance

•Look-Down/Shoot-Down capability

•LOBL mode for tight dogfights

•Advanced programmable ECCM

•Lightweight

•Fully developed, tested and proven

Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile

DERBY Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, Movie

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156

• LOCK-ON AFTER LAUNCH (LOAL) CAPABILITY

AntennaMain Beam

Missile in Search Phase

Missile Trajectory

Target Uncertainty Zone in Search 

Phase

Target at Launch

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Active Radar Air-to- Air Missiles

ACTIVE SKYFLASHACTIVE SKYFLASHACTIVE SKYFLASHACTIVE SKYFLASH

DERBYDERBYDERBYDERBY

AMRAAMAMRAAMAMRAAMAMRAAM

MICAMICAMICAMICA

AA-12AA-12AA-12AA-12

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Sky FlashThe Sky Flash development programme started in 1973, when it was originally called XJ 521. The programme took the AIM-7E-2 Sparrow variant and redesigned the semi-active radar seeker, the fuze, the autopilot and the power supply unit. This was done to ensure commonality with the RAF Phantom aircraft, so that AIM-7E Sparrow and Sky Flash would be interchangeable and there would not need to be extensive aircraft alterations. Flight trials were carried out in the US during 1976-78 and the first production deliveries were made in 1978. The aim was to introduce a monopulse CW semi-active radar seeker, to give an improved performance against low-flying target aircraft and this was achieved, thus making Sky Flash the first in-service air-to-air missile monopulse system. At the same time the opportunity was taken to improve the ECCM capability and the discrimination between multiple targets. From 1985 several UK-developed improvements were made to the Sky Flash missiles including: thinner wings; a modified body tube; a new rocket motor; and several improved electronic assemblies.

Sky Flash was sold to Sweden in 1978, where it is known as Rb 71, and further development programmes for Sky Flash were discussed by the UK and Sweden. A feasibility study to develop an active radar version, known as Sky Flash 90 or Rb 71A, and a long-range version powered by ramjet known as Rb 73 (for carriage by the JAS 39 Gripen fighter), was carried out in the late 1980s. British Aerospace (later Matra BAe Dynamics, now MBDA) made an agreement with Thomson-CSF (now Thales) in 1988 to jointly fund development of an active Sky Flash (with Thomson-CSF providing the active radar seeker), as a potential lower cost option to the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The first active radar seeker completed air carriage trials in 1991. This Active Sky Flash programme, was to include the development of a new blast/fragmentation warhead, to be built by LFK (now part of MBDA). The Active Sky Flash was terminated in 1992. British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) and Saab Missiles (now Saab Bofors Dynamics) announced a joint study programme in 1992 to examine a wingless variant of Active Sky Flash, known as S225X, with the programme studies being joined by GEC-Marconi Dynamics and Alenia (both now Alenia Marconi Systems, part of MBDA) and Thomson-CSF (now Thales) in 1993. In 1994 a further proposal, known as S225XR, was made for a ramjet-powered air-to-air missile project, but this was dropped in favour of the pan-European Meteor programme

Sky FlashLength: 3.660 mBody diameter: 203 mmWing span: 1.02 mLaunch weight: 195 kgWarhead: 30 kg HE-continuous rodFuze: Active RadarGuidance: Semi-Active

CW RadarPropulsion: Solid propellantRange: 40 km

British Air-to-Air MissilesSOLO

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159

The Active Skyflash retains the airframe of the basic Skyflash/Improved Skyflash, but is fitted with a Thomson CSF active radar seeker. This allows fire and forget launches against multiple targets, which will not become aware of the inbound missile until it is either sighted or its active seeker commences terminal homing. The active seeker has an inherent capability to burn through hostile jamming as the power on target increases as the missile closes with the target.

http://www.ausairpower.net/skyflash-slammer.html

An evolutionary development of the Sky Flash , itself derived from the AIM-7E2, the Active Sky Flash combines an active radar seeker, pulse Doppler fuse and intelligent digital autopilot with the airframe of the late model Improved Sky Flash . The Active Sky Flash offers many of the functional advantages of the AMRAAM, at a lower cost, but has lower aerodynamic performance than AMRAAM primarily due to older

airframe and powerplant design, and is a heavier weapon due basic design (BAe via FAS).

Active Sky Flash SOLO

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2.9

3. 6

Russian Air-to-Air Missiles

RVV-MD, RVV-BD New Generation Russian Air-to-Air Missiles, Movie

Russian Air Power, Movie

Russian Air Force vs USAF (NATO) Comparison, Movie

SU-30SM Intercept with R-77 Missile, Movie

Ukranian A-A Missile ALAMO, R-27, Movie

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Type  Seeker  Model  Acquisition Range Kinematic Range O/B Target G

Launch G

Length

Dia Weight

Adaptor

Units   -  - ]NMI[ ]NMI[ ]deg[ ]G[ ]G[ ]in[ ]in[ ]lb[ -

R-73  IRH MK-80 5.4-8.0 16 45 12 8 114.2 7.0 232 APU-73

R-73M  IRH MK-80M 8.0 21 60 12 8 114.2 7.0 232 APU-73

R-73R  IRH MK-80M 8.0 5.4-6.5 60 12 8 126.0 7.0 253 APU-73

R-73E  IRH MK-80E 8.0 16 75 12 8 114.2 7.0 232 APU-73

R-74ME  IRH MK-80ME 8.0 21 75 12 8 114.2 7.0 232 APU-73

R-27R1  SARH/DL/IMU 9B-1101K ~16.0 43.2 - 8 5 157.5 9.0 560 AKU/APU-470

R-27T1  IRH 36T 5.4-8.0 38.9 - 8 5 145.7 9.0 561 AKU/APU-470

R-27P1  Passive RF 9B-1032 ~130 38.9 - 8 5 157.5 9.0 560 AKU/APU-470

R-27A1  ARH/DL/IMU 9B-1103M 10.8-13.5 43.2 - 8 5 157.5 9.0 560 AKU/APU-470

R-27ER1 SARH/DL/IMU 9B-1101K ~16.0 70.2 - 8 5 185.0 9.0 773 AKU/APU-470

R-27ET1 IRH MK-80/M 5.4-8.0 64.8 45/60 8 5 177.2 9.0 753 AKU/APU-470

R-27EP1  Passive RF 9B-1032 ~130 64.8 - 8 5 185.0 9.0 773 AKU/APU-470

R-27EA1  ARH/DL/IMU 9B-1103M 10.8-13.5 70.2 - 8 5 185.0 9.0 773 AKU/APU-470

R-77  ARH/DL/IMU 9B-1348E 8.6 54.0 - 12 8 141.7 7.9 386.3 AAKU/AKU-170

R-77M ARH/DL/IMU 9B-1348E 8.6 <54.0 - 12 8 141.7 7.9 386.3 AAKU/AKU-170

R-77T  IRH/DL/IMU MK-80E 8.0 54.0 75 12 8 141.7 7.9 386.3 AAKU/AKU-170

R-77P  Passive RF 9B-1032 ~130 54.0 - 12 8 141.7 7.9 386.3 AAKU/AKU-170

R-77M-PD  ARH/DL/IMU 9B-1348E 8.6 86.5 - 12 8 145.7 7.9 496.7 AAKU/AKU-170

R-77T-PD IRH/DL/IMU MK-80E 8.0 86.5 75 12 8 145.7 7.9 496.7 AAKU/AKU-170

R-77P-PD Passive RF 9B-1032 - 86.5 12 145.7 7.9 496.7 AAKU/AKU-170

R-172  ARH/DL/IMU - - 215.0 N/A N/A N/A 291.3 20.0

1656.0 -

R-37  ARH/DL/IMU ARGS-PD - 160.0 N/A N/A N/A 161.4 15.0

1100.0 -

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US Designation

AA-2 AA-7 AA - 8 AA - 10 AA - 10 AA - 11 AA - 12

NATOCodename

Atoll Apex Aphid Alamo Alamo Archer Adder

Rusian Designation

R - 13 M R - 23 R R - 60 MK R - 27 R R - 27 RE R - 73 R - 77

Industrial Index

izd. 380 izd.340 izd.62 izd.470 izd.470E izd.72 izd.170

Length (m) 2.87 4.46 2.09 4.0 4.7 2.9 3.6

Diameter (mm)

127 200 120 230 260 170 200

Span (mm) 632 1000 490 970 970 510 700

Weight (kg) 90 223 43.5 253 350 105 175

Warhead (kg)

11.3 25 6.0 39 39 7.4 22.5

Min/Max Range (km)

0.5 - 15 4 - 35 0.4 - 7 0.5 - 80 0.5 - 170 0.5 - 30 1 - 90

Launch Pylon

APU - 13MT/B

S

APU-47D APU-60I/II

APU-470 AKU-470 APU-73-1D

AKU-170

JANE’s Intelligence Review,May 1993 - Europe

APU - rail launcherAKU - ejection launcher

Military Technology - MIL TECH, 7/94

Russian Air-to-Air Missiles

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R-27 Air-to-Air Missile Types

Type R - 27R R - 27T R - 27RE R-27TE R-27AE R-27EM

Enter In Service

1986 1986 1990 1990

Length 4.08 m 3.80 m 4.78 m 4.5 m 4.78 m 4.78 m

Diameter 0.23 m 0.23 m 0.26 m 0.26 m 0.26 m 0.26 m

Fin Span 0.97 m 0.97 m 0.97 m 0.97 m 0.97 m 0.97 m

Wing Span 0.77 m 0.77 m 0.77 m 0.77 m 0.77 m 0.77 m

Weight 253 kg 245 kg 350 kg 343 kg 350 kg 350 kg

Warhead 39 kg 39 kg 39 kg 39 kg 39 kg 39 kg

Guidance Inertial, command &Semi-Active

Radar

Passive IR Inertial, command &Semi-Active

Radar

Passive IR Inertial, command &Active Radar

Inertial, command &Semi-Active

Radar

Fuze Active Radar Active Radar Active Radar Active Radar Active Radar Active Radar

Min/Max Range

0.02 - 60 km 0.02 - 65 km 0.02 - 62.5 km

0.02 - 80 km 0.02 -110 km 0.02 - 110 km

http://www.military.cz/russia/air/weapons/rockets/aam/r27/r27.htm

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The redesigned missile is 2.92 m long (20 mm longer than the earlier versions) and weighs 106 kg (an increase of 1 kg). The fuselage diameter of 0.17 m, wingspan of 0.51 m and control surfaces span of 0.385 m are unchanged, and the rocket nozzle retains the existing thrust-vectoring system.

The warhead weighs 8 kg and is described as a multi-shaped charge rod type. It is not known if this is referring to a continuous or discrete rod type, or a multiple Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) charge configuration.

The nose-mounted infrared seeker is a two-colour design. It has a ±60-degree seeker field of view and can be steered up to 75 degrees from the missile centreline.

The basic version of the R-73 was equipped with an Arsenal MK-80 nitrogen-cooled indium antimonide (InSb) single-colour unit with an off-boresight limit of ±45 degrees. On later models this was replaced by an improved single-colour seeker with a ±75 degrees off-boresight capability. Arsenal is known to have developed two-colour seekers, so is probably responsible for the seeker of the RVV-MD/MDL. The new seeker may be based experience gained from earlier Arsenal two-colour designs designated Impulse and MM-2000. Impulse is known to have been evaluated by Vympel, while the MM-2000 was proposed as an R-73 upgrade.

The maximum range in the front hemisphere is 40 km: a significant increase over the 30 km of the original R-73E and R-73EL designs. The minimum range in the rear hemisphere is 300 m. Targets can be engaged from 200 m up

to 20 km and the missile can cope with target manoeuvres of up to 12 g .

AA-11, R-73 Archer

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172

R-73, AA-11 Archer

Model R-73E R-73M1 R-73M2

Entered service in ? 1982 ?

Range against closing target > 30 km 30 km 40 km

Range against receding target > 15 km 15 km ?

Weight 115 kg 105 kg 110 kg

Weight of warhead 7.4 kg 8 kg ?

Type of warhead expanding rod

Speed Mach 2.5

Guidance infrared

Kill probability ? 0.6 ?

Length 2.9 m

Diameter 0.17 m

Fin span 0.51 m

Carried by Ka-50, Ka-52, MiG-29, MiG-31, Su-25, Su-27, Su-30, Su-33, Su-34,

Su-35, Su-37, Su-39, Yak-141

The R-73 short-range air-to-air missile was developed by "Molniya" (recently the special design bureau Nr.4) design bureau. It's team at the beginning of the 1970s developed the R-60 missile and the R-73 was intended to replace it. It is known as the AA-11 "Archer" with NATO countries

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AA-11 ArcherSOLO

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AA-11 ArcherSOLO

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Ground-to-Air

RVV-AE-PD (PD, Priamotochni Dvigatel = ramjet or Povyshenoy Dalnosti = improved range)

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People’s Republic of China (PRC) Air-to-Air Missiles

• PL - 1 - PRC version of the Soviet Kaliningrad K-5 (AA-1 Alkali), retired.

• PL - 2 - PRC version of the Soviet Vympel K-13 (AA-2 Atoll), based on AIM-9 Sidewinder, retired.

• PL - 3 - updated version of the PL-2, did not enter service. PL-2, 3

• PL - 5 - updated version of the PL-2, several versions:

• PL - 5A - Semi-Active Radar homing AAM, resembles AIM-9G. Did not enter service

• PL - 5B - IR version, entered service 1990 to replace PL-2. Limited of boresight.

• PL - 5C - Improved version comparable to AIM-9H or AIM-9L in performance.

• PL - 5E - All-aspect attack version, resembles AIM-9P in appearance.

• PL - 7 - PRC version of the IR-homing French R550 Magic AAM. Did not enter service.• PL - 8 - PRC version of the Israeli RAFAEL Python 3.• PL - 9 - short range IR missile, marked for export. One known improved version PL - 9C.

• PL - 10 - medium-range air-to-air missile. Did not enter service.

PL-5

PL-8

PL-9

PL-7

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People’s Republic of China (PRC) Air-to-Air Missiles (continue)

• PL - 11 - Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (MRAAM), based on the HQ-61C and Italian ASPIDE (AIM-7)technology. Known version include:

PL -11Length: 3.690 mBody diameter: 200 mmWing span: 1 mLaunch weight: 220 kgWarhead: HE-fragmentationFuze: RFGuidance: Semi-Active CW RadarPropulsion: Solid propellantRange: 25 km

• PL - 11 - MRAAM with semi-active radar homing, based on the HQ-61C SAM and ASPIDE seeker technology. Exported as FD-60.

• PL - 11A - Improved PL-11 with increased range, warhead, and moreeffective seeker. The new seeker requires target illuminationonly during the last stage, providing a Lock On After Launchcapability.

• PL - 11B - Also known as PL-11AMR, improved PL-11 with AMR-1,active radar-homing seeker.

• LY - 60 - PL-11, adopted to navy ships for air-defence, sold to Pakistanbut doesn’t appear to be in service with the Chinise Navy.

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People’s Republic of China (PRC) Air-to-Air Missiles (continue)

• PL - 12 (SD 10, SD 10A)-.

SD-10SD-10ALength: 3.850 m3.934 m

Body diameter: 203 mmWing span: n/k 670 mm

Launch weight: 180 kg199 kgWarhead: HE-fragmentation

Fuze: RFGuidance: Inertial midcourse

and/or data link Active Radar

Propulsion: Solid dual-thrustRange: 70 km Head On >= 70 km Head On

The SD-10 is outwardly very similar to the US-designed AIM-120 AMRAAM. The two share a comparable aerodynamic configuration, although with a length of 3.85m, a diameter of 20.3 cm and a weight of 180 kg the SD-10 is a little longer, wider and heavier than the AMRAAM. The SD-10 has four rear-mounted control fins that each have a very distinctive notch cut into their base. These fins are longer and more prominent than those of the AMRAAM and are cropped at an angle (rather than in line with the missile body). Four larger triangular fins are fixed to the mid-section of the missile. Internally, the leading edge of the centrebody fins is in line with the start of the missile's rocket motor. The motor is a variable-thrust solid rocket booster, that offers two levels of motive power for different sections of the flight envelope.The SD-10 is claimed to have an operational ceiling of 20 km, with a maximum effective range of 70 km and a minimum engagement range of 1,000 m. The missile has a 40 g manoeuvring limit and, according to CATIC, it has been tested for a 100-hour captive 'live flight' life.CATIC is known to be developing X-band and Ku-band active radar seekers, which may be intended for the SD-10. However the latest information suggests that China has been co-operating closely with Russia's AGAT Research Institute (perhaps under the name 'Project 129'), and that AGAT supplied the original design drawings for the SD-10's seeker. This is understood to have been the 9B-1103M design, originally intended for the R-27A 'active Alamo'. Since then China has gained considerable insight into AGAT's 9B-1348 active radar seeker fitted to the R-77/RVV-AE (AA-12 'Adder') missile delivered with its Su-30MKK aircraft. There is good reason to believe that the seeker for the SD-10 has benefited from insight into both of these systems. The SD-10 uses a strap-down inertial system for mid-course guidance. Chinese programme sources say that this system (and the SD-10's signal processing electronics) is more advanced than that fitted to the Vympel R-77.

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Aspide (Albatros/Spada)

Aspide Mk1 Aspide 2000 )Albatros/Spada(

Length: 3.7 mBody diameter: 200 mm 203mm & 234 mmWing span:

Launch weight: 220 kg 240 kgWarhead: 30 kg fragmentationFuze: Active RadarGuidance: Semi-Active RadarPropulsion: Solid propellantRange Ground-Air: 15 km 25 km

Short-range, ground- and ship-based, solid propellant, theatre defence missile.Aspide Mk 1 is similar in appearance to AIM-7 Sparrow, except that the wings and fins are clipped on the surface-to-air variant. The missile is 3.7 m long, has a body diameter of 0.20 m and weighs 220 kg at launch. It has a single-stage solid propellant motor and a 30 kg HE fragmentation warhead. The semi-active radar seeker uses CW monopulse techniques for ECCM and includes a Home-On-Jam (HOJ) capability. Unlike the AIM-7E, which uses an open-loop hydraulic power system, the Aspide's hydraulic and electrical power requirements are provided by a closed-loop system, allowing full hydraulic power throughout the missile flight.

The Aspide Mk 1 missile has a maximum range of 15 km, with an altitude for interception varying from 15 to 6,000 m.

The Albatros ship defence system is designed to combat threats from aircraft and missiles, either sea-skimming or diving. It is a modular 'add on' SAM system through which the missile system is integrated with the ship's gunnery radar fire-control system, avoiding the need for duplicating the tracking and illuminating sensors. In addition to being integrated with the principal current Alenia-Elsag radar fire-control systems (NA 21 and NA 30) and Hollandse Signaalapparaten (Mk 2 Mod 9), the Albatros system is also compatible with several other fire-control systems. One of the most widely used surveillance radars with the Albatros system is the Alenia Pluto RAN-10S. This is a high-power, combined air and surface search radar operating in S-band and is suitable

for installation on medium tonnage ships such as destroyers, frigates and corvettes.

The Aspide 2000 missile has a length of 3.7 m, has a forebody diameter of 0.203 m, a rearbody diameter of 0.234 m and a launch weight of 240 kg. This missile uses the same semi-active radar seeker, warhead and control assembly as Aspide Mk 1, but has a larger solid propellant booster motor that increases the maximum missile speed to M 2.5 and the range to 25 km. This version can intercept targets at between 10 m and 8 km altitude. Aspide 2000 has improved ECCM capability. Aspide Mk 1 missiles can be modified to the Aspide 2000 build standard, and the Aspide 2000 missiles can be launched from modified Albatros, Spada and Skyguard systems. The Spanish Spada 2000 system has an upgraded Detection Centre, using a Thomson-CSF (now Thales) RAC 3-D surveillance radar with a range of 60 km, with a hydraulic mast that can elevate the antenna to 13 m. The Detection Centre has two operators, communications, GPS receivers, air conditioning and its own electrical power generation. A Spada 2000 battery has a Detection Centre, and two to four firing sections, with each firing section having an engagement radar and two missile launchers. Each launcher carries six missiles in their canisters.

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ASTRA - India BVR Air-to-Air Missile in Development

ASTRALength: 3.570 mBody diameter: 178 mmWing span: 254 mmTail span: n/aLaunch weight: 154 kgWarhead: 15 kg pre-fragmenteddirectional warheadFuze: Radar )followed by Laser(Guidance: Inertial mid-course with data link updates, active radar

terminal homingPropulsion: Solid propellantRange: 80 km head on

15 km tail chase

The Astra configuration uses a slender lightweight metallic airframe with a long low aspect ratio wing and a single-stage smokeless solid rocket motor. The missile is tipped with a slip cast silica ceramic radome (jointly developed by the National Aeronautical Laboratory and the DRDO) that covers the circular RF seeker antenna. By early 2003 the radome design and materials were undergoing final electromagnetic testing. The guidance system's inertial reference unit is mounted behind the seeker assembly, in front of the warhead and fuze. The inertial system uses a fibre optic gyro. Behind the warhead section is the digital autopilot system and the lithium thermal battery pack that provides onboard power. The onboard computer is a dual-processor ADSP-based system. The rocket motor fills the airframe from just forward of the leading edge of the four wing surfaces to the rear exhaust. The (four) antennae for the missile's secure datalink are mounted at the back of the tail assembly.

With four moving (electro-mechanical) clipped-tip delta fins at the rear, the Astra exhibits elements of both the French-built Matra R 530D and the Russian Vympel RVV-AE/R-77 (AA-12 'Adder') designs. The fin actuation system uses fast-response brushless electrical motors (DC). The Astra has a length of 3.57 m, a main body diameter of 178 mm and a forebody diameter of 160 mm. The missile has a launch weight of 154 kg and along with the missile launch rail has an all-up weight of just under 250 kg. The weapon uses a MIL-STD 1553 databus connection.

The Astra is fitted with a 15 kg HE pre-formed fragmentation warhead. This is a directional warhead capable of firing in a focused direction, as cued by the missile's active proximity fuze. The DRDO has already developed a radar proximity fuze for the Astra and a laser proximity fuze is now listed as standard.

In-flight guidance is inertial in mid-course, with the option to use datalinked target position update from the launch aircraft. The missile's Ku-band RF active seeker has a maximum range of 15 km, according to DRDO sources. This seeker has been developed largely in India, by the DRDO and its associated agencies in India, but official sources admit to receiving some outside technical assistance with this process. An outward similarity to MBDA seeker hardware has been noted. Reports from late 2008 suggested that an alternative seeker from Israel's Rafael had been evaluated also. While a maximum range of 100 km has been reported in some sources, DRDO figures quote that the Astra has a range of around 80 km. Other Indian sources have quoted 20 to 40 km. The missile has an effective launch envelope from sea level to altitude of 20 km, and a manoeuvre capability of 40 g (to engage a target manoeuvring at 9 g). The Astra can be launched at speeds ranging from Mach 0.4 to Mach 2.0. Its solid fuel rocket motor uses a smokeless HTPB propellant and a maximum speed of Mach 4 has been quoted. Some suggestion has also been made that a future ramjet propulsion option has also been considered.

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Taiwan Tien Chien II (Sky Sword 2)

Tien Chien -IILength: 3.6 mBody diameter: 190 mmWing span: 0.62 mLaunch weight: 183 kgWarhead: 22 kg HE-blast/fragmentationFuze: Active RF

Guidance: Active Radar, with inertial midcourse guidancePropulsion: Solid propellantRange: 60 km

The Tien Chien II's external configuration has a passing similarity to the AIM-120 AMRAAM, but its control surfaces are different. The four centrebody fins are set well back on the missile fuselage, as are the AMRAAM's, but on the Tien Chien II these fins are much broader and heavily cropped. The four tail fins have a longer span and a narrower chord than the forward fins. Their tips are also sharply cropped. From models of the Tien Chien II it appears that the tail fins are actuated, while the forward fins are fixed (the missile certainly uses a tail-controlled design). The Tien Chien II's solid-rocket motor takes up all of the missile's internal space from the forward fins back to the rear exhaust. The missile's active seeker assembly and associated electronics assemblies fill approximately 20 per cent of the total missile length. Behind them is the warhead, fitted with a radar proximity fuse.The Tien Chien II has an active radar seeker, with inertial midcourse navigation. It is not known if the missile has a datalink capability for midcourse guidance updates. There is a narrow fairing that runs along the bottom of the missile body and culminates in a small thimble radome at the rear of the missile. This may house a datalink receiver. The missile's warhead is a 22 kg high explosive blast/fragmentation unit, with an active radar fuse. The Ching-Kuo has been designed to accommodate two Tien Chien IIs in a recessed centreline housing. The two stores stations are not staggered and the likelihood is that the rear missile would be fired first to avoid any risk of debris damage to the other missile. To date, the maximum load of Tien Chien II missiles seen on a Ching-Kuo has been two. However, wind tunnel models of a Ching-Kuo carrying two Tien Chien IIs on new inboard underwing pylons have been revealed, with a fuel tank carried on the vacant centreline station instead. There is no obvious reason why four missiles could not be carried in this configuration.

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Japan Type 99 (AAM - 4)The Type 99 (AAM-4) is a conventional beyond visual range air-to-air missile design. It is in the performance class of the AIM-120 AMRAAM, but shares a number of close similarities with the AIM-7 Sparrow (which it replaces in JASDF service). Like the Sparrow the Type 99 is 3.7 m long, 20 cm in diameter and it weighs 220 kg. The missile resembles the AIM-120B in its external appearance, with clipped mid-body fins and a longer, wider-chord tail.

Few technical details are known about the Type 99. It is powered by a dual-thrust solid rocket motor. Range is reported to be twice that of the AIM-7M and Japanese sources state that it is equivalent to the latest AIM-120D AMRAAM (i.e. about 80 km). For mid-course guidance the missile uses its onboard inertial navigational system before switching to active terminal homing. Fully integrated with the F-15J's ARG-1 fire control system, a datalink can update the missile's targeting information while it is in flight. The datalink allows the missile to be employed in a lock-on after launch (LOAL) mode and datalinked guidance updates can also be provided by a third-party aircraft. The warhead is directional and triggered by an intelligent proximity fuze.

Little is known about the Type 99's active radar seeker. It has been previously reported that the XAAM-4 may have been tested with either a dual-mode IR/active radar seeker or interchangeable IR and active radar seekers. If this is true, such a seeker system has not yet been deployed. The Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) is known to be developing a new Ka-Band active radar seeker, with digital signal processing technology, for use with guided missiles. This seeker will be applied to the Type 99 Modified upgrade, that is now underway. Sources indicate that it uses an active phased array for improved fire-and-forget, high off-boresight, extended range and enhanced ECCM capabilities.

Japan's ramjet motor research may yet be applied to an improved Type 99 development. The TRDI is also working on a new variable thrust hybrid rocket motor, which could have applications for air-to-air missiles. Reports in 1995 stated that a ship-launched surface-to-air missile variant might be developed from the Type 99 programme (for Japan's New Short-range Ship-to-Air Missile Programme). Japanese sources note that the Type 99 was designed as a larger-than-normal AAM to allow its future use against targets other than aircraft, including naval vessels.

AAM - 4Length: 3.7 mBody diameter: 200 mmWing span: n/kLaunch weight: 220 kgWarhead: 22 kg HE-fragmentationFuze: Active RF

Guidance: Inertial Semi- Active Radar, Propulsion: Solid propellantRange: 80 km

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MATRA R.530

The Matra R.530 is a French medium to short range air-to-air missile. Is in service since 1962. It was available in IR (passive infrared) and SARH as the main armament of the Mirage III which was able to carry a single missile in the centerline, the Mirage F1, which carried 2 (1 of each type) under the wings, and the F-8 Crusader in the French Navy service.

Specifications Weight 192 kg [1] Length 3.28 m [1] Diameter 263 mm [1]

-------------------------------------------------------------- Engine two stage solid rocket

[1], Hotchkiss-Brandt/SNPE Antoinette rocket [2]83.3 kN for 2.7 s + 6.5 s cruise[2]

Wingspan 1.1 m[2] Operational range 1.5 to 20 km [1] Speed Mach 2.7 [1] Guidance system Radar and IR [3] Launch platform Dassault Mirage F1

Dassault Mirage III

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189

MATRA R.550 MAGIC

The R.550 Magic is a short-range missile designed in 1968 by French company Matra to compete with the American AIM-9 Sidewinder. On 11 January 1972, a Gloster Meteor of the centre for in-flight trials fired the R550 Magic and shot down a Nord CT20 target drone (unmanned aerial vehicle).Mass-produced from 1976, the Magic was adopted by the French Air Force and the Navy.

Specifications

Weight 89 kg Length 2.72 m Diameter 157 mm --------------------------------------------------------------------------Warhead 13 kg fragmentation Detonation mechanism IR --------------------------------------------------------------------------Engine solid Operational range 0.3 to 15 km Flight altitude up to 11 km Speed Mach 3 Guidance system IR Launch platform : Dassault Rafale, Dassault Mirage 2000,

F-16, Sea Harrier(FRS51), Super Étendard, Mirage F1, Mirage 5, Mirage III

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MAGIC, R.550

MANUFACTURERS’S CUTAWAY OF R.550 MAGIC SHOWINGTHE DISPOSITION OF MAIN ELEMENTS. THE UMBILICAL

FEEDS LIQUID NITROGEN TO COOL THE SEEKET.

MANUFACTURERS’S CUTAWAY OF R.550 MAGIC SHOWINGTHE DISPOSITION OF MAIN ELEMENTS. THE UMBILICAL

FEEDS LIQUID NITROGEN TO COOL THE SEEKET.

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MICA

MICALength: 3.100 mBody diameter: 160 mmWing span: mTail span: 0.56 mLaunch weight: 112 kgWarhead: 12 kg HE Blast/FragmentationFuze: Active RadarGuidance: Command, Inertial, Active Radar or Imaging IRPropulsion: Solid propellantRange: 60 km

The MICA is a medium-range infra-red or radar-guided missile powered by a solid propellant motor and armed with a fragmentation warhead. The missile, which can be fitted with a choice of IIR or radar seeker heads, is similar in appearance to the Super 530, with long-chord wings and rear-mounted clipped rectangular control fins. The radar seeker head has a pointed ceramic radome, housing the antenna of the AD4A pulse radar. The IIR seeker has a blunt tapered nose with a small glass dome. Four, long narrow-chord fins have been added to both nose sections to increase stability. MICA is 3.1 m long, has a body diameter of 165 mm, and a rear fin span of 0.56 m. With a launch weight of 112 kg, it is only marginally heavier than Magic 2. The missile is fitted with a 12 kg HE blast/fragmentation warhead (some reports suggest this may be focused) that is activated by both contact and active radar fuzing. Manoeuvrability is aided by thrust vector control, with rocket motor efflux deflection vanes, and a peak manoeuvre of 50 g can be achieved at low level. For medium-range interceptions the missile will use inertial guidance, mid-course trajectory updates from the launch aircraft, and then a dual-band imaging IR seeker, developed by SAT, or a J-band (10 to 20 GHz) active pulse-Doppler radar terminal guidance system. The radar seeker AD4A, was developed by Dassault Electronique (now Thales) and GEC-Marconi Dynamics (later Alenia Marconi Systems, now MBDA). The seeker and radome weigh less than 12 kg. The maximum range capability of MICA is believed to be about 60 km, and the minimum range 500 m. When the range is less or the target does not manoeuvre, the mid-course update may not be required. For short ranges the missile active radar can be locked onto the target before launch. With the IIR-guided version the missile can be locked onto the target before or after launch, and the seeker will have an all-aspect engagement capability. The seeker is cooled by an onboard closed-cycle system, which is powered electrically and can be operated for long periods. Complex algorithms have been developed to provide the IIR seeker with the ability to track at longer range and to reject flare decoys. When fitted to aircraft with track-while-scan radars the MICA weapon system will be capable of attacking several targets simultaneously with individual missiles. The MICA missiles are reported to have a carriage life of 500 hours.

French Missiles

MICA A-A Missile Movie

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IRIS - T IRIS - TLength: 2.963 mBody diameter: 127 mmWing span: 0.327 mTail span: 0.447 mLaunch weight: 87 kgWarhead: 11.4 kgFuze: Active LaserGuidance: Imaging IRPropulsion: Solid propellantRange: 12 km

The IRIS-T is a short-range, all-aspect infra-red homing missile powered by a solid propellant motor. Its HE fragmentation warhead is fitted with a radar-assisted proximity fuse. The missile is distinctive in appearance, with four narrow-span, long-chord, mid-body wings and an unusual shaped rear assembly. At the front of the missile behind the glass domed nose are four in-line, fixed, small clipped delta fins, and on the widened rear section are four in-line clipped delta control fins. IRIS-T is of modular construction and consists of five major sections; at the front is the seeker, electronics and cooling section, followed by the active laser proximity fuze, warhead, solid propellant motor and finally the motor exhaust nozzle section with its control fins, electrical actuators and TVC vanes. The control fins are individually, electrically operated and mechanically coupled to the thrust vectoring vanes to achieve the required manoeuvrability. The coolant supply for the IIR head is installed in the launcher.The IRIS-T seeker is similar to the one that BGT and Loral (now Lockheed Martin) offered to the US Air Force and Navy for the AIM-9X,

IRI S – T Moving IR Head Eye

IRIS – T on the F-16

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13.02.15 193

IRIS-T Turn Performance

Point of launch separation

S i d e w i n d e r

A A - 1 1

IR IS - T

Comparison of turn radii under identical launch conditions

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IRIS-T Kinematic Performance

IRIS-T

AA-11

AIM-9L

RSDZnot to scale

CF-18

MIG-29

AIM-9L Sidewinder Limitations

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ASRAAM

ASRAAM is an all-aspect infrared homing missile powered by a solid propellant motor and armed with a fragmentation warhead. It is wingless, with clipped delta-tail control surfaces and lifting body aerodynamics for high manoeuvrability. The missile is of modular construction and consists of four major sections; at the front end the tapered seeker, sensor and cooling section with its seeker dome, followed by the electronics, fuze and warhead section, rocket motor section and, situated around the motor exhaust nozzle, the actuator section with its four control fins.ASRAAM is fitted with an HE fragmentation warhead that is being manufactured by EADS (formerly Daimler-Benz Aerospace) and this has an integral impact fuze and safety and arming unit. The active laser proximity fuze is being developed by Thomson-Thorn Missile Electronics.Guidance is by a Raytheon Santa Barbara Research Center's imaging infra-red indium antimonide 128 × 128 staring focal plane array seeker. The IIR seeker has an all-aspect capability and target lock on before or after launch. A helmet-sighting system will be needed to take advantage of the full 90° off-boresight capability of the missile, as aircraft head-up displays have a limited field-of-view.Apart from being credited with a maximum range of 15 km for a head-on engagement, ASRAAM's performance figures are classified, but the missile is said to comply with all known requirements and to be the fastest short-range missile in production or development. It is said to be effective in the presence of the most hostile countermeasures and against backgrounds which have defeated previous infrared guidance systems. It can be fired singly or in salvo against an aggressor/aggressors anywhere in the pilot's view and, the seeker system will allow the missile to continue homing even if the target is obscured for periods after launch.

Specifications Length: 2.9 m

Body diameter: 166 mm

Finspan: 0.45 m

Launch weight: 88 kg

Warhead: HE blast/fragmentation

Fuze: Active laser

Guidance: Imaging IR

Propulsion: Solid propellant

Range: 20 km

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ASRAAMSpecifications

Length: 2.9 m

Body diameter: 166 mm

Finspan: 0.45 m

Launch weight: 88 kg

Warhead: HE blast/fragmentation

Fuze: Active laser

Guidance: Imaging IR

Propulsion: Solid propellant

Range: 20 km

Active LaserFuze

Imaging IR

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ASRAAM, Movie

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SpecificationsManafacturer Matra Bae Dynamics

Date Deployed Planed for 2007 (not)

Range XX miles ( XXX km )

Speed Mach 4

PropulsionTrottleable (Solid Propelant) Ducted Ramjet Rocket developed byBayern-Chemie (based on German A3M Project)

Guidance Alenia monopulse Ku Band Active Radar Homing (based on MICA/ASTER 4A seeker)

Warhead 87 lb ( 39.5-kg ) HE fragmentation with contact, delay action radar fuses (Thomson-Thorn Missile Electronics).

Launch Weight 425 pounds ( 192.8 kg )

Length 12 ft, 1 in ( 3.68 m )

Diameter 8 in ( 0.203 m )

Fin Span 3 ft, 4 in ( 1.02 m )

Meteor BVRAAM

In June 1996 Matra Bae Dynamics (UK and France) proposed the Meteor BVRAAM

to meet UK SR 1239 requirement for a long range air-to-air missile.

•Alenia Marconi System - Italy (Active Seeker based on MICA/ASTER 4A seeker).•LFK (The missile company of Daimler Chrysler Aerospace - DASA) •SAAB Dynamics – Sweden (Proximity Fuze)•CASA - Spain

Meteor promo

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MBDA Meteor

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Ramjet)BayernChemie(

METEOR Missile Configuration

Seeker)MBDA/

Thales(

Radome IMU)Litef(

ProximityFuze Unit

)Saab BoforsDynamics(

Electronics andPower Unit )MBDA(

BatteryPack

Warhead)TDW(

ControlSurfaces

Data Link Unit)BAE Systems

and MBDA Fr(

Actuator)Fairey

Hydraulics(

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METEOR Missile

Speed, not range The long-term justification for Meteor remains the same as it was when the programme started: the need to expand the no-escape zone against an agile target that has detected the shot and is manoeuvring to avoid it. MBDA briefings today echo those of 10 years ago, arguing that missiles such as AMRAAM do not have the energy at long range to do this. "The performance drive in Meteor is speed, not range," says MBDA Marketing Director Graham Thompson. "What we suffer from with BVR [beyond visual range] missiles is that they have a large no-escape zone against a non-manoeuvring target, but that the success zone collapses dramatically when the target turns and runs away." The goal is "to chase the guy who's going downhill at Mach 1.4". The no-escape zone of Meteor is claimed to be three times larger at long range than that of the AIM-120C. MBDA quotes a range of more than 100 km for Meteor; more relevantly, the missile has been described as being intended for launch at 80 km, with the target entering a no-escape zone very soon after that. An important advantage that follows from this, Thompson argues, is a much higher single-shot kill probability )Pk( and consequently lower cost-per-kill than is possible with a less capable missile. The key to Meteor's performance is its throttleable rocket-ramjet engine, developed by Bayern-Chemie Protac. The mid-body section incorporates a gas generator filled with oxygen-deficient boron-loaded propellant, with a throat valve to control burn rate over a range greater than 10:1. The result is that the missile can be controlled to reach its target as fast as possible while still retaining thrust for the endgame intercept. The seeker is developed from that of the Aster air-to-surface missile and is inherently capable against low-RCS )radar cross-section( targets - Aster being designed to engage cruise missiles. Like AIM-120D, Meteor has a two-way datalink that transmits the missile's condition, flight status and position to the fighter: its main function is to assist the pilot's situational awareness and to increase confidence that the missile has hit its target.

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Air to Air missiles diagrams - Short range group 1SOLO

Air to Air missiles diagrams - Short range group 2SOLO

Air to Air missiles diagrams - Short range group 3SOLO

Air to Air missiles diagrams - Short range group 4SOLO

Air to Air missiles diagrams - Short range group 5SOLO

Air to Air missiles diagrams - Medium range group 1SOLO

Air to Air missiles diagrams - Medium range group 2SOLO

Air to Air missiles diagrams - Medium range group 3SOLO

Air to Air missiles diagrams - Medium range group 4SOLO

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212

MODERN FIGHTERS

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214

Sukhoi Su-25

General Characteristics• Crew: one pilot• Length: 15.33 m (50 ft 11)• Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)• Height: 4.80 m (15 ft 9 in)• Wing area: 30.1 m² (324 ft²)• Empty weight: 10,740 kg (23,677 lb)• Loaded weight: 16,990 kg (37,456 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 20,500 kg (45,194 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × Tumansky R-195 turbojets, 44.18 kN (9,480 lbf) each

Performance• Maximum speed: 950 km/h (590 mph, Mach 0.77[72])• Combat radius: 375 km (235 mi)• Ferry range: 2,500 km (1,553 mi)• Service ceiling: 7,000 m (23,000 ft) [73]

• Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)• Wing loading: 584 kg/m² (119 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weight: 0.51

Armament• 1 × GSh-30-2 30mm cannon with 250 rounds• 11 hardpoints for up to 4,400 kg (9,700 lb) of disposable ordnance, including rails for 2 × R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') or other air-to-air missiles for self-defence and a wide variety of general-purpose bombs, cluster bombs, gun pods, rocket pods, laser-guided bombs, and air-to-surface missiles such as the Kh-25ML or Kh-29L.

Role Close air support aircraft

Manufacturer

Sukhoi Design BureauTbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing(former)

First flight 22 February 1975 (T8)

Introduction 19 July 1981

Status In service

Primary users

Russian Air ForceBelarusian Air ForceUkrainian Air ForceNorth Korean Air ForceSee Operators for others

Produced 1978–present

Number built 1,024

Unit cost US$11 million[1]

Variants Sukhoi Su-28

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215

Sukhoi Su-27 (Flanker)

General Characteristics• Crew: 1• Length: 21.9 m (72 ft)• Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)• Height: 5.92 m (19 ft 6 in)• Wing area: 62 m² (667 ft²)• Empty weight: 16,380 kg (36,100 lb)• Loaded weight: 23,430 kg (51,650 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 30,450 kg (67,100 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × Saturn/Lyulka AL-31F turbofans

Dry thrust: 7,670 kgf (75.22 kN, 16,910 lbf) eachThrust with afterburner: 12,500 kgf (122.6 kN, 27,560 lbf) each

• Leading edge sweep: 42°

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 2.35 (2,500 km/h, 1,550 mph) at altitude• Range: 3,530 km (2,070 mi) at altitude; (1,340 km / 800 mi at sea level)• Service ceiling: 18,500 m (62,523 ft)• Rate of climb: 300 m/s[49] (54,000 ft/min)• Wing loading: 371 kg/m² (76 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weight: 1.07

Armament• 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds8,000 kg (17,600 lb) on 10 external pylons• Up to 6 × medium-range AA missiles R-27, 2 × short-range heat-seeking AA missiles R-73.

Role Air superiority fighter

National origin Soviet Union / Russia

Manufacturer Sukhoi

First flight 20 May 1977

Introduction December 1984

Status In service

Primary users

Russian Air ForceChinese Air ForceUkrainian Air ForceSee operators for others

Produced 1984–current

Number built 680

Unit cost US$ 30 million

Variants

Sukhoi Su-30Sukhoi Su-33Sukhoi Su-34Sukhoi Su-35Sukhoi Su-37Shenyang J-11

Su-27 Flanker, Movie

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216

Sukhoi Su-27 (Flanker)SOLO

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217

Sukhoi Su-30

General Characteristics• Crew: 2• Length: 21.935 m (72.97 ft)• Wingspan: 14.7 m (48.2 ft)• Height: 6.36 m (20.85 ft)• Wing area: 62.0 m2 (667 ft2)• Empty weight: 17,700 kg (39,021 lb)• Loaded weight: 24,900 kg (54,900 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 34,500 kg (76,060 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × AL-31FL low-bypass turbofans

Dry thrust: 7,600 kgf (74.5 kN, 16,750 lbf) eachThrust with afterburner: 12,500 kgf (122.58 kN, 27,560 lbf) each

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 2.0 (2,120 km/h, 1,320 mph)• Range: 3,000 km (1,620 nmi) at altitude• Service ceiling: 17,300 m (56,800 ft)• Rate of climb: 230 m/s (45,275 ft/min)• Wing loading: 401 kg/m2 (82.3 lb/ft2)• Thrust/weight: 0.98

Armament The Su-27PU had 8 hardpoints for its weapon load, whereas the Su-30MK's combat load is mounted on 12 hardpoints: 2 wingtip AAM launch rails, 3 pylons under each wing, 1 pylon under each engine nacelle, and 2 pylons in tandem in the "arch" between the engines. All versions can carry up to 8 tonnes of external stores.• Guns: 1 × GSh-30-1 gun (30 mm calibre, 150 rounds)• AAMs: 6 × R-27ER1 (AA-10C), 2 × R-27ET1 (AA-10D), 6 × R-73E (AA-11), 6 × R-77 RVV-AE (AA-12)• ASMs: 6 × Kh-31P/Kh-31A anti-radar missiles, 6 × Kh-29T/L laser guided missiles, 2 × Kh-59ME• Aerial bombs: 6 × KAB 500KR, 3 × KAB-1500KR, 8 × FAB-500T, 28 × OFAB-250-270, nuclear bombs

Role Multirole fighter1]

Manufacturer Sukhoi

First flight 31 December 1989

Introduction 1996

Status In production, in service

Primary users

Indian Air ForcePeople's Liberation Army Air ForceVenezuelan Air ForceVietnam People's Air Force

Number built 200+

Unit cost US$34 million (Su-30K)[2]

Developed from Sukhoi Su-27

VariantsSukhoi Su-30MKISukhoi Su-30MKKSukhoi Su-30MKM

Su-30 MKI The Thrust Vectored Beast, Movie

Su-30 SM Intercept with R77 Missile, Movie

Sukhoi Su-30 MK2, Movie

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Sukhoi Su-30SOLO

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219

Sukhoi Su-33

General Characteristics• Crew: 1• Length: 21.94 m (72 ft)• Wingspan: 14.70 m (48.25 ft)• Height: 5.93 m (19.5 ft)• Wing area: 62.0 m² (667 ft²)• Empty weight: 18,400 kg (40,600 lb)• Loaded weight: 29,940 kg (66,010 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 33,000 kg (72,752 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × AL-31F afterburning turbofans

Dry thrust: 74.5 kN (16,750 lbf) eachThrust with afterburner: 125.5 kN (28,214 lbf) each

• Wingspan, wings folded: 7.40 m (24.25 ft)

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 2.17 (2,300 km/h, 1,430 mph) at 10,000 m (33,000 ft) altitude• Stall speed: 240 km/h (150 mp/h)• Range: 3,000 km (1,864 mi)• Service ceiling: 17,000 m (55,800 ft)• Rate of climb: 246 m/s (48,500 ft/min)• Wing loading: 483 kg/m²; (98.9 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weight: 0.83• Maximum turn: +8 g (+78 m/s²)• Landing speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)

Armament• 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds• Up to 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) of munitions on twelve external hardpoints, including:

8 × R-27, or 8 × R-77 and 4 × R-73 air-to-air missileVarious bombs and rocketsElectronic countermeasure (ECM) pods

Role Carrier-based air defence fighter

National origin Russia

Design group Sukhoi

Built by KnAAPO

First flight 17 August 1987[1]

Introduction 31 August 1998 (official)[2]

Status Operational

Primary user Russian Naval Aviation

Number built 24 (approx.)

Developed from Sukhoi Su-27

Sukhoi Su-33 NATO Code Flanker D

Su-33 Great Video

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220

Sukhoi Su-35

General Characteristics• Crew: 1• Length: 21.9 m (72.9 ft)• Wingspan: 15.3 m (50.2 ft)• Height: 5.90 m (19.4 ft)• Wing area: 62.0 m² (667 ft²)• Empty weight: 18,400 kg (40,570 lb)• Loaded weight: 25,300 kg (56,660 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 34,500 kg (76,060 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × Saturn 117S with TVC nozzle turbofan

Dry thrust: 8,800 kgf[81] (86.3 kN, 19,400 lbf) eachThrust with afterburner: 14,500 kgf (142 kN, 31,900 lbf) each

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 (2,390 km/h, 1,490 mph) at altitude• Range: 3,600 km (1,940 nmi) ; (1,580 km, 850 nmi near ground level)• Ferry range: 4,500 km (2,430 nmi) with external fuel tanks• Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,100 ft)• Rate of climb: >280 m/s (>55,100 ft/min)• Wing loading: 408 kg/m² (84.9 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weight: 1.1

Armament• 1 × 30 mm GSh-30 internal cannon with 150 rounds• 2 × wingtip rails for R-73 air-to-air missiles or ECM pods• 12 × wing and fuselage stations for up to 8,000 kg (17,630 lb) of ordnance, including a variety of air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, rockets, and bombs such as:• Vympel R-27: R-27R, R-27ER, R-27T, R-27ET, R-27EP, R-27AE• Vympel R-77: R-77, and the proposed R-77M1, R-77T• Vympel R-73: R-73E, R-73M, R-74M• Kh-31: Kh-31A, Kh-31P Anti-Radiation Missile• Kh-59• Kh-29: Kh-29T, Kh-29L• KAB-500L laser-guided bomb• KAB-1500 laser-guided bomb• LGB-250 laser-guided bomb• FAB-250 250 kilograms (550 lb) unguided bombs• FAB-500 500 kilograms (1,100 lb) unguided bombs• S-25LD laser-guided rocket, S-250 unguided rocket• B-8 unguided S-8 rocket pods• B-13 unguided S-13 rocket pods

Role Multirole fighter

National origin Soviet Union / Russia

Manufacturer Sukhoi / KnAAPO

First flightSu-27M: 28 June 1988; Su-35BM: 19 February 2008

Status In development, in production

Primary user Russian Air Force

Number built

Su-27M/35: 15[1]

Su-35S: 4 series production (excluding prototypes)[2]

Unit costUS$45 million[3] to $65 million (estimated)[4][5]

Developed from Sukhoi Su-27

Variants Sukhoi Su-37

Su-35 Most Advanced Russian Fighter, Movie

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221

Sukhoi Su-37

General Characteristics• Crew: 1• Length: 21.935 m (72 ft 9 in)• Wingspan: 14.698 m (48 ft 3 in)• Height: 5.932 m (21 ft 1 in)• Wing area: 62.0 m² (667 ft²)• Empty weight: 18,500 kg (40,790 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 35,000 kg (77,160 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × Lyulka AL-37FU afterburning turbofans

Dry thrust: 7,600 kgf (74.5 kN, 16,750 lbf) eachThrust with afterburner: 145 kN (32,000 lbf) each

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 2.35• Range: 3,300 km (1,833 nmi)• Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,055 ft)• Maximum g-loading: +10/−3 g

Armament• 1 × 30 mm GSh-30 cannon with 150 rounds• 12 × wing and fuselage stations for up to 8,000 kg (17,636 lb) of ordnance

Su-37

RoleMultirole fighter technology demonstrator

National origin Russia

Manufacturer Sukhoi / KnAAPO

First flight 2 April 1996

StatusDevelopment ceased

Number built2 (conversions from Su-35)[1]

Developed from Sukhoi Su-35

The Sukhoi Su-37 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-F) is an experimental single-seat, supermaneuverable multirole jet fighter, designed by Sukhoi. A further development of the original Su-27 "Flanker", it was modified from the first-generation Su-35 (formerly "T10M") prototypes. The Su-37 features an upgraded avionic suite and fire-control system, but its most notable additions are the thrust-vectoring nozzles. Only two prototypes were converted

The Su-37 could perform the 180° "Frolov Chakra", demonstrating its supermaneuverability

SU-37 The best fighter in the world

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222

Sukhoi Su-47 (Berkut)

General Characteristics• Crew: 1• Length: 22.6 m (74 ft 2 in)• Wingspan: 15.16 m to 16.7 m (49 ft 9 in to 54 ft 9 in)• Height: 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in)• Wing area: 61.87 m² (666 ft²)• Empty weight: 16,375 kg (36,100 lbs)• Loaded weight: 25,000 kg (55,115 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 35,000 kg (77,162 lbs)• Powerplant: 2 × Lyulka AL-37FU(planned) prototypes used 2 Aviadvigatel D-30F6 afterburning, thrust-vectoring (in PFU modification) turbofans

Dry thrust: 83.4 kN (18,700 lbf) eachThrust with afterburner: 142.2 kN (32,000 lbf) each

• Thrust vectoring: ±20° at 30° per second in pitch and yaw

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 1.6 (Achieved in test flights [4]) (1,717 km/h, 1,066 mph)* At sea level: Mach 1.16 (1,400 km/h, 870 mph[2])• Cruise speed: projected 1,800 km/h on dry thrust, 2650 km/h on full thrust• Range: 3,300 km (2,050 mi)• Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,050 ft)• Rate of climb: 233 m/s (46,200 ft/min)• Wing loading: 360 kg/m² (79.4 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weight: 1.16 (loaded) / 1.77 (empty)

Armament The Su-47 is an unarmed technology demonstrator. If further developed into a fighter the armament could include the following weapons:Guns: 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1Missiles: up to 14 hardpoints (2 wingtip, 6-8 underwing, 4-6 conformal under the fuselage)

Air-to-air: R-77, R-77PD, R-73, K-74Air-to-surface: X-29T, X-29L, X-59M, X-31P, X-31A, KAB-500, KAB-1500

RoleExperimental/Technology demonstrator

Manufacturer Sukhoi

First flight25 September 1997

Introduction January 2000

Status Under development

Primary userRussian Air Force

Number built4 flight testing prototypes

Sukhoi Su-47 , Movie

Su-47 (Pentagon’s Nightmere), Movie

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223

Sukhoi PAK FAGeneral Characteristics• Crew: 1• Length: 19.8 m (65.9 ft)• Wingspan: 14 m (46.6 ft)• Height: 6.05 m (19.8 ft)• Wing area: 78.8 m2 (848.1 ft2)• Empty weight: 18,500 kg (40,785 lb)• Loaded weight: 26,000 kg (57,320 lb)• Useful load: 7,500 kg (combat load) (16,534 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 37,000 kg (81,570 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × AL-41F1 for prototypes[N 1][97] turbofan, 147 kN (33,047 lb) for prototypes;[98] 157+ kN (34,620+ lbf) for definitive engine version[98] each• Fuel capability: 10,300 kg (22,711 lb)

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 2+, 2,100-2,600 km/h (1,300-1,560 mph) ; at 17,000 m (45,000 ft) altitude• Cruise speed: 1,300-1,800 km/h (808-1,118 mph)• Ferry range: 5,500 km[68] (3,417 mi)• Service ceiling: 20,000 m (65,600 ft)• Rate of climb: 350 m/s (68,900 ft/min)• Wing loading: 330-470 kg/m2 (67-96 lb/ft2)• Thrust/weight: 1.19[95]

• Maximum g-load: 9+ g

Armament• Guns: None on prototype. Apparent provision for a cannon (most likely GSh-301). Possible two 30 mm cannons.[28]

• Hardpoints: Two internal bays[67] Other sources suggest two auxiliary internal bays for short range AAMS and six external hardpoints.

RoleStealth multirole fighter

National origin Russia

Manufacturer Sukhoi

First flight 29 January 2010

Introduction2015/2016 (planned)[4][5][6][7]

Status Test flight / pre-production

Primary users Russian Air ForceRussian Navy[8]

Number built 4 with 3 flown [9][10]

Program costUS$ 8–10 billion (est.)[11][12][13]

Unit costUS$47.5–57 million[14]

Variants Sukhoi/HAL FGFA

AvionicsAESA built by Tikhomirov NIIP. It will be the second aircraft based AESA Radar to be built by Russia, the first being the Phazotron NIIR ZHUK-A Radar in the MiG-35.[

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224

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 (Foxbat)

General Characteristics• Crew: One• Length: 19.75 m (64 ft 10 in)• Wingspan: 14.01 m (45 ft 11.5 in)• Height: 6.10 m (20 ft 0.25 in)• Wing area: 61.40 m² (660.93 ft²)• Empty weight: 20,000 kg (44,080 lb)• Loaded weight: 36,720 kg (80,952 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × Tumansky R-15B-300 afterburning turbojets

Dry thrust: 73.5 kN (16,524 lbf) eachThrust with afterburner: 100.1 kN (22,494 lbf) each

Performance• Maximum speed:

High altitude: Mach 3.2[7] (3,600 km/h, 2,170 mph); Mach 2.83 (3,200 km/h, 1,920 mph) continuous engine limit[7]

Low altitude: 1,200 km/h (648 knots, 746 mph)[65]

• Range: 1,730 km (935 nmi, 1,075 mi) with internal fuel• Ferry range: 2,575 km (1,390 nmi)• Service ceiling: 20,700 m (with four missiles) (67,915 ft; over 80,000 ft (24.4 km) for RB models)• Rate of climb: 208 m/s (40,950 ft/min)• Wing loading: 598 kg/m² (122.5 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weight: 0.41• Time to altitude: 8.9 min to 20,000 m (65,615 ft)

Armament• 2x radar-guided R-40R (AA-6 "Acrid") air-to-air missiles, and• 2x infrared-guided R-40T missiles

RoleInterceptor and reconnaissance aircraft

ManufacturerMikoyan-Gurevich OKB

First flight 6 March 1964

Introduction 1970

Status Limited service

Primary users

Russian Air ForceAlgerian Air ForceSyrian Air ForceMilitary of Turkmenistan

Number built 1,186[1]

Developed into Mikoyan MiG-31

Avionics• RP-25 Smerch radar• A RV-UM or a RV-4 radar altimeter

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225

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27 (Flogger D/J)

General Characteristics• Crew: 1 Pilot only• Length: 17.08 m (56 ft 0 in) [2] ()• Wingspan:

Spread: 13.97 m (45 ft 10 in) [2]

Swept: 7.78 m (25 ft 6 in) [2] ()• Height: 5 m (16 ft 5 in) [2] ()• Wing area:

Spread: 37.35 m2 (402.0 sq ft) [2]

Swept: 34.16 m2 (367.7 sq ft) [2] ()• Empty weight: 11,908 kg (26,253 lb) (equipped) [2] ()• Loaded weight: 20,300 kg (44,800 lb) [2] ()• Max. takeoff weight: 20,670 kg (45,570 lb) ()• Powerplant: 1 × Khatchaturov R-29B-300 afterburning turbojet[2]

Dry thrust: 78.5 kN (17,650 lbf) [2] ()Thrust with afterburner: 112.8 kN (25,360 lbf)

Performance• Maximum speed:

at sea level: Mach 1.10 (1,350 km/h, 839 mph) [2]

at 8,000-metre altitude (26,250 ft): Mach 1.77 (1,885 km/h, 1,171 mph) [2]

• Combat radius: 780 km (480 mi) ()

540 km (290 nmi; 340 mi) (with two Kh-29 ASMs and three drop tanks lo-lo-lo) [2]

225 km (120 nmi; 140 mi) (with two Kh-29 ASMs and no external fuel) [2]

• Ferry range: 2,500 km (1,550 mi) ()• Service ceiling: 14,000 m (46,000 ft) [2] ()• Rate of climb: 200 m/s (39,400 ft/min) [2] ()• Wing loading: 605 kg/m² (123.9 lb/sq ft) ()• Thrust/weight: 0.62

Armament• Guns:

1 × GSh-6-30 30 mm cannon with 260–300 rounds [2]

installed gun pods for (optional) SPPU-22 and SPPU-6

• Hardpoints: One centerline, four fuselage, and two wing glove pylons with a capacity of 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) [2]

• Missiles: pre-installed rocket pods for various (optional) laser, TV and electro-optically guided ASMs and PGMs [2]

• Bombs: general-purpose bombs (optional)

RoleAttack aircraft, Fighter bomber

ManufacturerMikoyan OKBHindustan Aeronautics

First flight 20 August 1970

Introduction 1975

StatusIn service with foreign users

Primary usersSoviet Air ForceRussian Air Force, Indian Air Force

Produced 1970–1986

Number built1,075 including licensed production[1]

Developed fromMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23

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226

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 (Fulcrum)

General Characteristics• Crew: 1• Length: 17.37 m (57 ft)• Wingspan: 11.4 m (37 ft 3 in)• Height: 4.73 m (15 ft 6 in)• Wing area: 38 m² (409 ft²)• Empty weight: 11,000 kg (24,250 lb)• Loaded weight: 15,300 kg (33,730 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 20,000 kg (44,100 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × Klimov RD-33 afterburning turbofans, 8,300 kgf (81.4 kN, 18,300 lbf) each

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h, 1,490 mph) At low altitude: Mach 1.25 (1,500 km/h, 930 mph)• Range: 1,430 km (772 nmi, 888 mi) with maximum internal fuel[132]

• Ferry range: 2,100 km (1,300 mi) with 1 drop tank• Service ceiling: 18,013 m (59,100 ft)• Rate of climb: initial 330 m/s average 109 m/s 0–6000 m [133] (65,000 ft/min)• Wing loading: 442 kg/m² (82 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weight: 1.08

Armament• 1 x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds• 7 Hard points: 6 x pylons under-wing, 1 x under fuselage• Up to 3,500 kg (7,720 lb) of weapons including six air-to-air missiles — a mix of semi-active radar homing (SARH) and AA-8 "Aphid", AA-10 "Alamo", AA-11 "Archer", AA-12 "Adder", FAB 500-M62, FAB-1000, TN-100, ECM Pods, S-24, AS-12, AS-14

RoleAir-superiority fighter, multirole fighter

National originSoviet UnionRussia

Manufacturer Mikoyan

First flight 6 October 1977

Introduction August 1983

Status Active service

Primary users

Russian Air ForceIndian Air ForceUkrainian Air ForceSee Operators below for others

Produced 1982–present

Number built 1,600+[1]

Unit cost

US$11 million (MiG-29B, 1984, 1999)[2][3]

US$29 million (average cost, 2009)[4][5]

VariantsMikoyan MiG-29MMikoyan MiG-29KMikoyan MiG-35

AvionicsPhazotron N019, N010 radars

The MiG-29, along with the Sukhoi Su-27, was developed to counter new American fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon.

MIG 29 FulcrumWestern Analysis

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227

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 (Foxhound)General Characteristics• Crew: Two (pilot and weapons system officer)• Length: 22.69 m (74 ft 5 in)• Wingspan: 13.46 m (44 ft 2 in)• Height: 6.15 m (20 ft 2 in)• Wing area: 61.6 m² (663 ft²)• Empty weight: 21,820 kg (48,100 lb)• Loaded weight: 41,000 kg (90,400 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 46,200 kg (101,900 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × Soloviev D-30F6 afterburning turbofans

Dry thrust: 93 kN (20,900 lbf) eachThrust with afterburner: 152 kN (34,172 lbf) each

Performance• Maximum speed:

High altitude: Mach 2.83 (3,000 km/h, 1,860 mph)[3]

Low altitude: Mach 1.2 (1,500 km/h, 930 mph)• Combat radius: 720 km (subsonic) (450 mi) 360 km at Mach 2.35[27]

• Ferry range: 3,300 km (2,050 mi)• Service ceiling: 20,600 m (67,600 ft)• Rate of climb: 208 m/s (41,000 ft/min)• Wing loading: 665 kg/m² (136 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weight: 0.85• Maximum g-load: 5 g

Armament• 1× GSh-6-23 23 mm cannon with 260 rounds.• Fuselage recesses for 4× R-33 (AA-9 'Amos') (or for MiG-31M/BM only 6× R-37 (AA-X-13 'Arrow') long-range air-to-ai missiles)• 4 underwing pylons for a combination of:2× R-40TD1 (AA-6 'Acrid') medium-range missiles, and[clarification

needed]

4× R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') 4× R-73 (AA-11 'Archer') short-range IR missiles,4× R-77 (AA-12 'Adder') medium-range missiles.

Some aircraft are equipped to launch the Kh-31P (AS-17 'Krypton') and Kh-58 (AS-11 'Kilter') anti-radiation missiles in the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) role.

Role Interceptor aircraft

Manufacturer Mikoyan

First flight 16 September 1975

Introduction 1982

Status Active service

Primary usersRussian Air ForceKazakhstan Air Force

Number built 400 (approx.)[1]

Unit cost US$57–60 million

Developed from

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25

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228

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-35 (Fulcrum F)General Characteristics• Crew: one or two• Length: 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in)• Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)• Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in)• Wing are: 38 m2 (409 ft2)• Empty weight: 11,000 kg (24,250 lb)• Loaded weight: 17,500 kg (38,600 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 29,700 kg (65,500 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × Klimov RD-33MK afterburning turbofans

Dry thrust: 5,400 kgf, 53.0 kN (11,900 lbf) eachThrust with afterburner: 9,000 kgf, 88.3 kN (19,800 lbf) eachPerformance

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h, 1,491 mph) at altitude;[21] 1,450 km/h (901 mph) at low-level• Range: 2,000 km (1,240 mi)• Combat radius: 1,000 km (620 mi)• Ferry range: 3,100 km (1,930 mi) with 3 external fuel tanks• Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft)• Rate of climb: 330 m/s (65,000 ft/min[24])• Thrust/weight: 1.14[25]

• Max. maneuvering load factor: 10.0 g

Armament• Guns: 1× 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, 150 rounds• Hardpoints: 9 total (8× under-wing, 1× centre-line) with a capacity of 7,000 kg[7]

• Rockets: S-8, S-13, S-24, S-25L, S-250 unguided and laser-guided rockets• Missiles:

Air-to-air:AA-10 Alamo: 4× R-27R, R-27T, R-27ER, R-27ETAA-8 Aphid: 4× R-60MAA-11 Archer: 8× R-73E, R-73M, R-74MAA-12 Adder: 8× R-77

Air-to-surface:AS-17 Krypton: 4× Kh-31A, Kh-31PAS-14 Kedge: 4× Kh-29T, Kh-29L

• Bombs:

Guided: KAB-500L: 500 kg laser-guided bombKAB-500T: 500 kg TV-guided bomb

Unguided: FAB-250: 250 kg bombFAB-500: 500 kg bombZAB-500 fuel-air explosive Bomb

Role Multirole fighter

National origin Russia

Manufacturer Mikoyan

First flight 2007

Status In Development

Number built3 known completed by June 2010[1]

Developed from

Mikoyan MiG-29M

AvionicsPhazotron Zhuk AE AESA radar (or other members of the Zhuk radar family)NII PP OLS-UEM Optical Location station

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229

Dassault RafaleGeneral Characteristics• Crew: 1–2• Length: 15.27 m (50.1 ft)• Wingspan: 10.80 m (35.4 ft)• Height: 5.34 m (17.5 ft)• Wing area: 45.7 m² (492 ft²)• Empty weight: 9,500 kg (C), 9,770 kg (B), 10,196 kg (M) ()• Loaded weight: 14,016 kg (30,900 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 24,500 kg (C/D), 22,200 kg (M) (54,000 lb)• Powerplant 2 × Snecma M88-2 turbofans

Dry thrust: 50.04 kN (11,250 lbf) eachThrust with afterburner: 75.62 kN (17,000 lbf) each

• Fuel capacity: 4,700 kg (10,000 lb) internal

Performances• Maximum speed:

• High altitude: Mach 1.8+ (2,130+ km/h, 1,050+ knots)• Low altitude: Mach 1.1+ (1,390 km/h, 750 knots)

• Range: 3,700+ km (2,000+ nmi)• Combat radius: 1,852+ km (1,000+ nmi) on penetration mission• Service ceiling: 16,800 m (55,000 ft)• Rate of climb: 304.8+ m/s (60,000+ ft/min)• Wing loading: 306 kg/m² (62.8 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weight: 1.10 (100% fuel, 2 EM A2A missile, 2 IR A2A missile)

Armament:• Guns: 1× 30 mm (1.18 in) GIAT 30/719B autocannon with 125 rounds• Hardpoints: 14 for Armée de l'Air version (Rafale B,C), 13 for Aéronavale version (Rafale M) with a capacity of 9,500 kg (21,000 lb) external fuel and ordnance and provisions to carry combinations of:

• Missiles:• MBDA MICA IR or EM or Magic II and• MBDA Meteor air-to-air mssiles in the future

• Air-to-ground: • MBDA Apache or• Storm Shadow-SCALP EG or• AASM-Hammer or• GBU-12 Paveway II

• Air-to-surface: • AM 39-Exocet

• Deterrence: • ASMP-A nuclear missile

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Eurofighter Typhoon

General Characteristics• Crew: 1 (operational aircraft) or 2 (training aircraft)• Length: 15.96 m (52.4 ft)• Wingspan: 10.95 m (35.9 ft)• Height: 5.28 m (17.3 ft)• Wing area: 51.2 m²[244] (551 sq ft)• Empty weight: 11,150 kg (24,600 lb)• Loaded weigh: 16,000 kg (35,000 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 23,500 kg (52,000 lb)• Powerplant: 2 × Eurojet EJ200 afterburning turbofan

Dry thrust: 60 kN (13,000 lbf) eachThrust with afterburner: 89 kN (20,000 lbf) each

• Fuel capacity: 4,500 kg (9,900 lb) internal

Performance• Maximum speed:

At altitude: Mach 2 (2,475 km/h/1,538 mph)At sea level: Mach 1.2[243] (1,470 km/h/910 mph)Supercruise: Mach 1.5[250]

• Range: 2,900 km (1,800 mi)• Combat radius:

Ground attack, lo-lo-lo: 601 km (325 nmi)Ground attack, hi-lo-hi: 1,389 km (750 nmi)Air defence with 3-hr combat air patrol: 185 km (100 nmi)Air defence with 10-min. loiter: 1,389 km (750 nmi) [244][251]

Ferry range: 3,790 km (2,350 mi)Service ceiling: 16,765 m[252] (55,003 ft)Absolute ceiling: 19,812 m[252] (65,000 ft)Rate of climb: >315 m/s[253][254] (62,000 ft/min[255])Wing loading: 312 kg/m²[244] (64.0 lb/ft² 262 kg/m² with 50% fuel)Thrust/weight: 1.15g-limits: +9/−3 g

Armament• Guns: 1 × 27 mm Mauser BK-27 Revolver cannon with 150 rounds• Hardpoints: Total of 13: 8 × under-wing; and 5 × under-fuselage pylon stations; holding up to 7,500 kg (16,500 lb) of payload[244][257]

• Missiles:• Air-to-air missiles:

• AIM-9 Sidewinder• AIM-132 ASRAAM• AIM-120 AMRAAM• IRIS-T• MBDA Meteor, in the future

• Air-to-surface missiles: • AGM-65 Maverick, in the future• AGM-88 HARM, in the future• Storm Shadow (AKA Scalp EG), in the future• Brimstone, in the future• Taurus KEPD 350• Penguin, in the future• AGM Armiger, in the future

• Bombs:

• 6× 500lb Paveway IV• Paveway II/III/Enhanced Paveway series of laser-guided bombs (LGBs)• Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), in the future• HOPE/HOSBO, in the future

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231

Saab JAS 39 Gripen

General Characteristics• Crew: 1 (2 for JAS 39D)• Payload: 5,300 kg ()• Length: 14.1 m (46 ft 3 in), two-seater: 14.8 m (48 ft 5 in)• Wingspan: 8.4 m (27 ft 7 in)• Height: 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in)• Wing area: 30.0 m² (323 ft²)• Empty weight: 6,800 kg (12,600 lb)• Loaded weight: 8,500 kg (18,700 lb)• Max. takeoff weight: 14,000 kg (31,000 lb)• Powerplant: 1 × Volvo Aero RM12 afterburning turbofan

Dry thrust: 54 kN (12,100 lbf)Thrust with afterburner: 80.5 kN (18,100 lbf)

• Wheel track: 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in)

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 2 (2,204 km/h, 1,372 mph) at altitude• Combat radius: 800 km (500 mi, 432 nmi)• Ferry range: 3,200 km (2,000 mi) with drop tanks• Service ceiling: 15,240 m (50,000 ft)• Wing loading: 283 kg/m² (58 lb/ft²)• Thrust/weight: 0.97

Armament• Guns: 1 × 27 mm Mauser BK-27 Revolver cannon with 120 rounds (only available on single-seat A/C model)• Hardpoints: 8 (three on each wing and two under fuselage) and provisions to carry combinations of:

• Rockets: 4× rocket pods 13.5 cm rockets• Missiles:

• 6× Rb.74 (AIM-9) or Rb 98 (IRIS-T)• 4× Rb.99 (AIM-120) or MICA• 4× Rb.71 (Skyflash) or Meteor• 4× Rb.75• 2× KEPD.350• 2× Rbs.15F anti-ship missile

• Bombs:

• 4× GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb• 2× Bk.90 cluster bomb• 8× Mark 82 bombs

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232

Lockheed_Martin_F-22_Raptor

General Characteristics• Crew: 1• Length: 62 ft 1 in (18.90 m)• Wingspan: 44 ft 6 in (13.56 m)• Height: 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m)• Wing area: 840 ft² (78.04 m²)• Airfoil: NACA 64A?05.92 root, NACA 64A?04.29 tip• Empty weight: 43,430 lb (19,700 kg[6][305])• Loaded weight: 64,460 lb (29,300 kg[N 5])• Max. takeoff weight: 83,500 lb (38,000 kg)• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 Pitch Thrust vectoring turbofans

Dry thrust: 23,500 lb[308] (104 kN) eachThrust with afterburner: 35,000+ lb[6][308] (156+ kN) each

• Fuel capacity: 18,000 lb (8,200 kg) internally,[6][305] or 26,000 lb (11,900 kg) with two external fuel tanks

Performance• Maximum speed:

At altitude: Mach 2.25 (1,500 mph, 2,410 km/h) [estimated][140]

Supercruise: Mach 1.82 (1,220 mph, 1,963 km/h)[140]

• Range: >1,600 nmi (1,840 mi, 2,960 km) with 2 external fuel tanks• Combat radius: 410 nmi (with 100 nmi in supercruise) [304] (471 mi, 759 km)• Ferry range: 2,000 mi (1,738 nmi, 3,219 km)• Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (Currently restricted to 44,000 ft, sans vests)[309] (19,812 m)• Wing loading: 77 lb/ft² (375 kg/m²)• Thrust/weight: 1.09 (1.26 with loaded weight & 50% fuel)

Maximum design g-load: -3.0/+9.0 g[

Armament• Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A2 Vulcan 6-barreled gatling cannon in starboard wing root, 480 rounds• Air to air loadout:

6× AIM-120 AMRAAM2× AIM-9 Sidewinder

• Air to ground loadout: 2× AIM-120 AMRAAM and2× AIM-9 Sidewinder for self-protection, and one of the following:

2× 1,000 lb (450 kg) JDAM or8× 250 lb (110 kg) GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs

• Hardpoints: 4× under-wing pylon stations can be fitted to carry 600 U.S. gallon drop tanks or weapons, each with a capacity of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg).

F-22 RAPTOR in Action, Movie

F-22 RAPTOR Cancelled, Movie

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_F/A 18C/D (Hornet), E/F (Super-Hornet)SOLO

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234

Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II

General Characteristics• Crew: 1• Length: 51.4 ft (15.67 m)• Wingspan: 35 ft[N 5] (10.7 m)• Height: 14.2 ft[N 6] (4.33 m)• Wing area: 460 ft²[170] (42.7 m²)• Empty weight: 29,300 lb (13,300 kg)• Loaded weight: 49,540 lb (22,470 kg)• Max. takeoff weight: 70,000 lb[N 8] (31,800 kg)• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney F135 afterburning turbofan

Dry thrust: 28,000 lbf (125 kN)Thrust with afterburner: 43,000 lbf (191 kN)

• Internal fuel capacity: 18,480 lb (8,382 kg)

Performance• Maximum speed: Mach 1.6+ (1,200 mph, 1,930 km/h) (Tested to Mach 1.61)• Range: 1,200 nmi (2,220 km) on internal fuel• Combat radius: 584 nmi (1,080 km) on internal fuel• Service ceiling: 60,000 ft[350] (18,288 m) (Tested to 43,000 ft)• Rate of climb: classified (not publicly available)• Wing loading: 91.4 lb/ft² (446 kg/m²)• Thrust/weight:

With full fuel: 0.87With 50% fuel: 1.07

• g-Limits: 9 g

Armament• Guns: 1 × General Dynamics GAU-22/A Equalizer 25 m (0.984 in) 4-barreled gatling cannon, internally mounted with 180 rounds• Hardpoints: 6 × external pylons on wings with a capacity of 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) and 2 internal bays with 2 pylons each for a total weapons payload of 18,000 lb (8,100 kg) and provisions to carry combinations of:

Missiles:Air-to-air missiles:

AIM-120 AMRAAMAIM-9X SidewinderIRIS-TMBDA Meteor (Pending further funding)JDRADM (after 2020)

Air-to-surface missiles: AGM-154 JSOWAGM-158 JASSMBrimstone missileJoint Air-to-Ground MissileStorm Shadow missileSOM

Anti-ship missiles: JSM

F-35 Data Fused Sensors

F-35 JSF-Radar Movie

F-35 EO DAS Movie

F-35 Cockpit Movie

F-35 Glass Cockpit, Movie

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235

Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II STOVL

The Unique F-35 Fighter Plane, Movie

USP 3” part F35Joint Strike Fighter ENG,

Movie

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236

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Dogfights in the Future

Dogfights of the Future, Movie

Stealth F-22 in Air-to-AirStealth F-35 in Multi-missionB1AIM-120 D Fire & ForgetMig-35Mig-47Su-35Airborne Laser BeamAnti-Satellite Kill VehiclesUAVStealth vs Stealth

(History Channel)

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February 13, 2015 238

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TechnionIsraeli Institute of Technology

1964 – 1968 BSc EE1968 – 1971 MSc EE

Israeli Air Force1970 – 1974

RAFAELIsraeli Armament Development Authority

1974 – 2013

Stanford University1983 – 1986 PhD AA