A-18 Super Hornet Specifications





Version               F/A-18 E/F

Manufacturer     McDonnell Douglas/ Boeing

Country              USA

Type                   Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft

Powerplant       F414-GE-400 engine (2x)

Thrust                22,000 lbs 9,977 kg, each engine

Length               60.3ft 18.5m

Height               16ft 4.87m

Wingspan        44.9ft 13.68m

Weight              65.980 lbs 29.937kg (mission take-off)

Speed              Mach 1.8+

Crew                One (F/A-18 F: two)

Cost                 $57 million







The F/A-18 Hornet flew from the U.S. Navy's twelve aircraft carriers and from the air bases of eight allied nations. U.S. Navy and Marine pilots and pilots of Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, and Finland have, with over 1,200 delivered Hornets, accumulated more than 2,500,000 flight hours, and in the process, established new records daily in safety, reliability, maintainability, and mission performance. Switzerland, Malaysia and Thailand also used F/A-18s.



The F/A-18 is truly a strike fighter, combining the capabilities of an attack aircraft or bomber with those of the fighter or interceptor. The original F/A-18A (single seat) and F/A-18B (dual seat) became operational in 1983. They were remarkably different from all earlier naval aircraft in that their design allowed them to assume a variety of roles, and to be easily and economically upgraded to counter evolving threats. To handle these eventualities a design based on the use of programmable digital computers was selected so future changes to the Hornet's functional capability could be made without expensive changes to hardware.



There are nine highly reliable digital computers in the F/A-18 which operate both the flight controls and the weapons system including the cockpit displays. Survivability not present in older airplanes has been designed into the Hornet. Fuel is not stored over engines. The engine feed tanks are self-sealing. Independent multipaths are used to route the flight controls and the hydraulic systems are split right and left and have the ability to seal off leaking branches.



The F/A-18 has a digital fly-by-wire flight control system which provides excellent handling qualities, and allows pilots to learn to fly the airplane with relative ease, compared to older airplanes. At the same time this system provides exceptional maneuverability, and allows the pilot to spend more time operating the weapons system. With the addition of a Head-Up Display (HUD) superimposed in front of the windscreen, the need to scan the instruments has been virtually removed.



A solid thrust-to-weight ratio and superior turn characteristics combined with good energy sustainability enable the F/A-18 to stand up to any aircraft in the inventory. The power to maintain evasive action is what many pilots consider the Hornet's finest trait.



Throughout the F/A-18's history it has been upgraded regularly. Following a successful run of more than 400 A and B models, the U.S. Navy began taking fleet deliveries of improved F/A-18C (single seat) and F/A-18D (dual seat) models in September 1987. These Hornets carry the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and the Infrared Imaging Maverick Air-to-Ground missile. Two years later the C/D models came with improved night attack capabilities. The new components included a navigation forward looking infrared (NAVFLIR) pod, a raster head-up display, night vision goggles, special cockpit lighting compatible with the night vision devices, a digital color moving map and an independent multipurpose color display. The NAVFLIR is a fixed field of view sensor that provides automatic electronic boresighting, which optically aligns the scene on the pilot's HUD with the view outside. It maintains clear horizon definition, even during sharp banking maneuvers, and provides target hot spot cueing for target detection.



The F/A-18 has been battle tested and has proved itself to be exactly what its designers intended: a highly reliable and versatile strike fighter. The Hornet played an important role in the 1986 strikes against Libya. Flying from the carrier Coral Sea (CV 43) F/A-18s launched high speed antiradiation missiles (HARMs) against Libyan air defense radars and missile sites, effectively silencing them during the attacks on Benghazi facilities. On the first day of Operation Desert Storm two F/A-18s, each carrying four 2,000 lb bombs, shot down two Iraqi MiGs and then proceeded to deliver their bomb loads on target. Throughout the Gulf War squadrons of U.S. Navy, Marine and Canadian F/A-18s operated around the clock, setting records daily in reliability and survivability. Four Marine F/A-18s were hit by surface-to-air missiles; returned to base safely, were repaired and back flying within 48 hours.



Despite the operational value of the annual upgrades to the F/A-18, by 1992 it became apparent that the F/A-18C/D airframe could no longer accommodate additional new weapons and weapon systems. Room for growth had been exhausted, not only space within the airframe to locate new equipment, but electrical and cooling capacity as well. That year the Secretary of Defense approved the development of larger, longer-range, more capable F/A-18s, the F/A-18E (single seat) and F/A-18F (dual seat). The first F/A-18E was unveiled on September 18, 1995 and labeled the "Super Hornet" by Admiral Mike Boorda, the Chief of Naval Operations. It later took to the skies on November 29, 1995, one month ahead of schedule, for a successful first flight.



The F/A-18E recovery payload increases by 3,500 lbs (to 9,000 total lbs) over the F/A-18C. This allows the F/A-18E to land back onboard with larger numbers of either training ordnance, or high-value "smart weapons." Although specifics vary depending on mission scenario, the F/A-18E/F range and endurance increase significantly over that of the F/A-18C/D across the warfighting spectrum. For example:



Flying a Desert Storm-type high altitude profile on an interdiction mission with a load of two 2,000-lb Mark- 84 laser-guided bombs, two AIM-9 Sidewinder Air-to-Air Missiles, one AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), a targeting forward-looking infrared pod and two fuel tanks, the F/A-18E's combat radius is 621 nautical miles. Flying the same configuration, the F/A-18C's combat radius is 496 nautical miles. It should be noted that the F/A-18E carries two 480-gallon fuel tanks, where the F/A-18C carries 330-gallon tanks. The fuel consumption for both profiles includes the fuel required to warm up the aircraft, taxi to the catapult, launch, climb to optimal cruise altitude, cruise to within fifty nautical miles of the target area, accelerate to 540 knots, dash inbound at 540 knots to the target, drop the air-to-ground weapons, dash fifty nautical miles outbound at 540 knots, engage an enemy aircraft, make a 360 degree turn in maximum afterburner, launch air-to-air weapons, climb to optimal altitude, cruise back at optimal altitude, and descend to 500 feet for recovery on the aircraft carrier with reserve fuel for 20 minutes loiter at sea level plus a reserve of 5% total initial fuel.



On a fighter sweep mission with a load of three AMRAAMs, two Sidewinders, a targeting FLIR and two fuel tanks, the E's 664-nautical mile radius exceeds the C's 518-nautical mile radius by 146 nautical miles.

In a combat air patrol scenario at 200 nautical miles, the E remains on station 80% longer than the C (1.8 hours vs. 1 hour).



Power projection range is also increased by the F/A-18's ability to deliver precision standoff weapons. Like the F/A-18C/D the E/F's digital avionics suite enables integration of all the Navy's current or in-development advanced weapons.



Although the F/A-18E/F is nearly 25% larger than the C/D, it is considerably more survivable and has a smaller vulnerable area. Survivability improvements are derived from a combination of factors, including reduced radar and infrared cross sections (through design features and coatings); greater situational awareness (through a combination of late-model C/D upgrades and new multi-purpose cockpit displays that fully exploit multi-sensor integration); an advanced countermeasures suite (additional chaff and flares, the ALE-47 automatic countermeasures dispenser, and the ALE-50 towed decoy); and reduced vulnerability (through an active dry-bay fire suppression system; self-sealing fuel tanks; explosion suppression foam in the wing fuel tanks; and hydraulic reservoir level sensing).



In the F/A-18E/F, volume, electrical power, and cooling margins renew the Hornet's ability to accommodate advancing technology as required.



The prime contractor for the F/A-18 and the manufacturer of the forward fuselage and wings is McDonnell Douglas Aerospace of St. Louis, Missouri. The center and aft fuselage is built by Northrop Grumman Corporation of Los Angeles, California. The engines are made by General Electric Aircraft Engines of Lynn, Massachusetts, and the radar is manufactured by Hughes Aircraft Company of Los Angeles.



The F/A-18 "Hornet" is a single- and two-seat, twin engine, multi-mission fighter/attack aircraft that can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases. The Hornet is the first tactical aircraft designed from inception to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, and the nation's first strike fighter.



As a digital aircraft, the F/A-18 has experienced substantial growth in warfighting capability since its introduction to the Fleet in 1981; it has been continually upgraded to maintain its advantage over the threat. Today's F/A-18 fills a variety of roles: air superiority, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, forward air control, close and deep air support, and day and night strike missions.



The F/A-18's advanced radar and avionics systems allow Hornet pilots to convert their aircraft from fighter to strike mode and back with the flip of a single switch. In Operation Desert Storm, F/A-18s performed fighter and stike missions on the same sortie, fighting their way to a target by defeating opposing aircraft, then destroying their ground targets and returning safely home. The F/A-18 also employs a number of other systems and technologies that increase its likelihood of reaching a target undetected, of escaping unhurt if detected, and of returning its crew safely if it is hit. The aircraft's reliability, survivability and maintainability were also proven during Operation Desert Storm as the aircraft broke all records for tactical aircraft. In one scenario, F/A-18s were hit by surface-to-air missiles; returned safely; were repaired and flying again the next day.



The F/A-18 Hornet replaced the F-4 Phantom II fighter and A-7 Corsair II light attack jet, and is also replacing the A-6 Intruder as these aircraft are retired during the 1990s. The F/A-18 is built by a nationwide industry team of McDonnell Douglas (forward fuselage and wings), Northrop Grumman (center and aft fuselage), General Electric (engines), and Hughes (radar). The F/A-18 is the "core" of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps tactical aviation.

F-22 Raptor Specifications





Version    F-22A Raptor

Manufacturer    Lockheed Martin

Country    USA

Type    Air dominance, multi-role fighter

Powerplant    Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engine with afterburners (2x)

Thrust    35,000+ lbs (each engine)

Length    62.1ft 18.9m

Height    16.8ft 5.1m

Wingspan    44.6ft 13.6m

Weight    40,000+ lbs 18,000kg

Speed    Mach 2+

Crew    1

Cost    n/a

The Lockheed Martin YF-22 won the Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) contest over the Northrop YF-23 in April 1991. In 1983 the Air Force had issued a request for proposals for the ATF program, which were based on a study on new fighter concepts. The F-22 program is developing the next-generation air superiority fighter for the United States Air Force to ensure it retains it's air dominance and can counter emerging worldwide threats.



Two prototypes of both the YF-22 and YF-23 were constructed, one demonstrator of each aircraft being powered by Pratt & Whitney F119 and the other by the General Electric F120 turbofan engine, allowing the Air Force to select the best airframe/propulsion arrangement.

The second YF-22 prototype, fitted with the Pratt & Whitney engines, demonstrated the ability to cruise at Mach 1.58 without afterburner and Mach 1.7 with afterburner.

This combination was deemed the most desirable and both Lockheed and Pratt & Whitney were issued contracts to proceed with production. The first F-22 fighter aircraft was unveiled in April 1997 and was given the name Raptor.



The end of the Cold War greatly reduced the perceived military threat faced by the United States, therefore the House Appropriations Committee recommended termination of the F-22, based in part on concerns over cost growth and unrealistic budgeting.

The Air Force told the Committee that development of the then called ATF would cost around $14 billion, already 900 million dollars more than estimates provided half a year earlier.

In the years that followed the costs continued to rise, and was estimated at $23 billion in 1999.



Dispite the cost overruns and cuts in the total number of aircraft that will be purchased, the F-22A Raptor achieved Initial Operational Capability, and passed its 'mission capable' flight test in mid-January 2006.



In late-February Gen. Ronald Keys, commander of Air Combat Command (ACC), revised plans to procure a fleet of 183 Raptors, and will give the service about 126 combat-ready jets.

[Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engine]



The Raptor's twin Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines are leading-edge powerplants. The F-119's ability to provide supersonic cruise without afterburner provides the F/A-22 with one of its most important capabilities, with supercruise at Mach 1.5+ demonstrated in flight tests. It has a high power-to-weight ratio (PWR) of 1.4:1, and can deliver 156 kN (15,900 kgp / 35,000 lbf) afterburning thrust. The F119 has a minimized parts count and has been designed for maintainability. Important components, harnesses, and plumbing were placed on the bottom of the engine to improve ground crew access, and all components can be removed or replaced with one of six standard tools. The digital engine control modules are redundant, with two controllers per engine and two computers per controller, to improve reliability.

[Manufacturing]



The F/A-22 is constructed of titanium alloys (39% by weight); composites (24%); aircraft aluminum alloy (16%); and thermoplastics (1%). Advanced titanium welding techniques and composite fabrication are used in the aircraft's construction. "Radar absorbent material (RAM)" is used in critical locations to reduce the aircraft's radar signature, and the aircraft's contours are intended to make it less conspicuous to radar. Apertures, such as weapons bay and landing gear doors, have zigzag edges to break up radar returns. A overall coating reduces the aircraft's infrared signature as well. While older stealth aircraft require substantial maintenance, careful handling, and protection from weather to keep them stealthy, the F/A-22 will not require extraordinary efforts to maintain its stealth characteristics.

SU-47 Berkut Specifications





Version            SU-47 Berkut

Manufacturer    Sukhoi

Country            Russian Federation

Type            Fighter / Demonstrator

Powerplant    Saturn/Lyul'ka AL-37FU (2x)

Thrust            63,930lbs 284.4kN (with afterburner)

Length            74ft 22.6m

Height            21ft 6.4m

Wingspan    54.7ft 16.7m

Weight            57,320lbs 26,000kg (Typical load)

Speed            1,555mph 2,500km/h (At altitude)

Crew            1

Cost            n/a





Although the Russian aircraft was build as a testbed for developing fifth-generation technologies, in May 2002 Sukhoi was selected as prime contractor for the next-generation Russian PAK FA fighter programme. Although the SU-47 will be used for the PAK AF program, the design of it will probably be very different.



The Su-47 has extremely high agility at subsonic speeds, enabling the aircraft to alter its angle of attack and its flight path very quickly. It also retains it's high manoeuvrability in supersonic flight.



Maximum turn rates and the upper and lower limits on air speed for weapon launch are important criteria in terms of combat superiority. The Su-47 aircraft has very high levels of manoeuvrability with maintained stability and controllability at all angles of attack.

Maximum turn rates are important in close combat and also at medium and long range, when a mission may involve engaging consecutive targets in different sectors of the airspace.



The high turn rate of the Su-47 allows the pilot to turn the fighter aircraft quickly towards the next target to initiate the weapon launch. The swept-forward wing, compared to a swept-back wing of the same wing area, provides a number of advantages: higher lift to drag ratio; higher capacity in dogfight manoeuvres; higher range at subsonic speed; improved stall resistance and anti-spin characteristics; improved stability at high angles of attack; a lower minimum flight speed; and a shorter take-off and landing distance.



The SU-47's initial engine, the Saturn-Lulka Al-41F thrust vectoring engine was scarcely available, they were reserved for Mikoyan's Article 1.42 tests.

The final engine, the Al-37FU uses fuel instead of hydraulic liquid to drive the nozzles, and can be operated in two modes, automatic and manual. In automatic more, the axi-symmetric nozzles are controlled by the digital fly-by-wire flight control system (FCS).



Although the SU-47 was first seen as a demonstrator program it plays an important role in the PAK FA program, which is funded by India. Based on the SU-47, the Sukhoi PAK FA prototype is expected to begin flight testing no later than the end of 2007.

Mig-29 Fulcrum Specifications







Version            Mig-29 Fulcrum

Manufacturer    Mikoyan-Gurevich

Country            Russian Federation/ USSR

Type            Multi-role fighter

Powerplant    Klimov RD-33K turbofan engine (2x)

Thrust            86.4kN 19,400 lbs (with afterburner)

Length            17.37m 57ft

Height            4.73m 15.6 ft

Wingspan    11.4m 37.3ft

Weight       11,000kg 24,250 lbs (empty)

Speed            2,430km/h 1,510mph

Crew            1

Cost            n/a







The MiG29 Fulcrum is the pride of the Russian airforce and by many considered the best fighter today. That is not far from the truth.

The MiG29 is capable of making manouvers no other aircraft can do. And the manouvers others can do, it can do faster and tighter, giving it an edge in dog fights.



The MiG-29 is a widely exported aircraft, flown by Russia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, North Korea, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Syria, Turkemenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen and Yugoslavia.

In total, over 800 were delivered to the Soviet / Russian Tactical Air Forces and around 500 airframes prepared for initial export customers.







By 1989, it was serving in 12 different air forces around the world.

Presently, it is the only Russian aircraft on operational duty in NATO and serves in 21 air forces.

Brassey's reports that a total of 1216 MiG-29 single-seaters and 197 MiG-29UB dual-seaters were built by January 1985 (total of 1413). Since 1990, production was exclusively for export.



The MiG-29 has a few advantages over its more electronically advanced American counterparts. At about 40 miles apart, the American planes have the advantage because of avionics. At 10 miles the advantage is turning to the MiG. At five miles out, because of the MiG weapons sight and better maneuverability, the advantage is to the MiG.

The mission of the MiG-29 is to destroy hostile air targets within radar coverage limits and also to destroy ground targets using unguided weapons in visual flight conditions.

The aircraft's fixed-wing profile with large-wing leading-edge root extensions gives good manoeuvrability and control at subsonic speed, including manoeuvres at high angles of attack. The maximum operational g-loading is 9g.



The MiG29B was designed later on as a two-seated combat trainer. There is also a MiG29C with extended fuel capacity, of the 21 Fulcrums the United States bought, 14 are the frontline Fulcrum C's, which also contains an active radar jammer in its spine, six Mig 29A versions and one B-model of training.

During 1989 and 1990 a naval version was also under testing under the name MiG29D.



The latest version of MiG29 is the Super Fulcrum, MiG29K. The MiG-29K differed from the MiG-29 production model, featuring a new multi-function radar.

It is a highly improved MiG29, but unfortuately it hasn't been produced in great numbers.

The aircraft has a remote control system, large-area (42 m2 vs 38 m2) folding wing, adjustable center-line air intakes with retractable screens protecting the engines during operation from ground airfields, reinforced landing gear, hook, corrosion- protected reinforced fuselage made specifically for deck-based aircraft.



The German 'Bundeswehr' inherited 20 single-seater and 4 twin-seater MiG-29 aircraft from the former East German forces after the cold war.

After these Fulcrum aircraft had been upgraded to western standards, they received the designations MiG-29G (for Germany) and MiG-29GT (Germany/Trainer).



The MiG-29 fighter is equipped with seven external weapon hardpoints.

The aircraft can carry: up to two R-27 air-to-air medium-range missiles; six R-73 and R-60 air-to-air short range missiles; four pods of S-5, S-8, S-24 unguided rockets; air bombs weighing up to 3,000kg; and 30mm built-in aircraft gun with 150 rounds of ammunition.



During the NATO actions in Kosovo, on the 24th of March 1999, a Dutch F-16 shot down a Serbian Mig-29.



(The engagement also marked the combat debut for the F-16AM, the most advanced F-16 in operational service.)

Armament:

# One 30mm GSh-30L cannon with 150 rounds

# Six Air-Air Missiles; including a mix of SARH and AA- 8 Aphid (R60) AA-10 Alamo (R27T) AA-11 Archer (R73) FAB 500-M62, FAB-1000, TN-100,

# ECM Pods

# S-24 AS-12, AS-14

Versions:



    * Mig-29 " Fulcrum-have ": Basical version. Feature: to see above.

    * Mig-29UB " Fulcrum-Bs ": Two-seater Training version.

    * Mig-29S " Fulcrum-Cs ": Modernized version of Fulcrum-H.

    * Mig-29SE: Export version of export of the Fulcrum-C.

    * Mig-29K " Fulcrum-Ds ": Aircraft Carrier based version of the Mig-29. (based on Kusnetzov Carrier)

    * Mig-29M: Last version of the Mig-29, completely revisited.

    * Mig-29ME: Export Version of the Mig-29M.

    * Mig-29G: German upgraded version

    * Mig-29GT: German upgaded two-seater trainer

F-16 Falcon Specifications





Version              F-16 D

Manufacturer    Lockheed Martin

Country              USA

Type                   Multirole fighter

Powerplant       P&W F100-PW-200/220/229 or GE F110-GE-100/129 (1x)

Thrust                27,000 lbs

Length               49.5ft 14.8m

Height                16ft 4.8m

Wingspan          32.8ft 9.8m

Weight                37,500 lbs 16,875kg (max takeoff)

Speed                 1,500mph Mach 2 (at altitude)

Crew                   1 or 2

Cost                     $18.8 million (1998)



The F-16 has been manufactured on as many as five separate production lines, making it the largest fighter program in the Western world. Over 4000 F-16s have been built, with production still continuing.



In designing the F-16, advanced aerospace science and proven reliable systems from other aircraft such as the F-15 and F-111 were selected. These were combined to simplify the airplane and reduce its size, purchase price, maintenance costs and weight. The light weight of the fuselage is achieved without reducing its strength, the F-16 is less than half the weight of the F-14 and it can carry a larger payload.

With a full load of internal fuel, the F-16 can withstand up to 9 G's, that is more than the capability of other current fighter aircraft.



The pilot has excellent flight control of the F-16 through its "fly-by-wire" system. Electrical wires relay commands, replacing the usual cables and linkage controls. The cockpit and its bubble canopy give the pilot unobstructed forward and upward vision, and greatly improved vision over the side and to the rear.

The seat-back angle was expanded from the usual 13 degrees to 30 degrees, increasing pilot comfort and gravity force tolerance. The pilot has excellent flight control of the F-16 through its "fly-by-wire" system. Electrical wires relay commands, replacing the usual cables and linkage controls. For easy and accurate control of the aircraft during high G-force combat maneuvers, a side stick controller is used instead of the conventional center-mounted stick.

Hand pressure on the side stick controller sends electrical signals to actuators of flight control surfaces such as ailerons and rudder.



All F-16s delivered since November 1981 have built-in structural and wiring provisions and systems architecture that permit expansion of the multirole flexibility to perform precision strike, night attack and beyond-visual-range interception missions.

This improvement program led to the F-16C and F-16D aircraft, which are the single- and two-place counterparts to the F-16A/B, and incorporate the latest cockpit control and display technology.



The F-16 was built under an unusual agreement creating a consortium between the United States and four NATO countries: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. These countries jointly produced with the United States an initial 348 F-16s for their air forces.

Final airframe assembly lines were located in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Versions:

F-16A



The F-16A, a single-seat model, first flew in December 1976.

The first operational F-16A was delivered in January 1979 to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

F-16B



The F-16B, a two-seat model, has tandem cockpits that are about the same size as the one in the A model.

Its bubble canopy extends to cover the second cockpit. To make room for the second cockpit, the forward fuselage fuel tank and avionics growth space were reduced. The B loses 1,200 pounds of internal fuel capacity because of the second seat. The antenna pods were fitted on the wingtips in place of the AIM-9 missles.

During training, the forward cockpit is used by a student pilot with an instructor pilot in the rear cockpit.

F-16C/D



All F-16s delivered since November 1981 have built-in structural and wiring provisions and systems architecture that permit expansion of the multirole flexibility to perform precision strike, night attack and beyond-visual-range interception missions.

This improvement program led to the F-16C and F-16D aircraft, which are the single- and two-place counterparts to the F-16A/B, and incorporate the latest cockpit control and display technology.



Currently, most active units have converted to the F-16C/D.



The Falcon's versatility is still being explored. The variety of stores it can carry and wide range of missions it can undertake with great effectiveness is staggering.

The F-16 has proven itself capable of air superiority, "Wild Weasel", strike, and reconnaissance missions without any structural modofications.

The simple addition of the proper external pods or ordnance is all that is required. There is even an experimental GPU-5 external gun pod which contains a 30mm cannon firing the same shells as the A-10's famous tank-busting Avenger.

More to be added in this section.Thank you for reading

General Characteristics





Primary Function: Fighter/attack

Contractor: Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Co.

Power Plant: Two General Electric F404 engines

Length: 65 feet, 11 inches (20.3 meters)

Height: 12 feet, 5 inches (3.8 meters)

Weight: 52,500 pounds (23,625 kilograms)

Wingspan: 43 feet, 4 inches (13.3 meters)

Speed: High subsonic

Range: Unlimited with air refueling

Armament: Internal weapons carriage

Unit Cost: $45 million

Crew: One

Date Deployed: 1982

Inventory: Active force, 54; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0







The first F-117A Nighthawk was delivered in 1982, and the last delivery was in the summer of 1990. The Nighthawk production decision was made in 1978 with a contract awarded to Lockheed Advanced Development Projects, the "Skunk Works," in Burbank, Calif. The first flight was in 1981, only 31 months after the full-scale development decision. Air Combat Command's only F-117A unit, the 4450th Tactical Group, (now the 49th Fighter Wing, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.), achieved operational capability in October 1983.



Streamlined management by Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, combined breakthrough stealth technology with concurrent development and production to rapidly field the aircraft. The F-117A Nighthawk program has demonstrated that a stealth aircraft can be designed for reliability and maintainability. The aircraft maintenance statistics are comparable to other tactical fighters of similar complexity. Logistically supported by Sacramento Air Logistics Center, McClellan AFB, Calif., the Nighthawk is kept at the forefront of technology through a planned weapon system improvement program located at USAF Plant 42 at Palmdale, Calif.

Nighthawk History

Extracted From F-117A Nighthawk to fly at Air Expo '01

by Nick Minecci

NAS PATUXENT RIVER PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT



Officially named F-117A Nighthawk, but better known to the world as the stealth fighter, the Nighthawk made its combat debut Dec. 19, 1989, when six F-117As left their base in Nevada, headed for Panama. Two of the F-117As were turned back when their mission was canceled, two flew as back-up and returned to base when it was seen they were not needed, and the last pair flew to the Central American nation in support of U.S. combat operations in progress.



The stealth fighter would earn fame, however, over a year later when several struck deep into the heart of Iraq, striking Baghdad live on television during the opening hours of Operation Desert Storm. Throughout the Gulf War, the F-117As would be assigned the toughest and highest priority targets, including SAM and SCUD launchers, radar sites, Iraqi command/control/ communications facilities, bridges, and hardened aircraft shelters and bunkers.



By the end of the war the stealth fighter had performed over 40 percent of the allies' strategic bombing raids in more than 1,200 sorties, delivering more than 2,000 tons of ordnance without the loss of a single plane. Not one was even fired upon as the revolutionary plane flew into the aviation history books.



The F-117A Nighthawk began its life in 1978 when Lockheed Advanced Development Projects, famously known as "Skunk Works," was awarded the contract to develop an aircraft that would be almost invisible to radar. The prototype flew the same year, but was lost when the pilot had to eject at 10,000 feet over the Nevada desert. The second prototype was more successful and achieved as near a state of radar invisibility as possible.



In 1981, 31 months after the decision was made to go ahead with full-scale development the first flight of the super-secret plane was made, and in October 1983 the Air Force's only F-117A unit, the 4450th Tactical Group (now designated the 45th Fighter Wing) achieved operational capability.



The F-117A Nighthalk is a unique aircraft, with its surfaces and edge profiles optimized to reflect enemy radar away from the radar detectors. Coated with radar absorbing materials, the radar cross-section of the F-117A has been estimated at between 10 and 100 square cm, or about the size of a small bird, making it nearly invisible to enemy air defenses.



Close in size to the F-14 Tomcat, the Nighthawk is powered by a pair of 48 k-N General Electric F404-GE-F1D2 turbofans, which are derivatives of the F404-GE-400 engines used to power the F/A-18 Hornet. To keep the aircraft as invisible as possible, the engine exhaust area is wide and flat, with the air intakes on both sides of the fuselage covered by gratings coated with radar absorbent material. The Nighthawk's two large tail fins lean outwards, obstructing infrared and radar returns of the engine exhaust area.



The Nighthawk has a one-man crew, and the cockpit is outfitted with a Kaiser Electronics heads-up display (HUD). The flight deck is equipped with a large video monitor displaying infrared images from the plane's onboard sensors and a full-color moving map developed by the Harris Corporation.



To keep the plane as invisible as possible to enemy detection the F-117A does not rely on radar for navigation or targeting. The plane is equipped with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and a downward looking infrared (DLIR) with a laser designator, and uses a Honeywell inertial navigation system.



Along the front of the aircraft are multi-channel pitot-static tubes, with multiple ports along the length of the tubes that provide differential pressure readings that the flight control computers compare to provide the Nighthawk's flight data.



When going into battle, the F-117A can carry up to 4,000 pounds and a variety of weapons in the internal weapons bay, including the BLU-109B low-level laser guided bomb, GBU-10 and GBU-27 laser-guided bomb units and the AGM-65 and AGM-88 HARM air-to-surface missiles



The F-117A's top speed has been released as high subsonic, with its cruising speed as 684 mph. The Nighthawk has an unlimited range for operations when using aerial refueling.

Mission

The F-117A Nighthawk is the world's first operational aircraft designed to exploit low-observable stealth technology.

Nighthawk Features

The unique design of the single-seat F-117A Nighthawk provides exceptional combat capabilities. About the size of an F-15 Eagle, the twin-engine aircraft is powered by two General Electric F404 turbofan engines and has quadruple redundant fly-by-wire flight controls. Air refuelable, it supports worldwide commitments and adds to the deterrent strength of the U.S. military forces.



The F-117A can employ a variety of weapons and is equipped with sophisticated navigation and attack systems integrated into a state-of-the-art digital avionics suite that increases mission effectiveness and reduces pilot workload. Detailed planning for missions into highly defended target areas is accomplished by an automated mission planning system developed, specifically, to take advantage of the unique capabilities of the F-117A.

Specification of  F-20 Tigershark

Maximum Speed     Mach 2 class

Sea level rate-of-climb     52,800 feet/minute

Combat ceiling     54,700 feet

Takeoff distance     1,600 feet

Takeoff Distance     4,200 feet

Scramble order to brake release     52 seconds

Scramble order to 29,000 feet     2.5 minutes

Time to 40,000 feet from brake release     2.3 minutes

Acceleration Time     0.3M to 0.9M, at 10,000 feet 28 seconds

Sustained Turn Rate     0.8M at 15,000 feet 11.1 degrees/second

Maximum Load Factor     9g

Length     46 ft 6 in

Height     13 ft 10 in

Wing Span     26 ft 8 in

Internal Fuel     5,050 lbs

External Fuel     6,435 lbs

Takeoff Weight     clean 18,005 lbs

Combat Thrust/Weight ratio     1.1

Combat Weight     50% fuel, 2 AIM-9 missiles 15,820 lbs

Maximum Weight     27,500 lbs

Armament





    * Two AIM-9 missiles

    * Five pylons, more than 8,300 lbs external armaments











Northrop developed the F-20 Tigershark in response to a U.S. Government call for the private development of a tactical fighter specifically tailored to meet the security needs of allied and friendly nations.



The first flight of the Tigershark was made August 30, 1982. The Mach 2 class F-20 Tigershark's basic single-seat configuration was formally designated the F-20A. The F-20 combined propulsion, electronics and armament technologies with improvements in reliability to sustain high sortie rates in adverse weather.



The F-20 incorporated a combination of advanced technology features. The F-20 could carry more than 8,300 pounds of external armaments and fuel on five pylons. It could carry six Sidewinder missiles on air-to-air missions. For air-to-ground missions, more than 6,800 pounds of armament could be carried. Two internally mounted 20mm guns were standard equipment on the Tigershark.



The avionics system features a General Electric multimode radar, Honeywell laser inertial navigation system, General Electric head-up display, Bendix digital display and control set and Teledyne Systems mission computer.



The F-20 is powered by a General Electric F404 engine, with 17,000 pounds of thrust. The F404 is recognized as one of the world's most reliable advanced technology engines. It is also used to power the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps F/A-18A Hornet strike fighter.



Once airborne, the F-20 pilot utilized his multimode radar, which could detect and track targets at ranges of up to 48 nautical miles "look up" and 31 nautical miles "look down." The F-20 mission computer coordinated the aircraft's weapons systems. The head-up display placed critical weapons, target and flight data at the pilot's eye level. This allowed him to fight without having to look down. Northrop designed a new panoramic canopy for the F-20 that gave the pilot a 50 percent increase in rearward visibility over previous Northrop fighters. An improved seat and headrest design combined to substantially expand over-the-shoulder visibility, which is critical in air-to-air combat.



Aerodynamic features of the F-20 included an enlarged leading edge extension to the wing, which generated up to 30 percent of the lift maneuvers. The "shark-shaped" nose allowed the F-20 to maneuver at much higher angles of attack than current operational fighters. The F-20 airframe could withstand nine G's.



The F-20 was reliable and easy to maintain. Based on comparisons with the average of contemporary international fighters, the F-20 consumed 53 percent less fuel, required 52 percent less maintenance manpower, had 63 percent lower operating and maintenance costs and had four times the reliability.