Mike “Bubba” Jaensch

ex-USAF Exchange Pilot

1. JS/JG 73
Laage AB, Germany
 My Background

• Viper Baby
• Approximately 3000 hrs fighter time
– Germany
– USA
– Korea
– Two ANG tours
– One USAF Reserve tour
• USAF F-16 Fighter Weapons School
• 220 hours MiG-29 with GAF
 Disclosure Statement
• The views you are about to hear are mine and
mine alone
– They do not necessarily reflect the views of:
• USAF
• GAF
• ITPS
• Many observations will be purely subjective
– Based on F-16 and MiG experience
– Based on fighting most of these aircraft
– But still my opinions
 Fighter Comparisons
• Set Baseline
– MiG-29 and F-16
– Review of fighter basic capabilities and performance
– Personal Observations
• Overview of the most common fighters
– Basic capabilities
– Comparisons to Baseline
– Personal Observations
Aircraft Recognition
MiG-29 Fulcrum
 History of the MIG-29
• Development started in the early 70‘s
• Maiden Flight „RAM-L“ 06.10.77 (A. Fedotow)
• Several Fatal crashes and numerous
constructional changes in the course of flight
testing
• Operational since Aug 83
• Modifications => C,K,M,SMT
 History of the MIG-29
in Germany
• 1988 - MIG-29 delivered to Preschen JG 3 NVA
(4 Trainer, 20 Fighter)
• Oct 90 - Changeover to GAF
• Apr 91- MiG-29 Evaluation Team
• Jul 91 - Decision: MIG-29 stays and will be
integrated in NATO structure
• Jul 93 - JG 73 becomes operational
 History of the MIG-29
in Germany
• Dec 94 - JG 73 moves to Laage
• Feb 95 - 1st MIG-29 sits NATO QRA
• Jun 96 - 1 MIG-29 is lost due to buffoonery
• Oct 99 - 6 MIG-29s (modified with Wing- Drop-
Tanks and new NAV-System) deploy to Red Flag
Aircraft Recognition
F-16 Viper
 History
• Lightweight Fighter Program started in 1972
• Flyoff between YF-16 and YF-17 in 1974
– YF-16 declared the winner
• First Operational F-16 delivered in 1979
– Over 3600 have been delivered since
• F-16A/B
– Blocks 1, 5, 10, 15
• F-16C/D
– Blocks 25, 30, 40, 50, 60
 Technical Data
• Dimensions MiG-29 F-16
– Length 17.3 m 14.8 m
– Wingspan 11.4 m 9.8 m
• Gross Weight
– empty 11,175 kg 8,800 kg
– internal fuel 14,515 kg 11,900 kg
– int+CL refueld 15,705 kg 12,500 kg
 Technical Data

• Thrust MiG-29 F-16

– AB 16600 kg 13200 kg

• Thrust to Weight Ratio :

– AA 1:1 1:1
– Clean 1.2 : 1 1.2 : 1
 Technical Data
• Fuel Load MiG-29 F-16
– Internal 3200 kg 3200 kg
– Internal + CL 4200 kg 4000 kg
– Internal + CL+ WDT 5800 kg 6200 kg
 Performance Data
• Turn Rates
– MiG instant SL 26° / sec 9 G 1200‘
– F-16 Instant SL 25° / sec 9 G 1300‘
– sustained SL 22° / sec 8 G
– instant 16500‘ 21° / sec 9 G 3600‘
– sustain 16500‘ 16 °/ sec 6 G
• MiG Corner 365 kts SL / 486 kts 16500‘
• F-16 Corner 330-440 kts
 Performance Data
• Speed limits
– MiG 810 kts / 2.35 M
– F-16 800 kts / 2.05 M
• Ranges
– MiG is less than half an unrefueled F-16
• Centerline Ferry - 1200 vs 500 nm
• Cap Time - 60 vs 30 mins
• Don‘t forget about AAR
Performance Data

• Hydro Mechanical Flight Control System vs Fly by

Wire
• AOA Limit
– 26 degrees (kicker) vs 25 degrees
• MiG G-Load
– > 0.85 +7 G / -1,5 G
– < 0.85 +9 G / -3 G
– with CL not empty +4 G
• F-16
– 9 G clean or centerline or empty WT
– 7 G with gas in wing tanks
MiG-29 27 30 33 36

Cockpit
SP
S VOT
P TNRF
OT NFRN
TACTICS
TACTICS

TRACE
TRACE
NHFCCL REL<JQ
RE AT
P E AT

WARN B R IGH T TEST R ETIC LE

D 870 7800
25 9 A 830 5000
7 Y
S S PAN 15 n y 5 HG
100
10
S ALVO 3 FHS
N IGH T 80
5 0
IR GAIN 0 RDR
F 60
HE LM BRGT 00
40
M L
MAS TE R SINGLE FHS 10
20
IR CC BLINK P ROG. S -1 GCA
0.5 S ALV O FIRE
RDR DOPP
HE LME T NOI SE S -2 CON TROL
NV G LH ENG RH ENG
MANUAL OP T HF FIRE FIRE
NOI SE S -3
ZONE PRE P RHS
P ITCHUP O REDUCE RPM REDUCE RPM
S -4
LH ENG RH ENG
ZHR
BRIGHT
OFF MODE S EW XMIT
AUTO RCV LH ENG RH ENG
P NL OIL OIL

550 KG
GCA OIL REMAIN
NOS E O
F TWO H/SYS COC
WHEE L OUTE R - INNER
FAIL FAIL
F

R E M E
BRAKE
ON
DAMPER
STANDBY ARMED
EME R OFF
LAUNCH
LAUNCH
LH ENG RH ENG
9 1

E K A R B
7 0 5 0 10 0
START START

20
2 0 10 STAB
8 8 0
1000 RUD
TRIM TRIM
LAND 900 20 0 7 4 0 KM
T
LIGHT
7 AIRS PE E D 3 0
8 nx 1 0 %
R PM
PRE S 5

A
700 40 FUE L

15
X 6 4 2 4
I 5 500 6 OP TIC

30
60

30
45
45 20 METERS 5 ALL APY: TAKEOFF

4 TANKS TRIM LAND

5 0 10 0
OFF CA
G
AAMS 300
100
80 W 3 MARKER
EMER PUMP APY
UNIT SOUND
E

4
RETRACTED FHS TE S T 4 DECOY THERM JAMM CTL RADAR
2 6 D CART FIRING SYS READY ILL
2
1 8
RHS
3
9 0
L
-0- 10
G
1 1
0 60 6 8 6 8
0 0.2
-1
¹H
8 5
2 2.6 4 10 4 10
T
DVG CHANNELS
25 10 0.4 D < 40 KM
-2
E
-6
7 20 15
3 D ME DCA 2.4 M 2 0 MAIN STBY AUTO MAN
C. CMBT P EXTENDED 0.6 2 X 1000 KG EKRAN
CORR
X100 C SHORAN
2.2 X 100 C R
AUTO
6 74
75
4 6
0.8 T R
CALL WPT
WPT - AFLD
E B
L
E

30 3 9 2 1
AA
T R
6 3
1 2 I I
1.8
1.6 1.4 1.2
V N

12
RADAR MODE S E G

0
APK
AJ 10 10 AFLD 1 2 3 COURSE
ILLUM TWF 30 30 CMPTR
D COMP FHS O BEACONS RESET

33
ZEROING

15
U F 50 50
F COURSE
M 2 3 RESET
O2
70 A 70 1 CMPTR
M H ¹P H YD R OGA S SYSTEM RAMPS ZERO

30

18
cab cab B
OFF Y
RHS 1 2 3

24 27
21
12 12 1
100 180 - 359°
CIRCLE
24 11 1 01 1 2 1 1 00
80 RETURN C
O
TE 0 .4 RIGHT
S 9 3 U LEFT
T 10 8 4 2 10
75
0 .3 P
chg 60 RETURN R
7 6 5 S
ALT 50 0 .2
DAMPE R DRIFT E
STAB 9 3 5
0 .1
40 G P { Y H C 0 - 179°
25
BRIGHT
8
30
5 4
0 0 20 SOUND
M
CONTR A
LANDING NAVIGATION LANDING
25 OFF U
A
FLIGHT MIS S E D 7 20 10 5 RE S ERV E % FE E D
MAIN BOOST MAIN BOOST 0% N
T
O 1 2 0 0 3 5
AP 15
PATH AP P ROACH
M HDG S E T COURS E WIN

D
SLAV AUTO

LOCKON RUDDE R
MAN
V OLUME TRIM IDENT
R E M E

LH RH
D N E T X E

MAIN
P
I
1 2 T
O 16 0
T 4
12
S TBY
0 3 8
8

4 KG/CM 12
0 16

CABIN
TE MP E RATURE

20
15
25

35 30

10
5
40

0
45

BIT
FAILURE
BIT
BIT RE ADY
RE S E T
CONT

DIS P LAY C-31 4 5

6
H-019 3 7
AIR
1 2 8
PR
2 1 9
PP
3 10
P HAS E OP E R
F-16 Cockpit
 NAV Systems
• MiG-29
DVG D < 21 NM CHANNELS
MAIN STBY AUTO MAN
CORR

SHORAN

– Inertial based
WPT R
WPT - AFLD E B
L E
A A
T R
1 2 3
– 3 WP, 3 AD, 3 Beacon I I
AFLD V N
APK
G
E
1 2 3 COURSE
CMPTR

– Programmable only on the ground BEACONS RESET ZEROING

COURSE
1 2 3 RESET
CMPTR

• F-16
ZERO

1 2 3
180 - 359°
C
CIRCLE
RETURN O

– RLG and GPS based RETURN

U
R
S
LEFT RIGHT

– 20-40 waypoints 0 - 179°

LANDING NAVIGATION LANDING

– Computer and datalink 1 2 0 0 3 5

– Extremely accurate
IDENT

Navigation Panel
RADAR
N-019 „Saphir“ or Slotback 1
vs APG-68
 Slotback 1 vs APG-68

• Similarities
– Pulse Doppler
– 4 Bar scan
– Beam width 3.5°
• Differences
– Everything else
• Information display
• Targeting/Sorting Capabilities
• Acquisition Range
• TWS
 HOTAS………Not!

S SPAN
SALVO
IR GAIN
HELM BRGT
2 4
6 M L
MASTER SINGLE
1 8 0.5 SALVO IR CC
RDR HELMET

-0- 10 MANUAL
NAV
OPT
PREP
ZONE TOSS O
-1
²H
-2 -6 OFF AUTO MODES
E
C. CMBT P
AUTO
Sensor Control Panel

RADAR MODES L ENEMY COOP AIR

AJ O RETARD
ILLUM TWF C
D COMP FHS O K

U F O
N FRIEND
F SAFE
NO RETARD
M GROUND

GUIDANCE
OFF M ARMED
RHS EMER
RELEASE

EMER RELEASE
SAFE
SAFE

Radar Modes Panel Armament Control Panel

Lock-on Picture

420 20000
12.5

10.0 10
PI
7.5
00
A 5.0

I 2.5 IIP 10

1 27P

BRIGHT TEST
RETICLE
D
A
Y

NIGHT
 MiG Radar Challenges
• Small search volume (No GCI ???)
• PRF vs Range vs Beamer vs Drager
• False TGTs
• Angular rate problems (close range)
• No HOTAS
• Resolution / Targeting / Sorting
• Lock on Trailer / 10 sec Lock

• Bottom Line……No Comparison

 ECCM Capabilities
• Coherent PD with monopulse tracking
• Jittered PRF
• Semi manual home on jam
• Kinematic range calculation on jam
• LASUR or Link16 data link
• Anti-Jamming modes (Anti-Noise + Range Gate
Stealer)
 MiG CHAFF /FLARE

• Two Dispensers on each wingroot, 45° tilted

forward
• Each dispenser 30 chaff/flare
 CHAFF /FLARE System
• Chaff = PPR2613 J-Band / 2617 I-Band
• Flare = Slow Riser, Confuses Logic
• Initiation
– Chaff / Flare Button
• Programming on the ground
• No selective Chaff or Flare dispension
 F-16 Chaff Flare
• ALE 40/47
– 120 cartridges
• chaff and/or flares
• programmable in the cockpit
• option for fully automatic
– also semi-automatic or manual
 SPO-15 or Sirena 3

• Freq : 4.5 -10.0 GHz

• 360° Azimuth, +-30° Elevation
• 4 antennas + 2 Top/Bottom
• 2 Forward degraded with RDR transmitting,
blocked with Lock-On
– Blanking (4.1 sec closed / .5 sec open) 30
10 10
30

• PD TWS Radar can be detected 50 50

A
90 90
B

G { P Y F C
CONTROL BRIGHT
A
SOUND M U
A
OFF T
N
O
 F-16 RWR

• ALR-69/56/74
• Programmable
• No dead spots
• No interference
 HMS
• Prinicple :
– Two rotating prisms on HUD housing
– Three IR diodes on Pilot‘s Helmet
• Radar, IRST and IR-Missiles can be slewed to
HMS
• Designation 60° Radar / 45° Archer
• Track Rate 30°/sec
• Weight 280 g /10 oz
 MiG Ordnance
• ALAMO A / AA-10 / R-27 (2 Max)
• APHID / AA- 8 / R-60 (6 Max)
• ARCHER / AA-11 / R-73 (6 Max)
• Gun
F-16 Ordnance
 F-16 Ordnance
• Missiles
– AMRAAM
– AIM-9
– AIM-7
– HARM
• Bombs
– You name it
– Precision and dumb bombs
– LANTIRN and LITENING II targeting pods
The Bottom Line
 BVR

• The MiG loses

• Radar Interface and Display
– Designed for use with GCI
• Not Autonomous Ops
– No info to pilot
– No Bullseye
• Short Stick
– Beam Problems
• No ID capability
• No Gas
 WVR
• Much more similar in capabilities
• Schlemm, Schlemm, Schlemm
• F-16 Visibility better, MiG OK
• Very Similar BFM Performance
• But MiG has
– Limited SA at Merge
– Squirrelly Handling
– And NO GAS!
 Overall Impression
• Both are effective weapon systems
• MiG is much more limited BVR
• Both are evenly matched WVR
• HMS/Archer combination is awesome

• Bottom line
– The Fulcrum needs to get to the merge with a tally
– Then it has a definite advantage
– But it needs to get there!
Questions or Comments?
Aircraft Recognition
F-18 Hornet
 F-18 C/D Hornet
• Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft
• Propulsion: Two F404-GE-402 enhanced performance
turbofan engines
• Thrust: 17,700 pounds (8,027 kg) static thrust per engine
• Length: 56 feet (16.8 meters)
• Wingspan: 40 feet 5 inches (13.5 meters)
• Maximum Take Off Gross Weight: 51,900 pounds
(23,537 kg)
 F-18 Hornet
• Range
– Combat: 1,089 nautical miles (2,003 km)
• clean plus two AIM-9s
– Ferry: 1,546 nautical miles (2,844 km)
• two AIM-9s plus three 330 gallon tanks
• Ceiling: 50,000+ feet
• Speed: Mach 1.7+
• 35 Degree AOA maneuvering
• Date Deployed
– First flight - November 1978
Operational - October 1983 (A/B models); September
1987 (C/D models)
Ordnance
Hornet Comparison
 F-18 E/F “Super Hornet”
• Propulsion: Two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines
• Thrust: 22,000 pounds (9,977 kg) thrust per engine
• Length: 60.3 feet (18.5 meters)
• Wingspan: 44.9 feet (13.68 meters) Maximum Take Off
Gross Weight: 66,000 pounds (29,932 kg)
• Range:
– Combat: 1,275 nautical miles (2,346 kilometers)
• clean plus two AIM-9s
– Ferry: 1,660 nautical miles (3,054 kilometers)
• two AIM-9s, three 480 gallon tanks retained
 Bottom Line
• Extremely Maneuverable
• Decent Radar
• Excellent RWR
• TTW below average depending on Lot
• Slightly below average range
Questions or Comments?
Aircraft Recognition
Hawk
 Hawk
• Role
– Light-attack, trainer
• Similar Aircraft
– Alpha Jet, M.B.326, AMX, F-5 Freedom Fighter
• Wing Span 31 ft (9.42 m)
• Length 39 ft (11.94 m)
 Hawk
• Powerplant
– One Rolls-Royce/Turboméca Adour Mk 151-01 rated at 23.13kN
(5,200lb st) dry
• Weights
– Empty Equipped - 3,647kg (8,040lb)
– Normal Take-Off - 5,035kg (11,100lb)
– Maximum Take-Off - 5,700kg (12,566lb)
• Fuel and Load
– Internal Fuel - 1,704 litres (375 Imp Gal, 450 US Gal)
– External Fuel - up to two 864, 592 or 455 litre (190, 130 or 100
Imp Gal, 228, 156 or 120 US Gal) drop tanks
 Hawk
• Maximum Ordnance
– 680kg (1,500lb) in RAF service though a load of 3,084kg (6,800lb)
is possible
• Range
– Ferry Range - 1,923 miles, 3,094 kilometres (1,670 nautical miles)
with two drop tanks
– Standard Range - 1,509 miles, 2,428 kilometres (1,310 nautical
miles)
– Combat Radius - 345 miles, 556 kilometres (300 nautical miles)
with a 2,540kg (5,600lb) warload, or 645 miles, 1,038 kilometres
(560 nautical miles) with a 1,361kg (3,000lb) warload
 Hawk
• Speed
– Maximum Level Speed 'clean' at 3,355 meters (11,000ft) -
645mph, 1,038km/h (560kt)
• Performance
– Maximum Rate of Climb at Sea Level - 2,835 meters (9,300ft) per
minute
– Climb to 9,145 meters (30,000ft) in 6 minutes 6 seconds
– Service Ceiling - 15,240 meters (50,000ft)
• G Limits: -4 to +8
Questions or Comments?
Aircraft Recognition
F-15 Eagle
 F-15 Eagle
• History
– Developed in the 60s as the FX project
– Contract awarded McDonnell Douglas in 1969
– First Flight in 1972
– First Trainer delivered in 1974
– First Operational delivery in 1976
– First F-15C delivered to Kadena in 1979
F-15 Eagle
 F-15 Eagle
• Primary function: Tactical fighter
• Power plant
– Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 or 229 turbofan engines with
afterburners
– Thrust: (C/D models) 23,450 pounds each engine
• Speed: 1,875 mph (Mach 2.5 plus)
• Maximum takeoff weight: (C/D models) 68,000 pounds
(30,844 kilograms)
• Ceiling: 65,000 feet (19,812 meters)
• Range
– 3,450 miles (3,000 nautical miles) ferry range with conformal fuel
tanks and three external fuel tanks
 F-15 Eagle
• Armament
– One internally mounted M-61A1 20mm 20-mm, six-barrel cannon
with 940 rounds of ammunition
– Four AIM-9L/M Sidewinder and four AIM-7F/M Sparrow air-to-air
missiles, or 8 AIM-120 AMRAAMs, carried externally.
• Radar
– APG-63
• Integrated Countermeasures System (ICS)
• Fiber Optic Towed Decoy
 F-15 Observations
• Still a dangerous fighter
– Excellent maneuverability
– Excellent radar
– AMRAAM
– 95-0 kill ratio
• But
– Getting old
– Failure rate increasing
– Next generation threats superior
Questions
or
Comments?
Aircraft Recognition
F-14 Tomcat
 F-14 Tomcat
• History
– First flight 21 Dec 1970
– IOC in 1973
– 79 delivered to Iran prior to revolution
– USN had up to 700; down to about 200 now
• Supersonic, twin engine,variable sweep wing,
two place interceptor
• F-14A - Two PW TF-30 @ 9400 kg thrust each
• F-14B - Two GE F-110 @ 12150 kg thrust each
• F-14D - Two GE F-110 @ 12150 kg thrust each
– and new avionics
 F-14 Tomcat
• Weights
– Clean TO 26630 kg
• F-14A Thrust 18800 kg
• F-14B/D Thrust 24500 kg
• Length 18.6 meters
• Wingspan
– Swept 11.4 m
– Unswept 19 m
• Max Speed 1.88M
• Range
– Up to 1800nm ferry
– Up to 600 nm CAP range
 F-14 Tomcat
• Radar
– A & B have AWG-9
• Very powerful analog radar
– D model has APG-71
• Derivative of APG-70
• Very powerful digital radar
• Ranges up to 200 nm
• Synergy between different systems
– Radar
– IRSTS
– TCS
– ECM
– Datalink
F-14 Tomcat
 Ordnance
• AIM-54 Phoenix
– Range greater than 100 nm (185km)
– 3.9 m long
– Weigh over 450 kg
– 60 kg warhead
– deployed 1974
– Carries up to 6
• Up to 6 AIM-7 Sparrows
• Up to 4 AIM-9 Sidewinders
• And a variety of bombs to include LGBs
• And TARPS
 F-14 Tomcat
• Still a very capable long range interceptor
– AWG-9 still capable
– APG-71 more so
– Extensive avionics upgrades and synchronization
• However,
– Never was very good at BFM
– Beam will defeat AWG-9
– Phoenix easy to defeat at long ranges
– Reliability challenges

• But in the end………………..

 F-14 Tomcat

• It’s not fun to die before you even have

the adversary on your radar!
Questions
or
Comments?
Aircraft Recognition
SU-27 Flanker
 SU-27 Flanker
• Best Fighter Russia has ever produced
– Length 21 m
– Wingspan 14.5
• Two 12,550 kg thrust Lyulka AL-31F
– Approximate 25000 kg TOW
– 1:1 TTW at takeoff
• Range
– 1000nm (1,500 km) combat radius [typical]
– 1200 nm (1,800 km) cruise radius
– Air Refueling Capability
 SU-27 Flanker
• Performance
– Relatively light for its size
– 28 degrees/second instantaneous turn rate
– 22 degrees/second sustained turn rate
– Max Speed 2.35 M
– Max Ceiling 60,000 ft+
• Flashdance Radar
• IRSTS, TV
• Aphid, Alamo, Archer, Adder
SU27K or SU30
•Carrier based Varient
•Deployed on Kuznetsov
•Ship Defense
•Anti-ship missiles
 SU-30, SU-30M, SU-30MK
•Two seat variant
•M version doubles A-G payload
•Carries R-77 Adder
•MK version exported
•China
•India
•Vietnam
 SU-35
• Single Seat Attack Fighter first flew in 1988
• New digital flight and engine controls
• Improved “Zuk” or “Scarab” radar
– +/- 130 degree coverage
– Track 24 targets and engage 8
• More gas
 SU-27 Flanker
• Observations
– Specifications are impressive
– Airshows are impressive
– Range is impressive
• However
– Delivery problems
– Still don’t trust Russian avionics totally
– The Russians are happy to exagerate
– The US and Europe is happy to let them
• Bottom line…...
 SU-27 Flanker
• Until I actually fly one or fly against one
– I will assume the worst
• It is very maneuverable
• It has lots of gas
– But take it with a grain of salt
• Seriously doubt avionics capabilities
• Also not sold on Adder capabilities
Questions or Comments?
Aircraft Recognition
Mirage F-1
 Mirage F-1
• Air Defense and Air Superiority Fighter
• IOC in 1973
• Exported to at least 11 countries
– Greece, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco,
Qatar, South Africa, Spain
– Over 700 Built
• Arrow wing design
– Modified delta
– Allows high speeds like a delta
– Turns better than a delta
– Still bleeds energy, though not as quickly
 Mirage F-1
• Specifications & Performance
– Length 15.3 m
– Wingspan 8.4 m
– Weight
• 7400 kg empty
• 13800 kg max
– Thrust - 6200 kg
– Max Speed - 2.2 M
– Ferry Range 1160 nm
• AAR
• Excellent ECM and ECCM
 Mirage F-1
• Observations
– Older yet still capable aircraft
– Good avionics, especially ECM
– Not a very good BFM machine
– But nice, inexpensive interceptor
Comments or Questions
Aircraft Recognition
Mirage 2000
 Mirage 2000
• Very similar to Mirage III/V
– Is however a new aircraft
• Mirage 2000C IOC 1983
– Interceptor
• Mirage 2000D IOC 1993
– Two-seat A-G variant
• Over 500 built
– Egypt, Greece, India, Peru, Qatar, Taiwan, UAE
 Mirage 2000
• Specifications & Performance
– Length - 14.4 m
– Wingspan - 9.13 meters
– Empty Weight - 7600 kg
– Max Weight - 16,500 kg
– Thrust - 8800 kg
– Claimed 1000nm combat radius with tanks
• AAR
– Max Speed - 2.2 M
 Mirage 2000
• Observations
– Similar to F-1 in performance
– Good radar
– OK BVR capability
– Excellent ECM suite
– Still can’t turn
Questions or Comments?
Aircraft Recognition
JAS-39 Gripen
 JAS-39 Gripen
• In 1978 Sweden decided it needed a new fighter
• Looked at foreign fighters
– Decided to go the Swedish solution
– June 1982 gave the Gripen the go ahead
– Testing completed in 1996
– Sweden has ordered 204 aircraft
• Still hoping to export it
– South Africa probable
– Also offered to Chile, Czech Republic,Hungary, Austria,
and Brazil
 JAS-39 Gripen
• Specifications & Performance
– Length 12 m
– Wing Span 8 m
– Weight 6500 kg
– Max weight 12500
– Volvo Aero RM 12 Engine (GE F404J)
• 8200 kg ST
– Max Speed 2.0 M
– Max Sustained Turn Rate - 20 deg/sec
– Max Instantaneous Turn Rate - 30 deg/sec
– 9g
 JAS-39 Gripen
• Advantages
– Small
– Agile
– Advanced Integrated Avionics
– Low RCS
– Litening Pod
– OBOGS

• Disadvantages
– Low TTW for 4th generation fighter
 JAS-39 Gripen
• Overall
– 731 FS at Laage flew with them last year
• Cute little fighter
• Very hard to see
• Once you see it, easy to win an energy fight
Question or Comments?
Aircraft Recognition
Rafale
 Rafale
• First production aircraft delivered in 1998
• Three variants
– C - single seat multirole
– B - two seat multirole
– M - single seat naval version
 Rafale
• Specifications and Performance
– Length - 15.3 m
– Wingspan - 10.9 m
– Empty Weight - 10000 kg
– Max Weight - 24500 kg
– Internal fuel - 4500 kg
– 7500 kg each
• Approx 1:1 TTW
– 9g
– Max Speed 1.8 M
– Claimed Combat Interdiction Radius - 1000nm
– Claimed CAP time - 3 hours
 Observations
• Have seen it fly
– Have not flown against it
• Would count on advanced avionics
– ECM & ECCM probably excellent
– Sensor fusion
– Fairly “stealthy”
• Also bet on average missiles
• Mediocre TTW but excellent agility
• Basically a larger Gripen
– Or a newer F-16
• Except the F-16 has been operational for 20 years!
Questions or Comments?
Aircraft Recognition
EF-2000 Eurofighter
 EF-2000 Eurofighter
• Started in 1983
– UK, France, Germany, Spain & Italy
– France dropped out in 1985
– Germany wanted the program redesigned in 1992
– After some controversy, program relaunched in 93
• Primarily Air Defense & Superiority aircraft
– Initial deliveries will be used for AA
– Operational deliveries to start by 2003
– Secondary A-G role
• Greece first export customer
 EF-2000 Eurofighter
• Performance and Specifications
– Length 15.9 m
– Wingspan 10.95 m
– Empty weight 10000 kg
– Internal Fuel 4000 kg
– Max weight 21000 kg
– 2 EJ200 Turbofan engines
• 9000 kg thrust each
• Excellent TTW
• Supercruise
– 9g
 EF-2000
• Performance and Specifications
– AA combat radius 980 nm (1389km)
– 4 semi conformal missiles
• Up to 6x6 total missiles
– “Captor” Euroradar
• Multimode 3 channel PD radar
– IRST
– Fully integrated ECM and ECCM suite
 EF-2000 Eurofighter
• Still some developmental problems
– Dynamically unstable
• Requires computerized fly-by-wire
• As of 2001 was not fully developed
– Weapons system was unfinished
– Radar behind schedule
– No operational simulators
 Observations
• A very promising aircraft
– Especially air-to-air
• Multi-national programs can prove challenging
– Interoperability of multiple systems
– Numerous manufacturing points
– Political bickering
• Success remains to be seen
– Should be more than competitive with SU-27
– Seems to be better than the Rafale and Gripen
• Though they’re both operational
Questions or Comments
Aircraft Recognition
SU-37 “Super” Flanker
 SU-37 “Super” Flanker
• Super-maneuverable thrust vectored fighter
– Developed from SU-35
– First flight in 1996
• Updated airframe with advanced materials
• Engines, avionics, and weapons also improved
– Phased array radar
– Stinger radar
– FBW and relaxed static stability for agility
– ECM in wingtip pods
• Financed by sale of SU-27 license to China
• No one has ordered on yet
– Not even Russian AF
 SU-37 “Super” Flanker
• Performance and Specifications
– Length - 22 m
– Wingspan - 15.2 m
– Empty Weight - 18500 kg
– Max Weight - 34000 kg
– Two Lyulka AL-37FU vectored thrust engines
• 14000 kg ST each
 SU-37 “Super” Flanker
• Observation
– We’ll see…...
Questions or Comments?
Aircraft Recognition
F-22 Raptor
 F-22 Raptor
• Designed to replace F-15
• YF-22 first flew in 1990
• First F-22 flew in 1997
• Currently being delivered
• IOC in 2003
 F-22 Raptor
• Performance and Specifications
– Length - 18.9 m
– Wingspan - 13.6 m
– Empty Weight - 14000 kg
– Max Weight - 26000 kg
– Two PW F119 engines
• 16000 kg each
– Supercruise 1.58 M
• Top Speed Mach 2+
– Range - 2000 nm +
– Internal stores
• 6 AMRAAMs and 2 AIM-9s
• or 2 AMRAAMs, 2 JDAMs, and 2 AIM-9s
F-22 Raptor
 F-22 Raptor
• APG-77 radar
– Active-element, electronically scanned radar
– Over 1000 T/R modules
• each module weighs 15 g and puts out 4 W
– At least +/- 120 coverage
• IRST in wing roots
• Totally integrated avionics
• OBOGS
 F-22 Raptor
• Observation
– Nice plane!
 Questions or Comments?
• Wraps up Basic Fighter Comparison

• BFM is next