All-weather fighter and attack aircraft. The single-seat F/A-18 Hornet is the nation's first strike-fighter. It was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air support without compromising its fighter capabilities. With its excellent fighter and self-defense capabilities, the F/A-18 at the same time increases strike mission survivability and supplements the F-14 Tomcat in fleet air defense.

F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons from air stations world-wide, and from 10 aircraft carriers. The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron proudly flies them. The Hornet comprises the aviation strike force for seven foreign customers including Canada, Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland.

The newest model, Super Hornet, is highly capable across the full mission spectrum: air superiority, fighter escort, reconnaissance, aerial refueling, close air support, air defense suppression and day/night precision strike. Compared to the original F/A-18 A through D models, Super Hornet has longer range, an aerial refueling capability, increased survivability/lethality and improved carrier suitability. *Capability of precision-guided munitions: JDAM (all variants) and JSOW. JASSM in the future*

Capabilities and Features
The F/A-18 Hornet, an all-weather aircraft, is used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support.

History and Background
The F/A-18 demonstrated its capabilities and versatility during Operation Desert Storm, shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing enemy targets with the same aircraft on the same mission, and breaking all records for tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability.

Hornets taking direct hits from surface-to-air missiles, recovering successfully, being repaired quickly, and flying again the next day proved the aircraft's survivability. The F/A-18 is a twin engine, mid-wing, multi-mission tactical aircraft. The F/A-18A and C are single seat aircraft. The F/A-18B and D are dual-seaters. The B model is used primarily for training, while the D model is the current Navy aircraft for attack, tactical air control, forward air control and reconnaissance squadrons. The newest models, the E and F were rolled out at McDonnell Douglas Sept. 17, 1995. The E is a single seat while the F is a two-seater.

The F/A-18 E/F acquisition program was an unparalleled success. The aircraft emerged from Engineering and Manufacturing Development meeting all of its performance requirements on cost, on schedule and 400 pounds under weight. All of this was verified in Operational Verification testing, the final exam, passing with flying colors receiving the highest possible endorsement.

The first operational cruise of Super Hornet, F/A-18 E, was with VFA-115 onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on July 24, 2002, and saw initial combat action on Nov. 6, 2002, when they participated in a strike on hostile targets in the "no-fly" zone in Iraq.

Super Hornet, flew combat sorties from Abraham Lincoln during Southern Watch, demonstrating reliability and an increased range and payload capability. VFA 115 embarked aboard Lincoln expended twice the amount of bombs as other squadrons in their airwing (with 100% accuracy) and met and exceeded all readiness requirements while on deployment. The Super Hornet cost per flight hour is 40% of the F-14 Tomcat and requires 75% less labor hours per flight hour.

All F/A-18s can be configured quickly to perform either fighter or attack roles or both, through selected use of external equipment to accomplish specific missions. This "force multiplier" capability gives the operational commander more flexibility in employing tactical aircraft in a rapidly changing battle scenario. The fighter missions are primarily fighter escort and fleet air defense; while the attack missions are force projection, interdiction, and close and deep air support.

The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987 incorporating provisions for employing updated missiles and jamming devices against enemy ordnance. C and D models delivered since 1989 also include an improved night attack capability. The E and F models have built on the proven effectiveness of the A through D aircraft. The Super Hornet provides aircrew the capability and performance necessary to face 21st century threats.

General Characteristics, Super Hornet, E and F models

Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft.
Contractor: McDonnell Douglas.
Date Deployed: First flight in November 1995. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in September 2001 with VFA-115, NAS Lemoore, Calif. First cruise for VFA-115 is onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Unit Cost: $57 million
Propulsion: Two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines. 22,000 pounds (9,977 kg) static thrust per engine.
Length: 60.3 feet (18.5 meters).
Height: 16 feet (4.87 meters).
Wingspan: 44.9 feet (13.68 meters).
Weight: Maximum Take Off Gross Weight is 66,000 pounds (29,932 kg).
Airspeed: Mach 1.8+.
Ceiling: 50,000+ feet.
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.
Crew: A, C and E models: One
B, D and F models: Two.
Armament: One M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; AIM 9 Sidewinder, AIM-9X (projected), AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, SLAM, SLAM-ER (projected), Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); Data Link Pod; Paveway Laser Guided Bomb; various general purpose bombs, mines and rockets.

General Characteristics, C and D models

Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft.
Contractor: Prime: McDonnell Douglas; Major Subcontractor: Northrop.
Date Deployed: November 1978. Operational - October 1983 (A/B models); September 1987 (C/D models).
Unit Cost: $29 million.
Propulsion: Two F404-GE-402 enhanced performance turbofan engines. 17,700 pounds static thrust per engine.
Length: 56 feet (16.8 meters).
Height: 15 feet 4 inches (4.6 meters).
Wingspan: 40 feet 5 inches (13.5 meters).
Weight: Maximum Take Off Gross Weight is 51,900 pounds (23,537 kg).
Airspeed: Mach 1.7+.
Ceiling: 50,000+ feet.
Range: Combat: 1,089 nautical miles (1252.4 miles/2,003 km), clean plus two AIM-9s
Ferry: 1,546 nautical miles (1777.9 miles/2,844 km), two AIM-9s plus three 330 gallon tanks.
Crew: A, C and E models: One
B, D and F models: Two
Armament: One M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; AIM 9 Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, SLAM, SLAM-ER, Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); various general purpose bombs, mines and rockets.

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The F-22A Raptor , a critical component of the Global Strike Task Force, is designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances and defeat threats attempting to deny access to our nation's Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The F-22A Raptor cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft.

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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. With a full load of internal fuel, the F-16 can withstand up to nine G's -- nine times the force of gravity -- which exceeds the capability of other current fighter aircraft.

F-16 Fighting Falcon's 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.

F-16 Fighting Falcon's Avionics systems include a highly accurate inertial navigation system in which a computer provides steering information to the pilot. The plane has UHF and VHF radios plus an instrument landing system. It also has a warning system and modular countermeasure pods to be used against airborne or surface electronic threats. The fuselage has space for additional avionics systems.

Background
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.

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

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. All active units and many Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units have converted to the F-16C/D.

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. The consortium's F-16s are assembled from components manufactured in all five countries. Belgium also provides final assembly of the F100 engine used in the European F-16s. Recently, Portugal joined the consortium. The long-term benefits of this program will be technology transfer among the nations producing the F-16, and a common-use aircraft for NATO nations. This program increases the supply and availability of repair parts in Europe and improves the F-16's combat readiness.

USAF F-16 multirole fighters were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm, where more sorties were flown than with any other aircraft. These fighters were used to attack airfields, military production facilities, Scud missiles sites and a variety of other targets.

During Operation Allied Force, USAF F-16 multirole fighters flew a variety of missions to include suppression of enemy air defense, offensive counter air, defensive counter air, close air support and forward air controller missions. Mission results were outstanding as these fighters destroyed radar sites, vehicles, tanks, MiGs and buildings.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the F-16 has been a major component of the combat forces committed to the Global War on Terrorism flying thousands of sorties in support of operations Noble Eagle (Homeland Defense), Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom

F-16 Fighting Falcon General Technical Characteristics

Primary Function: Multirole fighter
Builder: Lockheed Martin Corp.
Power Plant: F-16C/D: one Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229 or General Electric F110-GE-100/129
Thrust: F-16C/D, 27,000 pounds
Length: 49 feet, 5 inches (14.8 meters)
Height: 16 feet (4.8 meters)
Wingspan: 32 feet, 8 inches (9.8 meters)
Speed: 1,500 mph (Mach 2 at altitude)
Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet (15 kilometers)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 37,500 pounds (16,875 kilograms)
Range: More than 2,000 miles ferry range (1,740 nautical miles)
Armament: One M-61A1 20mm multibarrel cannon with 500 rounds; external stations can carry up to six air-to-air missiles, conventional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions and electronic countermeasure pods
Unit cost: F-16A/B , $14.6 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars); F-16C/D,$18.8 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars)
Crew: F-16C, one; F-16D, one or two
Date Deployed: January 1979
Inventory: Active force, F-16C/D, 738; Reserve, F-16C/D, 69; and Air National Guard, F-16C/D, 473

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Point of Contact

Air Combat Command,Public Affairs Office; 115 Thompson St., Ste. 211; Langley AFB, Va. 23665-1987; DSN 574-5014 or (757) 764-5014; e-mail: acc.pai@langley.af.mil

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Eurofighter 2000 Typhoon Pictures, CLick Here

Written by:  Dhruv Shukla (DefenceTalk Member)

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For the first time, maneuverability was not a top priority in a Soviet design. However, due to the outbreak of the Vietnam War, the project began to evolve accordingly. Maneuverability of the aircraft was increased, and so was G-tolerance. Electronics were fitted to prevent problems faced by US aircrafts in Vietnam.

While the MiG-23 was designed with a swing-wing design to be able to operate in all flight regimes with ease, it was not similar to F-111 or F-14 in aerodynamics. Its maneuverability is said to be inferior to the F-4 Phantom (non-slatted). The wings are shoulder mounted and can acquire swing angles of 16, 45 and 72 degree (which in reality are slightly more).

The MiG-23 has seen action in various combat theatres, mostly in the Middle East. Although its combat record does not speak highly of its capability as a fighter, one must keep in mind that this fighter was designed specifically to fulfill the role of an interceptor - as a homeland defense fighter for the USSR. Fighters like the MiG-23 find it difficult to adapt to different tactics, since they are not developed with all the qualities a fighter should have.

AVIONICS
The MiG-23 Flogger was designed to shoot down targets beyond visual range. To achieve this capability the MiG-23 was fitted with the Saphir-23 J-band multi-mode radar known as the ‘High Lark' in NATO. The radar possesses a search range of 70 kms and a track range of 55 kms. However, the analogue radar was prone to a lot of problems. The detection ranges were unpredictable and would vary from 5kms in one set to 40 kms in some other. The liquid cooling system of the radar would stop working after 2 yrs due to anti-freeze depositions. When the radar detected a target, it did not use a scope to display the target, but instead used the brand new HUD (Heads-up Display) to create the radar picture.

The MiG-23 was the first aircraft to employ an Infrared search and track system in the Soviet Union, something that would eventually equip all future Russian fighters and become the cornerstone of Russian Air Combat strategy. The TP-23M IRST coupled with the radar makes a formidable detection system for interceptions at all altitudes, at any time of the day and in any weather conditions.

To provide ground guidance command data link to cue the aircraft in on the target, the Lazur radio command system is employed. The navigational equipment incorporates the ARC-19 automatic radio compass, RV-5R altimeter, MRP-56P marker receiver, and Polyot-1I flight/navigational system featuring the RSBN-6S short-range navigation/landing system. The radio equipment includes the R-862 VHF/UHF radio, SO-69 transponder, SPO-15 'Beryoza' RWR, SRZO-2M 'Parol' IFF system. The airframe upper surface houses the BVP-50-60 passive countermeasures dispensers loaded with chaff and IR decoys to counter AAM and AGM homers.

The MiG-23 had a peacetime and wartime mode for the IFF system to rectify identification problems faced by the US fighters during the Vietnam War. While the system was found to be non-functional, it showed that Soviet designers had taken the details of BVR combat into account.

ARMAMENT
The MiG-23's primary mission was interception, and it had all the qualities of a good interceptor. Its primary air-air weapon was the R-23/24 Apex missile. As per the Soviet doctrine, the Flogger carried Semi-active radar guided and Infrared guided versions of the missile. The quoted range of the missile is around 30-35 kms. Over shorter ranges, the MiG-23 could employ the AA-2 Atoll or R-60 Aphid missile.

In the air-ground mode, the MiG-23 could employ the Kh-23M command guidance AGM, 57 mm or 80 mm rocket pods, 100-500 kg bombs, UPK-23-250 cannon pods and other weapons with the total weight amounting to 2,000 tonnes.

POWER PLANT
The MiG-23MLD is powered by a single R-35 twin-shaft jet engine developing 8,550 kgf thrust at full thrust and 13,000 kgf in afterburner. The fuel is stored in three integral fuselage tanks and six wing cells totaling 4,200 litres. An 800-litre underbelly drop tank could be mounted with another two such tanks fixed under the swing-wing panels (in this case, they have to be swept back at 16 degrees). Three auxiliary fuel tanks push the plane's total fuel capacity up to 6,600 litres.

MiG-23 Flogger Specifications

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The first of the 6 R&D F-14 prototype flew on 21 December 1970. The maiden flight was flow by Veteran Bob Smythe and Bill Miller. Unlike the F-111B, no attempt was made to achieve commonality with any aircraft and the need of the fighter sweep/escort; CAP (combat air patrol) and DLI (deck launch intercept) mission was given priority.

AVIONICS

AWG-9 RADAR
The AN/AWG-9 radar was a revolutionary design for its time. Before its introduction, flight crews were forced to interpret the cluttered analog returns on the screen in an attempt to distinguish real targets from the background noise. One of the first radars to feature a signal processor, excess clutter could be filtered out, leaving the crew with a much clearer picture of the airspace before them. The antenna's slotted planar array measured 36 inches (914 mm) in diameter. To the antenna mounts the Identification Friend Foe (IFF) system made up of 2 rows of 6 dipole arrays. The output power of the AWG-9 is rated at 10.2 kilowatts. The transmitter is capable of generating continuous wave (CW), pulse, and pulse-Doppler (PD) beams.

In addition to providing a clear picture of the airspace before the aircraft, the signal processor provides another benefit to the F-14 Tomcat and its mission. The AWG-9 is able to remove the surface clutter of the Earth's surface, providing the radar with a look-down, shoot-down capability against low flying aircraft. This feature also proves useful in the detection and interception of sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. The AWG-9 is capable of detecting targets as low as 50 feet and as high as 80,000 feet at ranges exceeding 130 miles. At its greatest range and widest azimuth, the radar can sweep a volume of sky measuring more than 170 miles across. However, the hallmark of the AWG-9 was its ability to track a total of 24 targets at once, engaging in near simultaneous attacks against any six of them with the AIM-54 Phoenix missile.

F-14 AN/AWG-9 Maximum Ranges

The APG-71 features additional operating modes as well. Targets can now be identified without the need of visual identification. This means that threats can be intercepted at greater ranges, increasing the margin of safety for both aircraft and carrier. The APG-71 also features a Raid Assessment mode similar to that found on the F/A-18. The mode is used to resolve a situation where a pilot faces an undetermined number of closely spaced targets. Normally the group would appear as one contact on the radar display. Effective up to a range of 35 miles (55 km), Raid Assessment uses Doppler beam sharpening to provide increased resolution of the patch of airspace around the group. Typically the minimum amount of separation between aircraft must be approximately 500 feet (150 m). The APG-71 also features a ground-mapping mode as well in order to deliver accurate attacks against ground installations.

IRST
The F-14 AN/AAS-42 IRST (Infrared Search and Track) is a passive long-wave infrared sensor system that searches for and detects heat sources within its field of view. Operating in six discrete modes, the AN/AAS-42 provides the aircraft mission computer track file data on all targets while simultaneously providing infrared imagery to the cockpit display. The AN/AAS-42 gives the aircrew unprecedented on-board situational awareness while significantly enhancing the engagement range of modern high-performance weapons such as the AIM-120 (AMRAAM).

ARMAMENT
In air-to-air mode, the F-14 carries the legendry AIM-54 Phoenix missile which gave the Tomcat an unbeatable edge over its contemporaries. Mated with the AWG-9, this missile could engage targets at ranges of over 100 miles, and at speeds exceeding Mach 4.0. In addition to the AIM-54, the Tomcat carries the AIM-7 Sparrow SARH missile and the standard AIM-9 Sidewinder dogfight missile. With the coming of the F-14D Super Tomcat, the AIM-120 AMARAAM active-radar guided missile has been added to the F-14's arsenal, making it ever so lethal.

In air-to ground mode, the F-14 A/B carries only cluster bombs and iron-bombs. But with the addition of the LANTIRN pod, it can also carry LGBs. However, the F-14D Super Tomcat can carry AGM-88 HARM, AGM-84 Harpoon/SLAM, JDAM and GBU series bombs.

POWERPLANT
The F-14A Tomcat was powered by two massive TF30-414A Afterburning Turbofans with over 40,000 lb Total Thrust. While the engines were quite powerful for their time, the F-14 was still considered underpowered. And it is due to this very power-plant, that the F-14 was considered a poor dogfighter. The reason being that whenever the AoA of the aircraft changed rapidly, the engine would go into a compressor stall - a state where the engine stops the intake of air and flames out. This problem can be seen when the F-14s go out for DACT. None of the Tomcats carry AIM-54 and ACMI pods are limited to inner rails only.

The problem was later corrected in the F-14B and subsequent models, by the use of two F110-GE400 Afterburning Turbofans with over 54,000 lb Total Thrust. These engines not only gave the F-14 the excess power, but also made it a potent dogfighter.

F-14 Tomcat Technical Specifications

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Design Features

Avionics

Power Plant

Armament/Weapons

Self-Defense

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JF-17 Thunder(PAK)

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