Developing the breed: the modern fighter represents a combination of complex systems, taking decades to develop.

Developing the breed: the modern fighter represents a combination of complex systems, taking decades to develop. It follows that the initial service clearance standard is limited, and that the full operational requirement is met only years later (if ever), following a staged series of improvements. It also follows that the expense of a completely new fighter is difficult to justify and that developing military requirements are in general better fulfilled by upgrades and service-life extension programmes for existing aircraft. (Airborne Warfare)

The only modern lightweight combat aircraft currently in service is the Saab-BAE Systems JAS39 Gripen, which in export single-seat form has a BME (basic mass empty) weight of 7400 kg. The Swedish Air Force has ordered a total of 204 JAS39s in three production batches of 30,110 and 64 aircraft. The type entered service in July 1994 and the delivery of the third batch is due to begin in 2004. This batch and the last 20 of the current second batch will feature an Ericsson D96 mission computer, a GPS receiver, a new ILS, Fadec for the Volvo RM12 engine and a CDL 39 communications datalink.

In November 1999, South Africa signed the first export contract, for nine two-seat Gripens with an option on 19 single-seaters. Hungary has recently announced its intention to lease fourteen Gripens for twelve years. Export deliveries are available from 2004, although the first South African two-seater is not due to be handed over until 2006, to be followed by the first single-seater in 2009.

The initial production JAS39 was intended purely for operation from Swedish bases. It is cleared for the AIM-9 Sidewinder (Swedish designation Rb74), the AIM-120B (Rb99), the AGM-65 Maverick (Rb75), the DWS39 (Bk39) submunition dispenser, the RBS 15F (Rb15F) anti-ship missile and 135 mm rockets. The Swedish Air Force is considering clearance of the Kepd 150 stand-off air-to-ground missile, the Iris-T short-range air-to-air missile, the ram-jet-powered medium-range air-to-air Meteor, the Brimstone air-to-ground anti-armour missile and America's Jdam and Jsow. The JAS39 already has what is claimed to be the world's most advanced in-service datalink, and it is scheduled to receive the Taras next-generation tactical radio system.

The survivability of the JAS39 is to be enhanced by the introduction of a new electronic warfare system, including an internal jammer and additional chaff/ flare capacity. The use of a two-seat JAS39 to provide control of the air battle is currently under consideration.

The Gripen is being further developed for the export market, with features to make it interoperable with Nato standard ground equipment, weapons, IFF and communication systems. The export version will have a retractable in-flight refuelling probe, an uprated cabin conditioning system, obogs (on-board oxygen generation system), three full-colour multi-function displays, an extended fatigue life, an NVG-compatible cockpit, a modified electronic warfare system, an advanced datalink and an increased maximum take-off weight. Flight trials have already taken place with the refuelling probe, a Thales/ Cumulus Guardian helmet-mounted sight and the Zeiss Optronik Litening targeting and navigation flir pod with laser designation capability. Another option is the Saab Dynamics IR-Otis infrared search and track system.

Some of the export modifications are to be included in the third Swedish Air Force batch, in order that it can participate in UN-led overseas deployments. These are expected to include the improved cockpit with English language captions and a voice-warning system, instruments calibrated in Imperial units, flight refuelling provisions, obogs, Nato-compatible IFF with Mode 4 capability and additional weapons clearances.

Longer-term possibilities include a new engine such as the Eurojet EJ200 to replace the F404-derived RM12, thrust-vectoring for Stol performance and improved manoeuvrability at low airspeeds, new manoeuvring modes to improve air-to-air gunnery, conformal fuel tanks and a new Ericsson multi-mode active electronically-scanned array (Aesa) radar, which would provide terrain avoidance/following and synthetic aperture radar mapping in addition to air-to-air modes.

F-16

The Lockheed Martin F-16 is somewhat heavier than the Gripen, the current F-16C having an empty weight of 8700 kg. Over 4000 F-16s have already been delivered, and the type has been selected by a total of 23 countries. The current backlog will maintain new-build deliveries to Egypt, Greece, Israel, the UAE and the US Air Force until at least 2010. Chile and Oman have recently selected the aircraft.

The original F-16A/B was built in four initial batches (Blocks 01,05,10 and 15) between 1978 and 1988, when production switched to the Block 15 OCU (operational capability upgrade), which introduced a large number of improvements, including the 107 FN F100-PW-220 engine. The F-16A/B mid-life upgrade began in 1996 as a retrofit for 380 aircraft of the Belgian, Danish, Dutch and Norwegian air forces, in parallel with the corresponding Block 20 new production standard. The mid-life upgrade modifications include the Block 50 cockpit, the Northrop Grumman APG-66(V)2 radar, a GPS receiver, advanced IFF, inlet hardpoints and AIM-120 provisions. The F-16A remains a viable combat aircraft, as evidenced by Italy's decision to lease 34 until the EF2000 is available.

Production of the F-16A/B has overlapped with that of the F-16C/D, which began in 1984 and has so far taken place in four batches (Blocks 25, 30/32, 40/42 and 50/52). This second series brought many advances, including the Northrop Grumman APG-68 radar in place of the APG-66, an advanced cockpit, a higher gross weight, EO/flir pod provisions on the intake ducts and a choice of 129 kN engines; the F110-GE-129 equipping the Blocks 30, 40 and 50, and the F100-PW-229 the Blocks 25, 32, 42 and 52. Armament developments include use of the AIM-120. The Block 50+ for Greece includes the conformal fuel tanks being developed for the new Block 60. The two-seat F-16I for Israel, which has ordered 100 of these aircraft, will have these tanks, the F100-PW-229 engine and Israeli avionics.

Last July Lockheed Martin began deliveries of modification kits for the US Air Force Common Configuration Implementation Program, which will upgrade approximately 650 Blocks 40, 42, 50 and 52 aircraft to a common standard. Features include a modular mission computer, colour displays, a combined interrogator/transponder that gives the F-16 an autonomous beyond visual range intercept capability, the Link 16 datalink and the JHMCS (Joint Hehnet-Mounted Cueing System).

The next major step in F-16 development is the Block 60 for the United Arab Emirates, which has ordered 55 F-16Cs and 25 F-16Ds for delivery from 2004. The major changes from the Block 50 include the 144.5 kN FI10-GE-132 engine, an improved cockpit, radar and flir system, conformal fuel tanks and an internal electronic warfare suite. With the conformal pair and three pylon-mounted tanks, the F-16C can carry 9095 kg of fuel. Maximum take-off weight is 22,680 kg, giving a wing loading over a third greater than that for the F-16A. Future possibilities include multi-axis thrust vectoring, a flight refuelling probe, and the introduction of the 25 per cent larger wing from the Mitsubishi F-2.

Mirage 2000

The Dassault Mirage 2000 is reported to have an empty weight of 7500 kg. Approximately 550 have been ordered for eight air forces. The Mirage 2000 was designed from the outset for high altitude interception, with the result that it has a maximum speed and ceiling higher than those of the dogfight F-16.

The series began with the Mirage 2000C fighter and two-seat 2000B for the French Air Force, followed by the nuclear strike 2000N and the conventional strike 2000D. The service currently has a total of around 225 of these variants. Following early export Mirage 2000Es (157 sold to five countries), the 2000-5 ordered by Qatar (12 aircraft) and Taiwan (60) is a multi-role combat aircraft with a glass cockpit and a Thales RDY radar (replacing the original RDM). Some 37 French Air Force aircraft have been produced to a similar standard. The Mirage 2000-9 for the UAE is a further development, with provisions for the Alenia Marconi Systems PGM-500/2000 standoff air-to-ground weapons. The Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 ordered by Greece (15 aircraft) has modular avionics, an improved weapon system and provisions for a wider range of armament, including the MBDA Scalp EG.

MiG-29

The twin-engined Russian Aircraft Corporation (Rac) MiG-29 is somewhat heavier than the aircraft so far discussed, having an empty weight of around 10,900 kg. It first flew in 1977 and entered service in 1984. Approximately 1500 MiG-29s have so far been built, and the type serves with 27 air forces. The MiG-29 is noteworthy for its ability to operate from badly surfaced runways, its excellent low-speed handling, high maximum speed (Mach 2.3) and helmet-mounted sight, which allows it to engage aircraft at large angles off boresight, using the Vympel R-73 short-range air-to-air missile. On the other hand, the basic models are catastrophically short of internal fuel, have an outdated cockpit giving a high pilot workload and were designed for only nine years of operation or 800 flight hours. The engines have a correspondingly short TBO (time between overhauls) and life.

The original production aircraft were the single-seat MiG-29B and two-seat MiG-29U, which were cleared to use only the R-27, R-60 and R-73 air-to-air missiles and the FAB-500 bomb. The MiG-29B was superseded by the MiG-29S, which has raised centre fuselage lines and increased internal fuel, improved radar and a higher maximum weight. The standard engines are the 81.4 kN Klimov RD-33.The MiG-29SE is the export version of the -29S. The MiG-29N for Malaysia was delivered broadly to this standard, but with a Western GPS receiver and Tacan. It is being retrofitted with an in-flight refuelling probe, and provisions for the RVV-AE medium-range air-to-air missile and the Kh-29T TV-guided air-to-ground missile.

The MiG-29SM, which first flew in 1995, represented an intermediate stage of development, introducing the Topaz-M radar, the longer life RD-33 Series III engines, a flight refuelling probe, provisions for the RVV-AE, Kh-25 and Kh-29T missiles and the KAB-500Kr TV-guided bomb.

The MiG-29SMT and the corresponding two-seat MiG-29UBT represent the standard to which up to 200 Russian Air Force MiG-29S and MiG-29UB aircraft will be upgraded in two stages. The MIG-29SMT-1 introduces a modernised cockpit with colour multifunction displays, additional fuel volume of 2030 litres in an enlarged dorsal area. an advanced databus, in-flight refuelling and provisions for three 1150-litre external tanks. The MiG-29SMT-2 will add the new Phazotron Zhuk-M radar, two extra wing pylons, and additional numbers of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.

The MiG-29SMTK, often referred to simply as the MiG-29K, is the carrier-operable derivative of which the Indian Navy has ordered 46 examples, plus four two-seat MiG-29KUBs. All current models are equipped with 103 kN RD-33-10M engines.

One recently unveiled variant is the two-seat MiG-29M2 or MiG-29MRCA strike aircraft, which first flew last September, and is being offered to Malaysia. Additional clearances are planned for the Kh-35 (`Harpoonski') anti-ship and supersonic Kh-31 anti-ship/anti-radar missiles. Another new project is the MiG-29OVT, which was scheduled to fly around the end of 2001, with thrust-vectoring Klimov RD-43 engines (previously referred to as RD-133s). For the longer term, Rac-MiG refers to a `MiG-29XXI' with reduced radar signature and new Klimov VK-10M engines of around 113 kN thrust.

Eads Germany is collaborating with Rac-MiG in providing Nato compatibility, and in offering upgrades for existing MiG-29s, designed primarily to extend service life and overhaul periods. Eads is also working with Romania's Aerostar and Israel's Elbit on the Sniper upgrade programme.

F/A-18

The twin-engined Boeing F/A-18 Hornet is a relatively large aircraft. For example, the F/A-18C has an empty weight of 10,810 kg. This gives it excellent credibility as a dual-role aircraft, making it the popular choice among prosperous nations such as Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland. The export total is 452 aircraft.

The F/A-18A/B entered service in 1983, and the series has since gone through a variety of upgrades. In 1989, a night strike capability was introduced with the F/A-18C/D, followed by more powerful F404-GE-402 engines in 1992. In the same year the USMC began taking delivery of the F/A-18D with provisions for the Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System (Atars). In 1994, the Raytheon APG-65 radar was superseded by the same company's APG-73. Production of the F/A-18C/D ended in August 2000.

Rather than continue with small-scale changes, the US Navy switched to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a major redesign with some degree of stealth and an empty weight of 14,000 kg. It has 35 per cent more powerful General Electric F414 engines, and almost 40 per cent more internal fuel. This provides excellent warload-radius performance, but it is achieved at some cost in maximum speed, acceleration and manoeuvrability. The F/A-18E first flew in 1995, and entered service in late 1999. The aircraft is now being offered for sale to Malaysia. From 2005 the Raytheon APG-79 Aesa radar will be included.

F-15

The Boeing F-15A/B Eagle entered service in 1975. Some of these early models are being offered with upgrades as the F-15R to the new Nato countries. Production switched to the F-15C/D from 1979, and stopped in the US in 1992, although licence-manufacture of the F-15CJ/DJ by Mitsubishi continues. The US Air Force F-15C, which has an empty weight of 13,000 kg, is eventually to be replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-22. In the meantime these aircraft are being upgraded with the Raytheon APG-63(V)1 radar, and 18 have been given the APG-63(V)2, based on Aesa technology from the F-22.

The two-seat dual-role F-15E, with Raytheon APG-70 radar and an empty weight of 14,500 kg, entered US Air Force service in 1989, and formed the basis for the F-15S for Saudi Arabia and the F-15I for Israel. The US Air Force F-15E is being given a Smart Weapons Capability upgrade, to allow it to employ the latest air-to-ground weapons, and the ten new-build aircraft scheduled for delivery between 2002 and 2004 will be finished to this standard. The F-15K proposed for South Korea's F-X programme is a further derivative, with uprated engines, a modernised cockpit and advanced sensors.

Su-27

The Aviation Military industrial Complex (AMIC) Sukhoi Su-27 is the largest of current fighters, the empty weight of some later variants probably being in the region of 16,000 kilograms. A production-representative Su-27 interceptor first flew in 1981, and the basic Su-27S/UB entered service in 1985. Some Su-27UB trainers are being upgraded into operational Su-27UBMs, with modernised cockpits and armament provisions. This version will reportedly later be replaced by the new-build Su-27BM, with advanced avionics.

The basic export interceptor is the Su-27SK/UBK, which has been sold to China, Vietnam and Ethiopia, and which will be licence-built in China. The Su-27SMK is a multi-role derivative with two extra pylons, in-flight refuelling provisions and an increased maximum weight.

It is believed that the Russian Air Force has a small number of Su-30 two-seat air defence fighters, which are to be updated to Su-30KN standard. The Su-30MK is the basic multi-role export version, produced as the Su-30MKI for India and the Su-30MKK for China. The Su-30MKI is the subject of a staged improvement programme in which canards and thrust vectoring will be added.

The Su-34 is a land-based maritime strike aircraft with side-by-side seating, which also features in the Su-33KUB trainer for the carrier-based Su-33. The latter has canards, and a folding wing and horizontal tail.

The second major step for the Su-27 was planned as the Su-27M or Su-35, with canard surfaces and uprated engines. At least one of the development aircraft (designated Su-37) has been equipped with thrust-vectoring engines. However, in view of funding problems, it appears that the Russian Air Force will omit this stage in favour of a direct transition to a completely new design (PAK-FA).