Atlas Cheetah

The Atlas Cheetah is a single- or two-seat Mirage family fighter-bomber aircraft whose only operator in 2018 is the Ecuadorian Air Force. It was built by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa (established 1965) based on the third generation Dassault Mirage III aircraft. Resulting in three variants built, the two-seat Cheetah D, and the single-seat Cheetah E and Cheetah C (the C model is based on the Israeli Kfir fighter).^{[citation required]} The Cheetah E was retired in 1992, and the last operational units, Cheetac C and Cheetah D, in the South African Air Force were decommissioned from operational service in 2008.

History

The Cheetah ("cheetah" in English) program of the technology company Atlas was developed from the needs of South Africa, during the 1980s, to have a supersonic combat aircraft of air superiority, with certain ground attack capabilities.

Developed with the aim of confronting Soviet-made fighters, such as the MiG-23 that was used by the forces of Angola and Cuba, facing South African troops in the South African Border War. Also influencing the search for a replacement for the Mirage III was the increasing cost of maintaining the SAAF Mirage due to international sanctions, lack of spare parts, natural wear and tear, and the arms embargo imposed by the Security Council. of the United Nations, which in its Resolution 418 prohibited South Africa from purchasing combat aircraft, among other weapons systems; Therefore, the only viable option was to update the existing aircraft in service in its inventory.

The SAAF had purchased Mirage III in the 1960s and shortly before the embargo had purchased Mirage F1 aircraft and manufacturing licenses for aviation components. Despite Israel's help to maintain its Mirage IIIs, the years weighed on them, and more modern versions of the Mig-21 appeared in the skies of Angola each time, and finally the Mig-23 made their appearance. The South African disadvantage in missiles and aircraft compared to the Mig-23 was evident and it was necessary to have an aircraft that would balance the balance since the SAAF's Mirage F-1 were inferior to the Mig-23 and its missiles, evidenced because the SAAF pilots tried to avoid facing the Mig-23 in Angola.

By this time, the South African aeronautical industry had reached a high level of technical and human capacity, making it possible to develop important improvements. Likewise, the secret pacts with Israel and the need for funds that Israel Aircraft Industries had in those years to carry out its Lavi program led them to offer South Africa the technology used in their Kfir.

At that time, the fastest aircraft in the SAAF jet fleet were the French Dassault Mirage III fighter (EZ/CZ/BZ/DZ/D2Z/RZ/R2Z) and the new Mirage F1 fighter (AZ /CZ). However, the Mirage F1 fighter jet, designed for air supremacy missions, was the most modern in the fleet, having been delivered from 1977 onwards.

These fighter aircraft were the main elements of South Africa's air defense, with some improvements over the French Mirage III fighter and the Israeli IAI Kfir fighter, to improve their ground attack capabilities, a modernization initially known as Cushion Project.

Development

The modernization work was carried out by Aviación Atlas, formally the Atlas Aircraft Corporation Technology Company and later, the company Denel Aerospace Systems , with the technicians who participated in the Israeli project to build the new delta wing fighter jet that would be manufactured independently by Israel, the IAI Lavi, which was finally not built due to American pressure, opting for the purchase of the F-16 Fighting Falcon to equip the Force Israel Air.

The update consisted of a structural modification of the aircraft, lengthening the fuselage, the rear part and the front radar cone; the implementation of fixed canards front spoilers just behind the turbine air intake diffusers.

Two new weapon attachment points were also installed at the base of the wings, a new external in-flight refueling probe (basket type with flexible hose) was adapted to the right side of the cockpit.

New ejector seats; The Mirage F-1 engine (the Atar 9K50C-11 [license manufactured and improved in South Africa]) was adopted in variations C and D, the air inlets on the top of the engine were enlarged to cool the turbine, when The fuel afterburning system is turned on during long periods of combat at supersonic speed.

A new, more resistant mast was also installed in the vertical tail rudder, which extends along the central fuselage in a triangular shape to prevent lateral skidding at the time of takeoff, landing and launching of weapons; A different aerodynamic slope was designed in the longitudinal cell of the cockpit and a "dog tooth" on each wing, which is a small increase in the surface of the wing, to advance them and improve lift at low altitude and speed, where the air is denser, humid and heavier, to have better flight performance and control of the ship, in ground attack and naval attack missions, with low flights at sea level and at the time of takeoff and landing.

A major improvement was the installation of Fly-by-wire electronic flight capability, operated by a twin system of flight control computers, similar to most modern fighter aircraft. It also has new strakes installed on the nose, which are small external aerodynamic profiles, like those of a missile, to increase high angle of attack (AoA) and tight turning performance.

The aerodynamic improvements increased turning performance by 15%, increased the AoA angle of attack, and reduced the minimum flight speed to 180 km/h. to be able to land on short runways and helped increase the maximum takeoff weight by 700 kg, while it offered, as a result, a reduction of only 5% in the maximum level of speed and acceleration at high altitude, due to the air resistance that present these new aerodynamic profiles, improving their flight performance at low and medium altitude, for ground attack missions and low flights over the sea.^{[citation required]}

Additionally, the avionics were improved, with the installation of new Flat screens in the cockpit, a modern Head-up display on the control panel with information to the pilot, the new helmet mounted displays (HMD), radar control, EW capability and a new aircraft self-protection system against attacks from other fighters and missiles launched from the ground and air, requiring an increase in the length of the nose, to be able to balance the weight of the aircraft during flight.

This technical improvement linked the coupling of a new EW Electronic Equipment in the cockpit, which includes defense systems, detecting enemy missiles fired by other fighter aircraft and from the ground, and new sensors of enemy radar detection alert, and automatically engaged, the aircraft's new self-protection system, consisting of electronic radar detection jammers and flare launchers, to confuse enemy heat-detecting missiles.

The co-pilot, radar and defensive systems operator, seated in tandem behind the pilot, in the new two-seat two-seat version, which was previously used only to train the new fighter pilots of the Flight Academy, now also had a new combat function. A new Flat Screen was installed on the upper part of the control panel, to detect enemy targets in aerial combat, to operate as an attack guide plane for the "Combat Wing", without needing instructions from the command base on the ground, this allows the other escort aircraft of the 'Combat Wing' to fly with their active radars turned off, so as not to be detected by enemy radars.

In addition to being a two-seat aircraft for combat against other fighters, it can carry out deep penetration operations inside enemy territory independently, operate in precision bombing missions in all types of weather, night flight, ground attack and attack naval, with low flights over the sea and command naval combat missions.

It can serve for pilot training and attack guidance missions, as a battle warning radar aircraft, which can command a combat mission without the help of the ground command base, for low-flying ground attacks between mountains and naval attacks with low flights at sea level; can command patrol missions, coastal surveillance, counter-narcotics, smuggling, attacks on terrorist camps with guided bombs, attacks on pirates at sea and night flying in all types of weather. It can carry two fuel tanks under the wings and an Exocet-type naval missile, under the central fuselage, and up to three fuel tanks, one under each wing and one under the central fuselage, to increase its range in patrol missions. With the recent improvements installed on the ship, it will be able to continue flying until 2020.

Design

Single-engine fighter aircraft with a delta wing design, with fixed canard's front ailerons, in a Delta-canard's combination to improve its flight performance at medium and low altitudes, By increasing the wing surface with these ailerons, it allows improving its maneuverability and transportation of a greater amount of weapons and fuel, with all-weather capabilities, night flight, attack guidance missions, escort of other combat aircraft, deep penetration missions within enemy territory, as a conventional ground attack bomber and perform naval attack missions with low flights over the sea; Fly-by-wire flight control; helmet with sight for the pilot HUD Head-up display technology; the installation of a new and powerful Doppler Pulse Radar and the installation of a large one-piece windshield and a new aerodynamic design, to give the pilot more visibility.

It is a multipurpose fighter that can successfully carry out attack missions against enemy territory, in deep penetration missions flying between valleys and mountains in all types of weather, launch guided bombs, cruise missiles and the Exocet naval missile, like an airplane ground-based naval fighter, in the same combat missions as the Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard attack aircraft and can combat other fighter aircraft, on the same platform at high speed and altitude, as a conventional Mirage F1 fighter aircraft.

The flight computer and new navigation software prevent the craft from stalling during tight low-speed turns, including the benefits provided by the HOTAS Hands On Throttle-And-Stick command system. engine throttle control and control lever, flight and armament, due to the instability provided by the 'canard's' front ailerons.

It can carry 2 new external fuel tanks under the wings, of greater capacity and size; It has greater capacity to transport fuel in the ship's internal tanks, due to its new elongated fuselage, to increase its combat range and flight autonomy; It has two new weapons loading pylons at the base of the wings, similar to the Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter and is equipped with a fixed probe, on the right side of the cockpit, for aerial refueling and increasing its operational range.

The new and improved Cheetah has these modern fixed horizontal surfaces, installed next to the air intake nozzles to the engines, to form fixed canards, just above the main wing in delta wing shape, achieving greater elevation, greater wing surface to carry more weapons and fuel load, and increasing the lift of the ship, in a similar way to the famous IAI Kfir fighter manufactured in Israel, from which it seems to be inspired for its construction.

The delta-canard configuration is inherently unstable, because the forward fins generate air turbulence over the main wing, which provides the craft with a high level of maneuverability and turning capacity at high speeds. supersonic. This new flight feature requires a sophisticated Fly-by-wire (FBW) digital flight control system to provide the necessary artificial stabilization with the help of flight computers and software.) very advanced, which migrated from other fighter aircraft designs, such as Israel's IAI Lavi fighter and the experimental Dassault Mirage 4000 fighter that was never mass produced in France.

Components of the Cheetah C

France - United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Electronics

System	Country	China	Notes
Escape system		Martin-Baker	Mk.10 eye seat

Propulsion

System	Country	China	Notes
Motor		Snecma	1 × Atar 9K50C-11

Versions

Cheetah C

Version designed from the IAI Kfir hunt manufactured independently by Israel, with the "sensors pack" of the new conversion Kfir C-10Like the Elta 2032 radar. They were the equivalent of the South African Air Force SAAFof the new IAI Kfir C-7. Although not officially recognized, the plane is a copy of the project, of the new hunt IAI Kfir 2000 that was never built in series.

38 Cheetah C was built, a multipurpose combat plane, the most advanced variant with a multi-mode radar Elta 2032originally intended to equip the new IAI Lavi hunt that was never built in series, a new mission computer Elbit and electronic war system Elisra.

The Cheetah C is equipped with the new turbophan engine Snecma Atar 9K-50 (built under license and improved in South Africa), equipped with a new flight refueling probe and one-piece windshields, so that the pilot can have a better visibility, the same of the French fighter Dassault Mirage 2000. It is necessary to note that despite the arms embargo against the country, these planes were fully rebuilt, but not based on Mirage III but using at least 45 original spray cells from IAI Kfir C2/TC2, supplied by Israel.

Cheetah D

Two-place design built for tactical purposes, such as replacement of pumps Buccaneer Mk50 in the role of nuclear attack, they can transport nuclear weapons and tactical missiles, naval missiles and ground attack weapons. In total, 11 Cheetah D was reconstructed from Mirage III DZ/D2Z. The remaining five bikes were rebuilt from original IAI Kfir hunting cells supplied by Israel.

Chetaah E

Conversions of Mirage III EZ in a process similar to that of hunting Panther Chilean, and some Colombian conversions. It was essentially an installation package for an electronic system WDNS, equipment INSradar Elta 2001 and other electronic equipment developed in Israel, to give them attack potentials similar to the new Kfir C7 fighter.

The 16 Cheetah E were built from hunting Mirage III Original EZ. The Cheetah E came into service in 1988, first with the 89th CFS and later with the 5th Squadron, but since it was an interim model, it was withdrawn from service five years later in 1993.

Some of the Cheetah D and E were powered by the turbophan motor 9C-30. In one of the Cheetah D planes, it was tested as a new technology application, a new Russian turboran engine Klimov SMR-95.

Cheetah R

(ex Mirage IIIR2Z). A single specimen for testing new flight and arms control technologies.

Users

Old Operators

• EcuadorEcuador

10 Cheetah C, single-place and 2 Cheetah D units, in the two-place version, delivered on 14 February 2012. With 5-year warranty for technical support and maintenance. They were deactivated in 2021.

• South Africa

Manufacturer and main operator, 70 units (38 of model C, 16 of each of the models D and E). The last units were discharged from the operating service in 2008.

Specifications

The Plane is practically a Kfir, except for the engine it is equipped with. It is interesting to compare this aircraft with the modification made by Chile during the same years to its Mirage, called Pantera.

The SAAF was equipped with what it was looking for, a fighter with which to confront the MiG-23 thanks to its Kukri, Darter and Python missiles guided by the pilot from his helmet. It did not need a very powerful radar or long-range missiles. It needed range, power and maneuverability.

Data reference: Military Today.

General characteristics

• Triple: 1/ 2 in the two-place version.
• Length: 15.7 m (51.3 ft)
• Scope: 8.2 m (27 ft)
• Height: 4.6 m (14.9 ft)
• Elong surface: 34.8 m2 (374.6 ft2)
• Empty weight: 6600 kg (14 546.4 lb)
• Maximum weight at takeoff: 13 700 kg (30 194.8 lb)
• Motriz plant: 1× Turborreactor SNECMA Atar 09K50.
  • Normal push: 49 kN (5000 kgf; 11 022 lbf) Push.
  • Push with postburner: 70.8 kN (7222 kgf; 15 921 lbf) Push.

Performance

• Maximum operating speed (Vno): 2338 km/h (1453 MPH; 1262 kt) at 12,000 m altitude.
• Cruise speed (Vc): 956 km/h (594 MPH; 516 kt) at 10,000 m altitude.
• Scope: 1300 km (702 nmi; 808 mi)
• Range by ferry: 2400 m (7874 (ft)
• Flight board: 17 000 m (55 774 ft)
• Promotional regime: 233.3 m/s (45 925 ft/min)
• Long load: 250 kg/m2 (51.2 lb/ft2)

Weapons

Avionics