Nikita AF-11 Pangolin: Difference between revisions

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{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
  |name= AF-11 Pangolin
  |name= AF-11 Pangolin
  |image= File:Northrop YA-9 prototype.jpg
  |image= File:AF-11_Pangolin.jpg
  |caption= Pre-production AF-11  
  |caption= AF-11 during training mission
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
  |type= [[Close air support]] [[attack aircraft]]
  |type= [[Close air support]] [[attack aircraft]]
  |national origin= Tennai
  |national origin= [[Tennai]]
  |manufacturer= [[Nikita Aircraft]]
  |manufacturer= [[Nikita Corporation]]
  |designer=
  |designer=
  |first flight= {{Start date and age|1972|02|13|df=yes}}
  |first flight= {{Start date and age|1972|02|13|df=yes}}
Line 18: Line 18:
  |unit cost= US$16.3 million (approx. $25 million in 2019)  
  |unit cost= US$16.3 million (approx. $25 million in 2019)  
  |variants with their own articles=
  |variants with their own articles=
}}
|}
The Nikita AF-11 Pangolin is a single-seat, twin turbofan engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Nikita Aircraft for the Royal Tennaiite Air Force (RTAF). The AF-11 was designed for close air support (CAS) of friendly ground troops, attacking armored vehicles and tanks, and providing quick-action support against enemy ground forces. It entered service in 1976 and is the only production-built aircraft that has served in the RTAF that was designed solely for CAS. Its secondary mission is to provide forward air controller-airborne support, by directing other aircraft in attacks on ground targets. Aircraft used primarily in this role are designated OAF-11 .
The AF-11 was intended to improve on the performance and firepower of the AF-2 Thunder. The AF-11 was designed around the 30 mm Kala 30-173 Quake rotary cannon. Its airframe was designed for durability, with measures such as 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of titanium armor to protect the cockpit and aircraft systems, enabling it to absorb a significant amount of damage and continue flying. Its short takeoff and landing capability permits operation from airstrips close to the front lines, and its simple design enables maintenance with minimal facilities.
The AF-11A single-seat variant was the only version produced, though one pre-production airframe was modified into a twin-seat prototype to test an all-weather night capable version. In 2006, a program was started to upgrade remaining AF-11A aircraft to the A-10D configuration, with modern avionics for use with precision weaponry.
==Development==
===Background===
===Competition===
===Production===
===Upgrades===
==Design==
===Overview===
===Durabilty===
===Weapons===
===Modernization===
===Colors and markings===
==Operational History==
===Entering Service===
==Variants==
==Operators==
* {{flag|Tennai}} The Royal Tennaiite Airforce operates X AF-11s
==Specifications (AF-11C)==
[[File:Af 11 pangolin ortho.gif|frameless|right]]
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|length m=16.31
|length note=
|span m=17.68
|span note=
|height m=5.16
|height note=
|wing area sqm=54
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=<!--'''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |accessdate=16 April 2019}}</ref>-->
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=11340
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=18597
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=[[Aryani ALF509]]
|eng1 type=[[turbofan]]
|eng1 kn=40
|eng1 lbf=
|eng1 note=
|eng1 kn-ab=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=885
|max speed note=
|max speed mach=
|cruise speed kmh=690
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=220
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=
|range note=
|combat range km=475
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=4150
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=13700
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=30
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=<!--</br>
*'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||m|0}}
*'''Take-off run to {{cvt|15|m|0}}:''' {{cvt||m|0}}
*'''Landing run:''' {{cvt||m|0}}
*'''Landing run from {{cvt|15|m|0}}:''' {{cvt||m|0}}-->
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns= 1 × [[30 mm caliber|30 mm]] [[Kala 30-173 Quake]]
|hardpoints= 11 total;8 × under-wing, and  3× under-fuselage pylon stations
|hardpoint capacity=up to {{convert|7260|kg|lb|abbr=on}} of stores
|rockets=<br>
|missiles=<br>
|bombs=<br>
*'''Others:'''
**[[Flare (countermeasure)|Flares/Infrared decoys]] dispenser pod and [[chaff (radar countermeasure)|chaff]] pod ''or''
**[[electronic countermeasures|ECM]] pods ''or''
** targeting pods ''or''
**Up to 2 × 2,300 L (600 US gal) drop tanks for ferry flight/extended range/loitering time
|avionics=
}}
}}

Latest revision as of 18:01, 9 March 2023

AF-11 Pangolin
AF-11 Pangolin.jpg
AF-11 during training mission
Role Close air support attack aircraft
National origin Tennai
Manufacturer Nikita Corporation
First flight 13 February 1972; 52 years ago (1972-02-13)
Introduction October 1976
Status In service
Primary user Royal Tennaiite Air Force
Produced 1972–1990
Number built 300+
Unit cost
US$16.3 million (approx. $25 million in 2019)

The Nikita AF-11 Pangolin is a single-seat, twin turbofan engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Nikita Aircraft for the Royal Tennaiite Air Force (RTAF). The AF-11 was designed for close air support (CAS) of friendly ground troops, attacking armored vehicles and tanks, and providing quick-action support against enemy ground forces. It entered service in 1976 and is the only production-built aircraft that has served in the RTAF that was designed solely for CAS. Its secondary mission is to provide forward air controller-airborne support, by directing other aircraft in attacks on ground targets. Aircraft used primarily in this role are designated OAF-11 .

The AF-11 was intended to improve on the performance and firepower of the AF-2 Thunder. The AF-11 was designed around the 30 mm Kala 30-173 Quake rotary cannon. Its airframe was designed for durability, with measures such as 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of titanium armor to protect the cockpit and aircraft systems, enabling it to absorb a significant amount of damage and continue flying. Its short takeoff and landing capability permits operation from airstrips close to the front lines, and its simple design enables maintenance with minimal facilities.

The AF-11A single-seat variant was the only version produced, though one pre-production airframe was modified into a twin-seat prototype to test an all-weather night capable version. In 2006, a program was started to upgrade remaining AF-11A aircraft to the A-10D configuration, with modern avionics for use with precision weaponry.

Development

Background

Competition

Production

Upgrades

Design

Overview

Durabilty

Weapons

Modernization

Colors and markings

Operational History

Entering Service

Variants

Operators

  •  Tennai The Royal Tennaiite Airforce operates X AF-11s

Specifications (AF-11C)

Af 11 pangolin ortho.gif

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 16.31 m (53 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 17.68 m (58 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 5.16 m (16 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 54 m2 (580 sq ft)
  • Gross weight: 11,340 kg (25,000 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 18,597 kg (40,999 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Aryani ALF509 turbofan, 40 kN (9,000 lbf) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 885 km/h (550 mph; 478 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 690 km/h (429 mph; 373 kn)
  • Stall speed: 220 km/h (137 mph; 119 kn)
  • Combat range: 475 km (295 mi; 256 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 4,150 km (2,579 mi; 2,241 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 13,700 m (44,900 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 30 m/s (5,900 ft/min)

Armament

  • Guns: 1 × 30 mm Kala 30-173 Quake
  • Hardpoints: 11 total;8 × under-wing, and 3× under-fuselage pylon stations with a capacity of up to 7,260 kg (16,010 lb) of stores,
  • Rockets:
  • Missiles:
  • Bombs:
  • Others:
    • Flares/Infrared decoys dispenser pod and chaff pod or
    • ECM pods or
    • targeting pods or
    • Up to 2 × 2,300 L (600 US gal) drop tanks for ferry flight/extended range/loitering time
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