F-30 Shrike

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F-62 Shrike
General information
TypeLight Fighter
ManufacturerLayartebian Defense Corporation
Designer
StatusIn-Service
History
Introduction date2014

The F-62 Shrike is a Layartebian, twin-engine, light fighter designed and built by the Layartebian Defense Corporation. The Shrike was designed to be a low-cost alternative to expensive, 4.5-generation and 5th generation fighter aircraft. Designed to be a modern equivalent of the F-5 Tiger II, the Shrike is a direct competitor of the F-20 Tigershark, the JF-17 Thunder, the T-50 Golden Eagle, and the JAS-39 Gripen. The F-62 Shrike is available in single-seat and two-seat fighter variants along with a two-seat trainer variant and it can perform a multitude of roles in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions.

Development

Origins

The Advanced Light Fighter Program was initiated in the mid-90s at a time when the Imperial Layartebian Military was suffering from a major crisis in the making in terms of serviceable aircraft. The last of the third-generation fighters, chiefly the F-4 Phantom II were rapidly running out of available flight hours while many of the aircraft captured during the first years of the Conquests were becoming too costly to keep in service. At the same time, newer, fourth-generation aircraft were suffering from high attrition rates due to combat action and mechanical problems. These mechanical issues were largely because of overuse due to the lack of available aircraft. As more and more aircraft were unable to be sortied, stress on the aircraft pool increased.

The Conquests reached their peak in the mid-90s, at a time when fourth-generation aircraft were truly dominant in the world. Fifth-generation aircraft were not yet operationally viable though the YF-22 and the YF-23 were rapidly approaching the end of their prototype phases. However, fifth-generation aircraft were air superiority fighters designed for stealth, speed, and air combat only. They were not multirole aircraft and could not be used effectively in a ground campaign. At the time, the concept of the 4.5-generation fighter was not yet being marketed. With aircraft flyaway costs climbing, the military decided they needed a cheap, effective, and versatile design.

The program was initiated in 1997 with the goal of having a prototype by 2000 and an initial operational capability by 2004. The program was to run alongside of the F-58 Viper, which created a host of problems. By 2000, the first prototype of the Viper was available and drawing even more funds than originally projected. The ALF program was lagging and the first prototype wasn't ready until 2002. Though the prototype met program requirements, it was an inherently poor design that was grounded after 39 flights and 62 flying hours. As a result, the Viper program was prioritized, relegating the ALF program to the back burner. Several designs were proposed between 2002 and 2004 when the Viper finally entered service. None of them was viable however and the program was terminated in January 2005, after the Viper had reached IOC.

After three years, in May 2008, however, the Advanced Light Fighter program was dusted off, restructured, and reinitiated. The Conquests had ended in June 2006 and the shortage of aircraft in the military had passed. Instead of needing a stopgap solution, the military now wanted a light fighter that could perform air-to-ground missions and conduct point defense sorties for air combat. In addition, the military hoped that the aircraft could double as a trainer to replacing the aging stock of T-38 Talon trainers. To ward against premature cancelation, it was also intended that the result of this program should be a source of revenue, an exportable aircraft.

The first prototype was available to fly in April 2011 and a three-year evaluation program was begun. Six prototype aircraft were produced in two, different configurations. There were four YF-62As produced and two YF-62Bs. The YF-62A was a single-seat variant while the YF-62B was a heavier, two-seat variant that was equally as capable. The addition of a backseat cockpit would allow for added effectiveness in the reduction of crew load. The six aircraft were put through a rigorous testing and evaluation program that was uneventful until May 2013 when PAV-4 suffered a fatal crash, killing test pilot John B. Kelly, a former air force colonel and prestigious member of the air force's flight demonstration team. The crash was caused by a disruption of airflow into the starboard engine during high-G combat maneuvers over Langley, Virginia. The aircraft entered a flat spin at an altitude of just 500 ft (152 m). The aircraft's spin was unrecoverable and Kelly was unable to eject from the aircraft, dying when the aircraft crashed into the ground only moments later.

The crash caused the program to be delayed by three months while it was investigated. Changes were made to the other prototypes and PAV-2 retook to the skies on August 10, 2013 in a routine flight that tested some of the changes. The rest of the program was uneventful and low-rate initial production began in January 2014 with initial operational capability coming in June 2014.

Production

The first order for aircraft had been placed in November 2013, only weeks prior to the final approval of the aircraft by the Ministry of Defense. It called for 750 trainers, the T-62C variant. When the design was finally approved in the latter half of November 2013, the aircraft was named the Shrike. The first export order came in September 2014 for 32 F-62B fighters and 24 T-62C trainers. A second export order came in spring 2016 for 50 T-62C trainers.

The first T-62Cs began low rate initial production in January 2014 and initial operational capability was achieved in September 2014 with the Air Training Commander. In all, 20 airframes were produced in 2014 but that rate rapidly increased to 80 in 2015, 160 in 2016, and 264 in 2017. Full rate production, at 24 airframes per month, was achieved in June 2017. By the end of 2017, some 524 aircraft had been produced. This included all 106 export aircraft and a further 418 aircraft for the air force, which included 96 single-seat F-62A fighters and 322 T-62C trainers. This provided enough for four squadrons of fighters and enough trainers to retire the remainder of the T-38 Talons. The final T-38 Talons flew in December 2017 on a farewell flight tour.

Orders for the Shrike are projected through the end of 2019, still with a rate of 24 airframes per month. The Layartebian Defense Corporation hopes to obtain more export orders to allow production to continue through 2025 as orders for the Viper are expected to be completed in 2022. However, this would require orders to exceed 1,000 aircraft.

Upgrades

Aircraft entering service with the Imperial Layartebian Military are produced to two standards. All T-62C Shrikes produced between 2014 and 2016 were produced to the Block 1 standard. The Block 1 standard did not allow for weapons carriage. All T-62C aircraft produced in 2017 were produced at the Block 5 standard, which allows for limited carriage of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions for combat training purposes. It is expected that the Block 10 standard will be introduced in 2019, which will allow all T-62C aircraft to carry a full range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.

All F-62A and F-62B Shrikes produced for domestic purpose were produced at the Block 1 standard for only the first 24 airframes. The Block 1 standard provided limited air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. The Block 5 standard, introduced after these airframes, expanded munitions carriage to include a wider range of air-to-ground weapons, including laser-guided bombs. The Block 10 standard was introduced in 2017, allowing for the same range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons that is to be found on the T-62C Block 10 in 2019 and onward.

Export aircraft were produced all at a Block 5 standard for both the F-62A, the F-62B, and the T-62C. Upgrades to the Block 10 standard were conducted in 2017 for all export variants, bringing them in line with current fighter standards. This will make export T-62Cs more advanced than domestically built ones until 2019.

There are presently no plans for a Block 15 though there are sure to materialize in the coming years.

Design

Characteristics

The Shrike is designed as a cost-effective, light fighter, which means that features available on modern aircraft such as stealth coatings and thrust vectoring controls are absent on the Shrike. By virtue of it being a small aircraft, the Shrike has a reduced radar cross section from the frontal aspect and there is some care taken to shield its fan blades but by no means is the fighter considered stealthy. To best utilize the fighter, it is meant to be flown at low-level to take advantage of terrain masking, where its avionics and agility allow it to fly through even the most harrowing terrain.

The fighter features a blended wing body to provide additional lift for its small shape. It does not feature canards and it has a single, vertical stabilizer. The aircraft features triple-redundant, digital, fly-by-wire controls. It is a twin-engine design with a bubble canopy for maximum visibility. The Shrike carries all of its weapons externally except for its gun and it features a compact design with a wet wing.

For its size, the Shrike packs a considerable punch, especially in the area of maneuverability. It is rated to perform maneuvers between -3G and +8G though it can be pushed to +9G without damage to the airframe. It is recommended only to stress the airframe to this level with a minimum loadout of two, wingtip, air-to-air missiles. Helping the Shrike in its agility are its two, powerful engines, which allow a fully loaded Shrike to be airborne in 1,000 m (3,281 ft). At combat weight however, the Shrike can be airborne in as little as 355 m (1,165 ft). To aid in landing, the Shrike features a drag chute measuring 16 ft (4.87 m) in diameter, which is towed 15 ft (4.57 m) behind the airframe. With a drag chute, the Shrike can stop in just 800 m (2,625 ft) and without it, this is nearly doubled to 1,500 m (4,921 ft).

Powerplant

The Shrike is powered by two, afterburning, turbofan engines. They do not feature thrust vectoring control but they are capable of being modified with pitch-control paddles, though at additional expense. Layartebian fighters do not have thrust vectoring controls installed as of 2017 nor are there plans to fit them except to a limited number of T-62C Shrikes for familiarization purposes with fifth-generation aircraft.

Each engine has a maximum output of 6,382 lbf (28.39 kN) on military power and 11,023 lbf (49.03 kN) in full afterburner. There are three afterburner stages, which allow for multiple scenarios. Selecting mode 1 is useful for air combat and maneuvers while mode 2 is useful for takeoff and performance climbing. Mode 3 is designed for maximum performance at the expense of fuel consumption. At full military power, the specific fuel consumption is 0.725 lb/(h*lbf). In full afterburner however, this increases to 1.8 lb/(h*lbf).

At sea level, in full afterburner, the Shrike will exhaust its internal fuel supply in as little as 130 seconds while at an altitude of 36,000 ft (11,000 m), this can be extended to 4 minutes. As the Shrike is a small aircraft, its fuel carriage is limited.

The Shrike has four internal fuel tanks, two in the fuselage and one in each wing. The main fuselage tank holds 322 gal (1,219 l) of fuel while a reserve tank holds just 100 gal (379 l). Each wing tank holds 200 gal (757 l) for a total of 822 gal (3,112 l) of fuel. This equals a fuel load of 5,512 lb (2,500 kg). Fuel is drained first from the two wing tanks, then the main fuselage tank, and lastly the reserve tank. On the reserve tank, at minimum throttle, at sea level, the Shrike has approximately 6 minutes of flying time remaining.

To augment its small fuel supply, the Shrike can carry up to three, external drop tanks on its centerline and innermost wing hardpoints. Each of these can hold a single 315 gal (1,192 l) tank while only the innermost wing hardpoints can carry the larger 370 gal (1,400 l) fuel tank. Fuel tanks larger than this are not cleared for the aircraft. By carrying three, 315 gal (1,192) tanks, the Shrike can increase its fuel supply by 115% and with a maximum fuel tank configuration of two 370 gal (1,400 l) tanks and one 315 gal (1,192) tank, the Shrike can increase its fuel supply by 128%.

In a full ferry configuration, the Shrike can fly as far as 1,600 mi (2,575 km). Combat radius for an air-to-air missile is 400 mi (644 km) and for a hi-lo-hi mission with a full bomb load, it is 180 mi (290 km). The fighter has a maximum ceiling of 55,000 ft (16,765 m) and in an air-to-air configuration, using maximum afterburner, the Shrike has a climb rate of 40,000 ft/min (203.2 m/s). Its maximum speed at sea level is 822 mph (1,323 km/h), which equates to Mach 1.08. At altitude, its maximum speed is 1,320 mph (2,125 km/h), which equates to Mach 2. While the airframe is capable of flying faster at altitude, it is not recommended.

Avionics

Though the Shrike is designed to be cost-effective, which precludes the use of expensive, stealth features and thrust vectoring; it is not handicapped by its avionics suite. In fact, the avionics suite of the Shrike is arguably the most expensive component of the aircraft, pound-for-pound. The Shrike features a state-of-the-art, compact radar designed to give it the ability to fight on the modern battlefield. It features an infrared search and track system for emissions control and a sophisticated ECM suite.

The primary detection system is its radar, the AN/APG-91(V)-2. Designed roughly around the same dimensions as the AN/APG-67 radar, the AN/APG-91(V)-2 weighs just 175 lb (80 kg) and features a state of the art, AESA system. The radar is an X band radar operating at 9.0 GHz. The radar features 400 transceivers, each with a maximum power output of 15 watts. While this would give the radar a maximum peak power of 6 kilowatts, the radar is only rated for 2.5 kilowatts peak due to cooling limitations. The average pulse power is nominally under 250 watts. The radar features a wide array of modes. For air combat, the crew can select range while scan (RWS), track while scan (TWS), boresight (ACM), single target track (STT), velocity search with ranging (VSR), and long range scan (LRS) modes. For ground combat, the crew can select ground map (GM), ground moving target (GMT), or maritime (SEA) modes. The radar is equipped with a terrain-following function as well.

For passive detection, the Shrike mounts the AN/AAS-48(V)-2 IRST, a compact derivative of the AN/AAS-48(V)-1 that weighs just 172 lb (78 kg). The system has a maximum azimuth of ±90° and an elevation range of -15° to +60° creating a significant cone forward and to the sides of the aircraft. Its detection range against fighter-sized targets is 37 mi (60 km) from the rear and 10 mi (16 km) from the front. The IRST is equipped with a laser-ranging device, which has a range of 9 mi (15 km) against airborne and 12.5 mi (20 km) against ground targets with an accuracy of 5 m (16.5 ft). Its instant field of view is 10° x 7.5° and it can be operated autonomously to search out targets for the crew.

Defending the Shrike is an array of electronic and physical countermeasures and warning systems. On domestic aircraft, this is the AN/ASQ-238(V)-5 Electronic Countermeasures Suite, which features the AN/ALR-94 radar warning receiver, the AN/AAR-52 missile warning system, and the AN/ALQ-229 RF jammer. The AN/AAR-52 is a dual-mode system that uses both UV and IR detection systems while the AN/ALQ-229 is equipped with a low-band receiver and transmitter and a high-band receiver and transmitter with a frequency range of 1 to 35 GHz.

Export Shrikes are equipped with a comparable system. The ECM is the AN/ALQ-165 Airborne Self-Protection Jammer. The ASPJ is equal in its range and capability to the AN/ALQ-229. For missile detection, the Shrike features the AN/ALR-74 radar warning receiver, the same as used in the F-16 Falcon. The missile warning system is the AN/AAR-57, which is a UV-based missile warning system.

Both domestic and export versions of the Shrike carry the AN/ALE-47 chaff and flare dispensing system. The aircraft has 4 dispensers located on the fuselage of the aircraft just underneath its engine compartments. Each dispenser can hold magazines that allow for 30 chaff bundles or flares or 15 larger flares. To complement the AN/ALE-47 dispensers, the Shrike also carries two AN/ALE-58 dispensers on its wingtips. Each of these dispensers adds an additional 160 chaff or flare packets in a high-capacity dispenser.

For utilization of laser-guided bombs, the Shrike cannot self-guide munitions without a pod, though it can drop bombs guided by ground teams. To facilitate this, the Shrike has a single, fuselage hardpoint for the carriage of laser-designation pods. In Layartebian service, this hardpoint is often occupied by a AN/AAQ-33 Sniper XR pod.

While the Shrike is not equipped with towed decoys or decoy dispensers, the aircraft is compatible with certain pylons that allow for decoy dispensers or towed decoys. These are not typically fitted to Layartebian aircraft however.

Cockpit

The Shrike's cockpit is based on those of multiple 4.5-generation aircraft using some influence from fifth-generation aircraft as well. The goal of the cockpit design team was to create a fully functional cockpit that would reduce workloads on single pilots and truly share workloads on two pilots. Because of the different roles of the Shrike, there are three cockpit configurations. The single-seat F-62A offers a workload-reduced, single-pilot cockpit while the two-seat F-62B offers a backseat cockpit with a layout geared to the role of the weapon system's officer or WSO. The trainer T-62C offers identical cockpits to both the pilot and the instructor with dual controls.

A feature that the Shrike possesses that no other Layartebian aircraft possesses without retrofit is a collision avoidance system named the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System or Auto-GCAS. The Auto-GCAS system prevents controlled flight into terrain if the pilot has lost consciousness due to excess g-forces. The system, which is proven effective, will ensure that an aircraft not under pilot control rights itself with a +5G recover that will turn an aircraft from any attitude into a wings level, upright position. It works for G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC), cockpit decompression and hypoxia, and even spatial disorientation as can happen at night or in bad weather over water. The use of the Auto-GCAS is considered invaluable on training aircraft but is soon to be retrofitted onto combat aircraft as well. With the Shrike, it is present from the get-go.

The layout of the cockpit in the Shrike is conventional in that there is a physical HUD, a side-stick and throttle with full HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick) compatibility, and it is fully compatible with night vision goggles (NVGs). In the standard layout, the stick is located on the right and the throttle on the left. Between the throttle and the stick, there are twenty-four programmable buttons and roller switches, which can be fully customized by each pilot in accordance to his or her needs. The system is fully compatible with all commercial Helmet Mounted Displays (HMDs) to provide seamless integration for existing aircraft or upgrade programs.

There was considerable discussion on whether or not to include the Pilot Voice Input (PVI) system that is present on the F-60 Firefly. The PVI system is a direct, voice activated system that allows a pilot to control non-critical systems with only voice commands. The system requires significant voice training for each pilot but in the end, it can store as many as 200 commands that can be activated with a response time of just 200 ms. Average recognition capability is 95%. Overall, the PVI system allows for control of twenty-six systems. However, in the end, this option was not installed on Shrike aircraft though programmers and hardware developers on the design team allowed for future retrofitting of the PVI system.

The pilot sits on an ACES II zero-zero ejection seat that is reclined by 17° to reduce the stresses of G-forces on the pilot during maneuvers. The cockpit is fully climate controlled and it is linked to a proven, reliable on-board oxygen generating system (OBOGS), which has been rigorously tested to ensure it is not prone to failures related to particulate inhalation and hypoxia systems. The canopy of the Shrike is a single-piece, bubble canopy that affords excellent visibility. The canopy is not lined with gold to reduce its radar cross section as that would have not been cost-effective for the aircraft. The canopy is made out of a strengthened, polycarbonate material designed to protect the pilot against debris and bird strikes.

Beyond these features, the pilot has a very functional cockpit. The HUD of the Shrike is a wide-angle system with a field of view of 35° wide by 25° high. It can be programmed to a wide array of symbols that are compatible with existing symbols used by any nation in the world. It also features custom features to allow for unique symbology. In the event of a bird strike, the HUD is designed to collapse to provide another safety feature for the pilot. A rubber buffer strip on the HUD is there to shield the canopy as it flexes during bird strikes to avoid shattering.

The pilot has two primary liquid-crystal (LCD) multifunction displays (MFDs). Each of these represent the newest MFDs available to Layartebian aircraft production. Located left and right, they each measure 6 in (15.24 cm) wide by 8 in (20.32 cm) tall. Each MFD offers full RGB colors programmable to 16.7 million colors in an 8-bit configuration or 262,144 colors in a 6-bit configuration. It can also be programmed to monochrome. They offer a response time of 25 ms and 768 x 768 resolution. There are fourteen button groups around each MFD with three on the top and bottom each and four on the sides. Each group features two buttons to allow for forward and backwards or up and down. Alternatively, on some menus, these buttons provide as many as twenty-eight options per MFD. Each MFD is interchangeable to allow for full customization for the pilot. In addition, these MFDs can function as single or split modes. In a single mode, the entire display is viewable but in split modes, the MFD allows for a top and a bottom section. The top section is a 6 in (15.24 cm) square display and the bottom section is a 2 in (5.08 cm) by 6 in (15.24 cm). This can be further segmented into two 2 in (5.08 cm) by 3 in (7.62 cm) units so that a single MFD can contain as many as three windows. The pilot could have the left MFD featuring the radar, the RWR, and the IRST display while the right can feature the TGP view and the weapons selector. This adds for maximum functionality.

A secondary MFD is played center and it measures 5 in (12.7 cm) square. It features only a single display that cannot be segmented, twenty-six buttons, and the same color and resolution specifications as the main displays have. This can be used for map and navigation functions, flight system functions, or hold any of the systems of the aircraft whether it is the TGP, the radar, the RWR, et cetera.

The pilot has two small, digital screens each measuring 2 in (5.08 cm) square above the secondary MFD which allow for artificial horizon and the compass. A digital fuel gauge is located to the right of the right-hand primary MFD along with two other digital displays for angle of attack (AOA) and vertical velocity (VVI). A digital fault screen is located on the lower right side just above the clock. There are switches and selectors on both the right and the left side arm panels. In the center of the cockpit is a programmable selector keypad like that on the F-16 Falcon.

While both the F-62A Shrike and the T-62C Shrike feature this layout, the F-62B Shrike features a different layout. In the F-62B Shrike, the pilot has the same layout as the F-62A Shrike but the back-seat officer or WSO has a different layout.

In the F-62B Shrike, the WSO mans the weapon systems. He or she can launch weapons but his or her primary role is to operate the weapons so that they are ready to be employed, allowing the pilot to focus on flying. To aid the WSO in this function, he has two large MFDs each measuring 12 in (30.48 cm) wide and 9 in (22.86 cm) tall. Each features forty-four buttons around its edges and the screens can be used in dedicated, single-screen views or split into multiple segments that split each screen in half and then offer smaller views in each segment to allow for as many as six displays per MFD. The WSO has a side stick for control of the TGP, which features twelve buttons that can be programmable per his or her wishes. The WSO also has access to two 5 in (12.7 cm) square MFDs that can be used for secondary purposes. Typically one will be set to the RWR and the other will be set to the weapon modification page allow for customized, weapon settings. These are located above the main MFDs. Resolution on the main displays is 1024 x 1024 but they are equipped with the same color depth as the pilot's MFDs.

Armament

As a light fighter, the Shrike does not carry as much ordnance as most 4.5-generation fighters but for its size and weight, it is capable of carrying a respectable payload of 11,575 lb (5,250 kg) across ten external hardpoints.

Cannon

The standard cannon equipped on all variants of the Shrike is the GAU-20/A Impulse Revolver Cannon, which is fed by an internal magazine of 150 rounds. The GAU-20/A is the Layartebian designation of the Amastoli-designed Model 278 Autocannon. It fires a 27x151mm shell out of a 70-caliber barrel at varying rates of fire. The cannon is mounted internally along the port wing root.

Export Shrikes can be equipped with several cannons. The system is limited to a weight of 400 lb (180 kg) and magazines are limited to an internal volume of 2,200 in³ (36,000 cm³). With these limitations, the follow gun options are offered standard: the M61A2 Vulcan with 300 rounds, the Mauser BK-27 with 150 rounds, the GIAT 30M 791 with 145 rounds, or the GSh-30-1 with 100 rounds. Other configurations could be available pending dimension and weight limitations.

For cannons with a laser-aided targeting system such as the GAU-20/A and the GSh-30-1, the IRST is fully compatible.

External Hardpoints

The Shrike is equipped with ten external hardpoints with two underside and eight on the wings and wingtips. The total capacity of ordnance is 11,575 lb (5,250 kg) but combat configurations will see a much lower ordinance weight due to size limitations and range requirements.

The centerline hardpoint of the Shrike is rated to 2,425 lb (1,100 kg) and is normally used to carry external drop tanks up to 315 gal (1,192 l). This hardpoint can also be used to carry ECM and targeting pods and it is not wired for bombs or missiles though it can be configured to hold bombs of the 2,000 lb (900 kg) class.

The shoulder hardpoint, located forward to the portside underneath the aircraft is purely for carrying ECM or targeting pods. It is rated to just 550 lb (250 kg). Reconnaissance pods can also be carried if they fit the weight limitations.

The innermost wing hardpoints are each rated to carry 2,800 lb (1,275 kg) each. They can be used to carry a wide array of munitions from air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles to bombs, ECM pods, and drop tanks up to 370 gal (1,400 l). These are the only hardpoints capable of carrying anti-ship missiles and 2,000 lb (900 kg) class stores due to the dimension limitations of other hardpoints. These cannot carry rocket pods however due to their proximity to the fuselage of the aircraft.

The center wing hardpoints are each rated to carry 880 lb (400 kg). They can be used to carry air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles as well as rocket pods and bombs. They could be used to carry ECM pods as well but not targeting pods or reconnaissance pods.

The outer wing hardpoints are each rated to carry 355 lb (160 kg). These hardpoints are limited to air-to-air missiles, light air-to-ground missiles, small rocket pods, and light bombs of the 250 lb (115 kg) class.

The wingtip hardpoints are each rated at 255 lb (115 kg) and are primarily for light air-to-air missiles, primarily dogfight missiles. These are wired for light ECM pods despite some being light enough to be carried. Upgrades may provide this capability however.

Operational History

Post-Conquests

Introduced into service with the Imperial Layartebian Air Force in 2014, the F-62 Shrike was not utilized in any combat operation in 2015 or 2016; however, in 2017, they were deployed to Sergipe in a close air support role. A single squadron of F-62A Shrikes rotated into Sergipe in June 2017, all of which were Block 10 variants. They have flown several low-risk sorties as of the end of 2017 with no losses or missions worthy of note.

The T-62C Shrike has transitioned into being the primary jet trainer for the Imperial Layartebian Military. Its use has been received positively by both pilots and instructors and the aircraft has had a good safety record thus far with two incidents, one of which resulted in the loss of the crew.

Foreign Use

Export-model F-62 and T-62 Shrikes have not performed any combat missions as of the end of 2017 and have not reported any incidents either.

Variants

Prototype Models

  • YF-62A - Single seat light attack prototype
  • YF-62B - Two-seat light attack prototype
  • YF-62C - Two-seat trainer prototype

Production Models

  • F-62A Shrike - Single-seat, light attack fighter ($37.5 million)[n 6]
    • Block 1 - Initial operating variant with limited integration of short-range air-to-air and unguided air-to-ground ordnance
    • Block 5 - Integration of precision-guided, air-to-ground ordnance
    • Block 10 - Full integration of available air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance
  • F-62B Shrike - Two-seat, light attack fighter ($37.5 million)[n 6]
    • Block 1 - Initial operating variant with limited integration of short-range air-to-air and unguided air-to-ground ordnance
    • Block 5 - Integration of precision-guided, air-to-ground ordnance
    • Block 10 - Full integration of available air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance
  • T-62C Shrike - Two-seat trainer ($35 million)[n 6]
    • Block 1 - Initial operating variant with no weapons capabilities
    • Block 5 - Limited integration of short-range air-to-air and unguided air-to-ground ordnance
    • Block 10 - Full integration of available air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance

Operators

 Layarteb (942 Planned)

Export Customers

Template:Standard table ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Country ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|F-62A ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|F-62B ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|T-62C ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Total ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Users ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |----- |Libya |colspan="1" style="text-align: center"| |colspan="1" style="text-align: center"|32 |colspan="1" style="text-align: center"|24 |colspan="1" style="text-align: center"|56 |colspan="1" style="text-align: center"|Royal Libyan Air Force |colspan="1" style="text-align: left"|Delivered 2016 |----- |Mexico |colspan="1" style="text-align: center"| |colspan="1" style="text-align: center"| |colspan="1" style="text-align: center"|50 |colspan="1" style="text-align: center"|50 |colspan="1" style="text-align: center"|Mexican Air Force |colspan="1" style="text-align: left"|Delivered 2017 |----- ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Totals ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|0 ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|32 ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|74 ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|106 ! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"| ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"| |}

Accidents

There have been three incidents with the Shrike in Layartebian service. Two have resulted in crew deaths while one resulted in a write-off to the airframe.

The first incident happened while the aircraft was still in its prototype phase. Flight test vehicle PAV-4, a YF-62A, crashed on May 11, 2013 killing test pilot John B. Kelly. Kelly, a former air force colonel with three kills in air combat was conducting high-G combat maneuvers over Langley, Virginia. During one such maneuver, airflow into the starboard engine was disrupted, causing the engine to stall. In an attempt to restart the engine, Kelly inadvertently caused an asymmetric thrust scenario that induced a flat-spin at an altitude of just 500 ft (152 m). Perhaps unaware of his altitude in the situation, Kelly did not initiate ejection and the aircraft crashed moments later, killing Kelly and destroying the airframe.

The second incident happened on April 18, 2015 when a T-62C suffered a gear collapse during its takeoff roll. The pilot of the trainer rapidly deployed the parachute and brought the aircraft to a halt. However, because of the gear collapse, the aircraft caught fire underneath the cockpit, forcing both pilots to escape from the airframe across the wing. Neither pilot was injured but the airframe was written off and subsequently scrapped.

The third incident occurred on June 18, 2017. The aircraft was being flown by a trainee with an instructor pilot in the rear seat on a low-level, nighttime, training sortie. Flying without terrain following radar utilizing night vision goggles, the aircraft inadvertently collided with a high-tension power line tower, sheering off the starboard side wing. The aircraft was immediately thrown into a spin that prevented ejection due to an inverted attitude. The plane crashed into the ground killing both crewmen seconds later.

Specifications

General characteristics

Performance


Armament

  • Guns: 1x GAU-20/A Impulse Revolver Cannon with 150 rounds
  • Hardpoints: 10 total: 1x centerline rated at 2,425 lb (1,100 kg); 1x chin rated at 550 lb (250 kg); 2x inner-wing rated at 2,800 lb (1,275 kg) each; 2x center-wing rated at 880 lb (400 kg) each; 2x outer-wing rated at 355 lb (160 kg) each; and, 2x wingtip rated at 255 lb (115 kg) each for a total capacity of 11,575 lb (5,250 kg) of external ordnance.
  • Rockets: LAU-10-series rocket pods, LAU-61-series rocket pods, LAU-121-series rocket pods, LAU-5003-series rocket pods
  • Missiles:
  • Bombs:
  • Other: 3x 315-gal (1,192 L) external drop tanks, 2x 370-gal (1,400 L) external drop tanks

Avionics

  • Sensors
  • Countermeasures

Links

Links

Notes

1.^ F-62B: 14,771 lb (6,700 kg)
2.^ Figure notes for an air-to-air mission. For a hi-lo-hi mission, the combat radius is 180 mi (290 km).
3.^ Figure is for performance takeoff at combat weight. For max weight, takeoff distance is 1,000 m (3,281 ft).
4.^ Figure is for a light load and using the drag chute. Without the drag chute, landing distance is 1,500 m (4,921 ft).
5.^ Export-model Shrikes are equipped with the AN/ALQ-165 Airborne Self-Projection Jammer.
6.^ Export aircraft carry a 10% higher cost.
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