NAI Saeiqa
| NAI Saeiqa | |
|---|---|
| File:NAI Saeiqa.png | |
| NAI Saeiqa of the Nahlian People's Air Force | |
| Role | Multirole fighter |
| National origin | Template:Country data Nahlia |
| Manufacturer | Nahlian Aircraft Industries |
| First flight | 14 August 1965 |
| Introduction | 22 December 1968 |
| Status | In production |
| Primary user | Nahlian People's Air Force |
| Produced | 1965–present |
| Number built | 140+ |
| Unit cost |
new build Saeiqa FGR.5: NSD $19.6 Million (flyaway cost, 2012)
|
The NAI Saeiqa (Arabic: صاعقة;Thunderbolt also Saeiqa-118, S-118) is a lightweight twin-engine all-weather long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber developed by the Nahlian Aircraft Industries. The Saeiqa is Nahlia's first indigenous supersonic aircraft. Development began in the late 1950s, and the aircraft made its first flight in 1965.
During the latter half of 1968 it entered active service with the Imperial Nahlayian Air Force in 1968. Shortly thereafter, the type was deployed as the main interceptor of the Imperial Nahlayian Air Force, a capacity which it continued to serve its successor the Nahlian People's Air Force. It later transitioned to an aerial reconnaissance and ground-attack roles. It remains in active service with over 140 production aircraft had been manufactured since 1965 and as of 2013 the Saeiqa is still in production by Nahlian Aircraft Industries.
History
In February and March, 1955, Greenwich accomplished a design study of options for a carrier-based Navy fighter aircraft using the full range of engines expected to be available. The specification and assumptions were Greenwich developed: single-seat all-weather; semi-submerged store capability; basic armament of two semi-submerged Firestreaks and two 30mm cannon; search and fire control radar with a 24" dish; first flight in late 1958 with production deliveries in 1960; minimum 60,000-foot ceiling at combat weight; broad supersonic speed/altitude envelope with a maximum speed goal of Mach 2.0; cycle time of at least 2.5 hours; combat radius of at least 500 nm; good low-speed, high angle of attack control; maximum surface temperature of 300 degrees F; and 6.5 g structural strength at combat weight. The schedule limited engine alternatives to those expected to pass the 150-hour production qualification test in 1958 or 1959.
These included the Rollers Engineering Avon, Rollers Engineering Spey, and Rollers Engineering Olympus. The 1957 design baseline was the just introduced Greenwich Tigress. Which was powered by a single Rollers Engineering Avon, it fell short of the Mach 2.0 goal and did not have the semi-submerged store capability. But nonetheless impressed the Commonwealth Navy and Commonwealth Air Force. The lightweight, manoeuvrable adapted well for the constricted size of the Commonwealth Navy's 40s-era carriers fleet, and with the Icarus class heavy fleet carrier project still years away from completion, the Tigress seemed like an attractive option and they procured a number of aircraft, enough to equip several squadrons.
Based on service experience the Navy directed that the Tigress be redesigned into the larger Super Tigress to meet a requirement for an attack-fighter to complement the larger and more expensive Continental Reapers projected to be entering service within the fleet defence interceptor and air superiority roles. Greenwich quickly offered an improved Super Tigress, this was powered by a single new Rollers Engineering Spey turbofan that was projected to offer improved performance and economy; this enlarged the basic design of the proven Tigress airframe and was quickly proven a solid choice as it entered service within the Commonwealth Navy, Commonwealth Air Force, and many nations.
However, work undertaken by Greenwich showed an even more promising design. In appearance, it is a scale-up of the Tigress powered by two Rollers Engineering Speys. Its performance projected to have a ceiling of 60,000 feet between Mach 1 and 2, the best speed/altitude performance of all the designs. It featured a split tail "to avoid jet blast". It was to be an all-weather missile-armed interceptor aircraft Originally conceived as an uprated F11F Tiger, it soon evolved into a larger and more powerful project. Although two prototypes were ordered in 1955, development was cancelled the same year in favour of the Continental Reaper before any examples were built.
The project was saved when the Imperial Nahlayian Air Force an enthusiastic user of the Tigress and Super Tigress was looking for a new all-weather interceptor. The Emir Dhikrullah was seeking to expand both its civilian and defence aviation industry. Nahlaya stepped in to finance the project under the name Saeiqa meaning Thunderbolt in Arabic. As the project was meant to be the first strike of the new aviation industry. Which until now had only produced a small quantity of light or basic trainer aircraft types and the Saeiqa program was an ambitious and costly project for Nahlia. At various stages, Arthurista and other nations were involved in the development program. Development of the Nahlian Saeiqa program started in the test facilities and workshops in Factory No. 110 in Tandor, in the Ubadames province, under the supervision of the Nahlian Aircraft Industries (NAI); officially the program started in 1959. Nahlia then financed it, and the program was transferred to Nahlia where every part, including the engine, was made, and the aircraft was successfully flown.
Design
The Saeiqa is a twin-engine, supersonic, low-wing, multimission tactical aircraft. Designed as a carrier-based interceptor yet it retains a bubble canopy which affords all-around visibility aiding pilot in air-to-air combat. The Saeiqa features an all-metal semi-monocoque fuselage with a large cantilever low-mounted wing. The thrust output of the dual engines is greater than the aircraft's combat weight, so it has the ability to accelerate vertically.
The weapons and flight control systems are designed so that one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat. While the twin-tail arrangement offers better stability. Despite imposing dimensions and a maximum takeoff weight of over 25,193 kg (55,541 lb) , the Saeiqa has a top speed of over Mach 2.36+ (2,914 km/h, 1,810 mph) at high altitude. The Saeiqa's nine external hardpoints have a capability of up to 8,480 kg (18,650 pounds) of weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, and unguided, guided, and thermonuclear weapons.
Cockpit
The cockpit of the Saeiqa features a conventional layout with a centre stick, left-hand throttle controls, an integrated flight instrument display arrangement, an auto-pilot, a master reference gyroscopic reader, an auto-attack system, and an instrument landing system. The pilot sits in an ejection seat which has an impressive performance in emergency escapes. The cockpit has conventional dials, mostly English-sourced instrumentation, with a head-up display (HUD) and a helmet mounted display, but no HOTAS ("hands-on-throttle-and-stick") capability. Successive models introduced various improvements to the cockpit fittings, such as the revised canopy and new avionics.
Despite initial scepticism of the aircraft's centralised detection and warning system, the system proved its merits during the development program and was subsequently redeveloped for greater reliability. Typically, two separate radio units would be installed, along with a high-speed data link and two navigation systems. Unlike the previous generation of aircraft which used gaseous oxygen for life support, the Lightning would employ liquid oxygen-based apparatus for the pilot; cockpit pressurisation and conditioning would be maintained through tappings from the engine compressors. As there is no natural feedback placed upon the stick, artificial forces were generated by a q-feel system.
The Saeiqa was also fitted with a three-axis autopilot. The emphasis seems to have been placed on making the cockpit similar to the earlier Greenwich Tigress and Super Tigress design for ease of conversion, and lower costs, rather than on ergonomics. Nonetheless, the Saeiqa does excellent visibility, thanks to a high-mounted bubble canopy. Upgraded models introduce "glass cockpits" with modern liquid-crystal (LCD) multi-function displays (MFDs) and true HOTAS.
Avionics
The baseline Saeiqa are equipped with a look-down/shoot-down coherent AN/APQ-120 Pulse-Doppler radar and central digital computer. The Ferrabosco AN/APQ-120 radar carried by the Saeiqa is a licence built version of the systems found of Arthuristan aircraft.
The Ferrabosco AN/APQ-120 radar was not a new design, but rather a development of the AN/APQ-50 architecture used on the Greenwich Super Tigress. During the initial design specification period in the mid-1950s, Ferrabosco was tasked with producing a modern radar for the Saeiqa. To speed development, Ferrabosco based its new design on work was undertaken in earlier designs.
The AN/APQ-120 is the improvement over AN/APQ-50, which was designed to provide air intercept, search, to automatically track a selected target, and to supply lead angle and range information. Facilities are also provided for air-to-surface search, for beacon interrogation and response display, and for response display when used in connection with identification friend or foe (IFF).
Following the 1976 Revolution, the government through its state-owned Nahlian Aircraft Industries claimed to have developed a number of hi-tech locally produced radar system on its Saeiqa fighters. These systems are thought to be heavily based on the original Arthuristan AN/APQ-120 radar system.
The most radical changes occurred in the later versions of the Saeiqa's avionics department. From the FG.2 and FGR.5 varaiant have been fitted with vastly updated suite, including MFDs (multifunction displays) as standard, and incorporating a number of new technologies, such as the new wide-angle HUD and HOTAS system, high performance ISAR-capable high-resolution SAR/GMTI (ground moving target indicator) multi-mode fire control radar, IAIC mission computer, new navigation equipment including GPS/INS connected to mapping mode, dual MIL-STD-553B databus managing avionics package, Astronautics Central Air Data Computer, new UHF and IFF packages, airborne video tape recorder (AVTR), active ECM pod, AN/ALQ-178V3 passive embedded SPEWS, and RWR.
The all-new avionics are a derivative of the original AN/APQ-120 radar system called the AN/AWG-14 which is the final member of the lineage of this radar family, and it is a fully digitized upgrade of the AWG series incorporating AN/APQ-120. The open architecture and modular design enable AWG-14 to accommodate different radars, such as AN/APG-65, AN/APG-66, AN/APG-76, Elta EL/M-2011/2021 and EL/M-2032.
Powerplant
The Saeiqa is powered by two Rollers Engineering Spey turbofan engines, licenced from Arthurista. Nahlia considered the selection of Rollers Engineering Spey engine for the Saeiqa program as it was a modified version of the locally built NAI Asada's engine itself a locally built version of the Greenwich Super Tigress. In addition, Rollers Engineering offered a technology transfer between the Arthurista and Nahlia for local license production of the engine.
Relatively rare amongst fighter aircraft, the Spey is fitted with thrust reversers to decrease the distance required to safely land. To fully deploy the thrust reverser during landings, the yaw damper is connected to the steering of the nosewheel to provide greater stability.
To provide the desired performance, several features were used in the Rollers Engineering Spey. Using the same two-spool turbine system and a fairly small fan delivering bypass ratios of about 0.64:1. The first versions of what had become the 'Spey' entered service in 1964, powering both the Greenwich Super Tigress. Several versions with higher power ratings were delivered through the 1960s.
To operate efficiently across a wide range of conditions and speeds up to Mach 2, the Spey and several other engines make use of variable intake ramps to control the air flow. The hydraulic system is pressurised by syphoning power from both or either operational engine; the hydraulics are completely contained within the airframe rather than integrating with the engine to improve safety and maintainability.
In August 1965, the first Spey powered flight of a prototype Saeiqa occurred; the engine completed its qualification tests in late 1968. The final production standard engine met both reliability and performance standards, and during its lifetime the Spey has garnered an impressive safety record. Its relatively low maintenance costs provide one of the major reasons it continues in service even when newer designs were available.
Operational history
Nahlia
In the early 1950s, the Imperial Nahlayian Air Force (INAF) was searching for an advanced fighter, specifically, one capable of intercepting reconnaissance flights from Intermaria, as well as performing fleet defence for the nations single carrier in the interests of protecting the countries oil exports. The Imperial Nahlayian Air Force an enthusiastic user of the Tigress and Super Tigress was looking for a new all-weather interceptor. The Emir Dhikrullah was seeking to expand both its civilian and defence aviation industry. Nahlaya stepped in to finance the project under the name Saeiqa meaning Thunderbolt in Arabic. As the project was meant to be the first strike of the new aviation industry. A few months later, the Imperial Nahlayian government ordered the new project for a total of 100 Saeiqas and 800 Greenwich Firestreaks missiles as well as spare parts and replacement engines for 10 years, complete armament package, and support infrastructure (including construction of an Air Base near Nasiah and new factory for Nahlian Aircraft Industries).
At the end of 1968, deliveries of the initial Saeiqa F.1 commenced to the Imperial Nahlayian Air Force, the first unit to receive the type being fighter wing, stationed at Nasiah in Khafer province. During March 1969, the Saeiqas of unit Nasiah air wing participated in a three-day long exercise, flying by night and day while operating under a state of "highest readiness" throughout. According to sources, the introduction to service of the Saeiqa F.1 was "very smooth", and that the scramble and turn-round times had been found to be "most satisfactory". By the end of 1969, multiple wings had been equipped with the Saeiqa and had attained operational status.
Following the overthrow of the Emir in 1976, the air force was renamed the Nahlian People's Air Force (NPAF) and many nations imposed sanctions on arms orders to Nahlia. According to some sources, Nahlian Saeiqas scored at least 30 air-to-air victories in the first six weeks of the war against Abalessian Me-500Bs, Me-500Ds, and some Mercurys. During the same period, only one Nahlian Saeiqa suffered damage after being hit by a nearby Me-500D when it exploded.[1]
In the Abalessian of 1977, Saeiqas, Asadas provided air cover while Namurs aircraft were used to give close support to troops in the decisive battles near the border with Yisrael. The aerial attack was credited with destroying a large number of tanks that had been deployed by Abalessian ground forces.[2] More than 400 combat sorties were flown by the Saeiqas during the eight-week period in the war.[3]
By first six weeks of the war, the Abalessian had suffered heavy losses and were forced to find a solution to level the battlefield. They obtained Me-510Ex fighters from Tarsas in 1977. The Me-510Ex fighters were eventually responsible for three confirmed Saeiqas kills. The NPAF attempted to keep Saeiqas operational throughout the war, but reports indicate the number of operational units reduced to only half fully mission-capable.
The combat record of NPAF Saeiqas is disputed. Yisraeli sources estimate four or five kills, while Nahlian claims 35–45 kills. Despite the adverse circumstances, the Saeiqas and their crews faced during the war against Abalessa the Saeiqa proved to be successful in combat. It achieved this in the midst of a confrontation with an enemy that was constantly upgrading its capabilities and receiving support from three major countries – Arthurista, Yisrael, and Tarsas. Part of the success is attributed to the resilient Nahlian economy and NPAF personnel.
Variants
- NAI Saeiqa 110-8
- Initial Single-seat prototypes. 3 built, one lost and remaing two were converted to F.1 standard.
- NAI Saeiqa F.1
- Initial single-seater fighter version that entered service with the Imperial Nahlayian Air Force and Imperial Nahlayian Naval Fleet Arm in 1968. The F.1 also has a limited ground-attack capability. A number have been upgraded to the FG.2 and FGR.5 standard.
- NAI Saeiqa T.1
- Two-seat version of the F.1 variant for training, specialised missions and type conversion. The space for the two-seat cockpit is provided by a relocation of avionics equipment and an internal fuel tank removed; two-seat variant is otherwise fully combat-capable. It can be configured for training or as an all-weather strike craft.
- NAI Saeiqa FG.2
- Improved version that features improved avionics suite, added ground attack capabilities to its radar, retrofitted electronic warfare capabilities, and ability to operate domestic missiles and weapons from Rietumimark, Estoni and Liothidia. The cockpit has an enhanced HOTAS design, addition of colour liquid crystal MFDs and smaller monochrome LCDs. In addition to more air-to-ground radar detection and integrated air-to-ground guided weapons.
- NAI Saeiqa T.2
- Two-seat version of the FG.2 variant for training, specialised missions and type conversion.
- NAI Saeiqa FGR.3
- Two-seat reconnaissance and strike version based on the FG.2 and T.2 variants.
- NAI Saeiqa SR.4
- High-performance reconnaissance version based on the FGR.3 with HIAC-1 LOROP camera. Water injection was projected to give the aircraft a top speed in excess of Mach 3 (over 3,200 km/h; 2,000 mph at high altitudes). The water would be contained in a pair of 9,600 litres (2,500 gal) conformal tanks on the sides of the fuselage spine.
- NAI Saeiqa FGR.5
- Improved single seat version that features increased fuel load along with new high output engines allowing it to exceed Mach 1 without afterburners, an improved avionics suite, retrofitted electronic warfare capabilities, and new weapons systems. The landing gear has been strengthened to accommodate the additional payload and fuel.
- NAI Saeiqa FGR.6
- Proposed advanced single seat version that features increased structurally enhancements and reinforcing allowing for increased agility. These changes provide a 25% increase in structural rigidity over previous models and allow the FGR.6 to raise its maximum g-loading to 9.1 g (8.1 g structural strength at combat weight). All analogue systems would be digitised with fly by wire replacing the old hydraulic systems and reducing weight. Higher thrust supercruising engines with greater fuel efficiency. The cockpits would be completely redesigned with full glass cockpit design and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar replacing the old pulse-Doppler radar. This variant offers some low observability characteristics due to a variety of radar absorbent material coatings and composites which reduce radar visibility.
Operators
Current
- File:MaradFlag.png Islamic Air Force for Liberation and Resistance - 104 aircraft.
- Template:Country data Nahlia Nahlian People's Air Force – 158 aircraft, including 2 pre-production prototypes.
Former
- Template:Country data Nahlaya Imperial Nahlayian Air Force – aircraft were passed on to its successor state.
Specifications (NAI Saeiqa)
Data from NAI specifications[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: One / Two (B)
- Length: 18.13 m (59 ft 5 in) ()
- Wingspan: 13.46 m (44 ft 1 in) [updated version 13.71 m (45 ft)] ()
- Height: 5.10 m (16 ft 75 in) ()
- Wing area: 595 ft2 (55.27 m2) ()
- Empty weight: 11,955 kg (26,355 lb) ()
- Loaded weight: 16,919 kg (37,300 lb) ()
- Max. takeoff weight: 25,193 kg (55,541 lb) ()
- Powerplant: 2 × Rollers Engineering Spey afterburning turbofan, Wet: 91.2 kN (20,500 lbf) ()Dry: 54 kN (12,140 lbf) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.36+ (2,914 km/h, 1,810 mph) at high altitude
- Combat radius: 926 km (500 nmi) ()
- Ferry range: 2,893 km (1,562 nmi) ()
- Service ceiling: 18,288 m (60,000 ft) ()
- Thrust/weight: 0.73 (1.09 at loaded weight)
- Maximum g-load: +7.3 g (+ 6.5 g structural strength at combat weight)
Armament
- 2 x 30 mm (1.18 in) cannon
- 9 total: 6× under-wing pylons, 2× semi-recessed under-fuselage, 1× semi-submerged centerline pylon station with a capacity of over 8,000 kg of weapons and fuel tanks, including:
- Missiles:
- Air-to-air missiles:
- 4× Greenwich Firestreaks/K-10 Khata Al'naar
- 6× Greenwich Redtops/K-12 Ras'ahmar
- 6× R-23 Dharu
- 8× K-13 Atula
- 8× R-60 Al'manat Hashara
- 8× R-73 Rami Al'siham
- 8× R-77 Al'jamie
- 6× Greenwich Martel
- 6x Kh-25
- 8x Kh-35
- 8x Kh-38
- 1× Kh-31
- Bombs:
- 20x KAB-250s
- 18x Mark 82 bombs
- 14x KAB-500Ls
- 8x PBK-500U Drels
- 5x Mark 84 bombs
- 1x Mark 7 nuclear bomb
- Other:
- up to 3× 2,300 L external drop tanks for ferry flight or extended range/loitering time.
- countermeasures (Flares, Chaff)
- training bombs
Avionics
- AN/APQ-120 Pulse-Doppler radar system
- Datalink communications system
- Radar warning receiver system
- AN/ASN-39A computer
- AN/ARN-91 TACAN bearing/distance navigation system
- Cossor IFF
- STR-70P Radio Altimeter
- Electronic countermeasures (ECM)
- Chaff and flare dispenser
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
Works cited
- Almasi, Issam S. (2010). "A Nation Ablaze". Nahli Thunderbolts. Haenna: Awjila University. ISBN 946-2-6252-8592-1.