Rigoli A.89 Tigre

Rigoli A.89 Tigre
Role	Ground attack aircraft
National origin	Luminerra
Manufacturer	Rigoli
First flight	December 27, 1983
Introduction	February 9, 1989
Status	In service
Primary user	Lumenic Air Force

The 'Rigoli A.89 Tigre is a single engine ground attack aircraft designed and produced by Rigoli of Luminerra. It is designed as a low cost attack aircraft which can operate from both finished and unfinished facilitates. Its design features radar cross section and IR image reduction technologies, though it is not a true "stealth" aircraft. It is capable of preforming attack operations under all weather, day or night conditions.

Design

An Athar A.89C aircraft from the 26° Stormo prepares for aerial refueling.

The A.89 Tigre features a traditional shoulder-wing monoplane layout and is comprised primarily of aluminum, with carbon fiber and other materials used specifically in the tail and elevators. The wing is fitted with both leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps and overwing spoilers ahead of the flaps. The spoilers can function as airbrakes and to negate lift; improving take-off and landing performance as well as maneuverability during flight. A fly-by-wire control system operates the spoilers, rudder and variable incidence tailplane, with manual backups in case of failure.

The robust construction of the air frame and landing gear allow for the Athar A.89 to operate from unprepared positions, including damaged runways, roadways and grass strips. The aircraft requires a mere 650 m for take off, and can land in a distance of 550 meters with the use of a drag chute Cockpit systems include a pressurization and air conditioning system along with a zero/zero ejection seat . The single-piece wrap-around windscreen and single-piece canopy give the pilot a very clear view of the airspace and also a forward-downward view of 18° over the nose. The cockpit is night vision goggle compatible. The aircraft is equipped with an integrated electronic warfare suite produced by ECONLU, and also include an integrated laser-designation system, optronic targeting system, and a single I-band ranging radar for targeting purposes.

The A.89 is capable of deploying nearly all modern munitions in the Lumenic Air Force's inventory, including free-fall and guided bombs, rockets, air to ground and short range air to air missiles, which are carried on the aircraft's wingtip rails for self-defense. In addition, the aircraft is capable of carrying a variety of podded systems.

Variants

A Rigoli RA.89A Tigre from the 58° Stormo

• A.89: Production model that entered service in 1989
• A.89A: Two seat training model with tandem controls used for flight training.
• RA.89A: Variant designed for reconnaissance missions equipped with a variety of reconnaissance equipment.
• A.89B: Further development of the two seat A.89A. Tandem controls removed and rear cockpit station replaced with systems and instrumentation for a Weapon Systems Officer (WSO). Designed as a multi-mission attack fighter developed for combat roles and advanced training. The A.89B incorporates new sensors, a forward-looking infrared helmet-mounted display, a new multi-mode radar for air-to-air and air-to-surface capability, and new weapons systems including anti-ship missiles and medium-range missiles.
• A.89C: Further developments for the A.89 featuring many of the upgrades from the Athar A.89B for the single-seat A.89C, as well as new radar systems, data and navigation equipment, which includes upgrades for both the on-board FLIR systems as well as inertial navigation and Stella Nord satellite navigation equipment.
• RA.89C: Variant designed tp bring the RA.89A reconnaissance aircreaft up to the A.89C standard.

Operators

• Luminerra
  • Lumenic Air Force

Specifications (Rigoli A.89C)

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 13.23 m (43 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 8.87 m (29 ft)
• Height: 4.55 m (14 ft)
• Wing area: 21.0 m² (226 ft²)
• Aspect ratio: 3.75:1
• Empty weight: 6,700 kg (14,771 lb)
• Loaded weight: 10,750 kg (23,700 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 13,000 kg (28,700 lb)
• Internal fuel capacity: 3,555l (2,700kg) internal.
  
• External fuel capacity: 2x 1,000l (760kg) in inner wing and 2x 500l (380kg) in outer wing.
• Powerplant: 1 × Vaccari AE-1100 turbofan, 49.1 kN (11,030 lbf)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 914 km/h (493 knots, 568 mph) at 10,975 m (36,000 ft)
• Combat radius: 889 km (480 nmi, 553 mi) (hi-lo-hi profile, 900 kg (2,000 lb) of external stores)
• Ferry range: 3,336 km (1,800 nmi, 2,073 mi)
• Endurance: 4h 15min
• Service ceiling: 13,000 m (42,650 ft)
• Rate of climb: 52.1 m/s (10,250 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 512 kg/m² (105 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.47

Armament

• 2 × 30 mm Srad CDR-3080 cannon
• 3,800 kg (8,380 lb) on 7 external hardpoints, including 2 wingtip stations, weapon options include;
  • Vaccari Gorgon 80 mm rocket pods
  • AIM-92 infrared homing air-to-air missiles
  • AIM-15 beyond-visual-range missile
  • AAM-01 air to surface missile
  • AAM-72 anti-ship missile
  • Various free-fall bombs and other munitions