Rigoli A.89 Tigre
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| 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.
Development
Design
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.
Operational history
A.89 Tigre aircraft participated in some of the last combat operations of the Omandan Continental War including conducting combat sorties in support of Operation Two Fold, aimed at liberating the city of Poleka in modern day Lethia. However, the Lumenic Air Force's fleet of A.89 and A.89A aircraft were grounded in March of 1991 due to significant issues regarding the engine design resulting in common midflight failures. Modification's were made to the aircraft in the field and in production and flight operations were allowed to resume in September of that same year. The aircraft were grounded again breifly between Feburary and April of 1992, again due tro concerns regarding the performance of the engines.
Due to a lack of Laser-guided munitionss in allied inventories, many of the aircraft involved in allied combat operations utilized standard unguided bombs of various origins fitted with upgrade packages allowing the retrofitting of unguided freefall bombs into infrared-guided bombs allowing allied aircraft to achieve a higher degree of accuracy when attacking targets.
52 aircraft were lost between 1989 and the end of the war in 1994, many of which were destroyed by ground fire and surface to air missiles. However, at least 11 aircraft are known to have been lost of engine failure and other defective mechanical issues.
Variants
- 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 Rigoli 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 aircraft up to the A.89C standard.
Operators
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