Changgok Chk-22

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Chk-22
File:Chk-22 side colour.png
Chk-22
Role Attack aircraft
National origin  DSRA
Manufacturer Changgok Design Bureau
First flight 9 December 1974
Introduction 14 October 1980
Status In production
Primary user  DSRA
 Anikatia
Produced 1974–present
Number built 500+
Unit cost
Chk-22X:UR$12 million (estimated flyaway cost, 2014)

The Changgok Chk-22 is a Anikatian twin-engined jet aircraft developed in the DSRA by the Changgok Design Bureau. It was designed to provide close air support, ground attack, counter-insurgency and tactical reconnaissance. It has been in continuous production since 1980, with the latest variants seeing significant upgrades to the avionics and flight systems, improved engines, and glass cockpits.

History

In early 1969, the new DSRA Ministry of Defence decided to develop a specialised ground attack and close air support aircraft. Drawing on the experience of ground-attack operations in Nazali War and Kolenomese War of Liberation. In these conflicts large numbers of ground-attack aircraft were shot down by small arms, surface-to-air missiles, and low-level anti-aircraft gunfire, prompting the development of an aircraft better able to survive such weapons.

The current aircraft in service or under development at the time (MyL-3, Ay-01, Ay-04 and Yuk-25) did not meet the requirements for close air support of the ground forces. They lacked essential armour plating to protect the pilot and vital equipment from ground fire and missile hits, and and they lacked sufficient loiter time along with their high flight speeds which made it difficult for the pilot to maintain visual contact with a target. Having taken into account these problems, Changgok Design Bureau known mostly for its rotorcraft, started preliminary design work in a comparatively short period of time, with the assistance of leading aviation institutes.

In 1971, a competition was announced by the Anikatian Air Force for a new ground attack and close air support aircraft. The objective was to create a design study for a low-cost attack aircraft, the requirements were for an aircraft with long loiter time, low-speed maneuverability, heavy armaments, and high survivability. Participants in the competition were the Changgok Design Bureau and the Design Bureaus of Yukimoh, Nykov and Myeong & Lyang. The two finalists were between Changgok and Yukimoh, the Chk-22 design by Changgok surpassed its main competitor in the competition, the Yukimoh Yuk-19.

Design

The Chk-22 is a light multi-purpose twin-engine attack jet aircraft. It is a low-wing twin-turbojet all-metal monoplane with retractable landing gear, capable of operating from unprepared strips when operationally required. The engines are mounted in a pod nacelles uniquely situated atop the wings close to the fuselage, which use the Coandă effect to improve STOL performance, utilizing engine exhaust gases blown over the wing's upper surface to boost lift. The Chk-22s was designed to be used on unprepared surfaces: its robust undercarriage and high-flotation tyres allow operations on sand, grass or other unpaved surfaces.

Variants

Chk-022
Initial prototype configuration, only two build.
Chk-22
Initial production for attack version, entered service in 1980.
Chk-22DX
Export version based on Chk-22.
Chk-22UB
Twin seat variant that can be used as an operational trainer, but also has attack capabilities, and can be used for reconnaissance, target designation and airborne control.
Chk-22M
Upgraded version with an improved navigation and attack systems, and better survivability.
Chk-22MX
Latest export variant based on the Chk-22M.

Operators

Current

 Anikatia
Template:Country data Goredemabwa

Former operators

Template:Country data Democratic Socialist Republic of Anikatia
Template:Country data People's Socialist Republic of Goredemabwa
 Bogoria

Specifications (Chk-22)

General characteristics

Performance

Armament
Guns:1 × 30mm Esk-30K cannon mounted in the fuselage
Hardpoints:11 (10× under-wing and 1× under-fuselage) with a capacity of 4,800 kg (10,582 lb) and provisions to carry combinations of:

  • Air-to-surface missiles
  • Air to sea missiles
  • Anti radiation missiles
  • Laser guided weapons
  • Runway penetration bombs
  • General purpose bombs
  • Training bombs
  • Countermeasures (Flares, Chaff)
  • External drop tanks

See also