KaF-40
| KaF-40 | |
|---|---|
| File:KaF-40.jpg | |
| KaF-40 in flight | |
| Role | Supermaneuverable fighter aircraft |
| National origin |  Nikolia
|
| Manufacturer | NAT Kaminski |
| Designer | Kaminski |
| First flight | 1980 |
| Introduction | 1986 |
| Status | Active |
| Primary user | Nikolia
|
| Produced | 1986 - present |
| Unit cost |
30 million NDK (35 million USD)
|
| Variants | KaF-41 heavily modernised version |
The Kaminski KaF-40 Soko (Serbian: Соко, "Falcon") is a twin-engine, fourth generation supermaneuverable fighter aircraft designed primarily for accomplishing air superiority in all weather conditions, day or night. Its modern variants can perform various other tasks.
It was designed by Kaminski and the main designer was Kliment Šuškić.
Many different variants were designed based on the standard version of the KaF-40, including the KaF-45 fighter-bomber variant, the heavily modified KaF-41 variant, the KaF-40M naval variant for use on carriers and the KaF-42, a modernised multirole fighter variant.
Development
The KaF-40 and KaF-35 had joint development as they were meant to fly together in missions. Although they were designed at the same time, priority was given to KaF-35 as it was cheaper and easier to develop. Shortly after the first flight of the KaF-35 in 1977, the development of the KaF-40 was restored with new funds from the Ministry of Defense and, in 1980, after just three years, the first KaF-40 flew.
Based off newly released fourth generation fighters, the Ministry of Defense demanded and posted several goals for the design bureau to implement in the aircraft. The biggest demand was on its air superiority characteristics, involving tasks over small distances. The Ministry insisted on good maneuverability for combat, which was eventually achieved as the main characteristic of the new fighter.
Design
Although KaF-40 design is aerodynamically similar to the KaF-35, it is substantially larger. Its swept wing that blends into the fuselage at the leading edge extensions give this aircraft powerful basic flight controls, which makes it an exceptionally agile aircraft, controllable even at very low speeds and high angles of attack. Some variants of the KaF-40 incorporates canards to give additional lift, reducing take-off distances.
Armament
The KaF-40 is armed with single 30mm TAT-223 cannon in the starboard wingroot, and has up to 10 hardpoints for missiles and other weapons. Its standard missile armament for air-to-air combat is a mixture of PAR-20, PAR-25 weapons.
Radar and sensors
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The KaF-40 incorporates many advanced sensors and radars produced by Nikolian electronics manufacturer TAT-223. It is equipped with Sova K-38 all-weather multimode airborne Pulse-Doppler radar with track-while-scan and look-down / shoot-down capability. The fighter is also equipped with Infra-red search and track (IRST) system with 80-100km range. The pilot can use various sensors and trackers with Helmet-mounted display KD-153 Oko which gives him great advantage in close air combat.
Operators
Specifications (basic variant)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 21.9 m ()
- Wingspan: 14.7 m ()
- Height: 5.92 m ()
- Wing area: 62 m² ()
- Empty weight: 16,380 kg ()
- Loaded weight: 23,430 kg ()
- Max. takeoff weight: 30,450 kg ()
- Powerplant: 2 × 2 x Luna AM-23 afterburning turbofan
- Dry thrust: 7,670 kgf (75.22 kN, 16,910 lbf) each () each
- Thrust with afterburner: 12,500 kgf (122.6 kN, 27,560 lbf) each () each
Performance
- Maximum speed:
- At altitude: Mach 2.35 (2,500 km/h)
- At sea level: 1,400 km/h
- Ferry range: 3,530 km at altitude; (1,340 km at sea level) ()
- Service ceiling: 19,000 m ()
- Rate of climb: 300 m/s ()
- Wing loading: 377.9 kg/m² (444.61 kg/m² with full fuel) ()
- Thrust/weight: 1.07 with 56% internal fuel; 0.907 with full fuel
Armament
- Guns: 30mm TAT-401 cannon with 150 rounds.
- Hardpoints: 10 hardpoints for a variety of stores up to 4,430 kg.
- Up to 6 × medium-range AA missiles, 2 × short-range heat-seeking AA missiles