Eagles Of The Gulf
Part II (Subpart A)

EOG Aircraft Briefings

by J.D. Webster

A4 Skyhawk

The A-4 was a small versatile attack jet designed for US Navy carrier operations. The Skyhawk's strength, combined with its powerful engine, allowed it to carry loads twice those of similar class aircraft built in Europe and abroad in the same time frame. Though tricky to land, it was extremely maneuverable and well-liked by its pilots.

A4H Skyhawk.

This was an export model of the A-417 bought by Israel in the late 1960s. It used 30mm cannons in place of the 20mm cannons of American Skyhawks and had simpler avionics, plus a braking parachute as standard fare. Initially received without ECM gear, this was corrected after several were lost to SAMs in the War of Attrition. The TA4H is the two-seat trainer variant. Aside from training missions, they have been used as airborne FACs.

A4N Skyhawk II.

The A-4N was exported to Israel in 1972 and is the export model of the early USMC A-4M Skyhawk II. Like the A-4H, it has 30mm cannons, but features improved avionics and greater thrust. This, in turn, allows heavier ordnance loads. Full ECM is standard. Skyhawks of both marks are still in use in Israeli reserve squadrons.

IAI KFIR.

With experience garnered from producing Neshers, IAI's next project was the sophisticated KFIR series. Basically, it is a Mirage airframe, highly modified to accept the powerful US afterbuming J-79 jet engines and incorporating state-of-the-art electronics. The J-79 increases available thrust over earlier Mirages by more than 30%, which in turn allows increased performance and payloads.

KFIR C-1.

The early KFIR C-1 entered service in 1974, but lacked the characteristic canard wings added to later variants. Some even carried Mirage III Cyrano radars. Nevertheless, with supersonic capability, Twin 30mm cannons, missiles, ECM and a weapons load equal to the latest model Skyhawks, the KFIR is a winning design. Some C-1s, with small canards added, are in service with the US Navy and Marines as aggressor alfcfaoft.

KFIR C-2.

The C-2 added small canard wings for increased maneuverability, and standardized the series in terms of avionics with a small radar optimized for ground attack, an inertial navigation system and the ability to employ ARMs and other sophisticated weapons. All IAF C-1s were eventually rebuilt to C-2 standards.

KFIR C-7.

Advances in avionics technology led to the C-7, a 1980s update of the series. The C-7 incorporates a computed weapons system, improved inertial navigation systems, improved ECM, a higher thrust smokeless engine and additional weapons stations. With these, the KFIR will remain a capable strike fighter into the 1990s.

Eagles Of The Gulf Part II (Subpart A)

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