ST Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 18:59, 13 July 2011
| A-4SU Super Skyhawk | |
|---|---|
| |
| RSAF A-4SU Super Skyhawk taking off from RTAFB Korat during Exercise COPE TIGER '02. | |
| Role | Fighter-bomber |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company Singapore Aircraft Industries (SAI, now ST Aerospace) |
| First flight | 19 September 1986 |
| Introduction | 1989 |
| Status | Training as of 2007[1] |
| Primary user | Republic of Singapore Air Force |
| Number built | ~150 |
| Developed from | Douglas A-4 Skyhawk |
The ST Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk is a major upgrade project of the Douglas A-4S Skyhawk attack aircraft undertaken by Singapore Aircraft Industries (SAI, now ST Aerospace) in the 1980s and was used exclusively by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), serving in the ground attack role from 1989 until retirement from front-line service in 2005. Since mid 1999, it took on the additional role of being the designated Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft for the RSAF's AJT training program/detachment in Cazaux, France.[2]
Design and development
A-4S & TA-4S
Starting in 1973, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) began to acquire Douglas A-4 Skyhawks for use. The first batch of over 50 airframes (ex-US Navy A-4B) was ordered and was subsequently requisitioned from the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center (MASDC) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona which was released to the Lockheed Aircraft Service (LAS) Company at Ontario, California and its subsidiary Lockheed Aircraft Service Singapore (LASS) at Seletar Airfield, Singapore for a major overhaul and refurbishment.[3]
These aircraft would later emerge as the A-4S single-seater (44 airframes) and the TA-4S two-seat trainer (3 airframes), all having more than 100 changes incorporated (these included a slightly longer nose to house a new avionics package, five stores hardpoints instead of the usual three, a saddle style Automatic Direction Finder dorsal hump, cockpit armour plating, spoilers, a cranked refueling probe, AIM-9 Sidewinder capability, a brake parachute housing below the jetpipe into the standard A-4B airframes. As with the Israeli A-4Hs which were armed with a pair of 30 mm DEFA cannons, these were similarly armed with the 30 mm (1.18 in) ADEN cannons in place of the original 20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannons. A later order of 4 two-seat trainer airframes was placed in 1976, and these joined the RSAF in 1977.
The TA-4S trainers were not the standard TA-4 with a common cockpit for the student and instructor pilot, but were instead rebuilt by Lockheed with a 28-inch (710 mm) fuselage plug inserted into the front fuselage and a separate bulged cockpit (giving better all round visibility) for the instructor seated behind the student pilot. This arrangement was unique for the RSAF but was not the first by Lockheed as it had built the SR-71B Blackbird trainers and the U-2/TR-1 Trainers utilising the same layout of stepped cockpits prior to refurbishing the A-4S for the RSAF (→ see photos at right for comparison). As such converted/rebuilt airframe, these TA-4S trainers were powered by the original Wright J65 turbojet engines instead of the Pratt & Whitney J52 used by purpose-built TA-4Fs; this was the main reason why the RSAF decided in not wanting to procure the TA-4Fs (if indeed an order was placed) and then having to maintain two different engines to power essentially the same aircraft type.
All of the single-seaters were later retired when the upgraded A-4SU began to enter service, however, the twin-seaters were upgraded instead and remained in service.
A-4S-1 & TA-4S-1
A second batch of 70 airframes was ordered (mix of ex-US Navy A-4Bs and A-4Cs) in 1980, these were shipped directly to Singapore for rebuilding with the A-4Cs being rebuilt as the A-4S-1s while the A-4Bs was to remained in storage for use as spares. Along with a small number of TA-4S-1s, these newer Skyhawks (characterised by its straight refueling probe instead of the cranked refueling probe found on the original A-4S/TA-4S) would join the RSAF as attrition replacements from 1982. However, these airframes retained the original 20 mm (0.787 in) Colt Mk 12 cannons.
In 1983, a third order of 8 TA-4S saw 16 stored A-4Bs from the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (aircraft boneyard) being converted and rebuilt as the TA-4S-1 trainers (8 airframes).
A-4SU & TA-4SU Super Skyhawk
In 1985, as a result of four A-4S being written off in separate accidents, coupled with the low serviceability of the original batch of A-4S. Investigations conducted by RSAF reveal that although there was plenty of fuselage-life left, the Wright J65 turbojet engines in use by the Skyhawks was too old and the associated spare parts were becoming both difficult and expensive to procure. Thus, the RSAF decided to upgrade the A-4S/TA-4S rather than to replace them.[4]
With SAI contracted as the main contractor for the upgrading project and a non-afterburning General Electric F404-GE-100D turbofan engine selected as the new engine, the upgrading project would later be extended to cover the entire fleet of newer A-4S-1s as well as taking the opportunity to completely modernise the avionics package (newly installed equipment now included a laser seeker mounted in the nose, an Inertial navigation system (INS), a Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) system, fore & aft Radar warning receivers (RWR) and chaff/flare countermeasures) of the aircraft which had been in use since the late 1950s; note that these are ex-US Navy airframes.
The modernized A-4SU and TA-4SU versions with its new F404 turbofan engine had 29% more thrust, which resulted in a 30% reduction in takeoff time as well as an increase in usable payload, range and maximum speed. The maximum speed now at sea level is 610 knots (1,130 km/h; 700 mph), and maximum cruise speed at 30,000 feet (9,100 m) is 446 knots (826 kilometres per hour; 513 miles per hour).[4][5]
Operational history
By 1974, the RSAF received enough refurbished A-4S to form the 142 Sqn and 143 Sqn, which were based at Tengah Air Base and Changi Air Base, respectively. In RSAF service, the A-4S/TA-4S were given 3-digit serial starting with 6 (e.g. 600, 651).
From 1982 A-4S-1 and TA-4S-1 Skyhawks would join the RSAF as attrition replacements with the balance being allocated in 1984 to form a new unit - 145 Sqn which was also based at Tengah Air Base. These were given 3-digit serial starting with 9 (e.g. 918, 950). All in all, approximately 150 airframes (all A-4Bs and Cs) were acquired by Singapore.
The modernised A-4SU Super Skyhawks were received by 143 Sqn first, followed by 142 Sqn and 145 Sqn of the RSAF from 1989 onwards. The type was also operated by the RSAF Black Knights aerobatic display team for precision aerial manoeuvers from 1990 to 2000.
End of front-line service
After 31 years of operations, the RSAF officially withdrew its fleet of A-4SU Super Skyhawks from operational combat service in Singapore on 31 March 2005. The A-4SU's achievements included flying directly from Singapore to the Philippines, incorporating the RSAF's first air-to-air refuelling mission in 1986,[6] as well as the aerobatic display of the 'red and white' Super Skyhawks flown by the RSAF Black Knights during Asian Aerospace 1990, 1994 and 2000, it was last used by the Black Knights during Singapore's National Day Parade held on 9 August 2000. A month before its retirement, the Skyhawk squadron (145 Sqn) won the top honours in a strike exercise against its more modern F-16 and F-5 counterparts and emerged as the Top combat squadron in the Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition, an honour it has held since year 2000.[7]
On 5 October 2005, one A-4SU Skyhawk was delivered to Singapore Polytechnic as a teaching aid.[8][9] Subsequently, Ngee Ann Polytechnic,[10][9] Temasek Polytechnic and Nanyang Technological University would each receive an A-4SU Skyhawk as well.[9]
Also, two of the retired A-4SU Super Skyhawks were donated to the French Air and Space Museum (Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace) for static display. A Certificate of Transfer and Acceptance signing ceremony took place between representatives of the RSAF and the French Aeronautics Museum at Cazaux Air Base in France on 12 Jan 2006.[9]
Secondary role
In 1998, the French government offered the use of facilities at BA 120 Cazaux Air Base (France). A 25-year lease for basing rights of 18 A-4SU aircraft and approximately 250 RSAF personnel and their families was signed later that year. Back in Singapore, 143 Sqn was disbanded in 1997, and its aircraft were handed over to 150 Sqn, which had given up its SIAI Marchetti SF.260 basic trainers.[2] The new squadron then took up the role of advanced jet training, using its aircraft as a lead-in fighter trainer for RSAF pilots. This made it the prime candidate for moving to France, and the first of 18 aircraft were "packed" and sent to France by ship in mid-1999 as part of the RSAF's Advanced Jet Training Program.[11] The eleven remaining training aircraft (4× A-4SU and 7× TA-4SU)[12] were originally scheduled to retire in 2007[1] but will remain in service until the delivery of their replacement, the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master, scheduled for 2012.[13][14][15]
Variants
- A-4SU Super Skyhawk
- Upgraded from A-4S and A-4S-1.
- TA-4SU Super Skyhawk
- Upgraded from TA-4S and TA-4S-1 trainer.
Operators
- Republic of Singapore Air Force
- 142 Squadron disbanded in 2004,
- 143 Squadron switched to F-16C/Ds,
- 145 Squadron switched to F-16C/Ds on 30 April 2003,
- 150 Squadron currently operates the A-4SU as advanced trainer from BA 120 Cazaux Air Base (South-west of the French Port city of Bordeaux)44°31′28″N 01°06′36″W / 44.52444°N 1.11000°W,
- The RSAF Black Knights aerobatic team operated the A-4SU from 1990 to 2000, they switched to an all F-16C six-ship formation for their performance during Singapore Airshow 2008.
Specifications (A-4SU)
Data from International Directory of Military Aircraft[4], & Skyhawk.Org[5]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 (2 in TA-4SU, student and instructor)
Performance
- Thrust/weight: 0.55
Armament
- Guns: 2× 20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannons, 150 rounds/gun
- Hardpoints: 5 total: 1× centreline/under-fuselage plus 4× under-wing pylon stations with a capacity of 9,900 pounds (4,500 kg), with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Rockets: LAU-5003 rocket pods (19× 70 mm CRV7 rockets) or LAU-10 rocket pods (4× 127 mm Zuni rockets) or Matra rocket pods (18× 68 mm SNEB rockets)
- Missiles: AIM-9 Sidewinder Air-to-air missile or AGM-65 Maverick Air-to-surface missile
- Bombs: Paveway series of Laser-guided bombs (LGB); or Mark 80 series unguided bombs (including 3 kg and 14 kg practice bombs)
- Other: up to 3× 370 US gallons (1,400 L; 310 imp gal) external drop tanks
Avionics
- Stewart-Warner AN/APQ-145 Mapping & Ranging radar[16]
- GEC/Ferranti 4510 Head-up display/weapons delivery system
- Litton LN-93 Inertial navigation system
- BAE Systems MED-2067 Multi-function displays
- Lockheed Martin AN/AAS-35V Pave Penny laser tracker for use with Paveway LGBs
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- Notes
- ^ a b A-4 Republic of Singapore Air Force page on Skyhawk.org
- ^ a b "Inauguration of the 150 Squadron Building in Cazaux Air Base, France" (Press release). Singaporean Ministry of Defence. 24 Jul 2002. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
- ^ "Singapore Servicing". Flight International (archived at Flightglobal.com). Reed Business Information. 1972. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
- ^ a b c Frawley, Gerard. The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002, p. 155. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
- ^ a b A-4 Technical data, Skyhawk.org
- ^ "RSAF's first air-to-air refuelling". sg.geocities.com. Archived from the original on 2009-10-23.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "The SAF's Best Combat Units" (Press release). MINDEF. 21 Jun 2000. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
- ^ Super Skyhawk Touches down at Singapore Polytechnic[dead link]
- ^ a b c d "Retired RSAF Super Skyhawks Find New Home in French Museum" (Press release). MINDEF. 12 Jan 2006. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
- ^ 2005 - Ngee Ann Polytechnic received a A-4SU Super Skyhawk donated by The RSAF[dead link]
- ^ "RADM (NS) Teo Inaugurates RSAF's Advanced Jet Training Facilities at Cazaux" (Press release). MINDEF. 24 Jul 2002. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
- ^ Adam Baddeley (Feburary 2011). "The AMR Regional Air Force Directory 2011" (PDF). Asian Military Review. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ S., Ramesh (28 September 2010). "MINDEF awards contract to ST Aerospace to acquire 12 M-346 aircraft". Singapore: MediaCorp Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
- ^ "Alenia Aermacchi's M-346 wins Singapore jet trainer race". Jane's Information Group. 12 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
- ^ Govindasamy, Siva (8 July 2010). "Singapore to announce M-346 trainer selection". Flightglobal.com. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
- ^ Parsch, Andreas (1 July 2007). "AN/APQ - Equipment Listing". Designation-Systems.Net. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
- Bibliography
- Frawley, Gerard (2002). The International Directory of Military Aircraft. Fyshwick, Australian Capital Territory, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd. p. 155. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help)
External links
- Official Factsheet of A-4SU Super Skyhawk
- A-4 Republic of Singapore Air Force page on Skyhawk.org
- Skyhawks bow out on a high note (Archived 2009-10-23)
- The Singapore Skyhawk Story
- A4D (A-4) Skyhawk Foreign Sales on Global Security.org
- Singapore Drops Eurofighter from Critical Contract
- Video
- A-4SUs at Cazaux Airshow 2009 on YouTube, accessed 2 August 2009.