AMX International AMX
| AMX | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Role | Ground-attack aircraft |
| Manufacturer | AMX International |
| First flight | 15 May 1984 |
| Introduction | 1989 |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary users | Italian Air Force Brazilian Air Force |
| Produced | 1986-1999 |
| Number built | ~ 200 |
The AMX International AMX is a ground-attack aircraft for battlefield interdiction, close air support and reconnaissance missions. It was built until 1999 by AMX International, an Italian-Brazilian joint venture, and is designated the A-1 by the Brazilian Air Force.
The AMX is capable of operating at high subsonic speed and low altitude, by day or night, and if necessary, from bases with poorly equipped or damaged runways. Low IR signature and reduced radar equivalent cross-section help prevent detection, while low vulnerability of structure and systems aid survivability. Integrated ECM, air-to-air missiles and nose-mounted guns provide self-defence capabilities.
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[edit] Development
In 1977, the Italian Air Force issued a requirement for a strike fighter to replace its Aeritalia G.91 and some of its F-104 Starfighters. Rather than competing for the contract, Aeritalia (now Alenia Aeronautica) and Aermacchi agreed to make a joint proposal, as both firms had been considering the development of a similar class of aircraft for some years. Aermacchi, for example, had worked on a design study for a light ground attack aircraft, designated MB-340, in the early 1970s. Development work began in April 1978.[1]
In July 1981, the Italian and Brazilian governments agreed on joint requirements for the aircraft, and Embraer was invited to join the partnership.[1]
The first prototype flew on 15 May 1984. Although it was lost on its fifth flight (killing its pilot),[2] the test programme progressed reasonably smoothly otherwise. Production started by mid-1986, with the first examples delivered to the Italian and Brazilian air forces in 1989. Since then, some 200 AMXs have been built.
[edit] Operational history
Italian AMX aircraft were used in 1999 in the Kosovo war. Instead of using unguided or more traditional laser-guided bombs, the Italian Air Force used dozens of Mk 82 bombs fitted with Israeli guidance kits ("Opher"), effectively converting the "dumb" bombs into an infrared-guided bomb.[3] Italian AMX squadrons flew 252 combat sorties over Kosovo as part of Operation Allied Force, without a single loss.
In 2005, the Italian Air Force launched an upgrade programme (ACOL Aggionamento Capacità Operative e Logistiche - Operational and Logistical Capacity Upgrade) for 55 of its AMXs,[4] adding a new laser INS, new cockpit displays and allowing the aircraft to drop Joint Direct Attack Munition guided bombs.[5]
Since Autumn 2009, four Italian AMX are located in Afghanistan, replacing the same number of Italian Tornado IDS in the recce role. However, these airplanes are obsolete in most of its avionics, radar capabilities, maintenance costs and design. Therefore, several projects are in place to substitute the remaining units of AMX.
On November 2010 members of Task Group “Black Cats” during a reconnaissance flight stopped an attack against ISAF French troops.
In 2011, Italian AMX aircraft were employed during the 2011 military intervention in Libya. Italian military aircraft deployed 710 guided bombs and missiles during sorties: Italian Air Force Tornados and AMX fighter bombers deployed 550 bombs and missiles, while Navy AV-8Bs deployed 160 guided bombs. AMX aircraft for the first time used Litening III targeting pods paired with Paveway and JDAM guided bombs. [6]
[edit] Variants
[edit] AMX-T
In 1986, development of a two-seat advanced trainer variant was undertaken. This was intended to provide trainee pilots with experience on fast jets, while still retaining the single-seater's attack capabilities. The AMX-T first flew in 1990 and equips both the Italian and Brazilian air forces.
[edit] AMX-ATA
The AMX Advanced Trainer Attack (AMX-ATA) is a new AMX two-seater multi-mission attack fighter developed for combat roles and advanced training. The AMX-ATA 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. The Venezuelan Air Force ordered eight AMX-ATA in 1999 for the advanced trainer and attack aircraft role, but the U.S. Congress vetoed the sale because the aircraft systems include U.S. technology.
[edit] AMX-R (RA-1)
The AMX for reconnaissance, used by the Brazilian Air Force, with a reconnaissance pallet.
[edit] AMX A-1M
Brazilian upgrade of existing A-1 with Mectron SCP-1 Scipio radar[7], Embraer data link, NavFLIR system[8], Elbit INS/GPS/databus and glass cockpit.[9]
[edit] Operators
Brazil
- Brazilian Air Force operates 60 AMX-A/T (including eight AMX-T for training).[10] 43 aircrafts to be modernized to A-1M, delivered between 2013 and 2017, and to be retired in 2032.[11]
- 1 Esquadrão/16 Grupo de Aviação Esquadrão Adelphi
- 1 Esquadrão/10 Grupo de Aviação
- 3 Esquadrão/10 Grupo de aviação
- Brazilian Air Force operates 60 AMX-A/T (including eight AMX-T for training).[10] 43 aircrafts to be modernized to A-1M, delivered between 2013 and 2017, and to be retired in 2032.[11]
Italy
- Italian Air Force operates 43× AMX ACOL and 12× AMX-T ACOL (out of four prototypes, 110 one-seaters and 26 two-seaters delivered)
- 13 Gruppo, 32 Stormo (Ground Attack Squadron 14× AMX ACOL)
- 101 Gruppo, 32 Stormo (Training Squadron operating 12× AMX-T ACOL)
- 103 Gruppo, 51 Stormo (Ground Attack Squadron 14× AMX ACOL)
- 132 Gruppo, 51 Stormo (Ground Attack Reconnaissance Squadron 15× AMX ACOL with the RecceLite Pod from Rafael)
- Italian Air Force operates 43× AMX ACOL and 12× AMX-T ACOL (out of four prototypes, 110 one-seaters and 26 two-seaters delivered)
[edit] Specifications (AMX)
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Data from Aeronaves[12]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 13.23 m (43 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 8.87 m (29 ft 1 in)
- Height: 4.55 m (14 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 21 m² (226 ft²)
- Empty weight: 6,730 kg (14,840 lb)
- Loaded weight: 10,750 kg (23,700 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 13,000 kg (28,700 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Spey 807 turbofan, 49 kN (11,000 lbf)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 1,160 km/h (626 knots, 721 mph) at sea level: 1,030 km/h (640 mph), Mach 0.84[13]
- Cruise speed: 950 km/h (510 knots, 590 mph)
- Range: 3,330 km (1,800 nm, 2,070 mi)
- Ferry range: 4,000 km[14] (2,160 nm, 2485 mi)
- Service ceiling: 13,000 m (43,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 52 m/s (10,000 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 512 kg/m² (105 lb/ft²)
- Thrust/weight: 0.47
Armament
- Guns:
- 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barreled gatling cannon (Italian aircraft) or
- 2× 30 mm (1.181 in) DEFA 544 cannon (Brazilian aircraft)
- Missiles: 2× AIM-9 Sidewinders or MAA-1 Piranhas or MAA-1B Piranha II(underdevelopment) or A-Darter(underdevelopment)[16], carried on wingtip rails
- Bombs: 3,800 kg (8,380 lb) on 5 external hardpoints, including MAR-1[15] missiles, general-purpose and laser-guided bombs, air-to-ground missiles, and rockets
[edit] See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
[edit] References
- Notes
- ^ a b Braybrook 1989, p.267.
- ^ Braybrook 1989, p.275.
- ^ "Opher bomb deployed in Kosovo". Flight Global. http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/1999/06/17/52884/Opher+bomb+deployed+in+Kosovo.html.
- ^ "Alenia lands $390m AMX upgrade contract". Flight International. Flight Global. 8 February 2005. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2005/02/08/193586/alenia-lands-390m-amx-upgrade-contract.html. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
- ^ Niccoli 2009, p.44.
- ^ http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=8567271
- ^ "Embraer lucra com retrofit de aviões" (in Portuguese). Estadão, 16 Setember 2011. Retrieved: 29 January 2012.
- ^ "FLIR Systems wins $7 million contract from Embraer". Military Aero Space, 9 June 2009. Retrieved: 29 January 2012.
- ^ "Elbit consegue contrato de US$187 mi da Embraer" (in Portuguese). Reuters, 11 November 2009. Retrieved: 29 January 2012.
- ^ "World Airliner Census 2011". Flight Global," 13–19 December 2011. Retrieved: 10 January 2012
- ^ "FAB ganha poder de fogo com 'novo' caça" (in Portuguese). Estadao, 16 January 2012. Retrieved: 16 January 2012.
- ^ "A-1 (AMX)". Força Aérea Brasileira. http://www.fab.mil.br/aeronaves/index.htm.[dead link]
- ^ "AMX International". aerospaceweb.org. Retrieved: 30 January 2012.
- ^ "AMX Fighter Bomber". Airforce Technology. " Retrieved: 29 January 2012.
- ^ "Defesa ganha mais espaço na Odebrecht" (in Portuguese). Estadão, 08 April 2011. Retrieved: 29 January 2012.
- ^ "South Africa, Brazil to Develop A-Darter SRAAM". Defense Industry Daily, Apr 26, 2010. Retrieved: 29 December 2012.
- Bibliography
- Braybrook, Roy. "Assessing the AMX". Air International, June 1989, Vol 36 No 6. Bromley, UK:Fine Scroll. ISSN 0306-5634. pp. 267–278.
- Niccoli, Ricardo. "AMX: Upgraded and Ready for Combat". Air International, November 2009, Vol 77 No 5. Stamford, UK:Key Publishing. ISSN 0306-5634. pp. 42–45.
[edit] External links
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