Multirole combat aircraft
A multirole combat aircraft is an aircraft designed to perform different roles in combat.[1] The air-to-air combat role has been normally performed by fighter aircraft. So a multirole combat aircraft with air combat role and other secondary role such as air-to-surface attack is as often called a multirole fighter.
Contents |
[edit] History
The first use of the term Multi-Role Combat Aircraft was the multinational European project formed in 1968 to produce an aircraft capable of tactical strike, reconnaissance, air defence, and maritime roles. As such the one design would be able to replace several different aircraft in the cooperating nations. The project produced the Panavia Tornado, which used the same basic design to undertake a variety of roles, the Tornado IDS (Interdictor/Strike) variant and later the Panavia Tornado ADV (Air Defence Variant) variant.
[edit] Multirole
The term has been reserved for aircraft designed with the aim of using a common airframe for multiple tasks where the same basic airframe is adapted to a number of differing roles. Originally the term was used for a common airframe built in a number of different variants for different roles. Multirole has also been applied to one aircraft with both major roles, for example:
- a primary air-to-air combat role
- a secondary role like air-to-surface attack.
More roles can be added, such as air reconnaissance, forward air control, and electronic warfare. Attack missions include the subtypes air interdiction, suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD), and close air support (CAS).
The main motivation for developing multirole aircraft is cost reduction in using a common airframe.
[edit] Swing-role
Some aircraft are called swing-role, to emphasize the ability of a quick role change, either at short notice, or even within the same mission. According to the Military Dictionary : "the ability to employ a multi-role aircraft for multiple purposes during the same mission."[2]
Example which shows the difference between Swing-Role and Multi-role: "an F/A-18A squadron carrying out a raid might have half its aircraft configured for the strike mission while the rest are tasked with providing top cover, these definitions would remain unchanged until the aircraft had landed again . However in a swing role type (F/A-18E) all the aircraft would be configured for optimum attack capability and once the raid has been carried out they are all pure fighters with no compromise again just by the touch of a button" [3]
According to BAE, "an aircraft that can accomplish both air-to-air and air-to-surface roles on the same mission and swing between these roles instantly offers true flexibility. This reduces cost, increases effectiveness and enhances interoperability with allied air forces".[4]
"Capability also offers considerable cost-of-ownership benefits to and operational commanders."[5]
[edit] See also
- Tactical bomber
- Interceptor aircraft
- Interdictor
- Fighter-bomber
- Ground-attack aircraft
- Strike fighter
- Lead-in fighter trainer
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
|
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
