Multirole combat aircraft

Template:Distinguish2 A multirole combat aircraft is an aircraft designed to perform different roles in combat. 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.

History

The Panavia Tornado program was historically the first bearer of such designation.

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.

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.

Although originally the term was used for a common airframe built in a number of different variants (and different variants for air-to-air combat and for air-to-surface attack, like F-16A/B, F-16 ADF), the use of multirole has also been applied to one aircraft with both major roles (like Sea Harrier, F/A-18 Hornet, F-16 C/D, Mig-29M), 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.

As of the subtype of attack missions, besides the most often air interdiction, there may be suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD), or even close air support (CAS).

The main motivation for developing multirole aircraft is cost reduction in using a common airframe. As an example, the Rafale will replace seven aircraft in the French Army and Navy: "when it comes to air-to-air combat, the Rafale F3 takes the place of the Mirage 2000 RDI and Mirage 2000-5. For deterrence, it replaces the Mirage 2000N. In air-to-ground attack, it replaces the SEM, Mirage 2000D and Mirage F1 CT, and for reconnaissance the Mirage F1 CR".

Examples of multirole aircraft:F-16 C/D, F4, F/A-18 Hornet, Sea Harrier, Super Etendard, Mig-29M, Mirage 2000C

Swing-role

JAS 39 Gripen

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."

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"

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".

"Capability also offers considerable cost-of-ownership benefits to and operational commanders."

Some (a few) multirole fighters conduct reconnaissance, air-to-air combat, air-to-surface attack or deterrence, one role at a time. But "the Rafale F3 can perform all in a single mission". As an example of the benefits, in 2011 (UN-sanctioned Libyan No-Fly Zone area), of such capabilities: Pilots ... "routinely take off with four MICA air-to-air missiles, three or six AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs, a Thales Damoclès laser targeting pod or a Reco NG reconnaissance pod and two drop tanks. They can be tasked or re-tasked in flight, and routinely are, to fly combat air patrol, precision strike or reconnaissance missions during the same six- or seven-hour sortie".

Examples of swing-role aircraft: Eurofighter Typhoon, F-15 E Eagle and Strike Eagle, F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, F-22, F-35 C, Gripen, Mirage 2000-5 mk2, Rafale, SU-30 MK.

Omnirole

File:Rafale-ec-1-7.jpg

Dassault Rafale

Among the swing-role aircraft, Dassault Rafale is called an "omni-role" fighter by its manufacturer. Libyan operations (2011) provide an opportunity to see what it really means, on the field.

Two major roles simultaneously

"Rafale carries out different complex combat assignments simultaneously: "the Rafale's weapon system can simultaneously deal with airborne and ground threats, a crucial advantage over the nearest competitors because pilots are now able to attack targets on the ground while engaging the ennemy fighters presenting the greatest threast.

For example, even with the radar in air-to-surface mode, the Front Sector Optronics (FSO) passive IR/TV/laser system is fully capable of detecting and tracking hostile interceptors, and the pilot can instantly engage an emerging threat.".

"This makes it different from so-called “multirole” or “swing-role” aircraft. Higher systems integration, advanced data fusion ("from onboard sensors: from its Thales RBE2 fire-control radar, Spectra electronic warfare suite and passive front sector optronics equipment to the seekers on its MBDA Mica air-to-air missiles"), and inherent low observability all make Rafale the first true "omnirole" fighter".

Rafale was involved in Libya from Day One, thanks to data fusion and Spectra self-protection suite

On 19 March 2011, French Rafale jets conducted reconnaissance and strike missions over Libya in Opération Harmattan, in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, being the first to attack and destroy heavy artillery units that had reached the outskirts of Benghazi. "... the latest type of combat aircraft from Dassault Aviation does not only integrate the largest and most modern range of sensors, it also multiplies their efficiency with a technological breakthrough, the “multi-sensor data fusion"

Data from all on-board and off-board sensors are combined into a single tactical picture presented to the pilot on the cockpit’s central color display or, if desired, on one of the lateral displays. The pilot can select the data he wants, combine it with other data, and pass it on to his wingman or to other allied aircraft, ships or ground troops through the Link 16, without speaking a single word on the radio and, if not using the radar, without any transmission whatsoever. Link 16 can also be used to de-conflict assignments with other aircraft without using radios.

Several simultanous roles make necessary this data fusion, and the Spectra self-protection suite is also "of critical importance, as France does not have any aircraft dedicated to the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions. “Spectra allowed us to begin operations over Libya the very same day the political decision was taken, and to fly deep into Libyan territory without an escort; the Americans also flew in, but only after they had fired 119 Tomahawks to take out Libyan air defenses.”

Multiple roles, but a pilot not overloaded

"To avoid overloading the pilot, the aircraft’s central computer prioritizes targets according to the threat they represent, and there are also modes to de-clutter the radar scope. The pilot can also decide to concentrate on a given aspect of the mission, and come back to others aspects. ... The system analyzes and combines tactical information received from all sensors; for example, “if you receive a track from an AWACS, from your Spectra self-protection suite, or from your ‘wingee’ at the same time, the system will analyze all the inputs and show you only one track.”"

Adaptation to new threats, dynamic targetting

"The weapon system fulfills its assigned "swing role" capability, between air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. But in its configuration with four Mica and six Hammer missiles, the Rafale also provides real swing-role capability between different ground attack missions. For instance, a patrol in this configuration prepared for a Battlefield Air Interdiction (BAI) mission can change to a ground attack mission when already in flight, to perform dynamic targeting of very different types of targets, including air defense sites or armored vehicles arriving at the front lines, without being affected by different weather conditions. The most eloquent testimony undoubtedly comes from the French air force and navy pilots who deploy the SBU-38 daily, alongside their GBU-12 Paveway laser guided bomb, the standard 250-kg bomb used by NATO air forces."

Costs, versus benefits

Cost compared to single-role, or more dedicated aircraft

Operationally, it's interesting to use a specific aircraft for different missions.

Sukhoi Su-30MKI

Mirage 2000-5

And a fleet of multirole aircraft, when comparing to separate fleets of dedicated aircraft, offers to costs less: to manufacture, to maintain, to supply, to protect, which increases the development costs. According to Thomas Christie, the cost is not worth: the multirole aircraft "almost never perform any mission better than a single mission design, and they always come at catastrophically high cost."

But the cost is not necessarily so high: according to a 2005 Rand study on the F/A–22 and F/A–18E/F development programs, which compared these recent programs:

• "the F/A-22 program had exceeded its original schedule by more than 52 months as of the date of the last Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) examined (December 31, 2001), while the F/A-18E/F was virtually on time.
• The total cost of developing the F/A-22 grew by $7.6 billion in Fiscal Year 1990 dollars, compared to the F/A-18E/F program, which met its original cost estimates."

Other benefits, importance of swing-role capabilities

Other benefits than reduced costs result form multirole and, more, omnirole capabilities: the goals can be achieved with fewer aircraft, in less time (effectiveness) and with less means (efficiency).

Also "the omnirole Rafale’s capabilities are changing the way the French air force operates. Previously, distinct pilot “communities” developed around each of the main missions flown – air defense, ground attack, strike, etc. – and lived more or less independently of each other. With the Rafale, however, this phenomenon is fading away since any unit, any aircraft and any pilot fly air-defense, strike or ground attack missions, as required. Specialization will disappear, several officers said, to be replaced by fewer but far more flexible aircraft and pilots".

Twenty years ago, and before swing-role developpments, one report stated : "the total costs savings from common aircraft use may not be sufficient when measured against total force life-cycle cost and mission effectiveness considerations." But what could be true with multirole aircraft may not be with swing-role, and more, omnirole aircraft: if an aircraft, on zone, carries out two or three missions in the same sortie, it changes everything, and the costs may be divided by two, three, or maybe more. If off course development costs remain reasonable (F/A-18 E/F, Rafale), under $ 20 bn for these two examples.

F-35 Lightning II

See also

• Attack aircraft
• Interceptor aircraft
• Tactical bomber
• Interdictor