Multirole combat aircraft

Template:Distinguish2 A multirole combat aircraft is an aircraft that can perform more than one different roles in combat. The primary role is usually air-to-air combat, which is normally performed by fighter aircraft. Hence, it is as often called a multirole fighter—while the secondary role is usually air-to-surface attack.

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

More roles are added, such as air reconnaissance, forward air control, and electronic warfare. As of the subtypes of attack missions, besides the most often air interdiction, there may be suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD), or even close air support (CAS).

Strike fighter, which similarly refers to a fighter capable of attack role, for historical reasons implies putting more emphasis on the interdiction aspect.

History of the term

Multi-Role Combat Aircraft was the title of a 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. In time the project became the Panavia Tornado, with the Tornado IDS (Interdictor/Strike) variant and later the Panavia Tornado ADV (Air Defence Variant) variant.

Complementary notions, benefits

The main motivation for developing multirole aircraft is cost reduction. But other benefits result form multirole, swing-role and, more, omnirole capabilities.

Multirole, benefits

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

And a fleet of multirole aircraft, when comparing to separate fleets of dedicated aircraft, offers to costs less:

Sukhoi Su-30MKI

Mirage 2000-5

• to manufacture
• to maintain
• to supply
• to protect,

which increases the development costs. The cost is it worth ? No, according to Thomas Christie: "they 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 very 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."

Swing-role, benefits

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."

"Military officials say there are multirole fighters that conduct reconnaissance, air-to-air combat, air-to-surface attack or deterrence, but only one at a time. The Rafale F3 can perform all in a single mission". The Rafale will replace 7 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".

Omni-role, advantages in Libya

File:Rafale-ec-1-7.jpg

Dassault Rafale

Among the swing-role aircraft, Dassault Rafale is called an "omni-role" fighter by its manufacturer : "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".

As an example of the benefits, in Libya (2011), of such capabilities : "French air force Rafale combat aircraft deployed here as part of the UN-sanctioned Libyan No-Fly Zone are for the first time making full use of the aircraft’s “omnirole” capabilities, which allow a single aircraft to carry out the full gamut of missions during a single sortie."

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".

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"

"[The Spectra self-protection suite] is of critical importance, as France does not have any aircraft dedicated to the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions. “Rafale was involved in Libya from Day One, and we fly several missions during a single sortie,” says detachment commander Lt. Col. Pierre G., stressing that “Omnirole Rafale” is not simply an advertising slogan but an accurate description of the aircraft’s very real capabilities. “Over Libya, the Rafale flies all kinds of missions, carrying out strike assignments and reconnaissance with the Reco New Generation pod while conducting our main mission, which is combat air patrol”".

"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.”"

"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."

Effectiveness and efficiency

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, multirole 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 developpment costs remain reasonable (F/A-18 E/F, Rafale), under $ 20 bn for these two examples.

And if the F-35 program costs came "at catastrophically high costs" (Thomas Christie), it's more because "critical technologies" were "not projected to be matured to levels that" "would indicate a low risk program", according to the GAO, ten years ago, and not because the program's goals were to get multirole aircraft at affordable "long-term ownership costs of the program". "We disagree with DOD’s assertion that technology is mature enough to move forward. The technology readiness level assessment conducted as part of our review of the Joint Strike Fighter showed that critical technologies are not projected to be matured to levels that would stem risks at the start of engineering and manufacturing development. Our previous work has shown that when programs proceed in this fashion, they experience delays, rework, and substantial cost increases that could force the Department to divert much-needed funds from other important weapon system programs."

Since, the F-35 program costs escalated: "Development costs for the entire Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program were estimated at $25 billion at inception in 1996, and by 2004 had grown 80%" (to $45 billion). And for acquisitions costs? "From program start in 2001, the JSF was estimated to cost $233 billion for total program acquisition. This was the teaser price, the estimate grew to $245 billion in 2004, $279 billion in 2007, and in 2008 the JSF program office’s estimate was $300 billion, a 29% increase over the original figure. However, GAO found that this 2008 estimate was not reliable, comprehensive, accurate, well documented, or credible. Worse, no uncertainty analysis has been conducted (acquisition may cost $298 billion; it may cost $500 billion). The only thing that is certain, the $300 billion estimate was “virtually certain to be wrong.”"

Omnirole vs stealth, market and costs

The latest Rafales (delivered in June 2008) have their full "omnirole" capabilities, but delays triggered by the end of the Cold War and associated reduced funding have resulted in a fully functional fourth generation jet fighter which finds little traction in a fifth generation jet fighter market. And there are no serious European fifth generation jet fighter programs in development to compete in this market.

In the same time, because of continuous escalation of F-35's cost (GAO’s $383 billion acquisition 2011 estimate + an estimated $985 billion for operations and support), the sole "Level 1" partner (United Kingdom) has cancelled its purchase of 138 F-35B models in favour of F-35Cs, and will push back their order and possibly reduce the total number of orders, from 138 to 40 . And other air forces are cutting the number of aircraft ordered, including the US Air Force or Navy, which will significantly increase the export acquisition cost, and reduce the F-35 market.

However the F-35 actually has foreign orders, while leaked United States State Department cables have said that "French representatives have tried to spin the Rafale's dismal performance in the global market to be the result of U.S. government political pressure rather than the aircraft's shortcomings". This was said before Libyan operations (2011) which prooved the operational qualities of the Rafale, and future will tell if Rafale will remain unexported. It may also be noted that multirole F/A-18 Super Hornet has only been exported to one customer, Australia, despite its qualities and its relatively low price, and for 'only' 24 Air Force aircraft, because of the F-35 delays.

Classification

F-15E Strike Eagle

According to the previous definitions, a recap table can be done:

	fighter or air-to-surface attack		fighter and air-to-surface attack
		Carrier-capable
Specialized aircraft	F-15	F-14 Tomcat	N/A	N/A
Families : several variants	F-16A/B, ADF Tornado IDS, Tornado ADV		N/A	N/A
Aircraft : several roles	Mirage 2000-C	F4	Super Etendard, SEM, F/A-18 Hornet	F-16C, D MiG-29M
Several roles + swing-role aircraft	Eurofighter F-15E Eagle, and Strike Eagle, Su-30MK F-22		F/A-18 Super Hornet	Mirage 2000-5 mk2, Gripen
Omni-role (and swing-role) aircraft	N/A	N/A	Rafale M	Rafale B, C

Examples

F-16C Fighting Falcon

F/A-18F Super Hornet

F-35 Lightning II

Eurofighter Typhoon

Sukhoi Su-30MKI

JF-17 Thunder

Listed below are examples of multirole combat aircraft and the country where they have been developed:

Region	Country of origin	Aircraft	Notes
Europe	United Kingdom West Germany Italy	Panavia Tornado	The original aircraft to have the word "Multi-Role" in its official description.
	United Kingdom Germany Italy Spain	Eurofighter Typhoon	Described as a "highly agile Air Superiority and Air-to-Surface, multi-role/swing-role fighter" by the manufacturers and users.
	France	Dassault Mirage 2000
		Dassault Rafale	Described as a fully "omnirole" fighter by Dassault
	Sweden	Saab JAS 39 Gripen	JAS comes from Jakt ("fighter"), Attack, Spaning ("reconnaissance")
	Russia	Mikoyan MiG-29M	Multirole development of MiG-29
		Sukhoi Su-30	Multirole development of Su-27PU/Su-30
		Sukhoi Su-35S	4++ generation development of Su-27M/Su-35
		Mikoyan MiG-35	4++ generation development of MiG-29M and MiG-29K
		Sukhoi PAK FA	Sukhoi T-50 prototype first flew in 2010
North America	United States	McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II	American 3rd generation fighter/interceptor/attack aircraft
		McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle	The F-15E is a multirole fighter derived from the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. It is used by the United States Air Force other U.S. allies like Israel, South Korea, Singapore & Saudi Arabia.
		General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon	The F-16 is a multirole fighter used by many members of NATO and other U.S. allies
		McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet	The 'A' in "F/A" explicitly denotes the joint Attack role of the F/A-18 ('F' = Fighter)
NATO (extended)	United States (primary) United Kingdom (major contributor) Italy Netherlands Canada Australia Norway Denmark Turkey	F-35 Lightning II
Asia	Japan	Mitsubishi F-2	Developed from F-16 Block 40
	Republic of China (Taiwan)	AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo
	People's Republic of China	Chengdu J-7	Reverse engineered from MiG-21F-13
		Shenyang J-8
		Xian JH-7A
		Shenyang J-11	Reverse engineered from Sukhoi Su-27SK
		Chengdu J-10
		Chengdu J-20	Prototype first flown in 2011
	People's Republic of China Pakistan	JF-17 Thunder	Previously known as Super Seven
	People's Republic of China Russia	Sukhoi Su-30MKK	Used by the PLA Air Force ('K' = Kitayski, China)
	India	HAL Tejas	Previously known as "Light Combat Aircraft".
		AMCA	fifth generation multirole fighter, expected to fly in 2015
	India Russia	Sukhoi Su-30MKI	Used by the Indian Air Force. ('I' = "India")
	India Russia	Sukhoi/HAL FGFA	Derivative of PAK FA (T-50).

See also

• Attack aircraft
• Interceptor aircraft
• Tactical bomber
• Interdictor