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Novi Avion

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Novi Avion
Role Multi-role combat aircraft
National origin Yugoslavia
Manufacturer SOKO
Designer Vazduhoplovno Tehnicki Institut (VTI) now called Military Technical Institute Belgrade
First flight Planned for 1992
Status Cancelled in 1991
Primary user SFR Yugoslav Air Force

The Novi Avion (Serbian Cyrillic:Нови Aвион English: New Aeroplane) was a 4th-generation, supersonic multi-role combat aircraft project of cropped delta-canard configuration.[1] The work was undertaken by the Vazduhoplovno Tehnicki Institut (VTI) (Aeronautical Technical Institute) of Belgrade, the former Yugoslavia's main military-technical institute, but cancelled just before production began in 1991.

Overview

The project was started in the mid-1980s in order to make Yugoslavia fully self-sufficient in the manufacture of military equipment, and air superiority fighter jets were the only thing that Yugoslavia still had to import, having obtained the capability to build all other military equipment by the 1980s.[2] When Yugoslavia disintegrated in 1991, the project was cancelled, since the break-up of the country made the financial resources necessary to start production of the plane unavailable.

The design was approximately one year from completion at the time of cancellation, and design of some production facilities and prototypes of some parts such as the cockpit had already been built. Had it not been cancelled, it would have had its first flight in 1992, and entered service some time in the mid 1990s.[3]

Yugoslavia expected to build approximately 150 of these planes to replace its MiG-21s and J-21 Jastrebs, and a sale of several hundred Novi Avions on the world market was also anticipated[citation needed]. The term Novi Avion was used to describe the project and the aircraft would have received a proper designation upon entering service.

Design

The Novi Avion most closely resembled the French Rafale,[4] although it was smaller and had only one engine. It was designed to fill many roles, including air superiority, interception, reconnaissance, ground attack, and anti-ship attack. Maximum speed was just under Mach 2. Super-maneuverability at both supersonic and subsonic speeds was a priority, and a major portion of the airframe was to be composed of composites.

The design was to incorporate a number of features to lower its radar cross-section, although it would not have been a true stealth aircraft. The aircraft was to carry an advanced ECM/ECCM suite. It was an all-Yugoslav design, not based on any foreign plane, although France was providing some assistance with the design of the most complex parts that Yugoslavia had no experience with, such as a multipurpose radar.[5]

The engine was to be the French Snecma M88, the same engine used in the Rafale. Most of the weapons it would have carried would probably have been either French weapons, or built with French assistance.

Specifications

Orthographically projected diagram of the Novi Avion
Orthographically projected diagram of the Novi Avion

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1

Performance Armament

  • Guns: 1× 30 mm cannon
  • Hardpoints: 11 total (including 2× wing-tip hardpoints for infra-red homing air-to-air missiles)

Avionics

  • Fire-control radar
  • Digital flight control system
  • Multi-function navigation/attack system
  • Glass cockpit

See also

Related lists

References

  1. ^ Saric, Dusan; Sava. "Нови авион". vazduhoplovnetradicijesrbije.rs. Association for preserving tradition of Serbian aviation, 19 November 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  2. ^ Staff, Writer. "The Novi Avion was a planned multi-role platform set to form the backbone of indigenous military aircraft design in Yugoslavia". MilitaryFactory.com. MilitaryFactory 23 August 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  3. ^ Pike, John. "Novi Avion [New Aircraft]". GlobalSecurity.org. 2000-2014 GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  4. ^ Staff, Writer. "The Novi Avion was a planned multi-role platform set to form the backbone of indigenous military aircraft design in Yugoslavia". MilitaryFactory.com. MilitaryFactory 23 August 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  5. ^ "Serbia's Future Fighter Aircraft: the MiG-29M2 Alone?". InSerbia.info. InSerbia News, 14 November 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2014.