G-4 Super Galeb
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| G-4 Super Galeb | |
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| Type | Fighter Bomber |
| Manufacturer | SOKO/Lola Utva |
| Maiden flight | 1978-07-17 |
| Introduced | 1983 |
| Primary users |  Serbian Air ForceBosnia & Herzegovina (Republika Srpska Air Force) |
| Unit cost | US$4 million in 1990s |
| Variants | G-4M |
The G-4 Super Galeb is a tandem-seat low-wing advanced jet trainer/light attack jet of Yugoslav/Serbian origin. The plane was first flown July 17, 1978 and production began in 1983. It was built to replace the G-2 Galeb and Lockheed T-33 in the Yugoslav Air Force. In the early 1990s the G-4 was a briefly a contender in the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System program in the US and was highly praised by American test pilots who flew it. [1]
It should be noted that the G-4 Super Galeb is not a modified G-2 Galeb, as is claimed in some aircraft books, but an entirely new design.
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[edit] Cancelled Project G-5
There was also a design for a single-seat version of the G-4 possibly called the G-5, which would have had greater attack capability including a radar. The G-5 project was dropped due to the disintegration of Yugoslavia.
[edit] G-4M Super Galeb
The latest version of the G-4 is the G-4M, which is currently in an advanced test phase, designed by Lola Utva and tested and researched by the Batajnica Flight Test Centre. Compared to the original G-4, the G-4M has can carry a greater payload, has more advanced avionics, an integrated nav/attack system, a HUD, satisfies HOTAS requirements, and can carry guided air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.
[edit] Combat Service
The G-4 saw extensive combat in both the Bosnian War and the Kosovo War where it was used in the ground attack role.
[edit] Competitions
The Super Galeb was a loosing contender in the USA's Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPTATS) aircraft selection. Among the seven to enter, the Raytheon/Piilutus entry won, which became the T-6 Texan II.
[edit] Former Operators
[edit] Operators
Bosnia & Herzegovina (1 G-4 Super Galeb in operation by Republika Srpska Air Force)
Myanmar (1 G-4 Super Galeb in operation, 5 stored)
Serbia (Primary user)
[edit] Specifications
- Length: 11.86 m
- Height: 4.28 m
- Wing span: 9.88 m
- Empty weight: 3,134 kg
- Max takeoff weight: 6,300 kg
- Max speed: Mach 0.86 (560 mph)
- Payload: 1,700 kg
- Ceiling: 15,000 m
- Rate of climb: 1,800 meters/minute
- Engine: One licence-built Rolls-Royce Viper 632-46 with 17.8 kN (4,000 lbf) thrust
- Armament: 23 mm cannon and various unguided bombs and rockets
In addition to the G-4, the G-4M has payload increased to 1950 kg, and two extra wingtip hardpoints for R-60/AA-8 Aphid air-to-air missiles. It can also carry the TV-guided AGM-65 Maverick missile, the radio-guided Grom-A air to surface missile (Yugoslav copy of Soviet AS-7 Kerry), and the TV-guided Grom-B air to surface missile (recently Serbian-designed Maverick replacement which is compatible with the Maverick launcher). There is also a laser-guided bomb being designed for it.
