G-4 Super Galeb

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G-4 Super Galeb

Type	Fighter Bomber
Manufacturer	SOKO/Lola Utva
Maiden flight	1978-07-17
Primary users	Serbian Air Force 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.

1 Cancelled Project G-5
2 G-4M Super Galeb
3 Combat Service
4 Competitions
5 Former Operators
6 Operators

[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.

Soko G-4 Super Galeb of the V i PVO VRS taxiing in Mahovljani "Aleksandrovac" Air Base (LQBK) Banja Luka.

Serbian J-22 Orao (with new marking) and G-4 Super Galeb.

[edit] Competitions

The Super Galeb was a losing 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

Yugoslavia
- SFR Yugoslav Air Force

[edit] Operators

Bosnia & Herzegovina (1 G-4 Super Galeb in operation by Republika Srpska Air Force)

Myanmar (6 Super Galeb upgraded by Serbian in 2003)

Serbia (Primary user)

Montenegro (9 Super Galeb)

[edit] Former Operators

SFR Yugoslavia

FR Yugoslavia

[edit] Specifications

This aircraft article has not been updated to WikiProject Aircraft's current standards. Please see this page for more details.

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.