A multirole combat aircraft is an aircraft that can perform more than one different roles in combat.[1] 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. 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.
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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.
The main motivation for developing multirole aircraft is cost reduction.
A fleet of multirole aircraft, when comparing to separate fleets of dedicated aircraft, offers to costs less:
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."[2]
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:
But other benefits 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".[4]
However "the total costs savings from common aircraft use may not be sufficient when measured against total force life-cycle cost and mission effectiveness considerations."[5]
Only the very latest Rafales have the full "omnirole" capabilities, and the delays associated with developing multiple capabilities into the same airframe have resulted in a fully functional fourth generation jet fighter which finds little traction in a fifth generation jet fighter market.[6] And there are no serious European fifth generation jet fighter programs in development to compete in this market[7], while because of continuous escalation of F-35's cost (GAO’s $383 billion acquisition 2011 estimate + an estimated $985 billion for operations and support)[8], 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 [9].
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."[10]
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" [11]
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".[12]
"Capability also offers considerable cost-of-ownership benefits to and operational commanders."[13]
"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".[14]
Among the swing-role aircraft, Dassault Rafale is called an "omni-role" fighter by its manufacturer : "Rafale carries out different complex combat assignments simultaneously.[15] : "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."[16].
"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"[17]), and inherent low observability all make Rafale the first true "omnirole" fighter".[18]
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".[19]
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.[20] "... 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"[21]
"[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 NG pod while conducting our main mission, which is combat air patrol”".[22]
"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.”"[23]
"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."[24]
According to the previous definitions, a recap table[25] 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[26], ADF Tornado[27] IDS, Tornado ADV |
N/A | N/A | |
| Aircraft : several roles | Mirage 2000-C[28] | F4 | Super Etendard, SEM, F/A-18 Hornet |
F-16C, D MiG-29M |
| Several roles + swing-role aircraft |
Eurofighter[29] 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 |
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.[30][31] | |
| France | Dassault Mirage 2000 | ||
| Dassault Rafale | Described as a fully "omnirole" fighter by Dassault[32] | ||
| 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). |
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