Soko G-4 Super Galeb
The Soko G-4 Super Galeb is a single engine, advanced jet trainer and light ground-attack aircraft.
Design and development
First flown on 17 July 1978, with serial production beginning in 1982, the G-4 was designed to replace the G-2 Galeb in the Yugoslav Air Force.
Operational history
The G-4 saw some combat during the Yugoslav Wars. In total, three G-4s were shot down, all pilots ejecting safely.
During the Kosovo War, the G-4 was used in several combat sorties against KLA positions. Seven G-4s of the Leteće Zvezde aerobatics team were destroyed at Golubovci Airbase, as a result of a NATO airstrike.
Only two G-4s have been involved in fatal accidents in its 27 years of service; the latest involved a Serbian G-4 Super Galeb which crashed at Batajnica Air Base near Belgrade on 24 September 2008 while practicing for an upcoming air show.[2]
Variants
- G-4
- Armed jet trainer and light ground-attack aircraft.
- G-4Š
- Unarmed jet trainer.
- G-4T
- Target puller.
- G-4M
- Upgraded avionics and hardpoints, missile rail added to wingtips. Avionics include a Zrak ENP-MG4 HUD incorporating a Rudi Cajavec ENS-MG4 electronic sight, a gyro platform, multi function displays, and an optional chaff/flare dispensers. The inner hardpoints are rated at 500 kg, while the outer ones are rated at 350 kg, giving a maximum disposable load of 1,800 kg. Normal takeoff weight is 4,971 kg as a trainer, with a maximum takeoff weight of 6,400 kg in the attacker configuration, the maximum speed in "clean" configuration is 865 km/h at 10,000 m and 900 km/h at 4,000 m, with a ferry range of 2,900 km with drop tanks; range of 1,800 km with standard fuel, reduced to 1,200 km with cannon pack, four BL755 cluster bombs and two AAMs, maximum rate of climb at sea level of 1,800 m per minute, and a service ceiling of 12,500 m.[3]
- G-4MD
- Further development of G-4M upgrade including: LCD flight screens, HOTAS, HUD, integrated mission computers, distance measuring equipment, GPS-based navigation systems, identification friend or foe, navcomm units, mission records, and VHF omni-range and instrument landing systems. Integration of guided weapons, countermeasures and targeting systems is also scheduled as part of the upgrade.[4]
Operators
Current operators
- Serbia
- Burma
Former operators
- Yugoslavia
- Republika Srpska
- Montenegro
- G-4s located at Podgorica Airbase. left over after Montenegro Independence all have been returned to Serbia, they were in very poor condition.
Specifications (G-4M Super Galeb)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993-94[7]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 12.25 m (40 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 9.88 m (32 ft 5 in)
- Height: 4.30 m (14 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 19.5 m2 (210 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 5.01
- Empty weight: 3,250 kg (7,165 lb)
- Gross weight: 4,760 kg (10,494 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 6,330 kg (13,955 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 1,882 kg (maximum internal and external fuel)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Viper 632-46 , 17.8 kN (4,000 lbf) thrust
Performance
- Maximum speed: 920 km/h (570 mph; 500 kn) clean @ 6,000 m (13,000 ft)
- Cruising speed: 550 km/h (340 mph; 300 kn) @ 6,000m
- Stall speed: 180 km/h (110 mph; 97 kn) dirty
- Never exceed speed: 921 km/h (572 mph; 497 kn) 0.9M @ 11,000m
- Range: 1,900 km (1,181 mi; 1,026 nmi) Internal fuel
- Combat range: 1,300 km (808 mi; 702 nmi) with cannon pack and four BL755 cluster bombs (combat radius 485 km)
- Ferry range: 2,500 km (1,553 mi; 1,350 nmi) maximum internal and external fuel
- Service ceiling: 12,850 m (42,159 ft) Service ceiling (Altitude at which maximum climb rate reduces to 100 ft/min)
- G limits: -4.2 to +8
- Rate of climb: 31 m/s (6,100 ft/min)
- Time to altitude: 6 minutes to 8,000m
Armament
- 1x GSh-23L 23 mm cannon in ventral gun pod.
- 2x Inner pylons 350 kg (770 lb)capacity.
- 2x Outer pylons 250 kg (550 lb) capacity.
- 1x Centreline pylon 400 kg (880 lb) capacity (G-4M).
- 2x Wingtip missile rails (G-4M).
Avionics
Standard communication and navigation equipment, plus (fire control and weapons management) Ferranti ISIS D-282 gyro sight, and (defensive sensors and systems) Iskra SD-1 RWR; there is also provision for a reconnaissance pod with cameras and an IR line scanner.
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Gunston, Bill. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes: The Development and Specifications of All Active Military Aircraft. New York: MetroBooks, 1995. ISBN 1-58663-207-8.
- Gunston, Bill. Encyclopedia Of World Air Power. London: Crescent, 1987. ISBN 0-51749-969-X.
- Lambert, Mark, ed. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993-94. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Data Division, 1993. ISBN 0-7106-1066-1.
External links
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