Re: The most similar aircraft to Sea Harrier FRS1 in terms of weapons capability?

Errol Cavit wrote:
"KDR" <humannospam@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1143613977.903504.84500@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
What do you think is the most similar aircraft to Sea Harrier FRS1 in
terms of weapons capability?

My pick is A-4K Skyhawk upgraded with APG-66NZ radar. Main air-to-air
armament of both was AIM-9L Sidewinder and the two fighter types could
drop laser-guided bombs but lacked self-designation capability. Any
thought?


How did the weapon fit differ from the A-4SU?

The A-4SU Super Skyhawk's main air-to-air weapon is AIM-9P Sidewinder.
I haven't seen any picture of the A-4SU with AIM-9L yet.

Neither have I seen any Super Skyhawk with Paveway laser-guided bombs
although Jim Winchester's new book "Douglas A-4 Skyhawk" says the
Singaporean Super Skyhawks employed GBU-12. I'll believe it when I see
it.



BTW, they might become available if the latest deal doesn't go through.
Small logistical problem as well.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/organisation/story.cfm?o_id=420&ObjectID=10373632

21.03.06


A bridge in Picton is creating a major headache for the people selling the
Air Force's fleet of Skyhawk fighter bombers.

The 14 Skyhawks are being sold to an American company and are likely to be
loaded onto trucks and taken from the Woodbourne air base in Blenheim to
Picton to be loaded onto a ship and taken to America.

But the problems a low bridge on the road from Woodbourne to Picton is
likely to cause, have yet to be overcome.

Gareth Morgan, from the Auckland consultancy Ernst and Young, which was
commissioned by the Government to sell the Skyhawk and Aermacchi fleets
after they were decommissioned in 2001, said once the Skyhawks were loaded
on trucks, the tail was too high to get under the bridge.

"There is a bridge where it goes clunk. We have got great minds thinking on
those issues."

He said one option was to lift the Skyhawks off the trucks, take them under
the bridge and load them back on the trucks.
...
The Skyhawks and Aermacchis are being bought by the American company to
train pilots.

However, the sale cannot go ahead until the US State Department approves the
final buyer because the Skyhawks are fitted with sensitive American military
equipment. Some systems are virtually identical to the American F16
fighters.

The sale is now believed to be almost complete, including State Department
approval and other transactional issues but none of the $155 million
purchase price for both fleets has been paid.

The Skyhawks have been stored in an Air Force hangar at Woodbourne and
although they are not in flying condition, the engines are regularly started
and the systems are fired up to keep them operational.
...

--
Errol Cavit | errolGEEcee@xxxxxxxxxxx | An ordinary embassy official or a
commercial traveller or a tourist will eventually prove just a good purveyor
of atomic explosives as any aircraft, rocket or machine. Sir Arthur Harris,
1947.

.