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IAI Kfri
IAI Kfri
weather multirole combat aircraft based on the French Dassault Mirage 5, with
Israeli avionics and an Israeli-built version of the General Electric J79 turbojet
engine.
Development
Background
The project that would ultimately give birth to the Kfir can be traced back to
Israel's need for adapting the Dassault Mirage IIIC to the specific requirements of
the Israeli Air Force (IAF).
The all-weather, delta-winged Mirage IIICJ was the first Mach 2 aircraft acquired
by Israel from then-close ally France, and constituted the backbone of the IAF
during most of the 1960s, until the arrival of the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk and, most
importantly, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, by the end of the decade. While
the Mirage IIICJ proved to be extremely effective in the air-superiority role, its
relatively short range imposed some limitations on its usefulness as a ground-
attack aircraft.
By 1968, Dassault had finished production of the 50 Mirage 5Js paid for by Israel,
but an arms embargo imposed upon Israel by the French government in 1967 prevented
deliveries from taking place. The Israelis replied by producing an unlicensed copy
of the Mirage 5, the Nesher, with technical specifications for both the airframe
and the engine obtained by Israeli spies.[1]
Design
Ecuadorian Air Force Kfir CE (C.10). Note the refuelling probe and the
characteristic longer nose of this variant.
The Kfir programme originated in the quest to develop a more capable version of the
IAI Nesher, which was already in series production. After General De Gaulle
embargoed the sale of arms to Israel, the IAF feared that it might lose qualitative
superiority over its adversaries in the future, which were receiving increasingly
advanced Soviet aircraft. The main and most advanced type of aircraft available to
the IAF was the Mirage, but a severe problem developed due to the Mirage fleet's
depletion due to attrition after the Six-Day War. Domestic production would
circumvent the embargo restrictions completely; efforts to reverse engineer and
reproduce components of the Mirage were aided by Israeli espionage efforts to
obtain technical assistance and blueprints from third party Mirage operators.[2]
Two powerplants were initially selected for trials, the General Electric J79
turbojet and the Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan. In the end, the J79 was selected, not
least because it was the same engine used on the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II,
which the Israelis began to acquire from the United States in 1969, along with a
license to produce the J79 themselves. The J79 was clearly superior to the original
French Atar 09, providing a dry thrust of 49 kN (11,000 lbf) and an afterburning
thrust of 83.4 kN (18,750 lbf).
In order to accommodate the new powerplant on the Mirage III's airframe, and to
deliver the added cooling required by the J79, the aircraft's rear fuselage was
slightly shortened and widened, its air intakes were enlarged, and a large air
inlet was installed at the base of the vertical stabilizer, so as to supply the
extra cooling needed for the afterburner. The engine itself was encased in a
titanium heatshield.
A two-seat Mirage IIIBJ fitted with the GE J79 made its first flight in September
1970, and was soon followed by a re-engined Nesher, which flew in September 1971.
An improved prototype of the aircraft, with the name Ra'am B ("Ra'am" means
"Thunder"; the "Ra'am A" was the Nesher),[3] made its first flight in June 1973. It
had an extensively revised cockpit, a strengthened landing gear, and a considerable
amount of Israeli-built avionics. The internal fuel tanks were slightly rearranged,
their total capacity being increased to 713 US gal (2,700 L).
There were unconfirmed reports that a number of the original Mirage IIICs, re-
engined with the J79 and given the name Barak ("Lightning"), took part in the Yom
Kippur War of 1973, but some sources point out that there is no evidence that these
aircraft ever existed.[4]
Operational history
Israel
IAI Kfir C.1 at the entrance to Ovda Israeli Air Force Base
The Kfir entered service with the IAF in 1975, the first units being assigned to
the 101st "First Fighter" Squadron. Over the following years, several other
squadrons were also equipped with the new aircraft. The role of the Kfir as the
IAF's primary air superiority asset was short-lived, as the first F-15 Eagle
fighters from the United States were delivered to Israel in 1976.
The Kfir's first recorded combat action took place on November 9, 1977, during an
Israeli air strike on a training camp at Tel Azia, in Lebanon. The only air victory
claimed by a Kfir during its service with the IAF occurred on June 27, 1979, when a
Kfir C.2 shot down a Syrian MiG-21.[5]
By the time of the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon in 1982 (Operation Peace
for Galilee) the IAF was able to use both its F-15s and F-16s for air superiority
roles, leaving the Kfirs to carry out unescorted strike missions. Shortly
afterwards, all IAF C.2s began to be upgraded to the C.7 version, with enhanced
weight performance, making the Kfir more suitable to its new fighter-bomber role.
During the second half of the 1990s, the Kfirs were withdrawn from active duty in
the IAF, after almost twenty years of continuous service.
Israel Aerospace Industries announced in August 2013 it will offer pre-owned Kfir
fighter jets to foreign customers, with a 40-year guarantee. Unit price is reported
to be $20 million. A few Eastern European and Latin American countries have
expressed interest, Israel's Globes business daily reported.[6] By October 2013,
Israel Aerospace Industries was in "very advanced negotiations" with at least two
air forces interested in the Kfir Block 60. An aircraft can be delivered within one
year, with two squadrons to be sold in two to three years. The Block 60 is offered
with the Elta EL/M-2032 with open architecture avionics to allow a customer to
install other systems. The sensor provides an all-aspect, look-down/shoot-down
performance in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, with the capability to
simultaneously track up to 64 targets. The J79 has been overhauled to zero flight
hours, and would need replacement after 1,600 hours.[7]
Foreign service
Since the J79 turbojet engine is an U.S. design, although manufactured under
license in Israel, all export sales of the Kfir are subject to prior approval being
granted by the U.S. State Department, a fact that has limited the sale of the Kfir
to foreign nations.
As of 2006, the IAI Kfir has been exported to Colombia, Ecuador, and Sri Lanka.
Colombia
In February 2008, Colombia signed a deal with the Israeli government for an
additional 24 ex-IAF Kfir aircraft. It was estimated that these aircraft will most
probably be upgraded by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to C.10 standard.[8][9]
In June 2009, IAI delivered the first batch of upgraded Kfirs to the Colombian Air
Force in a ceremony held at IAI's facilities in Israel. In attendance at the
ceremony was Juan Hurtado Cano, the Colombian Ambassador to Israel, high-ranking
officers from the Colombian Air Force, and executives from the International
Defense Cooperation Directorate of the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD-SIBAT).
This was a part of a multi-year contract awarded in late 2007 and worth over $150
million to upgrade the existing Colombian Air Force Kfirs, and to supply additional
jets. The additional Kfir jets, models C.10-C.12, have been upgraded and improved
to include IAI's latest technologies and products.[10]
On July 20, 2009, a Kfir crashed near the city of Cartagena. The Israeli pilots
operating the plane were unharmed in the incident, but the jet itself was
destroyed. Israel Aerospace Industries said in a statement that the plane was
flying a refresher flight, and that the aircraft didn't come to a stop on the
landing strip, landing outside it. The director of the Israel Aerospace Industries
announced that an investigation into the incident had already begun and that a
panel to probe the crash had been appointed.[11][12] On July 22, 2009, IAI informed
the Colombian Air Force that the accident was caused by an unspecified human error.
As a result, IAI will replace the unit lost with another one and it will resume
delivery to the Colombian Air Force.[13]
On November 1, 2013, two Colombian Air Force IAI Kfirs intercepted Russian Air
Force Tu-160s that had entered Colombian airspace. The Russian aircraft had taken
off from Simón Bolívar International Airport Venezuela.[14][15][16][17]
On October 10, 2017, Colombian IAI Kfirs were updated with the EL/M 2052 AESA Radar
and incorporated the I-Derby-ER Active Air to Air Missile and the Python-5 Air to
Air Infrared Missile[18][19]
Ecuador
The FAE Kfirs went into action during the 1995 Cenepa War between Ecuador and Peru.
Relying on its fleet of subsonic A-37Bs for low-level ground-attack missions on
Peruvian positions, the Ecuadorian Air Force held back its Mirage F.1s and Kfir
C.2s for use as escorts and interceptors. On February 10, 1995, a Kfir C.2 shot
down a Peruvian Air Force Cessna A-37B with a Shafrir 2 IR-homing AAM.
In 1996, with tensions still running high between Ecuador and Peru, the Ecuadorians
acquired four additional Kfirs (three C.2 and one TC.2) after securing approval
from the U.S. State Department.
By 2005, Ecuador had lost four Kfirs, including one TC.2, due to accidents since
the aircraft entered service in 1982.
Sri Lanka
IAI Kfir C.2 at the entrance to Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters, Colombo
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) acquired six Kfir C.2s and a single TC.2 in 1995–
1996. A further nine aircraft had been added to the inventory by 2005, including
four C.2s and four C.7s acquired in 2000. Currently the SLAF operates two TC.2s,
two C.7s and six C.2s by the No. 10 "Fighter" Squadron. The SLAF used their Kfirs
to carry out attacks against LTTE rebels during the Sri Lankan Civil War in Sri
Lanka.[21] Two Kfir C.7s were destroyed on the ground in an LTTE attack on SLAF
Katunayake air base, part of Bandaranaike International Airport, on 24 July 2001.
Three others were lost in non-combat related accidents during the Civil War period.
None were lost in aerial combat.[22] In March 2011, two Kfirs collided in mid-air
during an airshow practice sortie.[23]
On June 30, 2021, it was announced that the IAI will upgrade five Sri Lankan Kfirs
for a return to service with new systems and sensors under a US$50 million
contract.[24]
United States
An F-21A Kfir of VF-43 preparing for takeoff at NAS Fallon, Nevada, United States
Between 1985 and 1989, the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps leased
25 examples of the Kfir C.1, which were officially designated F-21A and modified
for use as unarmed adversaries: mock opponents in dissimilar air combat training
(DACT). These aircraft had narrow-span canard foreplanes and two small rectangular
strakes, one on either side of the nose, which considerably improved the aircraft's
maneuverability and handling at low speeds.
The 12 F-21 aircraft leased to the U.S. Navy, painted in a three-tone blue-gray
"ghost" scheme, were operated by Fighter Squadron 43 (VF-43), based at NAS Oceana,
Virginia. In 1988, they were returned and replaced by the F-16N. The 13 aircraft
leased to the U.S. Marine Corps were operated by Marine Fighter Training Squadron
401 (VMFT-401), a 4th Marine Aircraft Wing/ Marine Corps Reserve squadron at Marine
Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. In addition to the blue-gray painted aircraft, the
USMC also had some F-21s painted in Israeli colors and desert "flogger" schemes
(named because they were to represent the schemes often worn by Warsaw Pact MiG-23
"Floggers"). The Kfir was utilized because they both shared the common
characteristic of being very fast-accelerating, as well as achieving a top speed of
above Mach 2. The MiG-23 was targeted as the "enemy" aircraft because at this time
the MiG-23 was being introduced in very large numbers, and was a very capable
aircraft compared to earlier Soviet types. These USMC F-21 aircraft were replaced
by F-5E aircraft when the F-21s were returned in 1989 (although this left the
training units without any aircraft capable of accurately simulating the Mach 2+
and fast-accelerating MiG-23).
Six Kfirs are also used by the US firm Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC),
a civilian defense contractor that provides tactical adversary aircraft services to
the US military.[25] ATAC provides airborne tactical training, threat simulation,
and research & development. ATAC's corporate headquarters and primary operating
location is at Patrick Henry International Airport in Newport News, VA, with
additional permanent operating locations at US Naval Air Stations and Marine Corps
Air Stations in California, Nevada, Hawaii and Japan. ATAC also operates Hawker
Hunter F.58s.[26] On March 6, 2012, an ATAC Kfir, FAA registration N404AX, crashed
while landing at NAS Fallon, Nevada after a flight supporting the Naval Strike and
Air Warfare Center. The pilot, a retired USN officer, was fatally injured.[27]
Potential users
In the early 1990s, IAI was looking to export 40 Kfir-C fighters to the Republic of
China (Taiwan) in a deal estimated to have been worth US$400 million to $1 billion;
however, the deal ultimately fell through.[28]
During 2013, the Argentine Air Force commenced negotiations with Israel for 18 Kfir
Block 60 fighters as an alternative to another deal for 16 ex-Spanish Mirage F1
fighters.[29][30] During mid-2014, industry sources claim IAI will "soon" receive
an order from the Argentine Air Force for Kfir Block 60s after their purchase of
surplus Spanish Mirage F1s failed.[31]
Variants
Kfir C.1: Basic production variant without canards.
Kfir C.1P/Kfir Canard: Upgraded version of the Kfir C.1 meant to modify original
airframes up to the C.2 standard. These aircraft had been modified and included
fences on the air intakes and nose. These fences greatly improved the aircraft
maneuverability and slow speed control. These aircraft also included flare/chaff
dispensers.[32][citation needed]
F-21A Kfir: 25 upgraded Kfir C.1P aircraft, were leased to the USN and USMC for an
aggressor role and were designated F-21A Lion. These aircraft were unarmed and had
their internal guns removed.
Kfir C.2: An improved Kfir that featured many aerodynamic improvements. Changes
included "dogtoothed" leading edges on the wings, fences on the nose, and large
fixed canards on the air intakes.
Kfir TC.2: A two-seat training variant developed from the C.2. It has a longer and
lowered nose to improve the pilot's view.
Kfir RC.2: Reconnaissance version of the C.2 commonly known as the Kfir Tzniut due
to the Tzniut camera nose being fitted to it.
Kfir C.7: Vastly modified variant. Most if not all C.2 aircraft were modified to
this variant. It included an improved J79-GE-J1E engine that provided an additional
1,000 pounds-force (4.4 kN) of thrust at full afterburner (and as a result
increasing the Maximum Take-off Weight by 3,395 pounds (1,540 kg)), 2 more
hardpoints under the air intakes, better avionics such as a MFD.
Kfir TC.7: A two-seat training variant developed from the C.7.
Kfir C.9: Proposal for Argentina powered by Atar 9K50. Cancelled. Later developed
as South Africa's Atlas Cheetah
Kfir C.10: A variant developed especially for export. The most important change is
the adaptation of the Elta EL/M-2032 radar. Other changes include HMD capability
and two 127×177mm MFDs. This variant is also known as Kfir CE ( Ecuadorean
version ) and Kfir COA (Colombian version).
Kfir TC.10: Upgraded version of the TC.7 for the Colombian Aerospace Force.
Kfir C.12: Upgraded version of the C.7 for the Colombian Aerospace Force, a C.10
without the Elta EL/M-2032 radar.
Kfir Block 60: Upgraded version of the C.10, The main feature of this variant is
the use of AESA radar, proposed to the Bulgarian Air Force[33][34] and Colombian
Aerospace Force. As of January 2014 Argentina is reported to be interested in a
US$500m deal for eighteen Block 60 to replace its planned acquisition of second-
hand Mirage F1M from Spain.[35]
Kfir NG: Upgraded version, short for Next-Generation. Offered to current and former
operators Colombia, Ecuador and Sri Lanka, revealed at Paris Air Show 2019.[36]
Operators
An IAI Kfir with its typical weapon loadout as displayed at the Israeli Air Force
Museum, Hatzerim Airbase
Data from From Mirage to Kfir by Amos Dor, pp. 20-36.[citation needed]
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 15.65 m (51 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 8.22 m (27 ft 0 in)
Height: 4.55 m (14 ft 11 in)
Wing area: 34.8 m2 (375 sq ft)
Airfoil: 3.5&[52]
Empty weight: 7,414 kg (16,345 lb)
Gross weight: 10,114 kg (22,298 lb) Empty weight+full internal fuel
Max takeoff weight: 16,500 kg (36,376 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × IAl Bedek-built General Electric J79-J1E turbojet, 52.9 kN (11,900
lbf) thrust dry, 79.62 kN (17,900 lbf) with afterburner
Performance
Maximum speed: 2,440 km/h (1,520 mph, 1,320 kn) above 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
Maximum speed: Mach 2.3
Combat range: 1,000 or 670 km (620 or 420 mi, 540 or 360 nmi) Depends on if in
attack or interceptor configuration
Service ceiling: 17,680 m (58,010 ft)
g limits: 7.5g
Rate of climb: 233 m/s (45,900 ft/min)
Thrust/weight: .84
Armament
Guns: 2× Rafael-built 30 mm (1.18 in) DEFA 553 cannon with 140 rpg
Rockets: FFAR and Zuni unguided air-to-ground rockets
Missiles: 4× AIM-9 Sidewinders or Python-series AAMs
Bombs: 9,390 kg (20,701 lb) of payload on nine external hardpoints, including bombs
such as the Mark 80 series, Paveway series of LGBs, Griffin LGBs, SMKBs,[53] CBU-
100 Rockeyes, BLU-107 Matra Durandal, reconnaissance pods or drop tanks
Avionics
EL/M-2001B Pulse Doppler radar range finder
See also
flag Israel portal
Aviation portal
Related development
Atlas Cheetah
Dassault Mirage III
Dassault Mirage 5/50
IAI Nesher
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era