Alpha Jet

     Notes: This is an aircraft that is a trainer during peacetime and a light strike aircraft during wartime.  It is used by Belgium, Egypt, France, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, Qatar, Togo, Portugal, Germany, and Cameroon.  The aircraft's two-seat version is used as a trainer or FAC aircraft, but during wartime strike missions, the back seat is removed and replaced by an electronics suite that gives it a radar warning receiver and ECM.  Of its five hardpoints, only the wings' 4 hardpoints may be used for drop tanks.  The fuselage station is normally used by a gun pod, as the aircraft has no internal guns, but it may be used for other stores. 

     The Alpha Jet ACAS adds a laser rangefinder in a modified nose, as well as inertial navigation and a computerized attack system.  The Alpha Jet 2 uses a more powerful engine and is capable of air-to-air combat with heat-seeking missiles.  The Alpha Jet Lancier (Also known as the Alpha Jet 3) adds radar, a multifunction display, a laser rangefinder, an internal cannon, and integral smart munition delivery capability, as well as expanding air-to-air combat capability.  German aircraft use the Mauser autocannon, while French Lanciers use the DEFA autocannon.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Alpha Jet E

$5,036,570

AvG

2.5 tons

8 tons

2

10

FLIR

Enclosed

Alpha Jet A

$16,541,810

AvG

2.5 tons

8.09 tons

1

12

FLIR

Enclosed

Alpha Jet ACAS

$16,951,730

AvG

2.5 tons

8.11 tons

1

12

FLIR

Enclosed

Alpha Jet 2

$17,532,260

AvG

2.55 tons

9.02 tons

1

12

FLIR

Enclosed

Alpha Jet Lancier

$25,638,074

AvG

2.55 tons

10.34 tons

1

16

FLIR, Radar (75 km)

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

Armor

Alpha Jet E/A/ACAS

2000

500 (130)

NA  125  6/3  60/30

2160

1368

13700

FF3  CF4  RF3  T2  W3

Alpha Jet 2/Lancier

2061

515 (130)

NA  129  6/3  60/30

2160

1568

13700

FF3  CF4  RF3  T2  W3

 

Vehicle

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

Alpha Jet E

None

550/495m Hardened Runway

+2

5 Hardpoints

None

Alpha Jet A

Radar Warning Receiver, ECM 2

550/495m Hardened Runway

+2

5 Hardpoints

None

Alpha Jet ACAS

Radar Warning Receiver, ECM 2, Inertial Navigation

550/495m Hardened Runway

+3

5 Hardpoints

None

Alpha Jet 2

Radar Warning Receiver, ECM 2, Inertial Navigation, HUD

550/495m Hardened Runway

+3

5 Hardpoints

None

Alpha Jet Lancier

Radar Warning Receiver, ECM 3, Inertial Navigation, HUD, Flare/Chaff  (34/25), IR Uncage, Laser Designator (6km)

550/495m Hardened Runway

+4

5 Hardpoints, 1x27mm Mauser or 30mm DEFA

300x27mm or 30mm

 

AMX

     Notes: This is a joint project of Italy and Brazil.  It was designed to replace the G.91 in Italian service and to provide a high-speed attack capability to Brazilian forces.  The aircraft has a day-night capability and is very stable at low speeds as well as high speeds.  Brazilian aircraft have two 30mm cannons, while Italian versions have a 20mm Vulcan.  The two wingtip hardpoints may only be used for air-to-air missiles or drop tanks.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Brazilian

$31,346,010

AvG

3.8 tons

12 tons

1

20

Radar (40 km)

Shielded

Italian

$32,924,920

AvG

3.8 tons

12.95 tons

1

20

Radar (50 km)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

Armor

(Both)

1828

457 (130)

NA  114  8/4  50/25

4175

2760

15200

FF3  CF3  RF3  T2  W3

 

Vehicle

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

Brazilian

Flare/Chaff (30/20), ECM 2, Secure Radios, All-Weather Flight, RWR

1178/982m Hardened Runway

+3

2x30mm DEFA, 7 Hardpoints

400x30mm

Italian

Flare/Chaff (35/35), ECM 2, IRCM 1, Secure Radios, All-Weather Flight, RWR

600/500m Hardened Runway

+3

20mm Vulcan, 7 Hardpoints

400x20mm

 

AV-8B Harrier II

     Notes: The Harrier is a VSTOL multirole aircraft able to perform as both a fighter and attack aircraft.  It is used by Britain, the US Marines, Italy, India, and Spain.  It has a raised cockpit for superior visibility, a composite material wing for lightness and strength, and a redesigned nose with air-to-air/ground radar.  The aircraft has an ejection seat and is capable of in-flight refueling.  When performing VIFF flight, the Harrier has an especially high heat signature, and attacks with heat-seeking missiles are one level easier.  VSTOL flight may only be performed by removing 2.4 tons from the cargo capacity or fuel of the Early Model or 1.1 tons from the Late Model.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Early Model

$42,448,420

AvG

6 tons

14.06 tons

1

30

Radar (60 km)

Enclosed

Late Model

$47,467,730

AvG

6 tons

14.06 tons

1

34

FLIR (30 km), Radar (70 km)

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

Armor

Early Model

1845

462

NA  116  9/5  60/40

4200

6577

15200

FF6  CF6  RF6  W5  T5

Late Model

2118

530

NA  133  9/5  60/40

4200

7629

15240

FF6  CF6  RF6  W5  T5

 

Vehicle

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

Early Model, USMC

All-Weather Flight, Flare/Chaff Dispensers (40/25), RWR

450/16m (VSTOL) or 450/505m (Conventional) Primitive Runway

+2

25mm GAU-12/A, 9 Hardpoints

300x25mm

Early Model, Non-USMC

All-Weather Flight, Flare/Chaff Dispensers (40/25), RWR

450/16m (VSTOL) or 450/505m (Conventional) Primitive Runway

+2

2x25mm ADEN, 9 Hardpoints

200x25mm

Late Model

All-Weather Flight, Flare/Chaff Dispensers (50/30), RWR, Inertial Navigation

450/16m (VSTOL) or 450/505m (Conventional) Primitive Runway

+3

25mm GAU-12; 9 hardpoints

300x25mm

 

Hawk

     Notes: The Hawk is a trainer and light strike aircraft used by the UK, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Finland, Indonesia, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Australia, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Canada, and South Africa.  It is also used by the US Navy as a trainer (the T-45 Goshawk).  It is an unsophisticated, but cheap aircraft, with a limited capability.  The fuselage hardpoint is normally fitted with a gun pod, since the Hawk has no internal gun.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: In the Twilight War, the US Navy modified some T-45 Goshawks for the strike role.  Other countries often used 2-seat Hawks as FAC aircraft.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Hawk 50

$1,676,430

AvG

3.08 tons

5.7 tons

2

8

None

Enclosed

Hawk 100

$4,978,450

AvG

3 tons

9.1 tons

2

12

FLIR (60 km)

Enclosed

Hawk 200

$17,255,750

AvG

3 tons

9.1 tons

1

12

Radar (50 km), FLIR (60 km), Image Intensification (4.5 km)

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

Armor

Hawk 50

2076

519 (135)

NA  130  9/5  60/40

2400

2314

15240

FF3  CF3  RF3  T2  W3

Hawk 100

2076

519 (135)

NA  130  9/5  60/40

2400

2534

13545

FF3  CF3  RF3  T2  W3

Hawk 200

2034

509 (135)

NA  127  9/5  60/40

2400

2534

13715

FF3  CF3  RF3  T2  W3

 

Vehicle

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

Hawk 50

None

550/495m Hardened Runway

+1

5 Hardpoints

None

Hawk 100

RWR, Laser Designator (4.5 km)

550/495m Hardened Runway

+3

5 Hardpoints

None

Hawk 200

RWR  Flare/Chaff (50/40), Laser Designator (5 km)

550/495m Hardened Runway

+4

2x25mm ADEN, 7 Hardpoints

200x25mm

 

IAR-93B/J-22 Orao

     Notes: This is a strike aircraft jointly produced by Romania and Yugoslavia.  The factory in then-Yugoslavia (now Bosnia) was dismantled in 1992 and never reassembled after that, but the Romanian factory continued to produce Oraos.  This is a light aircraft with a limited weapons load, but it is cheap and easy to produce.  There is also an unarmed variant with cameras for reconnaissance.  An unusual feature of this aircraft is its ability to fire only two cannons at a time, if desired; this is normally done to conserve ammunition.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The Romanian factory manufacturing the Orao (and some other aircraft) was put out of action permanently by air strikes in 1999.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$4,405,520

AvG

2.8 tons

11.08 tons

2

11

None

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

Armor

2040

510 (115)

NA  128  9/5  90/50

3240

2224

12500

FF4  CF4  RF3  T3  W3

 

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

None

950/600m Hardened Runway

+1

4x23mm Autocannons, 5 Hardpoints

400x23mm

 

Jaguar

     Notes: This is an attack aircraft produced by an international effort of France and Britain.  It is also used by Ecuador, India, Nigeria, and Oman.  Two of its seven hardpoints are unusual; they are on top of the wing, to be used by air-to-air missiles.  Three of its hardpoints may be used for drop tanks in addition to weapons.  Two seat versions of this aircraft exist.  This aircraft was a standout in the 1991 Gulf War, in Indian attacks on Kashmir and Kurdistan, and in the Twilight War.  Though they were supposed to be replaced by the Eurofighter 2000 (Typhoon), the continual delays and budgetary problems with the Typhoon program mean that the Jaguar still keeps soldiering on.  The pilot has an ejection seat, and the aircraft is capable of in-flight refueling.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Mk 804 Engines

$9,186,100

AvG

4.76 tons

15.7 tons

1

20

None

Enclosed

Mk 811 Engines

$9,284,170

AvG

4.76 tons

15.7 tons

1

20

None

Enclosed

Mk 106 Engines

$9,554,120

AvG

4.76 tons

15.7 tons

1

22

None

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

Jaguar

Mk 804 Engines

3398

850 (140)

NA  212  8/4  80/40

4200

4720

13700

FF4  CF4  RF3  T3  W4

Mk 811 Engines

3524

881 (140)

NA  220  8/4  80/40

4200

4899

13700

FF4  CF4  RF3  T3  W4

Mk 106 Engines

3874

969 (140)

NA  242  8/4  80/40

4200

5393

13700

FF4  CF4  RF3  T3  W4

 

Vehicle

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

(All)

Flare/Chaff (50/40), RWR, Secure Radios, Laser Designator (60 km)

1250/785m Hardened Runway

+2

2x30mm autocannons, 7 hardpoints

300x30mm

 

K-8 Karakorum

    Notes: This basic trainer/light attack aircraft is a joint product of China and Pakistan.  Pakistan built large numbers of them and used them in conflicts against Indian forces throughout the Twilight War.  Like most aircraft of its class, it is an unsophisticated aircraft with a light weapon load, being primarily a trainer with secondary strike capability. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: China only began ordering the K-8 just before the Twilight War, and few were available to Chinese forces.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$1,674,270

AvG

943 kg

4.33 tons

2

10

None

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

Armor

1590

398 (100)

NA  99  6/3  60/30

1855

1598

13600

FF3  CF3  RF3  T2  W3

 

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

None

440/400m Hardened Runway

+1

23mm autocannon, 4 hardpoints

200x23mm

 

Tornado IDS

     Notes: This is the strike version of the Tornado multirole aircraft.  It was a joint venture of Germany, Britain, and Italy, and is in service with those countries and with Saudi Arabia.  The Tornado is a variable geometry aircraft with automatic sweep; the wings change their angle of sweep in response to changes in airspeed.  The crew has ejection seats and the aircraft is capable of in-flight refueling.  Up to 4 of its hardpoints may be used for drop tanks.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$63,955,770

AvG

9 tons

27.95 tons

2

36

Radar (90 km), FLIR (60 km), Thermal Imaging (30 km)

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

Armor

4676

1169 (130)

NA  292  9/6  90/60

8000

4316

19800

FF6  CF6  RF6  W5  T5*

 

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

Flare/Chaff (75/50), RWR, Deception Jamming (200 km), HUD, IR Uncage, TFR (30 km), Look-Down Radar, Track While Scan, Laser Designator (60 km), ECM 3, IRCM 2

760/500m Hardened Runway

+4

2x27mm autocannons, 9 hardpoints

400x27mm

*The cockpit has a Kevlar antispalling liner and has an AV of 7.