Studies before the Tornado: NKF, AFVG, UKVG

Yellow Palace said:
.... and to produce an aircraft capable of flying a useful combat mission in a world of radar-equipped aircraft engaging beyond visual range.

A Boyd-approved LWF would be little more threatening than a target drone to an up-to-date air force, probably almost as soon as it entered service.
Click to expand...
The best it could be was a mutual kill generator. Sparrow fighter locks on and fires, then has to continue closing until the Boyd LWF gets into all-aspect Sidewinder range. At which point the two planes kill each other.
 
Snippets from Flight magazine.

7 April 1966: Quoting General Martin, CoS of the AdlA, the AFVG was to have a ferry range of 3,100 miles. No configuration or other specs mentioned.

16 Jan 1967: AFVG in RAF service to be able to undertake "about 80%" of F-111K missions, whilst weighing under 50,000lb for land operations. French carrier version MTOW 40,000lb. M45G-10 bypass ratio 3:1, PR 24:1, thrust 7,000lb dry / 12,000lb wet, infinitely-variable reheat. High-alt recce radius to be 1,000nm. Fly-away cost £1.5 to £1.7 million, or 40 million Francs ( £2.3 million ) with spares and GSE.
 
Last edited:

Please donate to support the forum.

Back
Top Bottom