VeneAvia C-15 Jaguar
The VeneAvia C-15 Jaguar is a twin-engine supermaneuverable fighter aircraft designed by VeneAvia. It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United States fourth-generation fighters such as the F-14 Tomcat and F-15 Eagle, with long range, heavy aircraft ordnance, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability. The C-15 most often flies air supremacy missions, but its most modern variants are able to perform almost all aerial warfare operations.
In 1969, Venezuela learned of the U.S. Air Force's "F-X" program, which resulted in the F-15 Eagle. The Venezuelan leadership soon realized that the new American fighter would represent a serious technological advantage over existing Venezuelan fighters. What was needed was a better-balanced fighter with both good agility and sophisticated systems. In response, the Venezuelan ministry of defence issued a requirement for an Advanced Frontline Fighter. Specifications were extremely ambitious, calling for long range, good short-field performance (including the ability to use austere runways), excellent agility, Mach 2+ speed, and heavy armament. The situation became even more complex when Venezuelan intelligence reported that the PRCA (People’s Republic of Central America) had started fielding the latest Soviet fighters, the Mig-23 and the Mig-25.
The VeneAvia design, which was altered progressively to reflect Venezuelan awareness of the F-15's specifications, emerged as the VAC-102, which first flew on 11 October 1977. The aircraft had a large wing, and a twin tail. On 23 April 1978, the ministry of defence announced that the VAC-102 was the winner. This victory marked VeneAvia’s return to the Air force fighter market. The C-15 entered service with the Venezuelan Air Force in 1981. The primary role was long range air defence against PRCA bombers and fighters, protecting the Venezuelan coasts and borders from enemy aircraft and flying long range fighter escort for Venezuelan heavy bombers such as the B-54 Martillo.
There are several related developments of the C-15 design. The C-15E is a two-seat, dual-role fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions. The C-15F is a navy fleet defense interceptor for use on aircraft carriers. Further versions include the 2-seat CM-15G electronic warfare variant and the C-15M improved air defense fighter.
General characteristics
Crew: 1 or 2
Length: 20.90 m
Wingspan: 13.20 m
Height: 5 m
Empty weight: 26.455,45 lb (12.000 kg)
Loaded weight: 43.651,5 lb (19.800 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 66.138,63 lb (30.000 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Aerotécnica TV-72−220 afterburning turbofans
Dry thrust: 15,500 lbf (68,95 kN) each
Thrust with afterburner: 25,700 lbf (114,32 kN) each
Fuel capacity: 13.227,73 lb (6,000 kg) internal
Performance
Maximum speed:
High altitude: Mach 2.5+ (1,650+ mph, 2,665+ km/h)
Low altitude: Mach 1.2 (900 mph, 1,450 km/h)
Combat radius: 1,061 nmi (1,222 mi, 1,967 km)
Ferry range: 3,450 mi (3,000 nmi, 5,550 km) with four external fuel tanks
Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (20,000 m)
Rate of climb: 60,000 ft/min
Maximum design g-load: 9 g / -3 g
Armament
Guns: 1× 30 mm cannon, 700 rounds
Hardpoints: Total 13: six under-wing (each with additional two missile launch rails), four under-fuselage for semi-recessed carriage of MAA-4 and MAA-3 missiles and a single centerline pylon station and wingtip rails for air to air missiles:
Missiles:
4× MAA-4 Ráfaga
4× MAA-1 Rayo
8× MAA-3 Trueno
Other:
up to 5× 2,300 L external drop tanks for ferry flight or extended range/loitering time.