CAWAKO F-8 Spitfire
The CAWAKO F-8 Spitfire is a single-engine multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by Rochforts aerospace company CAWAKO.
In 1978 the government of Rochfort began development studies for a single-engine multirole fighter aircraft capable of fighter, attack and reconnaissance missions. And required a Mach 2 airplane with good short field performance for a defensive basing plan in case of a invasion. A new design from CAWAKO was selected and developed as the XF-8 , first flying in 1988. Following a few crashes during flight development and subsequent alterations to the aircraft's flight control software, the Spitfire entered service with the Royal Air Force Rochfort in 1998. Upgraded variants and adaptations for longer missions time began in 2002.
A further version ,designated as the F-8H/J is under development as of 2013, it has been referred as the Super Spitfire. The changes include the adoption of a new powerplant, the VDB R-12 G a licence build General Electric F414-G. and a new Raven ES-05 AESA radar. The Super Spitfire's maximum takeoff weight was increased from 14.000kg to 16.000kg, internal fuel capacity increased by 40% by relocating the undercarriage, which also allowed for two extra hardpoints to be added on the fuselage underside.
The F-8M is a carrier- based version of the F-8H/J and ordered by the Royal Navy Rochfort. The first entered service in 2015 with 410Sq RNR, Brasil and India are interested in this airplane to.
A F-8UCAV (unmanned combat aerial vehicle)a variant of the F-8H is tested at Meerhof air base the Air Force test base
General characteristics
• Crew: 1 (2 for F-8B)
• Payload: 5,300 kg (11,700 lb)
• Length: 14.4 m (47 ft 24 in); two-seater: 14.8 m (48 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 9.1 m (29 ft 8 in)
• Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 7 in)
• Wing area: 30.0 m² (323 ft²)
• Empty weight: 6,800 kg] (14,990lb)
• Loaded weight: 8,500 kg (18,700 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 14,000 kg (31,000 lb)
• Wheel track: 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in)
• Powerplant: 1 × VDB R -95-400 afterburning turbofan
o Dry thrust: 54 kN (12,100lbf)
o Thrust with afterburner: 80.5 kN (18,100 lbf)
Performance
• Maximum speed: Mach2 (2,204 km/h (1,190 kn; 1,370 mph)) at high altit
• Combat radius: 800 km (497 mi, 432 nmi)
• Ferry range: 3,200 km (1,983 mi) with drop tanks
• Service ceiling: 15,240 m (50,000 ft)
• Wing loading: 283 kg/m² (58 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.97
• Maximum g-load: +9 g
Armament
• Guns: 1× 27 mm Mauser BK-27 Revolver cannon with 120 rounds (single-seat models only)
• Hardpoints: 8 (three on each wing and two under fuselage) and provisions to carry combinations of:
o Rockets: 4× rocket pods, 13.5 cm rockets
o Missiles:
6× AIM-9 Sidewinder or IRIS- T or A-Darter
4× AIM-120 AMRAAM or MICA
4× Meteor
4× AGM-65 Maverick
2× AGM-158 JASSM
2× AGM-84 Harpoon
o Bombs:
4× GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb
2 x AGM-154 JSOW
8× Mark 82 bombs