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The G91Y is a tactical
fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft capable of carrying
out direct support, close interdiction, photographic
reconnaissance and air combat missions.
The characteristics of timeliness of intervention and of
concentration of strike, essential to the performance of these
tasks, is assured by reliability of the weapon system,
simplicity of the sub-systems, structural strength, excellent
performance, self contained and extremely accurate navigation
system, fast refuelling and readying for operational mission,
self contained starting system, functionality and simplicity of
instruments and complete independence of logistically complex
bases. With main fuel tanks alone providing a combat radius of
200 nautical miles, it can reach all required targets, thereby
freeing the underwing attachments for military loads.
Exceptional manoeuvrability, favourable thrust-weight ratio arid
therefore rate of climb, acceleration, turn performance at high
load factor at constant speed combine to render the G91Y an
easily-handled and effective ground-strike aircraft and also
enhance the qualities necessary for air combat. These features,
together with the two 30 mm cannons and air-to-air missiles,
provide the G91Y with excellent defence capabilities against a
wide range of aircraft including those more sophisticated and
expensive, especially when the combat takes place in limited
areas.
The following features contribute to the achievement of high
performance obtainable from the G91Y:
- meticulous design of cockpit (comfort, instruments, controls,
visibility);
- complete absence, in the flight envelope, of disturbance
phenomena (such as under-utilization, insufficiently high
performance, margins of error too low to allow for distractions
on the part of the pilot, poor flying qualities, etc) likely to
divert the attention of the pilot from his fundamental task and
to fatigue him;
- exceptional manoeuvrability, even at relatively low speed and
with heavy loads;
- thrust/weight ratio;
- very high roll-speed (240'/sec) and high specific excess power
value, which together provide faster and better attack and
escape manoeuvres, and contemporarily, perfect speed control to
adapt, instant by instant, the path of the aircraft to available
manoeuvring space.
The adoption of a special articulated landing gear enables
operation of the aircraft from semi-prepared surfaces:
runway-wise operation of the G91Y is not affected by enemy
attack, since it can take off from damaged runways which have
been temporarily earth-repaired.
The power plant consists of two General Electric J85-13A turbo
jets mounted in the rear part of the fuselage, each developing
1,230 kg static thrust, rising to 1,850 kg with afterburner. The
two engines with afterburner enable great flexibility and
economy of utilization: high excess thrust, when necessary, and
low fuel consumption when cruising.
Excellent take-off, climb, maximum-speed arid acceleration
performance are thus obtained, at the same time enabling radius
of action perfectly adequate to the requirements of the combat
area, even on only the main fuel tanks. The availability of two
engines provides the advantage of additional safety.
Fixed armament consists of two 30 mm DEFA cannons, whilst four
underwing pylons provide for carry a wide variety of combination
of bomb, rocket and missile loads.
As to pilot training, the aircraft has been designed to
facilitate the task of the pilot also in operational and
difficult flying conditions. Also studied is the G91YT two-seat
version which, by retaining the qualities of the G91Y, is
suitable both for advanced training and operational missions.
An interesting variant, is the G91YS, equipped in accordance
with specifications formulated by the Swiss Federal Government,
which incorporates several modifications as compared with the
basic version. |
