phl@attunix.att.com (Philip Listowsky) (08/22/90)
From: phl@attunix.att.com (Philip Listowsky)
The KFIR thread (where people were confusing its names & history)
has disappeared from my site, but I finally dug up the info on it
that I have, so here it is:
1961 faced with mach 2+ threat of MiG-21's IAF orders 72 MIRAGE IIICJ's
---- IAF suggests <radar & <electronics but >fuel & >arms : MIRAGE V
---- IAF orders 50 MIRAGE V's
1967 France cancels MIRAGE V delivery and embargos Israel
Saab Drakens not available
BAC lightnings unsuitable
US only beginning policy change (soon to supply Phantoms&Skyhawks)
---- J-79 engine installed in MIRAGE III : called SALVO
~~~~~
---- MIRAGE III & ATAR 9C blueprints obtained (espionage)
1971 MIRAGE III copy (with ATAR 9C engine copy) produced : called NESHER
~~~~~~
1973 MIRAGE III copy (with J-79 engine) produced : called BARAK
~~~~~
---- MIRAGE V blueprints obtained (espionage)
1975 MIRAGE V concept (with J-79 engine) produced : called KFIR
~~~~
1976 KFIR C2
1981 KFIR C7 (better thrust/weight, >max takeoff weight, >combat radius,
in-flight refueling, new WDNS, radars, computers)
Footnote to all this: the French now have a KFIR-like MIRAGE IIING
By the time I.A.I. got done with it, the KFIR was vastly superior
to the MIRAGE V it was intended to substitute for:
- more powerful engine (J-79 better than Atar 9E)
- better aerodynamics (smaller engine bay, redesigned cockpit, canards,
strakes, redesigned wings + strengthened gear)
- better avionics (Elta EL/M-2001B instead of Cyrano)
Sampling of Israeli built parts of KFIR (in addition to airframe & engine)
---------------------------------------
INS built in Israel under license
CRT MFD's built by Elbit
HUD built by EL-OP
ECM built by Elta
Footnote to this stuff: licensed parts have severely restricted exports
in some cases.
Phil