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* [[Myanmar Air Force]] : 6 delivered, 1 currently operational.<ref>[http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c226/Zivojin/Pict0003.jpg "Myanmar Galebs operational again."] ''photobucket.com''. Retrieved: 24 July 2009.</ref><ref>[http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c226/Zivojin/mijanmarskiG-437021.jpg Photo Myanmar Air Force."] ''photobucket.com''. Retrieved: 24 July 2009.</ref>
* [[Myanmar Air Force]] : 6 delivered, 1 currently operational.<ref>[http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c226/Zivojin/Pict0003.jpg "Myanmar Galebs operational again."] ''photobucket.com''. Retrieved: 24 July 2009.</ref><ref>[http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c226/Zivojin/mijanmarskiG-437021.jpg Photo Myanmar Air Force."] ''photobucket.com''. Retrieved: 24 July 2009.</ref>


;{{MNE}} : * 17 G-4s located at [[Podgorica Airbase]], some in active use
;{{MNE}}
* : 17 G-4s located at [[Podgorica Airbase]], some in active use


===Former operators===
===Former operators===

Revision as of 06:29, 8 November 2009

G-4 Super Galeb
File:Galebg4m.jpg
G-4M Super Galeb
Role Advanced Trainer & Light Attack
Manufacturer SOKO/Lola Utva
First flight 17 July 1978
Introduction 1983
Status Active
Primary users Serbian Air Force
Myanmar Air Force
Number built 123[1]

The Soko G-4 Super Galeb is a tandem-seat low-wing advanced jet trainer/light attack jet of Yugoslav origin. The plane was first flown 17 July 1978 and production began in 1982. It was designed to replace the G-2 Galeb and Lockheed T-33 in the Yugoslav Air Force. The G-4 Super Galeb is not a modified G-2 Galeb as is claimed in some aircraft books, but an entirely new design.

Design and development

In the early 1990s the G-4 was a contender in the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System program in the U.S and was highly praised by American test pilots who flew it. It lost the bid to the Raytheon/Pilatus entry, which became the T-6 Texan II.

There was also a design for a single-seat version of the G-4 possibly called the "G-5", which would have had greater attack capability including a radar. The G-5 project was dropped due to the disintegration of Yugoslavia.

Operational history

The G-4 saw many combat missions at the beginning of the Yugoslav wars. In total there were three Super Galebs shot down, aircraft No.23603 flown by Sarvas, No.23631 flown by Lieutenant Colonel Nikola Djerfi and No.23734 flown by Novak Novakovic. All pilots safely ejected. A notable incident is that of aircraft No.23733 flown by Second Lieutenant Brаnislаv Ivаnоvski, damaged over Lički Ribnik by a FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air missile fired by Croatian forces. He landed safely in Udbina. The aircraft's tail is now preserved at the Museum of Aviation in Belgrade while the fuselage and wings are still serving in the Air Force with a new tail and engine, a true testament to the aircraft's resiliency to missile strikes.

During the Kosovo War the G-4 was used in few combat missions. Propagandistic claims were made in the Serbian media[citation needed] about G-4 Super Galebs being used in attacks on NATO bases in Tirana and Tuzla[citation needed] but Yugoslav Army officials never confirmed the rumours; the Albanian government also denied any G-4 attacks took place. Seven G-4 aircraft from the Leteće Zvezde display team were destroyed at Golubovci Airbase.

Technical description

G-4 Super Galeb is single-engined basic/advanced flying and armament trainer with light attack capability.

Powerplant

One DMB (Rolls-Royce/Bristol Siddeley) Viper Mk 632-46 turbojet rated at 17.79 kN dry

Fuel capacity: Internal fuel 1307 kg; external fuel up to 575 kg in two 369 liter drop tanks; no provision for in-flight refueling

Dimensions

Wing: Span 9.88 m; aspect ratio 5.01; area 19.50 m2

Fuselage and tail dimensions: Length 12.25 m including probe and 11.35 m excluding probe; height 4.30 m; tailplane span 3.97 m; wheel track 3,50 m; wheel base 4.15 m Operational weights: Empty 3250 kg equipped; normal takeoff 4,760 kg for a training mission or 6,110 kg on a normal attack mission with a warload of 1,350 kg; maximum takeoff weight 6,330 kg

Performance

Never exceed speed 921 km/h at 11,000 m; maximum level speed "clean" 920 km/h at 6,000 m and 910 km/h at 4000 m; cruising speed, maximum 845 km/h at 6,000 m and economical 550 km/h at 6,000 m

Ferry range 2500 km with drop tanks; range 1,900 km with standard fuel or 1,300 km with cannon pack and four BL755 cluster bombs; radius 390 km on a lo-lo-lo attack mission with cannon pack and four BL755 cluster bombs, or 485 km on a hi-lo-hi attack mission with cannon pack and four BL755 cluster bombs, or 595 km on a lo-lo-lo attack mission with two BL755 cluster bombs and two drop tanks, or 810 km on a hi-lo-hi attack mission with two BL755 cluster bombs and two drop tanks

Maximum rate of climb at sea level 1,860 m per minute; climb to 8,000 m in 6 minutes; service ceiling 12,850 m

G limits: -4.2 to +8

Electronics & operational equipment

Standard communication and navigation equipment, plus (fire control and weapons management) Ferranti ISIS D-282 gyro sight, and (defensive sensors and systems) Iskra SD-1 RWR; there is also provision for a reconnaissance pod with cameras and an IR line scanner.

Variants

  • G-4 Super Galeb (Super Seagull) : Two-seat basic / advanced jet trainer, light attack aircraft.
  • G-4š : Unarmed trainer version of G-4.
  • G-4t : Target puller.
  • G-4M : Prototype.
  • G-4MD : Digital upgrade including HOTAS, HUD, avionics, integrated mission computers, distance measuring equipment, GPS-based navigation systems, identification friend or foe, navcomm units, mission records, and VHF omni-range and instrument landing systems.[2]

G-4M Super Galeb

File:Glasnik-RV+PVO-br-865.jpg
Soko G-4 Super Galeb diagram from Glasnik RV i PVO, issue 5, 1986.

Though suspended due to the Yugoslav wars, the Super Galeb update program was revived to provide a more capable type in weaponry training and light attack roles. The variant's improvements include advanced avionics and higher-rated hardpoints complemented by a missile rail at each wingtip. The avionics include a Zrak ENP-MG4 HUD incorporating a Rudi Cajavec ENS-MG4 electronic sight, a gyro platform, multi function displays, and an optional chaff/flare dispensers. The inner hardpoints are rated at 500 kg, while the outer ones are rated at 350 kg, giving a maximum disposable load of 1,800 kg.

The G-4M has a wingspan of 10.05 m excluding tip-mounted AAMs, 10.31 m including the AAMs. It has an aspect ratio of 5.18.

Empty weight is 3,403 kg, 3,435 kg with missile rails

Internal fuel load is 1,376 kg, supplemented by one mid-mounted 449 litre tank and two 368 liter drop tanks.

Normal takeoff weight is 4,971 kg as a trainer, with a maximum takeoff weight of 6,400 kg in the attacker configuration, the maximum speed in "clean" configuration is 865 km/h at 10,000 m and 900 km/h at 4,000 m, with a ferry range of 2,900 km with drop tanks; range of 1,800 km with standard fuel, reduced to 1,200 km with cannon pack, four BL755 cluster bombs and two AAMs, maximum rate of climb at sea level of 1,800 m per minute, and a service ceiling of 12,500 m.[3]

Operators

Current Operators

 Serbia
 Myanmar
 Montenegro

Former operators

 Yugoslavia/ Yugoslavia

 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Accidents and incidents

Only two of the 123 built have been involved in fatal accidents in 26 years of service. The latest involved a Serbian G-4 Super Galeb piloted by Lt. Col Ištvan Kanas (aged 43), crashing at Batajnica Air Base near Belgrade on 24 September 2008.[6] The causes are unknown and an investigation by the Ministry of Defense and the Air Force is proceeding. Ištvan Kanas was a top Serbian test pilot and member of the aerobatics team. Officials noted he was practicing for an upcoming air show.

Specifications (G-4)

This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.
Soko G-2A Galeb
Soko G-2A Galeb

General characteristics

  • Crew: two

Performance Armament

  • 1 × 23 mm cannon and various unguided bombs and rockets

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

Notes

  1. ^ "SOKO G-4 Super Galeb." forecastinternational.com. Retrieved: 24 July 2009.
  2. ^ a b Salinger, Igor. "Serbian air force targets fleet modernisation." flightglobal.com, 11 August 2008. Retrieved: 24 July 2009.
  3. ^ "Serbia." airserbia.com. Retrieved: 24 July 2009.
  4. ^ "Myanmar Galebs operational again." photobucket.com. Retrieved: 24 July 2009.
  5. ^ Photo Myanmar Air Force." photobucket.com. Retrieved: 24 July 2009.
  6. ^ Accident Retrieved: 24 July 2009.

Bibliography

  • Gunston, Bill. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes: The Development and Specifications of All Active Military Aircraft. New York: MetroBooks, 1995. ISBN 1-58663-207-8.
  • Gunston, Bill. Encyclopedia Of World Air Power. London: Crescent, 1987. ISBN 0-51749-969-X.
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