IAF A-4N AyitM (Meshupar) Skyhawk II - The Ultimate IAF Skyhawk
- Yes.
- No.
This suggestion is for the A-4N in late IAF service after it underwent upgrades and modifications apart of the “Ayit Meshupar” upgrade program. It’s a single seat Skyhawk of the Israeli Air Force which had extensive use as an attack aircraft and trainer. This suggestion represents it in the late 2000s to early 2010s, after it underwent multiple smaller changes to allow it to be better suited for training pilots. This suggestion also suggest that later variants of compatible armament options for the A-4N, such as later Maverick and Sidewinder variants the IAF had access to and were compatible with the aircraft be added to further make it unique.
- 9.7
- 10.0
- 10.3
- 10.7
- I Voted No.
- As a Researchable vehicle
- As a Squadron vehicle
- As a Premium vehicle
- As a Event vehicle
- I Voted No.
History:
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, it had become clear the IAF A-4s would have to fly for many more years due to its role as the IAF’s primary trainer aircraft. Following this relizarion, the IAF underwent attempts to modernize its A-4 fleet to better serve it for many years to come.
The first modernizations of the IAF Skyhawk fleet involved an ACMI-type data recorder introduced for training purposes in 1999, followed in 2002 by the new RADA Electronic Industries ACE-ll system which replaced the EHUD pod. On January 21, 2003 a $2 million contract for an Ayit“M" (Meshupar) prototype upgrade was announced, shortly after it was followed by a contract almost exactly a year later.
This time the modification would still provided by RADA but would be installed by lAl. The new Ayit Meshupar also introduced a ring laser gyro navigation system, and a new mission and fire control unit that replaced the old one. New Nir-Or colour multifunction displays and an improved Vectop HUD were installed, which along with the new FCS replaced the dated and obsolete crystal weapon delivery system to a more updated standard.
The new cockpit layout of the Ayit Meshupar
The Ayit Meshupar prototype (Aircraft №342) flew in December of 2004. At the same time, lAl was awarded a ten-year contract covering all the maintenance on the Skyhawk fleet. The idea was to keep the A-4 in service until 2015 (or up to 2020 if needed) as an advanced trainer. The modernization took about a year to undertake.
The program included upgrading around 50 IAF Skyhawks to Ayit Meshupar standards in total. Of the Skyhawks modernized, 26 were A-4Ns, 4 were TA-4Hs, and 18 were TA-4Js. Following the completion of the modernization in late 2005, the newly upgraded IAF Skyhawks proceeded to serve with the IAF as trainer aircraft until 2015 just as planned, and found themselves being used extensively until then.
When the second war in Lebanon broke out, IAF Ayit Meshupars were actually used by the IAF during the conflict for sorties. They flew mounting AN/ALQ-101(V)10 jamming pods to ensure their safety in preforming a variety of roles including dropping leaflets, providing night time illumination, and electronic support.
Then in 2014, with the introduction of the M-346I “Lavi” trainer aircraft to the IAF , it became obvious it was the superior training platform the IAF was looking for, and the movement to retire the Skyhawks began. The IAF skyhawks as a whole were retired in 2015 as the program intended, and the M-346I “Lavi” continues to serve today as the IAFs primary trainer aircraft, albeit unlike the A-4N it’s unable to be armed with actual ordinance, only inert payloads for simulation.
Shortly after their retirement, some remaining A-4N aircraft were sold off to a private company known as Top Aces which specialized in using the aircraft as aggressors for combat training purposes. The former A-4Ns had their guns and combat capabilities removed, but received new systems such as an AESA radar, IRST, and more advanced simulated systems for combat training. They still serve as a part of the Top Aces fleet today.
In Short:
This Aircraft would be a later A-4N Ayit for the Israeli air tree, that would have access to the Aim-9P3 sidewinder, and could have access to the Aim-9G sidewinder and AGM-65B Maverick. It would also have a different cockpit layout, internal systems that wouldn’t matter for the sake of the game, and a new name/designation, further setting itself apart from the A-4N variant represented ingame.
Specifications:
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Operating Country: Israel
Type: Single-Seat Attack Aircraft
Crew: 1 Pilot
Wingspan: 8.38m
Wing Area: 260sq ft
Length: 12.27m
Height: 4.57m
Powerplant: Pratt and Whitney J-52-P-408A
Max Thrust: ~5,500kgf
Max speed: ~1,105km/h
Rate of Climb: ~67m/s
Empty Weight: ~12,208lbs
Maximum Weight: ~24,500lbs
Service Ceiling: 13km altitude
Range: ~2,040nm
Electronics and Systems:
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- Radar: AN/APQ-145 Radar.
- RWR: AN/ALR-45F(V) RWR (according to Gaijin)
- 2x AN/ALE-29A Countermeasure dispensers mounted on the underside of the tail section with 30 countermeasures each and 60 countermeasures in total that are capable of using both chaff and flare cartridges. (Worth noting that although the US A-4M used the AN/ALE-39 dispensers, I don’t believe the A-4N did, at least I can confirm it do to their virtually identical visual appearance. Regardless it doesn’t matter as they will function identically ingame)
- CCIP for Cannon, Bombs, & Rockets. CCRP for bombs.
Armament:
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(Almost Identical to the earlier A-4N Ayit ingame with small differences presented based on the inaccuracies of the aircraft ingame, weaponry this specific aircraft was known to carry, and proposed additions)
- 1x Centerline Drop Tank with a capacity of 400 gallons.
- Up to 2x Underwing Drop Tanks with a capacity of 300 or 150 gallons each.
- 2x DEFA 553 30mm cannons with 150 rounds of ammunition each, 300 in total.
- Up to 2(-4?)x Aim-9P3 Sidewinders.
- Up to 2(-4?)x Aim-9D Sidewinders.
- Up to 3x AGM-65A Mavericks.
- Up to 2(-3?)x AGM-62A Walleye I ER TV guided glide bombs.
- Up to 1x GBU-8 TV guided glide bomb.
- Up to 4x AGM-12B Bullpup AGMs.
- Up to 9x FFAR Mighty Mouse Rocket pods with 7-19x anti-armor rockets each.
- Up to 9x Zuni rocket pods with 4x anti-armor rockets each.
- Up to 5x BLU-27/B incendiary bombs.
- Up to 20x Mk.81 250lb standard or drag bombs.
- Up to 14x Mk.82 500lb standard or drag bombs.
- Up to 3x (should be 5x) M-117 750lb bombs.
- Up to 5x Mk.83 1000lb standard bombs.
- Up to 3x Mk.84 2000lb standard bombs.
Proposed Weaponry, known to be compatible and present in IAF service:
- Up to 2(-4?)x Aim-9G Sidewinders.
- Up to 3x AGM-65B Mavericks.
- Up to 2x AGM-12C Bullpup AGMs.
Missing Weaponry (Not Ingame): - Up to 2x Gabriel Mk.IIIA ASMs.
- Up to ?x Rockeye Cluster bombs.
- Up to 4x AGM-45 Shrike (unknown variants).
- Possibly Up to 2x Rafael Pyramid TV guided glide bombs.
Authors notes on weaponry:
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Since the A-4N is based on the A-4M, and it’s known to incorporate a large amount of systems from it, it’s only logical to deduce that it is capable of carrying similar ordinance loads as the aircraft it’s based on. Although the developers may require more proper sourcing for these following armament loadouts, it should be fine to mention in this suggestion.
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I propose the ability to mount 2 additional underwing sidewinders be added to the A-4N ingame and the variant proposed here, as it would further set it apart from future A-4F variants that could be added in its stead. The hardpoints should be compatible, as they’ve been used on A-4Ms for that purpose and were most likely not used by the IAF as those hard points were prioritized for payload options or drop tanks. Specifically we’ve seen the same pylon adapters used on those hard points before on the A-4H Ayit which tested the Shafrir 2 on those pylons. Gaijin didn’t have a problem giving it the Shafrir 2 on those rails despite no A-4N ever being proven to mount and use the missile, so I see no reason this couldn’t logically be added to it armament for parity with the A-4M and uniqueness to separate it from future A-4F variants in the Israeli Air Tree.
Next as mentioned at the start, I’d like to propose the ability to use AGM-65Bs and Aim-9Gs, as not only are they compatible with any AGM-65 and Aim-9D user and the same pylons (LAU-117/A AND LAU-7/A respectively), but they were also apart of the IAF’s arsenal and can further set this aircraft apart from the earlier A-4N represented ingame.
Next, about the addition of the AGM-12C Bullpup to the IAF Skyhawks arsenal. This one is far from necessary or needed, and its addition would change little at all, but it is a possible one at that. When the IAF was first receiving its early iterations of the F-4E, it tested the AGM-12C on them. Since the A-4N retains the systems used to guide and fire AGM-12 Bullpups, it stands to reason it could logically use these weapons.
Finally about the possible third Walleye, which I believe it technically possible given the Walleye was originally tested on Skyhawks on the center pylon as seen here:
And in the 1987 A-4M Armament Manual this image appears, depicting a centerline mounted AGM-62 Walleye:
I believe more proper sourcing will be needed to have it added as an armament option ingame, but it’s still worth mentioning in this suggestion as I believe proposing these armament options may cause the developers who view this suggestion to consider such additions. Ultimately it’s up to their discretion to add these armament options to this aircraft.
Sources:
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AIRFIGHTERS.COM - Douglas A-4N Skyhawk
מטוסי העיט בחיל האויר-דגמים, מספרים וטייסות - מרקיע שחקים
Israeli Skyhawks - War History
Last-Israeli-Skyhawks-AirINT-Feb2016-pp2-PRN Pdf
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! Hopefully there aren’t any historical errors or too many spelling/grammar mistakes. I hope y’all have a wonderfully blessed day and I’ll see ya in my next suggestion!