Ohhhh so it’s a formatting issue haha, no worries
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Greetings Cheetah enjoyers, after a VERY GENEROUS AMOUNT OF INACTIVITY OF MY PART I’ve come to present more information in regards to our dearest feline, in this case, I’ve come to provide pictures, information, and a few insights regarding the Atlas Cheetah’s avionics, I hope the information presented will not only be useful, but also taken into consideration in the future when it comes to bug-reporting.
As always, I’ll take my sweet time properly citing every single aspect from this post, as some elements presented while true, have been provided through not properly cited means AKA someone shared it in a community or with me and forgot the source as well.
MFD Modes
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Up until now we can guarantee the existence of a radar and and tactical display, however, I’ve come to provide some extra pictures regarding these MFD modes, of course, the pictures will be numerous, as the CRT displays are exactly that: CRT, so not everything in the screen may be shown at once.
- Tactical Situation Display
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This particular MFD mode provides the pilot information about their geographical location, heading, threats, digital moving map, DataLink and more features associated to the aircraft’s sensors.
- Fire Control Radar
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This particular MFD mode provides the pilot information about their radar, in this case the ELTA EL/M-2032 radar, such as range (in nautical miles), target position, scope, scan mode, visual indication of the radar being powered off, etc.
- Navigation Data
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This particular MFD mode provides the pilot information miscellaneous information regarding the date, time, time to point, destination waypoints, etc.
HUD Symbology
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- HOTLINE
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This HUD mode provides the pilot with a lead funnel for aircraft cannon target solutions, missile firing information, ammunition count, speed, Mach number, g-load, etc.
- Navigation
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This HUD mode provides the pilot with the basic aircraft information, heading, altitude, attitude, roll degree, Mach number, g-load, etc.
- Air-to-Ground
Helmet Mounted Display and Sight System
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Now, as the suggestion post mentioned, there is (very likely) an HMDS system onboard the Atlas Cheetah, unfortunately I am still not sure which of the ones offered by Cumulus (a Kentron subsidiary company, now part of Denel Dynamics.) or Elbit Systems could or were equipped, for now I’ve been able to find THREE notable HMDS systems for contending this role:
- ARCHER
Image extracted from Kentron’s site, no other media was found regarding the HMD symbology layout other than text descriptions of its capabilities and provided information to the pilot.
- GUARDIAN
Image extracted from Kentron’s site, notice the interesting symbology on display, which could be very useful for delivering the native South African missiles.
- DASH III
Israeli Helmet Mounted Display and Sight Helmet System provided by Elbit Computers, , the current War Thunder DASH III layout, while useful, still lacks certain pieces of information, symbology and status.
I am certainly hopeful we can find more information on the Cheetah’s specific HMD, as I would, excuse the crude language up ahead, FUCKING HATE HAVING TO BE LIMITED TO THE SHITTY RUSSIAN HMS PLACEHOLDER.
Lastly, this HMDS upgrade appears to be exclusive to the SAAF, the FAE (Spanish for “Ecuadorian Air Force”) didn’t fly the Cheetahs with any HMDS according to several found pictures and footage provided on their official social media and website.
Ecuadorian Air Force HGU-48/P fighter pilot helmets perfectly lined up before use, notice the different patches, markings, etc. Avid lookers might notice the “Alien” patch on top of the cloth cover on one of the helmets.
Ecuadorian Air Force pilot onboard their Atlas Cheetah before takeoff, aircraft registry being FAE-1359, the Ecuadorian designation often adds a “1” before the tail registry number, no HMDS present.
Ecuadorian Air Force pilot onboard their Atlas Cheetah before takeoff, another angle has been provided, no HMDS seemingly installed.
Official Ecuadorian Air Force promotional material of an Atlas Cheetah pilot onboard their aircraft, notice the seemingly obvious lack of an HMDS
Ecuadorian Air Force Pilot Diana Ruiz beside an Atlas Cheetah with her HGU-48/P helmet, no HMDS seemingly installed on her helmet.
Author’s Note: This precise pilot was the first female Atlas Cheetah and supersonic fighter pilot on the Ecuadorian Air Force, Second Lieutenant Diana Estefanía Ruiz Solís.
Ecuadorian Air Force Pilot Diana Ruiz beside onboard her Atlas Cheetah, notice her helmet does not carry an installed HMDS just like the previous pictures.
Author’s Note: In 2024, Second Lieutenant Diana Ruiz tragically passed away during an air accident, her training aircraft crashed on a busy street, at La Libertad county, Santa Elena province. Despite the tragedy of her passing, she delivered diligently in her duty as pilot and instructor, may she rest in peace.
Python 4 Missile Compatibility [FAE]
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Ecuadorian Air Force aircrew seemingly carrying and about to load a Python 4 missile onto the Atlas Cheetah’s pylons.
While looking at various promotional pieces by the Ecuadorian Air Force’s Official YouTube channel, I found this curious excerpt of a loading of a Python 4 missile, which goes to support my previous statements regarding the integration of this missile by the Ecuadorian Air Force as seen in the contracts.
Another relevant piece of information regarding the Python 4 onboard the Atlas Cheetah is the following excerpt from Revista Pucará Número 12:
“La Fuerza [Aérea Ecuatoriana] también tiene misiles Python IV, pero, si bien se han instalado en los aviones, no realizaron lanzamientos en los Cheetah, a pesar de que estaban en uso en los Kfir y Mirage F1.”
Translating to English:
“The Ecuadorian Air Force also has Python IV missiles, but, despite being installed in the aircraft, they haven’t made any launch trials with the Cheetah’s, considering they were also in use with their Kfir and Mirage F1.”
Analysis
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Taking into consideration the avionics shown we can pretty much do some safe assumptions:
- The Atlas Cheetah likely uses Elbit’s System 82 WDNS or a similar system
- The Atlas Cheetah shares the same or similar HUD symbology with the IAI Kfir C.2 / C.7
- The Altas Cheetah shares the same or similar Tactical Situation Display with the Kfir CE (Kfir C.10)
These assumptions come from the following pictures and information found regarding these similar systems:
- Elbit’s System 82:
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Elbit Computer’s Stores Management System display modes, showcasing the many stores and layouts and display on the Kfir C.7 may offer for missions, proving to be a likely compatible tool for the Cheetah due to the similarity of display modes shown, particularly on the Navigation section, font, etc.
Elbit Computer’s System 82 capabilities, unfortunately the “HOTLINE” symbology layout is not present today in-game in the Kfir family, as it is incorrectly modeled using the A-7’s HUD.
Elbit Computer’s System 82 capabilities, the many capabilities prove useful and present in the many pieces of footage found both in the Colombian Air Force’s Kfir C.7’s and by the South African Air Force in their Atlas Cheetah C’s.
- Kfir C.2 / C.7 HUD:
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Colombian Air Force Kfir C.7 HUD footage, notice the active HOTLINE symbology.
Colombian Air Force Kfir C.2 HUD Emergency footage, the HOTLINE symbology is on display.
Colombian Air Force Kfir C.7 footage, the navigation HUD mode is on display.
- Kfir CE (C.10) Tactical Situation Display
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Ecuadorian Air Force Kfir CE, notice the exact same Tactical Situation Display layout from the Atlas Cheetah present on the MFD.
Ecuadorian Air Force Kfir CE, another picture of the Kfir CE’s Tactical Situation Display, notice once more the striking resemblance between the two.
Ecuadorian Air Force Kfir 30th Anniversary video, notice the Tactical Situation Display layout shown at the top right corner, maintaining consistency with the one’s shown before as well as the resemblance with the Atlas Cheetah’s Tactical Situation Display layout.
Author’s Note: For more information regarding the Kfir family of aircraft, please direct your attention to my forum thread where these and many more mentioned capabilities will be mentioned.
Concluding Statement
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We can be certainly sure that the Kfir CE, Kfir C.2 and Atlas Cheetah share many avionics and capabilities due to their common Israeli origin and similar overhaul programs.
Due to these similarities I consider it could be possible to contribute findings and information using these alternative aircraft as source material, and which would hopefully mean that, in the near future, once the Atlas Cheetah is added, the Kfir C.2 / C.7’s HUD will be correctly implemented.
Lastly, I would like to encourage everyone to research more in regards to the HMDS’s present, specially the ones provided by Kentron, as the DASH III I’d say is already pretty well documented in the first place, and to research the Python 4 compatibility of the Atlas Cheetah.
Sources
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As mentioned before, please feel free to archive or save these images and material on your own, as it may get lost in the sands of time.
[Fuerza Aérea ec] - Los legendarios Cazadores y su herencia
- https://youtu.be/vJxXc9lLTU8?si=xFaP1N-4F9972kiB
- https://youtu.be/vJxXc9lLTU8?si=hM7LLlbJA8MnL3bJ&t=187
- https://youtu.be/vJxXc9lLTU8?si=hWpj9sy8QTO5f-gH&t=255
[Fuerza Aérea ec] - Escuadrón cazadores
- https://youtu.be/K2sYxfT0CKA?si=-E89lZdZMfJg2r7P&t=125
- https://youtu.be/K2sYxfT0CKA?si=tSjXIzX8dQZ28mUe&t=151
- https://youtu.be/K2sYxfT0CKA?si=LFFzoIiqrz9gunvw&t=157
- https://youtu.be/K2sYxfT0CKA?si=1e-fTrPGBxWuzhFM&t=171
- https://youtu.be/K2sYxfT0CKA?si=EOyTDdvYa0q2-O6i&t=173
- https://youtu.be/K2sYxfT0CKA?si=6HVDDQ2WcotjuxTG&t=195
- https://youtu.be/K2sYxfT0CKA?si=73sfE7uCJCSSDImm&t=203
- https://youtu.be/K2sYxfT0CKA?si=H7-IHlLsa7VKTSye&t=211
- https://youtu.be/K2sYxfT0CKA?si=2n8KQZwUEBb9Ixzc&t=223
Air Power Australia
Kentron Dynamics Website [Archived]
Direct Image Link:
- KENTRON Media Gallery
- Cumulus online
- https://web.archive.org/web/20030418073626im_/http://www.cumulus.co.za/Images/SfixwingPR.jpg
Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana Website [Archived]
Direct Image Link:
- https://web.archive.org/web/20191216232600im_/https://www.fae.mil.ec/wp-content/uploads/rocketlauncher/pilotos/pilt26.jpg
- https://web.archive.org/web/20191216233823im_/https://www.fae.mil.ec/wp-content/uploads/rocketlauncher/pilotos/pilt4.jpg
- https://web.archive.org/web/20191216233854im_/https://www.fae.mil.ec/wp-content/uploads/rocketlauncher/pilotos/pilt3.jpg
Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana (Twitter)
Revista Vistazo
Noticiero Telediario (Twitter)
[Fuerza Aérea ec] - Escuadrón cazadores
Revista Pucará Número 12 | Page 35 - 36
Elbit Computers Stores Management System (SMS) | Page 2
[Leandro Gil] - El Mundo Segun Pirry Fuerza Aerea Colombiana 85 Años (06 de Noviembre de 2004)
[John Jairo] - Emergencia Kfir
[maquinagriz] - Kfir Aniversario No 30 Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana
- https://youtu.be/r5G5cZyDFkw?si=sJ2ybDl6n-9t0uZ6&t=231
- https://youtu.be/r5G5cZyDFkw?si=rPQlkEfLUpazaESW&t=235
[Fuerza Aérea ec] - Aniversario Escuadrón K-Fir 30 Años - FAE
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Oh I forgot to also add this:
Middle UFCP is the same (or most likely of a similar series) UFCP mounted on the Atlas Cheetah, found on an El-Op (now an Elbit Systems subsidiary) company products brochure.
Source: El-Op Company Products Brochure
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Posted on the behalf of @Mr_Kiryu
Greetings, I have some great news regarding the Atlas Cheetah and the Python IV compatibility I’ve talked about before in this very thread. As everyone might have read in my previous publications, I alleged the Python 4 missile was likely introduced to the Cheetah platform using contracts solicited by the FAE (Ecuadorian Air Force in Spanish), promotional videos of the FAE, and an issue of Pucará Defensa Magazine.
With further investigation I have found the following documents to further construct my idea;
- Ecuadorian Air Force Report 2018
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Ecuador and the government of the Republic of South Africa regarding cooperation in Defense and Industry Matters
The first document states the following interesting excerpt:
Translating from Spanish:
”Project Name:
Integration of the Python IV missile for the Cheetah aircraft”
Summary:
Practicality study of the of the Python IV missile aerodynamic impact within the Cheetah aircraft, practicality of software modification and system codification of test banks with new parameters”
Status:
Stopped due to authorization requirement for modifications and updates which don’t affect contract conditions of contract N 009-EE-J2-O-2013-GFAE, May 23rd, 2014”
Note: There seems to be a small typo on the official document submitted by the Ecuadorian Air Force, as you may know, there is no “Python VI”, likely an incorrectly written “Python IV” as seen in the later parts of the report.
While the second source reveals the following:
Translating from Spanish:
“… we are working on adapting the Python III and Python IV from the Kfir aircraft, to be implemented on the Cheetah in little time”
Note: Spanish speaking operators have this really weird way of spelling “Kfir”, Ecuador sometimes flip-flops between “Kfir”, “Kafir”, while colombia flip-flips between “Kfir” and “K-Fir”. Likely due to the castillanization of the israeli word into Spanish phonetics, still, very weird to see in official documentation
This would further cement the Python 4 as a viable arsenal consideration for the Atlas Cheetah, being confirmed both by the Ecuadorian government and Air Force, unfortunately halted by the conditions of the time.
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+1 jet fighter
Greetings once more, Cheetah enjoyers, I’ve come around again to present further images regarding this amazing aircraft.
South African Air Force Atlas Cheetah C missile launch from a HUD perspective.
Ecuadorian Air Force Atlas Cheetah C cockpit view, notice the interesting date written on the mirror.
Ecuadorian Air Force Atlas Cheetah D cockpit view, notice the DTA-NAV MFD page, worth considering since both hold the same MFD pages.
Ecuadorian Air Force Atlas Cheetah C cockpit view, warning lights panel completely lit up.
Ecuadorian Air Force Atlas Cheetah C cockpit view, warning lights panel partially lit up.
Ecuadorian Air Force Atlas Cheetah C cockpit view, notice the throttle is the same as the Kfir C.7.
Ecuadorian Air Force Atlas Cheetah C HUD closeup view, notice the partially seen HUD symbology.
Ecuadorian Air Force Atlas Cheetah C HUD closeup view, notice the partially seen HUD symbology.
Ecuadorian Air Force Atlas Cheetah C HUD view, notice the active CCIP symbology for bomb tossing.
IAI Lahav promotional material, this very RWR display and side-panel is the same as the one found in the Atlas Cheetah C.
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Hello, I was looking for photos of the Atlas Cheetah fleet in Ecuador and managed to find these images of the aircraft; however, I noticed something very interesting: there was a missile on the right weapon pylon that looked familiar—resembling the Python-4 due to its control surfaces and seeker, though I found it difficult to identify with certainty. While the images lack sharpness—having originated on social media—they serve as definitive confirmation of the physical integration of Python-4s onto the actual Atlas Cheetah C fleet. Given the operational timeline, the photos were likely taken during a base event between 2017 and 2019. This demonstrates beyond doubt that the integration process moved beyond ground testing and that the Cheetah C flew with operational Python-4 missiles during its service with the FAE. The Atlas Cheetah’s tail number is FAE-1377.
![Screenshot 2026-08-24 174307|810x397]
![Screenshot 2026-08-24 173905|1000x624]
The aircraft registration visible in the images is FAE-1377; the Ecuadorian Air Force reportedly used it to conduct flight tests for its Python-4 missiles.
The official website of the Ecuadorian Air Force, which showcases the capabilities of the Atlas Cheetah C during its operational service, displays a Python-4 missile used during a testing phase. This is the same aircraft bearing the same tail number FAE-1377 that appeared in the previous images.
These images come from a military ceremony involving aircraft technicians, officers, and pilots from Squadron 2112—known as the “Cazadores” at Taura Air Base. The photographs were published on Facebook in 2021 by the Ecuadorian Air Force’s official account, though they likely date back to earlier years—such as 2017 or 2019—when the Cheetahs were in better operational condition, given that they were permanently retired from service in 2021.
Links where I found these images:
]
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It appears to be a Python 4, in any case, would Gaijin give us the Ecuadorian variant, the South African variant, or a mixture of both?
Furthermore, from what I’ve talked to people who talked to Ecuadorian technicians, the Python 4 seems to have been an incomplete integration.
Even according a contact that spoke to Chief of Maintenance during the Cheetah C fleet epoch, the “Python 4 was never a reality in the first place” (paraphrasal of course)
The silhouette of the control surfaces and fins reminded me too much of the Python-4. If that were the case, this would be the only image of the Atlas Cheetah C unequivocally carrying Python-4 missiles, although I remain skeptical about their integration into this aircraft; while its radar is technically compatible with these missiles, I also believe that armed forces tend to be very guarded regarding photographs of their weaponry. The few times advanced weaponry is displayed, it happens during very specific ceremonies or inside closed hangars, which limits access for aviation photographers. The Python-4 was most likely kept as a very strategic reserve deterrent, mounted on the Cheetahs only to verify the systems’ digital connection. But I still have a lot of doubts.
Could be one of the south african magic 2 derivatives, they too have a double front control surface arrangement
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Yeah, the contracts though mostly point at it never being fully integrated, which is likely why there’s so few images of the mounted missile, and why FAE technicians describe it as negligible in the overall arsenal.
At least in WT it could pose as an interesting theoretical armament to have depending on what they follow.
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So this would basically be a Kifr C10 analogue but with decent IR missiles it can equip but worse radar
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Not quite, if anything the Cheetah gets the shorter end of the stick as the C.10 remained compatible with Derby, Python 4 and Python 5 (Colombian service) AAMs, while the Cheetah was mostly locked to the Python 3 and Derby exclusively.
Both the Cheetah C and initial versions of the C.10 equipped the EL/M-2032, so in terms of radar performance they’re the same.
Also, flight performance is difference, as the Cheetah C has smaller canards due to adapting a different engine than the Kfir’s J79.
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cheaky 13.0 then
but also the difference is that atm it could be added with IR missiles that have actual IRCCM
In that aspect, yes, since I’m pretty sure Gaijin would likely copy-paste a Magic 2 and just rename it to “V3C” and call it a day.
The U-Darter however would be much more interesting to see modeled considering it has another type of IRCCM
Hello again. I was searching on Internet again for images of the Ecuadorian Atlas Cheetah and came across this one in a commemorative video from the Ecuadorian Air Force. The image is much sharper and clearer; I could see that it is carrying Python-4 missiles on its pylons. This suggests to me that the physical integration successfully passed the testing phase and that the missiles from the Kfir CE were transferred to the Cheetah, as they share a compatible radar. Despite the scarcity of images, this one surprised me—I had even thought the photos might be lost somewhere on the internet. It can be seen that the aircraft registration visible in the images is FAE-1377; reportedly, the Ecuadorian Air Force used it to conduct flight tests of its Python-4 missiles.
Since there were no live-fire military campaigns involving this missile on the Cheetah, opportunities to photograph it dropped drastically. Although I have already resolved my questions regarding its inherited arsenal. We have also confirmed its integration into the software; since it is integrated into the weapon pylons and has been pre-programmed to recognize Python-4 missile codes, it no longer feels like a merely theoretical concept.
The FAE-1377 is used primarily for the program integrating Python-4 missiles into the combat arsenal, serving to reprogram the software and ensure full operational capability of the missiles.
Fun fact:
The FAE-1377 was one of the Cheetah C aircraft that remained in service until November 8, 2021—among the last to fly—before their weapon systems were permanently retired in 2024.
I still long to see the Ecuadorian version of the game; it would be very interesting and fun to play, even if it might be a long-term prospect :D
Links where I got these images:
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Good post, specially the images, just a small detail.
The fitting of the Python 4 onto the rail does not necessarily entail software compatibility, a lot of missiles can be fit into many pylons, however they are not necessarily designed to be launched by the platform. Pucará Defensa and the halting of the contract as seen in the Ecuadorian 2018 report incline towards an incomplete integration, of which we can’t estimate how much it was carried.
Moreover, this concept of rail compatibility ≠ software compatibility is also seen in another Cheetah C unit.
FAE-1368 preserved as a static display
At least to the concerns of Ecuadorian service, the Magic family of missiles was never integrated back into service DESPITE the Cheetah being originally fielded with Magic-based missile variants.
This is of course to highlight my earlier point that despite the rail being a good fit, it doesn’t necessarily imply software or launch capabilities.
Just to hammer in the analogy, you ever seen those kid toys where you put the square shape in the squared hole? Well, it turns out you can fit a bunch of shapes through a same hole even if the profile doesn’t match. It’s essentially a similar concept applies of course to the Python 4 AAM.
Moving forward, these images and the overall arguments held by everyone here would put the Python 4 AAM as a theoretical piece of armament at the mercy of the developers.
Cheers.
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