IAF 1124N Sea Scan “Shahaf” - Maritime Patrol Jet for Israel
- Yes.
- No.
This suggestion is for the IAI 1124N Sea Scan, an armed maritime patrol aircraft used by the Israeli Air Force. This aircraft had access to Countermeasures, 7.62mm Gunpods, FFAR Rocket Pods, Gabriel Anti-Ship Missiles, high-grade targeting optics, and a powerful sea scanning radar. Although it is based on a passenger jet, and as such is not very nimble nor light, but it is still quite fast and can preform its strike role quite well.
- As a Researchable vehicle
- As a Squadron vehicle
- As a Premium vehicle
- As a Event vehicle
- I Voted No.
History:
(Click to Show)
IAI 1124N Sea Scan from the front.
After the Savoy Hotel Terrorist Attack in 1975, a noticeable national security flaw in Israel was exposed when the terrorists arrived on Tel Aviv beach using two ships. They arrived completely undetected and uncontested prior to making landfall. After this incident, the IAF began looking for a maritime patrol aircraft.
IAI 1124N Sea Scan Prototype 4X-CJA.
The answer arrived a year later in the form of the IAI 1123 Westwind business jet, which was offered in the form of a conversion into a maritime patrol aircraft. This aircraft had previously failed a bid for the US Coast Guard in 1973, and now had a new chance with the IAF. Three specially equipped IAI 1123N Sea Scans obtained in 1977 were used for some time as naval reconnaissance aircraft before being upgraded to the new IAI 1124N standard at an unknown point in time. The prototype, 4X-CJA, which was initially an IAI 1123 Westwind and served as the prototype for the 1124 Westwind, was used as the prototype for this upgrade.
IAI 1124N Sea Scan at an Air Display in the UK.
The 1124N featured numerous upgrades. First, and most notable for this suggestion, was the addition of two side-fuselage mounted hard points on each side of the aircraft which were capable of fielding SUU-25 paraflare pods, SUU-11 7.62mm gunpods, and Mighty Mouse rocket pods. The aircraft also notably featured a new 360 degree radar in the nose, capable finding targets even in rough waters at great distances. It also received a modern FLIR targeting pod for visual identification of targets, which could be retracted and deployed from the back under-fuselage. Lastly it received 120 countermeasures on the rear left side of the aircraft, capable of carrying both chaff and flares.
IAI 1124N Sea Scan Radar exposed.
The less notable additions include thrust reversers, bubble windows on the sides of the fuselage, a lavatory, and MFDs. Some of these upgrades took place at later dates, but no capabilities were ever removed. Although the aircraft never used weapons in IAF service, the capability to use them as seen on the prototypes was never removed. The IAI 1124 Sea Scan was in service with the 160th squadron of the IAF and took on a crew of 6 during its service, with two pilots from the IAF, and 4 operators from the Israeli Navy.
IAI 1124N Sea Scan in Australian service.
With all the upgrades this aircraft received, and later ones receive over the years, the IAI 1124N Sea Scan was in use for nearly 4 decades, being inactive as of 2017. The aircraft served with Australia as the only other nation to operate this variant, however it was unarmed and used for policing duties only during (a good skin option!).
In Short:
This Aircraft would be a great low tier anti ship option for the tree, supplying Israel with a lower end aircraft similar to other maritime options the other trees can host at lower BRs should gaijin choose to add aircraft of this type. Although somewhat unconventional like most armed maritime options, it is still fully armed and capable of being used outside its role thanks to the addition of rockets and gunpods, making this aircraft a quite unique addition to the Israeli Air Tech Tree, should it ever be added to the game.
IAI 1124N Sea Scan No.931 at the IAF Museum.
Specifications:
(Click to Show)
Operating Country: Israel
Type: Maritime Patrol Jet
Crew: 2 Pilots and 4 Operators
Wingspan: ~13.65m
Wing Area: 28.64m²
Length: 15.93m
Height: 4.81m
Powerplant: Garrett TFE-731-3-1G
Max Thrust: 3,700lbf each
Max speed: ~868kph at 8,840m
Service Ceiling: 45,000ft / 13,700m
Range: ~4275km
Electronics and Systems:
(Click to Show)
- Radar: Litton APS-504(V)2 Multimode Radar. Capable of IFF, TWS, and 360 degrees of coverage.
- ESM: Present, but model unknown.
- Retractable Targeting FLIR GSSS Optic: Present and visually seen below, but model unknown. Referred to in sourcing as Long Ranged Forward-Looking-Infared (FLIR) Gyro-Stabilized-Sighting-System (GSSS).
- Countermeasures: 4x AN/ALE-40 exterior Countermeasure Dispensers mounted on the back left side of the fuselage. 30 Standard size countermeasures each, 120 in total.
Armament:
(Click to Show)
- Up to 2x SUU-11 M134 7.62mm minigun pods with 1,500 rounds of ammunition each. (Fuselage station)
- Up to 2x 2.75” FFAR Rocket pods, with 7x Rockets each (larger capacity ones are likely possible). (Fuselage station)
- Up to 2x Gabriel Mk.IIIA/S Anti-Ship Missiles. (Underwing station)
- Up to 2x Torpedoes of unknown type and unknown station (likely the Mk.37E, also known as NT37E, ASW Torpedo likely found on the Underwing station).
Sources:
(Click to Show)
IAI “Sea Scan” Brochure:
IAI Westwind - Wikipedia
https://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/iai-westwind/247
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!