- Yes
- No
Introduction
The Kfir RC.2, also sometimes called Kfir C.2 Reconnaissance or Kfir Se’ara, was a single seat model of the Kfir based on the Kfir C.2 used for tactical photo reconnaissance. While only 2 examples were modified to this variant it served a very important role for the IAF and could have an interesting place in War Thunder in light of it’s limited armaments.
Kfir RC.2 number 451, nicknamed “Prizma” (meaning Prism). in this photo the aircraft is equipped with a “Tzniut Meshupar” nose section.
Development History
Ever since the arrival of the first Mirage IIICJ Shahaks in the 1960’s to the Israeli Air Force, the IAF sought out to utilize some of it’s Mirage airframes for the role of Air Reconnaissance. In the IAF the Mirage IIICJs used in this role were modified throughout their service with different nose sections to employ different photography methods. Not going into too much detail the Shahaks were used with 6 different nose sections with the names “Tarmil”, "Shforferet, “Tashbetz”, “Moshel”, “Tzniut” and “universal”. Eventually however, in the late 70’s it became clear to the IAF that the Shahaks would not stay in service for much longer, and therefore sought a replacement which could potentially reuse the technology left behind from the nose sections used for reconnaissance Shahaks.
These photos which show the front section of Kfir RC.2 number 451 on display in the Israeli Air Force museum give a better look of some of the modifications conducted due to the installation of the new nose including the repositioning of the RWR antennas, removal of the cannons and the wiring components which are weaved into the empty space left by the removed cannons.
Around the same time IAI made an offer for the model that would be known as the Kfir RC.2, though beyond feasibility tests that were conducted in 1979 the idea was at first shelved. The following year it was decided to move forward with the reconnaissance Kfir idea, although unlike the initial proposal from IAI it was decided to not produce brand new airframes and instead modify a pair of existing Kfir C.2s into the reconnaissance model in a project that recieved the name “Se’ara” (Storm). It was decided to use Kfir C.2s number 819 and 851 which were redesignated 419 and 451 respectively. The modifications to the aircraft required moving systems that were initially housed in the aircraft’s nose elsewhere, and so it was decided in order to do this to remove the cannons from the aircraft, house the systems that needed to be moved from the nose in the space that was left from the cannons’ removal and wire back the components to the front of the cockpit through the empty sockets that were left behind by the cannon muzzles. The modification also required some small structural changes such as moving the position of the front RWR antennas and also saw significant changes to the cockpit layout with avionics related to the photography equipment installed instead of the majority of the armament control panel, which only retained the panel for air to air missiles which were used for self defense. The Elta EL/M-2001B radar rangefinder was also removed as it was not possible to use it with the new nose. the First flight of the aircraft took place on the 23rd of September 1980 after which the pair of Kfir RC.2s entered service with the IAF in their new designation under the 101st squadron.
In the forefront of this photo is the second Kfir RC.2, number 419, escorted by Kfir RC.2 451, both of which under service with the 149th squadron. It is worth noting as will also be seen in other photos in this post that the Kfir RC.2s are seen here using AIM-9L Sidewinders. The Kfir RC.2s are in fact the only Kfirs ever observed using this Sidewinder variant in service which further separates them from the Kfir C.2 in terms of capabilities.
Service History
The Kfir RC.2s saw service initially with the 101st squadron, later being moved to the 149th “Shattering Parrots” squadron where they saw the majority of their service and finally finishing their service under the 144th squadron. The Kfir RC.2s in their initial service retained 4 of the 6 reconnaissance nose sections that were originally used by Mirage IIICJ Shahaks, those being the “Tarmil”, “Shforferet”, “Moshel” and “Tzniut”. the nose sections were modular and could be swapped depending on the mission profile and required photography. In 1986 an additional 5th nose section was developed and added to service with the Kfir RC.2 called “Tzniut Meshupar” which was an improvement of the previous Tzniut nose section (it’s worth noting most photos of the aircraft see it equipped with this nose section specifically). In service the Kfir RC.2s saw extensive use conducting recon missions over Lebanon and Syria which were within their tactical range. The Kfir RC.2s were withdrawn from service with the rest of the Kfir models in 1995 and a single example, number 451, is kept to this day on display in the Israeli Air Force museum in Hatzerim with the colors of it’s service under the 149th squadron.
Another photo showing both Kfir RC.2s flying together side by side. Again it is worth noting they are equipped with AIM-9L Sidewinders. It is also worth noting the aircraft retained their countermeasure dispensers as seen very clearly here.
Potential in War Thunder
The Kfir RC.2, in practical terms, is basically a Kfir C.2 that lacks the DEFA cannons but gets access to additional AAM options with the AIM-9L. This means it has only a pair of all aspect IR missiles as it’s armament with the best ones possible being the Python 3s, which admittedly could make it difficult to balance, however depending on BR placement it could potentially have an interesting gameplay loop akin to a Sea Vixen but at a much higher BR.
The cockpit of the Kfir RC.2.
Specifications
Type: Single seat tactical reconnaissance jet fighter
Country of origin: Israel
Wing span: 8.22 meters
Length: 16.65 meters
Height: 4.55 meters
Powerplant: General Electric J-79J-1E rated at 5,410 kgf dry and 8120 kgf on full afterburner
Max speed: Mach 2.3 at 11,000 meters
Max altitude: 16,750 meters
Range: 3,232 km
Weight: Empty - 7,280 kg, Fully loaded - 16,200 kg
Armaments: Up to two AIM-9D, AIM-9G or AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles or two Shafrir 2 missiles or two Python 3 missiles and up to 3,900 liters of fuel in external fuel tanks.
Additional Systems: SPS-200 RWR, 36 countermeasure charges mounted on the rear of under-fuselage spine.
