Meanwhile, the role as primary or secondary fighter aircraft is important in larger air forces, which can have air superiority aircraft and at the same time light fighters that allow to cover specific missions at much lower operating costs. Given these needs, today the offer can be divided into two segments: supersonic speed fighters and transonic speed ones. In fact, due to their limited size, the endurance and the combat radius of light fighters is inversely proportional to the speed at which they can operate, since supersonic aircraft will have not only higher fuel consumption (and given their size, the internal fuel capacity is reduced), but a less efficient design to fly at low speeds. Supersonic aircraft have more combat capacity against other fighters, while transonic ones stand out when it comes to intercepting slow movers and performing attack missions, possessing more weapons capacity and endurance. Requirements Light fighters performing attack missions respond to four fundamental requirements: • Survivability in combat. • Persistence over the area of operations, especially in support missions. • Adequate speed management to detect and identify targets. • Sufficient number of accurate weapons. Survivability is directly proportional to the degree of redundancy of onboard systems, especially if the aircraft has to operate in theatres populated by direct fire sources (Anti-Articraft Artilley, AAA and medium calibre guns in general) from the ground. In addition, jungles and mountainous areas are especially threatening, as emergency landing becomes impossible. Pilots hope to be able to return to their base and not have to eject. Naturally, twin-engine aircraft offer additional advantages in this sense. Persistence is function of both the quantity of internally stored fuel and the possibility of operating at an economical speed. Specific modes often allow for prolonged periods over the combat area. This is especially important in Close Air Support (CAS) missions, when the aircraft provides direct fire support to the troops on the ground. Operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Mali and other areas demonstrated also that the presence of a single fighter affects positively the level of confidence of troops on the ground and negatively the enemy’s reaction, as it feel at stake and modifies its behaviour in combat. In these missions, especially when operating According to esteems for the decade 2019-2029, 3,243 combat aircrafts are expected to enter into service, with as much as 45% of the market already taken by Lockheed Martin’s F-35. Still, plenty of nations continue prolonging the operational life of Northrop F-5s (some 400 aircraft still in service 16 countries), Mikoyan MIG-21s (500 in 17 countries), and Chengdu F-7s (450 in 12 countries). The three main models in service cannot be updated forever. They will need replacement, at some point, thus creating a potential market of 1,350 aircraft. Furthermore, light fighters might represent a cost-effective solution to the replacement of Sukhoi SU-25s, 500 of which are still in service worldwide – bringing the potential market to 1,850 examples. A known concept Air forces looking at light fighters often deem combat aircraft too expensive. Light fighters often represented an affordable solution to maintain core capabilities such as training, air policing, Close Air Support (CAS) and Battlefield Air Interdiction (BAI). Furthermore, high operating costs deriving from high performance and diverse armament options are not justified in low intensity operations such as intercepting aircraft transporting drugs, supporting anti-terrorist operations or neutralizing clandestine airstrips. That’s where the light fighter becomes ideal for its cost efficiency while today’s air superiority fighters would be excessive. The air campaign in Afghanistan put this under the spotlight for years. Among potential light fighters’ operators there are three central criteria underpinning their choice: nature of air and surface threats, size of the country and area to cover, and presence of a first line of air superiority fighters. As for threats, there are countries where the possibility conventional conflict with neighbours is almost nil, and others that have had conflicts with their neighbours or aim to have a leading role within their region, which would imply having a platform with greater combat capabilities. Some countries in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America still have to face an internal conflict or the fight against illegal trafficking, which requires the regular use of aircraft in attack missions or interception of illegal flights. The size of the country matters because performing interceptions at great distances requires a faster aircraft, with greater fuel capacity. Instead, in ground attack operations speed is not so important, while endurance is. In small countries, these factors lose relevance, since aircraft will normally operate near home bases. Writing from Buenos Aires, Santiago Rivas is a widely published author, writer, editor, and publisher. He is a regular contributor to MilTech. Santiago Rivas Requirements and Proposals for Light Fighters Powerful Little Ones Theme: Light Fighters MT 2/2023 · 21 The Textron Scorpion is an innovative proposal for a light attack and ISR platform, but has no customers so far. (Photo: Santiago Rivas)
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