A low-cost, multi-role fighter aircraft for the interntional export market.'The Blackwall Harut is a new development Blackwall Aerospace, envisioning an extensive upgrade to the successful Mig-29 airframe. Keeping elements of 5th Generation aircraft in mind, the Harut is an aircraft that promises to offer good value for money - combining stealth technology and advanced aerial combat capabilities to an already battle-proven airframe.
The aircraft is designed to either be an upgrade of current Mig-29 aircraft, or can be built from scratch to the buyers specifications. Combining the proven, agile airframe of the Mig-29 - built from stealth materials with affordable but effective sensor, control and weapons systems delivers the optimum combat capability.
The weapons systems, navigation technologies and control infrastructure are all designed to extend the service life of the aircraft into the 21st Century.
Harut Fighter
Concept artwork of an early Harut design
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Role | Multirole/Fighter |
Generation | 5th |
Manufacturer | Blackwall Aerospace
Franco-albion |
First Flight | 9th May 2011 |
Introduction | 2015 |
Status | In Service |
Primary Users | Kamieniec podolski
Coryna |
Produced | 2015 - |
Cost per Unit | Harut-A $25M
Harut-E $47M
Harut-N $50M
Harut-U $77M
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Airframe
The aircraft is built with advanced composite materials to deliver a low radar profile and strong airframe. Only 15% of the aircraft’s surface is metal, delivering stealth operation and protection from radar-based systems. Pilots were included in design from the earliest stages to develop a deliberately unstable airframe that can still be flown effectively. This delivers both superior manoeuvrability at subsonic speeds and efficient supersonic capability to support the widest range of combat scenarios.
Strong, lightweight composite materials were key to the design of the Harut to give it deliberate instability. Using them means the weight of the airframe is 30% less than for traditional materials, boosting the range and performance as well as reducing the radar signature.
Each section of the airframe is carefully designed, with an aim to reduce the Radar Cross-Section (RCS) to around 25cm^2, the area of a netball. All parts of the airframe are coated with radar-absorbing paint to help further reduce the chance of detection.
Powerplant
In order to keep costs lower, the Harut would use a similar, upgraded version of the RD-33 engine. However, this engine has been tweaked and altered to produce thrust of over 53kN of dry thrust and an incredible 88kN of thrust user the afterburners.* Combined with a uniquely designed thrust-vectoring system, the RD-33-BU provides the Harut with outstanding acceleration and maneouverability.*
The RD-33-BU engine allows for lower maintanence than it's older versions, thanks to the inclusion of modern materials in the engine's construction. This allows the Harut to continue to travel at high speeds and use the engine's full potentional for extended periods of time. The engines deliver 1,000 flying hours without needing unscheduled maintenance through the use of advanced integrated Health Monitoring for class-leading reliability, maintainability and Through Life Cost.
Sensors
Technology included in the Harut comes from the same family as the technology included in their flagship aircraft, the Sariel. Combining the data from key sensors gives the pilot an autonomous ability to rapidly assess the overall tactical situation and respond efficiently to identified threats. A continual upgrade programme ensures that the Harut remains at the forefront of sensor and combat technology.
Infra-red Search and Track (IRST)
The PIRATE infrared sensor provides passive Air-to-Air target detection and tracking performance in the IRST mode for covert tracking and Air-to-Surface operations in the Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) mode.
Radar
The Captor-ME mechanically scanned radar is a best-in-class radar, offering an extensive suite of modes to meet customers’ operational requirements, as well as providing a very competitive field of regard. The Captor-ME differs from the M variant used in the Harut; the ME is smaller and less powerful.
Captor-EE is the future primary sensor on the Harut and has a full suite of Air-to-Air and Air-to-Surface modes. The capacious front fuselage of the Harut allows the installation of Captor-E’s optimised array whose Field of Regard is some 50 per cent wider than traditional fixed plate systems. As with the ME, the EE is smaller and offers a slightly smaller scanning range and angle.
This wide field of regard offers significant benefits in both Air-to-Air and Air-to-Surface engagements and given the large power and aperture available provides the pilot with much enhanced angular coverage compared to fixed plate systems.
Air-to-Air Features
Search Modes - Range While Search (RWS), Velocity Search (VS) and multiple target Track While Scan (TWS)
Lock-Follow Modes, which are tailored for long range tracking and short range tracking for use in visual identification or gun attacks
Air Combat Acquisition Modes allowing a choice of boresight, vertical scan HUD field of view or slaved acquisition
Air-to-Ground Features
Search Modes - Ground Map, High Resolution Map, Ground Moving Target Identification and Sea Surface Search and Track While Scan
Track Modes - Fixed Target Track and Moving Target Track
Air-to-Surface Ranging
Cockpit
Throughout the design of the Blackwall Harut, the needs of the single seat pilot have been paramount. This has meant high levels of attention to the control and information interfaces throughout the unique glass cockpit, from the head-up, head-down and head-out systems to all-round vision. High workload situations were analysed to establish information priorities and automate tasks.
The advanced cockpit design and layout is based on an extensive series of formal assessments in a rapid prototype facility, undertaken by operational pilots from air forces flying the Mig-29. The cockpit and interface is designed to be similar to that of a Mig-29, but continues to use up-to-date hardware and interfaces. Using and upgrading the advanced digital technology not only enhances operation and survivability, but also simplifies aircraft maintenance.
Other features such as Direct Voice Input (DVI) and Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) control functions have been implemented on the Harut to drastically reduce the pilot’s workload. Voice + Throttle And Stick (VTAS) enables single pilot operations even in the most demanding Air-to-Air, Air-to-Surface and swing-role missions.
Head Up Display (HUD)
The Haruts’s wide angle head up display (HUD) provides the pilot with stable, accurate, high integrity, low latency eyes-out guidance in a compact package. The fully digital HUD offers high performance that is compatible with night vision and laser protection goggles.
Head Down Display System (HDDS)
Three full colour multi-function head down displays (HDDS) are used for the overall tactical situation, presenting the attack situation, attack formats, map displays and air traffic procedures, in addition to system status and checklists.
Navigation Sensors
The latest sensor technology supports automated and inherently covert operation down to 100ft. The Harut’s navigation aids include a global positioning system (GPS) for full digital interface with individual satellite tracking channels and improved anti-jam capabilities. The package also includes an inertial navigation system with GPS. In addition, the navigation system features integrated lateral cueing and vertical commands, ensuring safe manoeuvre with 3D situational awareness.
Flight Control
The flight control system (FCS) is a full authority and quadruplex digital system which allows carefree handling and manoeuvring in all situations. Its intuitive operation is designed to enable the pilot to concentrate on the tactical tasks and to fly the aircraft 'head-up' in combination with the HOTAS (Hand-on-Throttle-and-Stick) concept applied to cockpit design. Automated Emergency recovery features have also been embodied in the system design to ensure maximum safety of operation.
Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS)
The MIDS high capacity digital information distribution system allows secure exchange of real-time data between a wide variety of users, including all the components of a tactical air force and, where appropriate, land and naval forces.
Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS)*
The DASS suite comprises wing-tip Electronic Support Measures and Electronic Counter Measures pods (ESM/ECM), missile warners, chaff and flare dispenser and an optional laser warning system.
Upgrades in computing power will support continuous protection from future threats, to enhance the Harut’s survivability and greatly increase overall mission effectiveness.
Weapons
As well as Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (SRAAM’s) and the 27mm cannon, or the 30mm cannon, the Harut carries the latest beyond-visual-range (BVR) Air-to-Air missile technology. Soon the METEOR advanced long-range missile will provide the largest No Escape Zone of any Air-to-Air weapon, resulting in a long stand-off range and high probability of interception to ensure air superiority and pilot survivability. Guidance is provided by an active radar seeker with mid-course updates via data link.
The Laser Designator Pod (LDP)* enables precise location of targets and guidance of Air-to-Surface weapons.
For ground operations, the Harut has also been upgraded with Paveway IV to provide high levels of operational flexibility. The combat proven dual-mode guidance system, coupled with height of burst and penetrating capability, enable the decision of target engagement to be made right up to the point of release.
The Harut will continue to prove its effective throughout its service life, as it will see the constant integration of new, smart weapons in accordance with the demands of current and future customers.
The Harut will also be the first aircraft to feature full, native compatability with Blackwall's range of anti-air missiles (JAMM).
*Only available in the Harut-U variant
Variants
Harut-A
The Harut-A is the cheapest, standard version of the aircraft. An original Mig-29 airframe is required by the buyer, as the Harut-A only an upgrade of the aircraft. Featuring the same airframe, the aircraft comes with the standard RD-33 engine seen in the Mig-29, which produces 142kN of thrust (with after-burner). The Harut-A differs from other variants, as it is not natively compatible with JAMM and CAASM munitions. It is the most cost effective Harut product offered by Blackwall.
Harut-E
The Harut-E is the intended export variant of the Harut-A. It features all the same avionics and engines as the Harut-A, but is built from scratch and does not require an original Mig-29 airframe.
Harut-N
The navalised version, the Harut-N, features a strengthened airframe for CATOBAR operations and is designed to be launched from a large carrier. Also featuring foldable wings, the Harut-N is a compact and cost effective solution for air defence and strike operations. As the foldable wings and body strengthening adds weight to the Harut, it is not as agile as the Harut-A/E.
Harut-U
The Harut-U is the top-of-the-line (and most expensive) variant of the Harut family. Custom built by Blackwall, this fighter features the thrust vectoring RD-33-FAU engines and Sariel-grade avionics unavailable in other versions. The Harut-U is the deadliest variant of the Harut and is only available for export to close allies of Franco-albion.
Operators
An unmarked prototype Harut aircraft, featuring based metal Paintscheme Kamieniec podolski
Coryna
Specifications
General Characteristics (Harut-A)
Performance
Maximum Speed: Mach 1.8
(Harut-U: Mach 1.95)
Combat Range: 1,200 km with typical loadout
Ferry Range: 2,100 km with one external drop tanks
(Harut-U: 2,500km with two external drop tanks)
Service Ceiling: 17,500m
(Harut-U: 18,000m+)
Armament
Guns:
Hardpoints:
Missiles:
AIM-9 Sidewinder; or
AIM-120 AMRAAM; or
AIM-132 ASRAAM; or
IRIS-T; or
MBDA Meteor; or
AGM-65 Maverick; or
AGM-88 HARM; or
JAMM/JAMM-ER
Bombs:
Other:
