Mix-and-Match; Eastern aircraft with Western weapons and vice-versa

[dy031101]

I've heard of stories that several air forces, either out of necessities or desire to improve combat or logistical effectiveness, try to install weapons onto aircraft designed by foreign countries- those on the other side of the Cold War barrier.

Mirage F-1EQ with Kh-29L AGMs, MiG-23 with R.550 Magic AAMs, Hawk trainer with R-60 AAMs, F-5E/F with PL-7 AAMs, J-6 and J-7 with AIM-9P/L AAMs (okay technically PRC and USA were allies against USSR), souped-up South African Mirage F-1AZ with R-73...... perhaps the latest example would be Romanian MiG-21 LanceR C with R.550 Magic II AAMs...... and it was stated in an ancient issue of Air Force Monthly that Russians were promoting an "Epaulette" miniature radar that promises to provide a guidance interface between Western fire control radars and Russian-built missiles.

Although I heard that the wingtip installations tried by Iranians to arm F-5E/F with PL-7 AAMs look very clumsy, it would be very neat in my opinion if successfully implemented on aircraft that use removable pylons to carry weapons integrated.

Like delta-winged Mirages- for example, would you think that an export Mirage 2000 armed with R-73 and R-77 AAMs would look a whole lot meaner?  Do you have a combination that you know would blow people's minds?

[Supertom]

One of the most ingenious attempts I've heard of in mix-and-matching was the attempt by the Iranians to stick a Hawk AAM on an F-4 and possibly and F-14. 

[Maverick]

I believe the reason for the Hawk store was the unavailability of AIM-54s post-Revolution.

[Shasper]

Yep, Mav hit it on the head. The Iranians tried the Hawk on the F-14 (the F-4 wouldnt have the radar range nor the ground clearance), but who knows what came of it.

Why not an F-14 sporting AA-9 Amos'? or a MiG-31 with AIM-54s? Real MiGs with AM.39s? or Mirage F.1s with AS-20 Kayaks?

Shas

[dy031101]

I've got a few ideas taken from or inspired by the computer game adaptation of Top Gun:

1. MiG-27 with Kh-35 AShMs and a centerline radar pod.

2. Mirage-2000 with R-73 AAMs.

3. MiG-25 with R-27ER/ET AAMs.

4. Su-33 with AM.39 AShMs.

[Supertom]

Actually, there's a photo out there of a Hawk slung under and F-4!

[Shasper]

Well I'll be a sack-ed mule! Guess the Iranians were desperate then 'cuz I couldnt imagen trying to get that beast under the ol' Rhino.

Shas

[dy031101]

Oh and, since I was reminded of the Rockwell Saberbat and the Dreamstar from Dale Brown's Day of the Cheetah as well, how about an export version of the Saberbat equipped with "Epaulette" miniature radars at the sides of the intake, aimed at customers with a large stockpile of serviceable Russian-built ordnance?

(Unlikely, but it certainly would have looked cool.)

[upnorth]

I remember several years ago seeing a picture of a Yugoslav AF Gazelle helicopter packing some Russian made anti tank missiles (Missile designation eacapes me though).

[rallymodeller]

I remember several years ago seeing a picture of a Yugoslav AF Gazelle helicopter packing some Russian made anti tank missiles (Missile designation eacapes me though).

AT-2's on SOKO-built Gazelles. I believe they also trialled AT-6's as well.

[B777LR]

The Aero L-159. Was/is an eastern aircraft, but can carry a wide selection of NATO arms!

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/l159/l1593.html

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/l159/l1596.html

Geographicaly, the Mitsubishi F-2 is made in the east

The Yak-130 and M-346 are developed in cooperation, but the M-346 will carry western weapons.

[NARSES2]

March edition of SAM has a very interseting article on the Iranian AF post the Shah. Including pics of some of their indegionous weapons inc. the "Hawk" AA missile

[GTX]

Actually, there's a photo out there of a Hawk slung under and F-4!

Here you go:

Though it's actually a Standard:



The Hawk is under a F-14:



Regards,

Greg

[TsrJoe]

The Finnish Air Force fitted Soviet built R.80 'AA.8 aphid' AAM.s underwing to their BAe Hawk advanced trainers, def looks different on a model ...

cheers, joe

[upnorth]

The Aero L-159. Was/is an eastern aircraft, but can carry a wide selection of NATO arms!

Actually, my understanding of the L-159 is that it is and always has been "western" as the entire development of the L-159 was done in the post Socialist era. It was, from its very inception intended to have a great deal of western developed systems and full NATO compatibility.

The L-39 Albatros trainer that the L-159 draws its lineage from certainly could be considered an "eastern" design as it was designed and put into service well before the fall of Socialism. However, beyond the external family resemblance, the L-39 and L-159 are two different aircraft with very little in the way of parts commonality.

I have actually never seen an L-159 with what we might consider eastern weapons hanging from it, always NATO standard stuff.