A-4SU Super Skyhawk
Encyclopedia
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The TA-4S trainers were not the standard TA-4 with a common cockpit for the student and instructor pilot, but were instead rebuilt by Lockheed with a 28 inches (711.2 mm) fuselage plug inserted into the front fuselage and a separate bulged cockpit (giving better all round visibility) for the instructor seated behind the student pilot. This arrangement was unique for the RSAF but was not the first by Lockheed as it had built the SR-71B and the TU-2S trainers
utilising the same layout of stepped cockpits prior to refurbishing the A-4S for the RSAF (→ see photos at right for comparison). As such converted/rebuilt airframes, these TA-4S trainers were powered by the original Wright J65
turbojet engines instead of the Pratt & Whitney J52
used by purpose-built TA-4Fs; this was the main reason why the RSAF decided to not procure the TA-4Fs (if indeed an order was placed) and then having to maintain two different engines to power essentially the same aircraft type.
All of the single-seaters were later retired when the upgraded A-4SU began to enter service, however, the twin-seaters were upgraded instead and remained in service.
In 1983, a third order of 8 TA-4S saw 16 stored A-4Bs from the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (aircraft boneyard
) being converted and rebuilt as the TA-4S-1 trainers (eight airframes).
In 1985, as a result of four A-4S being written off in separate accidents, coupled with the low serviceability of the original batch of A-4S. Investigations conducted by RSAF reveal that although there was plenty of fuselage life left, the Wright J65 turbojet engines in use by the Skyhawks was too old and the associated spare parts were becoming both difficult and expensive to obtain. Consequently, the RSAF decided to upgrade the A-4S/TA-4S rather than to replace them.
With SAI contracted as the main contractor for the upgrading project and a non-afterburning General Electric F404-GE-100D turbofan engine selected as the new engine, the upgrading project would later be extended to cover the entire fleet of newer A-4S-1s as well as taking the opportunity to completely modernise the avionics package (newly installed equipment now included a laser seeker mounted in the nose, an Inertial navigation system
(INS), a Tactical Air Navigation
(TACAN) system, fore & aft Radar warning receiver
s (RWR) and chaff
/flare
countermeasure
s) of the aircraft which had been in use since the late 1950s; note that these are ex-US Navy airframes.
The modernised A-4SU and TA-4SU versions with its new F404 turbofan engine had 29% more thrust, which resulted in a 30% reduction in takeoff time as well as an increase in usable payload, range and maximum speed. The maximum speed now at sea level is 610 knots (332.1 m/s), and maximum cruise speed at 30000 feet (9,144 m) is 446 knots (242.8 m/s).
By 1974, the RSAF received enough refurbished A-4S to form the 142 Sqn and 143 Sqn
, which were based at Tengah Air Base and Changi Air Base
, respectively. In RSAF service, the A-4S/TA-4S were given 3-digit serials starting with 6 (e.g. 600, 651).
From 1982 A-4S-1 and TA-4S-1 Skyhawks would join the RSAF as attrition replacements with the balance being allocated in 1984 to form a new unit - 145 Sqn
which was also based at Tengah Air Base. These were given 3-digit serial starting with 9 (e.g. 918, 950). All in all, approximately 150 airframes (all A-4Bs and Cs) were acquired by Singapore.
The modernised A-4SU Super Skyhawks were received by 143 Sqn first, followed by 142 Sqn and 145 Sqn of the RSAF from 1989 onwards. The type was also operated by the RSAF Black Knights
aerobatic display team for precision aerial manoeuvers from 1990 to 2000.
After 31 years of operations, the RSAF officially withdrew its fleet of A-4SU Super Skyhawks from operational combat service in Singapore on 31 March 2005. The A-4SU's achievements included flying directly from Singapore to the Philippines
, incorporating the RSAF's first air-to-air refueling mission in 1986, as well as the aerobatic display of the 'red and white' Super Skyhawks flown by the RSAF Black Knights
during Asian Aerospace 1990, 1994 and 2000, it was last used by the Black Knights during Singapore's National Day Parade
held on 9 August 2000. A month before its retirement, the Skyhawk squadron (145 Sqn) won the top honours in a strike exercise against its more modern F-16 and F-5 counterparts and emerged as the Top combat squadron in the Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition
, an honour it has held since year 2000.
On 5 October 2005, one A-4SU Skyhawk was delivered to Singapore Polytechnic
as a teaching aid. Subsequently, Ngee Ann Polytechnic
, Temasek Polytechnic
and Nanyang Technological University
would each receive an A-4SU Skyhawk as well.
Two of the retired A-4SU Super Skyhawks were also donated to the French Air and Space Museum (Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace) for static display. On 12 January 2006, a Certificate of Transfer and Acceptance signing ceremony took place between representatives of the RSAF and the French Aeronautics Museum at Cazaux Air Base in France.
government offered the use of facilities at BA 120 Cazaux Air Base (France). A 25-year lease for basing rights of 18 A-4SU aircraft and approximately 250 RSAF personnel and their families was signed later that year. Back in Singapore, 143 Sqn was disbanded in 1997, and its aircraft were handed over to 150 Sqn, which had given up its SIAI Marchetti SF.260 basic trainers. The new squadron then took up the role of advanced jet training, using its aircraft as a lead-in fighter trainer for RSAF pilots. This made it the prime candidate for moving to France, and the first of 18 aircraft were "packed" and sent to France by ship in mid-1999 as part of the RSAF's Advanced Jet Training Program. The 11 remaining training aircraft (4× A-4SU and 7× TA-4SU) were originally scheduled to retire in 2007 but will remain in service until the delivery of their replacement, the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master, scheduled for 2012.
TA-4SU Super Skyhawk
Video, Retrieved: 2 August 2009.
Lockheed U-2
The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed "Dragon Lady", is a single-engine, very high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency . It provides day and night, very high-altitude , all-weather intelligence gathering...
utilising the same layout of stepped cockpits prior to refurbishing the A-4S for the RSAF (→ see photos at right for comparison). As such converted/rebuilt airframes, these TA-4S trainers were powered by the original Wright J65
Wright J65
|-See also:-External links:*...
turbojet engines instead of the Pratt & Whitney J52
Pratt & Whitney J52
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9* Jane's Information Group. Pratt & Whitney J52. Jane's Aero Engines. Modified 29 May 2009....
used by purpose-built TA-4Fs; this was the main reason why the RSAF decided to not procure the TA-4Fs (if indeed an order was placed) and then having to maintain two different engines to power essentially the same aircraft type.
All of the single-seaters were later retired when the upgraded A-4SU began to enter service, however, the twin-seaters were upgraded instead and remained in service.
A-4S-1 and TA-4S-1
A second batch of 70 airframes was ordered (mix of ex-US Navy A-4Bs and A-4Cs) in 1980, these were shipped directly to Singapore for rebuilding with the A-4Cs being rebuilt as the A-4S-1s while the A-4Bs was to remained in storage for use as spares. Along with a small number of TA-4S-1s, these newer Skyhawks (characterised by its straight refueling probe instead of the cranked refueling probe found on the original A-4S/TA-4S) would join the RSAF as attrition replacements from 1982. However, these airframes retained the original 20 mm (0.78740157480315 in) Colt Mk 12 cannons of the A-4Cs.In 1983, a third order of 8 TA-4S saw 16 stored A-4Bs from the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (aircraft boneyard
Aircraft boneyard
Aircraft boneyard is a term for a storage area for aircraft that are retired from service. Most aircraft at boneyards are either kept for storage or turned into scrap metal...
) being converted and rebuilt as the TA-4S-1 trainers (eight airframes).
A-4SU and TA-4SU Super Skyhawk
With SAI contracted as the main contractor for the upgrading project and a non-afterburning General Electric F404-GE-100D turbofan engine selected as the new engine, the upgrading project would later be extended to cover the entire fleet of newer A-4S-1s as well as taking the opportunity to completely modernise the avionics package (newly installed equipment now included a laser seeker mounted in the nose, an Inertial navigation system
Inertial navigation system
An inertial navigation system is a navigation aid that uses a computer, motion sensors and rotation sensors to continuously calculate via dead reckoning the position, orientation, and velocity of a moving object without the need for external references...
(INS), a Tactical Air Navigation
Tactical Air Navigation
A tactical air navigation system, commonly referred to by the acronym TACAN, is a navigation system used by military aircraft. It provides the user with bearing and distance to a ground or ship-borne station. It is a more accurate version of the VOR/DME system that provides bearing and range...
(TACAN) system, fore & aft Radar warning receiver
Radar warning receiver
Radar warning receiver systems detect the radio emissions of radar systems. Their primary purpose is to issue a warning when a radar signal that might be a threat is detected. The warning can then be used, manually or automatically, to evade the detected threat...
s (RWR) and chaff
Chaff (radar countermeasure)
Chaff, originally called Window by the British, and Düppel by the Second World War era German Luftwaffe , is a radar countermeasure in which aircraft or other targets spread a cloud of small, thin pieces of aluminium, metallized glass fibre or plastic, which either appears as a cluster of secondary...
/flare
Flare (countermeasure)
A flare is an aerial infrared countermeasure to counter an infrared homing surface-to-air missile or air-to-air missile. Flares are commonly composed of a pyrotechnic composition based on magnesium or another hot-burning metal, with burning temperature equal to or hotter than engine exhaust...
countermeasure
Countermeasure
A countermeasure is a measure or action taken to counter or offset another one. As a general concept it implies precision, and is any technological or tactical solution or system designed to prevent an undesirable outcome in the process...
s) of the aircraft which had been in use since the late 1950s; note that these are ex-US Navy airframes.
The modernised A-4SU and TA-4SU versions with its new F404 turbofan engine had 29% more thrust, which resulted in a 30% reduction in takeoff time as well as an increase in usable payload, range and maximum speed. The maximum speed now at sea level is 610 knots (332.1 m/s), and maximum cruise speed at 30000 feet (9,144 m) is 446 knots (242.8 m/s).
Operational history
143 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force
The 143 Squadron "Phoenix" of the Republic of Singapore Air Force currently operates twelve F-16 Fighting Falcon of the F-16C/D Block 52 version. Based in Tengah Airbase, it specialises in intercepting aerial targets, assisting the air-to-ground operations of sister squadron, the 140 Squadron...
, which were based at Tengah Air Base and Changi Air Base
Changi Air Base
Changi Air Base or Changi Air Base ', formerly the RAF Changi, is a military airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force located at Changi, in the eastern tip of Singapore...
, respectively. In RSAF service, the A-4S/TA-4S were given 3-digit serials starting with 6 (e.g. 600, 651).
From 1982 A-4S-1 and TA-4S-1 Skyhawks would join the RSAF as attrition replacements with the balance being allocated in 1984 to form a new unit - 145 Sqn
145 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force
The 145 Squadron "Hornet" is a strike fighter squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force based currently at Changi Airbase which is a new airbase, opened in 2004, to the east of Singapore Changi Airport on reclaimed land...
which was also based at Tengah Air Base. These were given 3-digit serial starting with 9 (e.g. 918, 950). All in all, approximately 150 airframes (all A-4Bs and Cs) were acquired by Singapore.
The modernised A-4SU Super Skyhawks were received by 143 Sqn first, followed by 142 Sqn and 145 Sqn of the RSAF from 1989 onwards. The type was also operated by the RSAF Black Knights
RSAF Black Knights
The Black Knights is the official aerobatics team of the Republic of Singapore Air Force featuring six F-16C Fighting Falcons in formation flight...
aerobatic display team for precision aerial manoeuvers from 1990 to 2000.
End of front-line service
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, incorporating the RSAF's first air-to-air refueling mission in 1986, as well as the aerobatic display of the 'red and white' Super Skyhawks flown by the RSAF Black Knights
RSAF Black Knights
The Black Knights is the official aerobatics team of the Republic of Singapore Air Force featuring six F-16C Fighting Falcons in formation flight...
during Asian Aerospace 1990, 1994 and 2000, it was last used by the Black Knights during Singapore's National Day Parade
National Day Parade
The Singapore National Day Parade is a national ceremony in Singapore that, as its name implies, includes a parade on Singapore's National Day on August 9, in commemoration of Singapore's independence that is usually held at the Padang , the National Stadium, various decentalized venues all over...
held on 9 August 2000. A month before its retirement, the Skyhawk squadron (145 Sqn) won the top honours in a strike exercise against its more modern F-16 and F-5 counterparts and emerged as the Top combat squadron in the Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition
Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition
The Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition is an annual competition which confers awards of recognition to the most outstanding units of the Singapore Armed Forces in combat readiness, operational proficiency and administrative excellence...
, an honour it has held since year 2000.
On 5 October 2005, one A-4SU Skyhawk was delivered to Singapore Polytechnic
Singapore Polytechnic
Singapore Polytechnic , the first polytechnic established in Singapore, was founded in 1954. The former campus was originally located at Prince Edward Road...
as a teaching aid. Subsequently, Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Ngee Ann Polytechnic , is an institute of higher learning in Singapore, founded in 1963 as Ngee Ann College with 116 students...
, Temasek Polytechnic
Temasek Polytechnic
Temasek Polytechnic is the third polytechnic to be set up in Singapore. The polytechnic was established on April 6, 1990. With a 30 hectare campus overlooking the scenic Bedok Reservoir in the eastern part of Singapore, TP's campus places particular emphasis on the preservation of the natural...
and Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University is one of the two largest public universities in Singapore with the biggest campus in Singapore and the world's largest engineering college. Its lush 200-hectare Yunnan Garden campus was the Youth Olympic Village of the world's first 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in...
would each receive an A-4SU Skyhawk as well.
Two of the retired A-4SU Super Skyhawks were also donated to the French Air and Space Museum (Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace) for static display. On 12 January 2006, a Certificate of Transfer and Acceptance signing ceremony took place between representatives of the RSAF and the French Aeronautics Museum at Cazaux Air Base in France.
Secondary role
In 1998, the FrenchFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
government offered the use of facilities at BA 120 Cazaux Air Base (France). A 25-year lease for basing rights of 18 A-4SU aircraft and approximately 250 RSAF personnel and their families was signed later that year. Back in Singapore, 143 Sqn was disbanded in 1997, and its aircraft were handed over to 150 Sqn, which had given up its SIAI Marchetti SF.260 basic trainers. The new squadron then took up the role of advanced jet training, using its aircraft as a lead-in fighter trainer for RSAF pilots. This made it the prime candidate for moving to France, and the first of 18 aircraft were "packed" and sent to France by ship in mid-1999 as part of the RSAF's Advanced Jet Training Program. The 11 remaining training aircraft (4× A-4SU and 7× TA-4SU) were originally scheduled to retire in 2007 but will remain in service until the delivery of their replacement, the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master, scheduled for 2012.
Variants
A-4SU Super Skyhawk- Upgraded from A-4S and A-4S-1.
TA-4SU Super Skyhawk
- Upgraded from TA-4S and TA-4S-1 trainer.
Operators
- Republic of Singapore Air ForceRepublic of Singapore Air ForceThe Republic of Singapore Air Force is the air arm of the Singapore Armed Forces. It was first established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command...
- 142 Squadron disbanded in 2004,
- 143 Squadron143 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air ForceThe 143 Squadron "Phoenix" of the Republic of Singapore Air Force currently operates twelve F-16 Fighting Falcon of the F-16C/D Block 52 version. Based in Tengah Airbase, it specialises in intercepting aerial targets, assisting the air-to-ground operations of sister squadron, the 140 Squadron...
switched to F-16C/Ds, - 145 Squadron145 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air ForceThe 145 Squadron "Hornet" is a strike fighter squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force based currently at Changi Airbase which is a new airbase, opened in 2004, to the east of Singapore Changi Airport on reclaimed land...
switched to F-16C/Ds on 30 April 2003, - 150 Squadron currently operates the A-4SU as advanced trainer from BA 120 Cazaux Air Base (South-west of the FrenchFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
PortPortA port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
city of BordeauxBordeauxBordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
)44°31′28"N 01°06′36"W, - The RSAF Black KnightsRSAF Black KnightsThe Black Knights is the official aerobatics team of the Republic of Singapore Air Force featuring six F-16C Fighting Falcons in formation flight...
aerobatic team operated the A-4SU from 1990 to 2000, they switched to an all F-16C six-ship formation for their performance during the 2008 Singapore AirshowSingapore AirshowThe Singapore Airshow, formerly known as Changi International Airshow, is a biennial aerospace event held in Singapore starting from 2008. The event was launched as a partnership between Singaporean agencies Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and the Defence Science and Technology Agency after...
.
Specifications (A-4SU)
See also
External links
- Official Factsheet of A-4SU Super Skyhawk
- A-4 Republic of Singapore Air Force page on Skyhawk.org
- Archived Skyhawks bow out on a high note
- The Singapore Skyhawk Story
- A4D (A-4) Skyhawk Foreign Sales on Global Security.org
- Singapore Drops Eurofighter from Critical Contract
Video, Retrieved: 2 August 2009.