IAI Nammer (Leopard)

History

The previous success of the Israel Air Force's powerful and effective IAI 'Kfir' fighter-bomber platform led Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) to invest in an export-oriented version of the same design. This effort became the failed product "Nammer", of which only one prototype was completed. Essentially, it's intended as a modernization or upgrade for existing operators of Dassault's French line "Phantom 3" and "Phantom 5" (Kfir itself is an evolution of the Phantom 5).

Development began in the second half of the 1980s and continued into the 1990s, after which the program was halted due to lack of global interest.

Beginning at Kfir, IAI engineers lengthened the nose cone assembly for the pulse-Doppler multi-mode fire control radar and modified the nacelle to accommodate two different main engine types - the French SNECMA Atar 9K-50 turbojet ( 11,055 lbs dry/15,870 lbs afterburner) or Volvo Flygmotor (GE) RM12 (F404) turbofan engine (12,500 lbs dry/18,140 lbs afterburners). Cockpit features include advanced avionics and Multifunction Display (MFD) modules and HOTAS (Hand Throttle and Stock) control scheme. The nose-mounted radar is linked to a modern weapon launch system for accurate results. The full canard delta plane shape of the Kfir has been preserved, as has the single tail section. Regardless, the name-holders will showcase all the power and attack capabilities of the Kfir, and customers have the flexibility to choose their gear as needed.

In addition to the standard mounted 2 x 30mm DEFA 552 series internal cannons, the aircraft supports a wide range of guided and unguided munitions, including air-to-air missiles (AAM) and air-to-surface missiles (ASM) - these over seven Loading points (five under hull mass). The in-flight refueling quality should give the Namer extraordinary range over a war zone, and some of the hard points of throwaway fuel tanks are further explored.

A prototype in the form of the

Namen flew for the first time on March 21, 1991, and worked hard to justify the design and a viable component on the battlefield. However, in order to guarantee return on investment (RIO), it was decided that potential customers had to commit to a minimum of 80 aircraft.

Since this never materialized, the Nammer was canceled, and despite its potential, it goes down in the history of military aviation.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes