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Denel (Atlas) Cheetah

1986 COLD WAR MODERN AIRCRAFT

Denel (Atlas) Cheetah History

Denel (formerly Atlas) Cheetah fighter jets were the South African Air Force's request to update or replace its aging front-line fighter jets as its neighbours were receiving newer Soviet bloc aircraft at the time. Unfortunately for South Africa, a comprehensive Western arms embargo limited the options available, so it was decided to convert the existing SAAF Mirage III series aircraft (of French design) to the new modern standard. The end result will be what many pundits say is the "final" evolution of the Mirage III series as a whole - the South African initiative to produce the Atlas (now Denel) "Cheetah C" fighter.

The Cheetah C rivals the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter in every way.

It is widely believed that the South African Atlas group received (at least initially) some level of support from the Israeli IAI for two reasons: 1) South Africa and Israel were particularly close during this period, and 2) Israel already had a The "Kfir" fighting company refines their own intimate experience of the French Phantom. This participation has undoubtedly led to a deep understanding of the new standard of the Mirage III in South Africa.

As a result, SAAF aircraft feature a variety of proven Israeli elements such as advanced avionics, fully digital systems and high-quality physical design changes to the fuselage (such as the front canards).

While retaining 50% of the existing Mirage III airframe, the Cheetah has essentially evolved into an "entirely new" aircraft with a few variants distinguishable by the identified single- or two-seat derivatives . A fixed aerial refueling probe was also added to the design for essentially unlimited operating range, combined with additional under-fuselage attachment points (wingtip hardpoints were successfully attempted on the Mirage IIIR2Z, which would become the "Cheetah R"). "reconnaissance platform, but this never went into production). Higher rated engines are also added to the mix.

The resulting Mirage design is the perfect combination of speed and performance. The armament has been centered on modern dual role theory from the start, with standard twin DEFA 552 series 30mm cannons for close range work as well as air-to-air (python/dart) and various types of air-to-surface missile capabilities.

Other ammunition options include rocket pods (SNEB 68mm) and cannon pods, as well as conventional throwing weapons and guided bombs (GPS/laser). Two mount points have been set up for the disposable fuel tank.

Externally, the Cheetah series looks no different than the Phantom III it mimics. The aircraft retains many design lines and physical features, including a long, pointed nose, forward-facing cockpit, side-mounted air intakes, single-engine mounts, low-lying delta wings, tricycle landing gear, and a single vertical tail.

Propulsion is provided by a SNECMA Atar 9K50C-11 series afterburning turbojet engine, which can generate up to 16,000 pounds of thrust and reach a top speed of Mach 2.2. Maximum takeoff weight is 30,200 lbs.

The first Cheetah became the single-seat "Cheetah C", fully upgraded and widely regarded as the ultimate model in the Mirage III family line. 38 copies of this type were delivered. 16 "Cheetah D" (two-seat trainer with secondary attack capability) and 16 "Cheetah E" airframes were supplied for a total inventory of 70 aircraft systems. The Cheetah D is a two-seater trainer that retains secondary attack capability. The Cheetah E was to be used as the airframe for the intermediate jets until the Cheetah Cs reached operational numbers.

The proposed Cheetah R was never produced, and the South African Air Force opted instead to equip its existing attack Cheetah C with a reconnaissance pod. The entire Atlas Cheetah line was launched in 1986.

The South African Air Force's Cheetah range has since been replaced by the arrival of Sweden's next-generation Saab JAS J39 Gripen fighter jets, the first of which were ordered in 1999. As a result, the Cheetah family retired from frontline service in the South African Air Force in 2008. Some ex-SAAF cheetahs have seen longer lifespans in Ecuador and Chile stocks. Ecuador purchased 10 Cheetah Cs and a pair of Cheetah Ds after 2009, with deliveries starting in 2011. Chile has managed at least 5 Cheetah E airframes since 2003.

Both countries are operators of older French Phantom models.

December 2017 - Draken International, which provides "adversary services" for the Air Force, has purchased up to 12 ex-South African Cheetah fighter jets. Inventory includes nine single-seat forms and three two-seat forms.