In the world of light fighter jets produced by the United States, it can be said that there are two types of aircraft that are old, but seem to refuse to be retired. Instead of retiring, fighters such as the F-5 E/F Tiger and A-4 Skyhawk are still being used by some countries with a number of upgrades to improve their combat performance.
Especially regarding the A-4 Skyhawk, so far Lockheed Martin's modifications to the A-4AR Fightinghawk are at the forefront of the A-4 family. However, the title of the most advanced A-4 Skyhawk now seems to have shifted.
Quoted from TheDrive.com (30/4/2022), the title of the most advanced A-4 is currently held by the A-4N Skyhawk which is operated by Canadian fighter jet training operator, Top Aces. In the hands of Top Aces, the A-4N is played as an aggressor fighter jet equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) and infrared search and track (IRST) radar. The two 4.5 generation fighter signature devices have never been used before in the A-4 Skyhawk family.
Based in northern Germany, the aircraft are scheduled to begin training missions in their new configuration in January 2023. Top Aces has been providing the A-4N to the German Armed Forces for the past six years, using the non-upgraded Skyhawk.
Prior to 2015, the same jet was operated by BAE Systems. Top Aces said it would invest more than $81 million to meet the latest combat training demands. While Top Aces' contract with Germany includes training for air, ground and naval forces, as well as target towing, the addition of the AESA and IRST reflects the need for the Luftwaffe, or German Air Force, to train against aggressor jets that are better at mimicking the type of aircraft (threats). latest.
With the AESA radar, the fighter jet's detection capabilities are significantly enhanced on a mechanically scanned array of the same size, including extended detection and tracking range, improved target discrimination and identification, and the ability to pick up low-flying targets with reduced signature. radar signatures, such as cruise missiles.
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| A-4N Aggressor |
There is currently one Top Aces A-4N that has been upgraded with AESA radar and is at Wittmundhafen Air Base, which is within range of an extensive training area in the North Sea, where the jet regularly engages Luftwaffe fighters and other allied jets.
Well, regarding the brand and type of AESA radar installed on the A-4N, apparently Top Aces refuses to reveal, but there is speculation that it is an Israeli-made EL/M-2052 or an Italian-made Leonardo Vixen 500E. In addition to the distinct nose cone, the upgraded jet is also equipped with an additional GPS antenna on the dorsal 'hump'. Top Aces procured the A-4N from the former Israeli Air Force.
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