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{{Short description|Military aircraft in the Yugoslav Air Force}}
{{more footnotes|date=February 2013}}
{{more footnotes|date=February 2013}}
{{Distinguish|Chengdu J-20}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = J-20 Kraguj
|name = J-20 Kraguj
|image = File:Soko J-20 Kraguj.jpg
|image = File:Soko J-20 Kraguj.jpg
|caption = J-20 Kraguj in private collection with Yugoslav marks at a local airshow in Serbia, 2009.
|caption = J-20 Kraguj in private collection with Yugoslav marks at a local airshow in Serbia, 2009.
⚫
|type = [[Counter-insurgency aircraft|COIN aircraft]]
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
⚫
|type = [[Counter-insurgency aircraft|COIN]]
|manufacturer = [[SOKO]]
|manufacturer = [[SOKO]]
|design group = [[Aeronautical Technical Institute]]
|design_group = [[Aeronautical Technical Institute]]
|first flight = 21 November [[1962 in aviation|1962]]
|first_flight = 21 November [[1962 in aviation|1962]]
|introduced = 1964
|introduction = 1964
|retired =
|retired =
|status = Retired in 1989
|status = Retired in 1989
|primary user = [[SFR Yugoslav Air Force|Yugoslav Air Force]] (1967-1989)
|primary_user = [[SFR Yugoslav Air Force|Yugoslav Air Force]] (1967–1989)
|more users =
|more_users =
|produced = 1964-1977
|produced = 1964–1977
|number built = 43
|number_built = 43
|unit cost =
|unit cost =
|variants with their own articles =
|variants =
}}
}}
|}


The '''Soko J-20 Kraguj''' (''Sparrowhawk'') is a light military, single-engine, low-wing single-seat aircraft with a metal airframe, capable of performing [[close air support]], [[counter insurgency]] (COIN), and [[aerial reconnaissance|reconnaissance]] missions, that was designed by [[Aeronautical Technical Institute|VTI]] and manufactured by [[SOKO]] of Yugoslavia, first flown in 1962.
The '''Soko J-20 Kraguj''' (from {{langx|sr|крагуј|translation=sparrowhawk}}) is a light military, single-engine, low-wing single-seat aircraft with a metal airframe, capable of performing [[close air support]], [[Counter-insurgency aircraft|counterinsurgency]] (COIN), and [[aerial reconnaissance|reconnaissance]] missions, that was designed by [[Aeronautical Technical Institute|VTI]] and manufactured by [[SOKO]] of Yugoslavia, first flown in 1962.


==Design==
==Design==
Line 30: Line 30:


===Armament===
===Armament===
Permanent armament comprises two wing-mounted 7.7&nbsp;mm Colt–Browning Mk-II machine guns with 650 rounds each and a collimator sight in the cockpit. For combat missions there is a capacity for an external load of bombs and two 57&nbsp;mm and two 128&nbsp;mm (HVAR-5) air-to-ground rocket launchers. Adapters on the underwing pylons can be used to switch the armament configuration from free-fall bombs to multi-tube launchers with twelve 57&nbsp;mm air-to-ground rockets. Cluster or cargo bombs, or 128&nbsp;mm air-to-ground rockets can be fitted.
Permanent armament comprises two wing-mounted [[M1919_Browning_machine_gun#Browning .303 Mark II|7.7&nbsp;mm Colt–Browning Mk II machine guns]] with 650 rounds each and a collimator sight in the cockpit. For combat missions there is a capacity for an external load of bombs and two 57&nbsp;mm and two 128&nbsp;mm (HVAR-5) air-to-ground rocket launchers. Adapters on the underwing pylons can be used to switch the armament configuration from free-fall bombs to multi-tube launchers with twelve 57&nbsp;mm air-to-ground rockets. Cluster, bombs, cargo bombs, and 128&nbsp;mm air-to-ground rockets can be fitted.


==Operation==
==Operation==
Drawing on the nation's experience in WWII, Yugoslav military planners assumed that any potential aggressor would disable airfields early in the conflict. The Kraguj was therefore intended to provide a limited [[aerial reconnaissance|reconnaissance]]-gathering and strike capability to guerilla and insurgent groups in the event of the neutralization of the Yugoslav Air Force, and was referred to as a "Partisan aircraft". It was designed to operate from short, unprepared auxiliary airfields, especially in mountainous regions, and could be fitted with skis. In addition to its primary role as a ground support platform, it was also used as a trainer, both for basic visual day/night flight and for more advanced ground attack training.
The aircraft was specially designed for low-altitude missions against day and night visible ground targets in a broad area. It was readily available to be loaded with weapons and supplied through a flexible system of auxiliary airfields that required no special preparations, especially in mountainous regions. Yugoslav military planners assumed that potential aggressor will first disable airfields. Therefore, J-20 Kraguj was designed to take-off from short unprepared runways, even ones covered in deep snow when fitted with skis. It was also called a "Partisan aircraft".{{cn|date=March 2016}}


==Former operators==
The Kraguj P-2 was intended for close ground force support, and could be used for training of pilots in visual day/night flights, aiming, missile firing and bombing of ground targets.

==Operators==
[[File:BAM-49-Soko J-20 Kraguj.jpg|thumb|Yugoslavian J-20 Kraguj on display in the [[Museum of Aviation (Belgrade)|Museum of Aviation]] in [[Belgrade]], [[Serbia]] ]]
[[File:BAM-49-Soko J-20 Kraguj.jpg|thumb|Yugoslavian J-20 Kraguj on display in the [[Museum of Aviation (Belgrade)|Museum of Aviation]] in [[Belgrade]], [[Serbia]] ]]


;{{CRO}}
;{{CRO}}
*[[Croatian Air Force]] - Former operator.
*[[Croatian Air Force]]
;{{flag|Republika Srpska}}
;{{flag|Republika Srpska}}
*[[Republika Srpska Air Force]] - Former operator.
*[[Republika Srpska Air Force]]
;{{YUG}}
;{{YUG}}
*[[SFR Yugoslav Air Force]]
*[[SFR Yugoslav Air Force]]
Line 145: Line 143:
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


* Taylor,John W.R. (editor). ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969-70''. London: Sampson Low,1969.
* Taylor, John W. R. (editor). ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969–70''. London: Sampson Low, 1969.


==External links==
==External links==
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{{SOKO aircraft}}
{{SOKO aircraft}}
{{Military Technical Institute Belgrade}}
{{Military Technical Institute Belgrade}}
{{YAF aircraft}}


[[Category:1960s Yugoslav attack aircraft]]
[[Category:1960s Yugoslav attack aircraft]]
[[Category:Counter-insurgency aircraft]]
[[Category:1960s Yugoslav military trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:1960s Yugoslav military trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:Soko aircraft|J-020 Kraguj]]
[[Category:Soko aircraft|J-020 Kraguj]]
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[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1962]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1962]]
[[Category:Military Technical Institute Belgrade]]
[[Category:Military Technical Institute Belgrade]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]

Latest revision as of 12:34, 7 December 2024

Not to be confused with Chengdu J-20.
J-20 Kraguj
J-20 Kraguj in private collection with Yugoslav marks at a local airshow in Serbia, 2009.
General information
TypeCOIN aircraft
ManufacturerSOKO
DesignerAeronautical Technical Institute
StatusRetired in 1989
Primary userYugoslav Air Force (1967–1989)
Number built43
History
Manufactured1964–1977
Introduction date1964
First flight21 November 1962

The Soko J-20 Kraguj (from Serbian: крагуј, lit. 'sparrowhawk') is a light military, single-engine, low-wing single-seat aircraft with a metal airframe, capable of performing close air support, counterinsurgency (COIN), and reconnaissance missions, that was designed by VTI and manufactured by SOKO of Yugoslavia, first flown in 1962.

Design

[edit]

It is of classic semi-monocoque, metal structure with a slightly tapered wing. The pilot is accommodated in an enclosed, heated and ventilated cockpit with adjustable seats. The cockpit canopy slides backwards to open. The landing gear is non-retractable with a tail wheel. Rubber dampers provide shock absorption, and hydraulic brakes are used for wheel braking.

The power plant comprises one 340 hp Textron Lycoming GSO-480-B1J6 piston engine and Hartzell HC-B3Z20-1/10151C-5 three-blade metal variable-pitch propeller. The engine cooling airflow is intensified by means of two specially designed ejectors. 36 US Gal of fuel contained in two rubber tanks enables a flight range of 350 NM for the fully armed configuration of the aircraft. 28 V DC electric power is supplied from a 1,5 kW generator and a storage battery. De-fogging and de-icing of the windshield is done by blowing of hot air.

Armament

[edit]

Permanent armament comprises two wing-mounted 7.7 mm Colt–Browning Mk II machine guns with 650 rounds each and a collimator sight in the cockpit. For combat missions there is a capacity for an external load of bombs and two 57 mm and two 128 mm (HVAR-5) air-to-ground rocket launchers. Adapters on the underwing pylons can be used to switch the armament configuration from free-fall bombs to multi-tube launchers with twelve 57 mm air-to-ground rockets. Cluster, bombs, cargo bombs, and 128 mm air-to-ground rockets can be fitted.

Operation

[edit]

Drawing on the nation's experience in WWII, Yugoslav military planners assumed that any potential aggressor would disable airfields early in the conflict. The Kraguj was therefore intended to provide a limited reconnaissance-gathering and strike capability to guerilla and insurgent groups in the event of the neutralization of the Yugoslav Air Force, and was referred to as a "Partisan aircraft". It was designed to operate from short, unprepared auxiliary airfields, especially in mountainous regions, and could be fitted with skis. In addition to its primary role as a ground support platform, it was also used as a trainer, both for basic visual day/night flight and for more advanced ground attack training.

Former operators

[edit]
Yugoslavian J-20 Kraguj on display in the Museum of Aviation in Belgrade, Serbia
 Croatia
 Republika Srpska
 Yugoslavia

Specifications (J-20)

[edit]

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1969-70 [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 7.93 m (26 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.64 m (34 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 17.0 m2 (183 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 6:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 4415
  • Empty weight: 1,130 kg (2,491 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,624 kg (3,580 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 240 L (53 imp gal; 63 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming GSO-480-B1A6 6-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 250 kW (340 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Hartzell HC-B3Z20-1 constant-speed propeller, 2.44 m (8 ft 0 in) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 295 km/h (183 mph, 159 kn) at 1,500 m (4,900 ft)
  • Cruise speed: 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn) at 1,500 m (4,900 ft)
  • Stall speed: 88 km/h (55 mph, 48 kn) (flaps down)
  • Range: 800 km (500 mi, 430 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 8.00 m/s (1,575 ft/min)
  • Take-off run to 15 m (50 ft): 189 m (620 ft)
  • Landing run from 15 m (50 ft):: 324 m (1,063 ft)

Armament

  • Guns: 2 × 7.7 mm Colt–Browning Mk.II machine guns (650 rounds each)
  • Rockets: 2 × 12 round rocket pack or 6 × 57 mm or 127 mm rocket
  • Bombs: 2 × 100 kg (220 lb) bombs

See also

[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

[edit]
  1. ^ J W R Taylor 1969, p.506.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (editor). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969–70. London: Sampson Low, 1969.
[edit]
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