J-21 Jastreb
Summary
| Category | Combat Aircraft |
| Origin country | 🇳🇱 Ex-Yugoslavia |
| Manufacturer | SOKO |
| First flight | 19 July 1965 |
| Year introduced | 1968 |
Technical specifications
| Version: J-21 Jastreb | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
| Operational range | 1,520 km (944 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 820 km/h (510 mph) |
| Wing area | 19.4 m² (209.1 sqft) |
| Wingspan | 10.6 m (34.6 ft) |
| Height | 3.6 m (11.9 ft) |
| Length | 10.9 m (35.7 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 12,000 m (39,370 ft) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 21.0 m/s (68.9 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 1 x BMB Viper Mk 531 delivering 13 kN each |
Current operating countries
All operators
Armament
Bombs payload:
- Unguided Bomb 250 kg general-purpose bomb
- Cluster Bomb 150 kg cluster bomb
- Cluster Bomb 120 kg cluster fragmentation bomb
- Rocket Pod rocket pod with 12x 55 mm rockets
Description
The Soko J-21 Jastreb is a Yugoslav single-seat, single-engine light attack aircraft designed by the Aeronautical Technical Institute and the Military Technical Institute in Belgrade, and manufactured by SOKO in Mostar. Derived from the G-2 Galeb advanced jet trainer, the J-21 was developed to replace the Republic F-84 Thunderjet. The aircraft completed its first flight on 19 July 1965 and entered service with the Yugoslav Air Force on 31 December 1968.
The J-21 features a conventional aluminum alloy stressed-skin structure. Its thick airfoil section accommodates internal fuel cells, while the inward-retracting main undercarriage provides a wide track. Equipped with levered legs and low-pressure tires, the undercarriage allows operations from unprepared or rough runways. The unpressurized cockpit features manually operated flying controls, standard flight instruments, a starboard-hinged canopy, and a licensed Folland Type 1-B ejection seat. Power is supplied by a single licensed Rolls-Royce Viper Mk531 turbojet engine producing 13.32 kN of thrust, supplemented by two solid-fuel JATO rocket units producing 4.45 kN of thrust each. Avionics consist of a K-14C or K-14A gun sight.
The aircraft has a strengthened structure to carry up to 800 kg of weapons. Internal armament consists of three nose-mounted 12.7 mm Browning AN/M3 machine guns. Underwing armament is carried on eight hardpoints. The two inboard pylons have a capacity of 250 kg each and can carry general-purpose bombs, rocket launchers, or 150 L napalm tanks. The six outboard pylons have a capacity of 50 kg each and carry VRZ-157 127 mm rockets. The J-21 can also carry 150 kg cluster bombs, 120 kg cluster fragmentation bombs, and rocket pods containing twelve 55 mm rockets.
In addition to Yugoslavia, the J-21 was operated by Republika Srpska, Zaire, Zambia, and Libya. During the First Congo War, Yugoslavia delivered three J-21s to Zaire's government. These aircraft were operated by Serbian mercenaries from Gbadolite until a fatal crash involving a Yugoslav pilot led to the expulsion of the Yugoslav staff and the abandonment of the aircraft. During Operation Deny Flight in Bosnia and Herzegovina, US Air Force F-16s engaged six J-21s violating the no-fly zone, resulting in four to five J-21s lost. During the Battle of the Dalmatian Channels, six Yugoslav J-21s sortied against Brač and Šolta, where ground forces shot down two.
Main Variants
- J-21 Jastreb: Single-seat ground-attack and reconnaissance aircraft.
- J-21E Jastreb: Export version of the J-1.
- RJ-21 Jastreb: Single-seat tactical reconnaissance aircraft.
- RJ-21E Jastreb: Export version of the RJ-1.
- NJ-21: Two-seat advanced flying trainer, weapons trainer, and light ground-attack aircraft.