Strikemaster

The BAC 167 Strikemaster is a jet-powered training and light attack aircraft designed and produced by the British Aircraft Corporation. Developed in the 1960s as a counter-insurgency and light attack derivative of the Jet Provost T Mk 5, the design was strengthened to allow for increased firepower. The first of two prototypes made its maiden flight from Warton Aerodrome on October 26, 1967, and the name Strikemaster was officially endorsed in October 1968. Production took place at Warton before moving to Hurn Airport in the late 1970s. A total of 146 aircraft were produced before production ended in 1983.

Design

The aircraft is powered by a single Rolls-Royce Viper Mk.535 turbojet engine producing 3,140 lbf (14.0 kN) of thrust. To support combat operations, the wings and airframe were stressed for ordnance carriage. The revised fuel system features conformal wingtip tanks and can carry up to four 75-gallon underwing drop tanks. Additional design changes from the Jet Provost include an uprated flap system with two jacks, enlarged airbrake jacks, updated communication and navigation equipment, a revised electrical system, and dual ejection seats with canopy breakers. The aircraft is capable of operating from austere air strips, though structural fatigue cracking in the wings eventually restricted operations.

Armament

Internal armament consists of two 7.62mm FN machine guns in the lower intake lips with 550 rounds each, and a G90 gun camera can be fitted in the nose cone. The aircraft features four underwing hardpoints with a total capacity of 3,000 lb (1,400 kg). Available ordnance includes up to four 500lb bombs, 24 SURA R80 rockets, eight 25lb practice bombs, eight 20lb fragmentation bombs, four 18-tube SNEB 68mm rocket pods, two 0.5-inch minigun pods, or napalm tanks.

Operational History

The majority of export customers used the Strikemaster as an advanced trainer. Saudi Arabia, the launch customer, ordered 25 Mk 80 aircraft in May 1966. The Royal Air Force of Oman conducted combat missions during the Dhofar Rebellion starting in October 1969, including the Battle of Mirbat in July 1972, where four Strikemasters provided close air support. Ecuador deployed the Strikemaster in the 1995 Cenepa War to fly ground sorties. Other operators included Kenya, Kuwait, Singapore, South Yemen, Sudan, and Botswana, which acquired nine refurbished aircraft in 1977. Private enterprises have also operated the aircraft for training.

Variants

• Strikemaster Mk 80: This export version was produced for Saudi Arabia, which purchased 25 aircraft.
• Strikemaster Mk 81: This export variant was produced for South Yemen and consisted of four aircraft.
• Strikemaster Mk 82: This export version was delivered to Oman, comprising 12 aircraft.
• Strikemaster Mk 84: This variant was the export version produced for Singapore, with 16 aircraft delivered.
• Strikemaster Mk 88: This export variant was produced for New Zealand, which received 16 aircraft.