All aspects of fighter design, including requirements, aerodynamics, stability and control, propulsion, structure, avionics, armament and tactics are explained and discussed in this, not to be missed study. Ray Whitford's examination of present and future design solutions against the historic background of fighter evolution that occurred whenever science and engineering increased the aircraft designer's parameters, is a refreshing approach to this topic.
Ray explains that, since their conception during the First World War, fighters have been required to develop in a number of ways, both as technology has advanced and as their roles have changed. The first dedicated fighter was arguably the Fokker E1 – a monoplane fitted with a synchronised machine-gun firing through the propeller arc. By the outbreak of the Second World War, the need for fighters to counter hostile bomber threats and protect friendly bomber forces was clearly understood. Fighters were then guided by the sector controller by R/T to the point of interception, where they were dependent on making visual contact with the enemy. Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires would encounter large formations of enemy bombers escorted by fighters often in a 2:1 ratio. While Hurricanes dealt with the bombers, Spitfires handled the fighters, some of which might often be stepped up in grids to 30,000ft (9,000m).
The advent of the turbojet, and the fact that altitude became a vital factor in cruise efficiency and therefore in range capability, is also discussed. Cruise altitude was suddenly boosted by about 10,000-15,000ft (3,000-4,500m) and speed by about 100kts (185km/h).
By the 1960s computer-controlled interceptions were possible – the F-102's air intercept (A1) radar was linked via the autopilot to the flight control system to steer the aircraft automatically on to a suitable engagement path. In future air-to-air, beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat fighters will attempt to engage their targets with medium-range air-to-air missiles which demand long-range airborne radar and foolproof identification systems for their effective use.
Speed versus manoeuvrability is analyzed. In most fighter roles other than BVR, speed is less important than manoeuvrability and the ability to accelerate. With modern agile missiles there is no escape from close combat by virtue of speed. Once engaged, only superior manoeuvrability or deploying countermeasures (flares, chaff, jamming) will win the day.
The design of an aircraft is a large undertaking, prompting Ray to break down the task of today's designer. It requires the team efforts of many engineers, scientists and mathematicians having expertise in a wide spectrum of fields including aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, flight control, materials, electronics, performance and operational analysis, human factors, weights, manufacture and costing. The designer's task is not necessarily to invent some completely new concept, but rather to determine in what respects existing combat aircraft are inadequate and to judge which of the emerging ideas are worth pursuing. With limited defence budgets and the uncertainty of the threat, it is increasingly important that the design allows for versatility and adaptability of the final weapons system,
The author, Ray Whitford, is a chartered engineer and has been Senior Lecturer in Aerodynamics and Aircraft Design with Cranfield University at the Royal Military College of Science for 13 years. He graduated from Kingston University with a BSc in Aeronautical Engineering while an apprentice with British Aerospace at Weybridge. He worked on the BAG III, VC10, and TSR2. In the early 1970s he carried out research into hypersonics at London University. He was a senior lecturer at Kingston University from 1972 to 1986, spending a year (1982-83) at West Virginia University, USA, as a Visiting Professor.
In the mid-1990s Ray spent two years in the Aeronautics Department of the USAF Academy at Colorado Springs. He experienced flying in an AT-38 at Holloman AFB and an F-16B while instructing at Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB.
He won the Rolls-Royce Award for Best Propulsion Submission in the Royal Aeronautical Society's 1997 "Aerospace Journalist of the Year Awards" for an article in his "Fundamentals of fighter design" series for Air International. His two previous books are Design for Air Combat published by Jane's in 1987 and Introduction to Aeronautics: A Design Perspective published by AIAA in 1997. He is the author of numerous papers and articles on aircraft design.
Ray Whitford's depth of aerospace experience has enabled him to write a definitive book on fighter design. Aerospace engineers, students or aerospace buffs will find this book an instructive and stimulating read.