Engineering:PAC Super Mushshak

Super Mushshak
The Super Mushshak on display at the IDEAS 2008 defence exhibition in Pakistan .
Role	Primary trainer
National origin	Pakistan
Manufacturer	Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
First flight	1995
Introduction	1996
Status	In production
Primary users	Pakistan Air Force Turkish Air Force Royal Saudi Air Force Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
Produced	1995-present
Number built	391+
Developed from	PAC MFI-17 Mushshak

The PAC Super Mushshak (Urdu: سپر مشاق) ("Proficient") is a primary trainer aircraft, which is a more advanced and upgraded variant of the MFI-17 Mushshak. It was designed by and is being manufactured at the Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF), Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, Pakistan .

Development

PAC Super Mushshak at Dubai Air Show 2017

PAC Super Mushshak cockpit at Dubai Air Show 2017

Origins

The MFI-15 Safari and MFI-17 Supporter were created from Saab's adaptation of the MFI-9 Junior for basic training for civil and military operators. In 1968 Saab began work on its MFI-15, based on the MFI-9 but with some design changes. Foremost of the changes in the Saab built MFI-15 prototype was the 120 kW (160shp) Lycoming IO-320 piston engine. Like the MFI-9, the MFI-15 retained the unusual braced, mid-mounted and slightly forward-swept wing and rearward-hinged canopy, offering good all-around vision. The prototype made its maiden flight on June 11, 1969. Follow-up testing of the MFI-15 resulted in a more powerful IO-360 engine, while the horizontal tail was relocated to prevent it being damaged by thrown up debris. The first flight of this modified form was in February 1971.

Sold as the MFI-15 Safari, most went to civil customers, however Sierra Leone and Norway took delivery of Safaris for military pilot training. To improve the Safari's military market appeal, Saab developed the MFI-17 Supporter, fitted with six underwing hardpoints for light and practice weaponry, giving it weapons training and light COIN capabilities. First flight was on July 6, 1972. Important were Denmark and Zambia. Production ended in the late 1970s after about 250 Safaris and Supporters had been built, mostly for civil customers.

Pakistan has taken delivery of 18 Supporters, while 92 have been assembled locally by PAC from knocked down kits and a further 149 were built locally by PAC. It is named Mushshak (Proficient) in Pakistani service. In 1981, Pakistan acquired sole manufacturing rights of the Supporter. The development of the MFI-395 in 1995 initiated by the then-managing director of AMF, Air Cdr Muhammad Younas. The aircraft was built by upgrading the MFI-17 with an advanced 260 hp engine, electrical instruments, dual flight control systems and a Bendix RSA fuel injection system.

Design

Fitted with an American 260 hp engine, cockpit air conditioning, electrical instruments, and electric/manual elevator and rudder trim, the aircraft has been developed to meet FAR part 23 certification in normal, utility and aerobatics categories. It has a spacious side-by-side cockpit allowing good contact between the pilot and the co-pilot/observer or between the student and the instructor.

Operators

Military operators

Map with military Super Mushshak operators in blue

Azerbaijan

• Azerbaijani Air and Air Defence Force – 10 on order.

Iran

• Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force – 26

Nigeria

• Nigerian Air Force – 10 delivered as of January 2018. Nigeria temporarily operated four Pakistani Air Force Super Mushshaks for early training.

Oman

• Royal Air Force of Oman – 8

Pakistan

• Approximately 300 operational with the Pakistan Armed Forces

Qatar

• Qatar Air Force - 8 on order, first batch of 4 delivered in July 2017

Saudi Arabia

• Royal Saudi Air Force - 20

Syria

• Syrian Air Force – 6

Turkey

• Turkish Air Force – 52

Civilian operators

Pakistan

• Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority - It was certified by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority in 2002

South Africa

• Uni Group Holdings (Pvt) Ltd - 1

Specifications (Super Mushshak)

Data from Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004

General characteristics

• Crew: two-three (student, instructor and optional passenger)
• Length: 7.15 m (23.5 ft)
• Wingspan: 8.85 m (29 ft)
• Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 0.5 in)
• Wing area: 11.9 sq m (128 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 760 kg (1,676 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 1,250 kg (2,755 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Textron Lycoming IO-540 V4A5 horizontally opposed 6 cylinder, 194 kW (260 hp)at 2700 RPM (ISA conditions)
• Propellers: 1× Mccauley or Hartzell, 3 or 2 blade propeller

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 363 km/h (196 knots, 226 mph)
• Maximum speed: 268 km/h (145 knots, 166 mph) at sea level
• Cruise speed: 240 km/h (130 knots, 149 mph)
• Stall speed: 96 km/h (52 knots, 60 mph) (flaps down)
• Range: 814 km (440 nmi, 506 mi)
• Endurance: 4 hr 15 min
• Service ceiling: 6,705 m (22,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 8.6 m/s (1,220 ft/min)

Armament

• Up to 300 kg (660 lb) external load carrying capability (including pylons).

See also

Related development

• MFI-17 Mushshak
• Saab Safari

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Grob G-120
• Aermacchi SF.260
• Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
• ENAER T-35 Pillan
• Fuji T-3
• Lasta 95
• PAC CT/4 Airtrainer
• Socata TB-31 Omega
• Valmet L-70 Vinka
• Scottish Aviation Bulldog
• Saab 91 Safir

References

• Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN:0-7106-2537-5.

External links

• Pakistan Aeronautical Complex - Super Mushshak
• Super Mushshak factsheet
• FAS.org factsheet