G-4 Super Galeb
Encyclopedia
The Soko G-4 Super Galeb is a single engine, advanced jet trainer
and light ground-attack aircraft.
. In total, three G-4s were shot down, all pilots ejecting safely.
During the Kosovo War
, the G-4 was used in several combat sorties against KLA
positions. Seven G-4s of the Leteće Zvezde
aerobatics team were destroyed at Golubovci Airbase, as a result of a NATO airstrike.
Only two G-4s have been involved in fatal accidents in its 27 years of service; the latest involved a Serbian G-4 Super Galeb which crashed at Batajnica Air Base near Belgrade
on 24 September 2008 while practicing for an upcoming air show.
G-4Š
G-4T
G-4M
G-4MD
Myanmar
Republika Srpska
Jet trainer
A Jet trainer is typically a turbofan or turbojet powered training aircraft, intended either for general aviation flying training or for more advanced jet aircraft. Jet trainers are typically divided into civilian and military, and custom designs versus versions of existing aircraft...
and light ground-attack aircraft.
Design and development
First flown on 17 July 1978, with serial production beginning in 1982, the G-4 was designed to replace the G-2 Galeb in the Yugoslav Air Force.Operational history
The G-4 saw some combat during the Yugoslav WarsYugoslav wars
The Yugoslav Wars were a series of wars, fought throughout the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1995. The wars were complex: characterized by bitter ethnic conflicts among the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, mostly between Serbs on the one side and Croats and Bosniaks on the other; but also...
. In total, three G-4s were shot down, all pilots ejecting safely.
During the Kosovo War
Kosovo War
The term Kosovo War or Kosovo conflict was two sequential, and at times parallel, armed conflicts in Kosovo province, then part of FR Yugoslav Republic of Serbia; from early 1998 to 1999, there was an armed conflict initiated by the ethnic Albanian "Kosovo Liberation Army" , who sought independence...
, the G-4 was used in several combat sorties against KLA
Kosovo Liberation Army
The Kosovo Liberation Army or KLA was a Kosovar Albanian paramilitary organization which sought the separation of Kosovo from Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the 1990s....
positions. Seven G-4s of the Leteće Zvezde
Letece zvezde
- Predecessors :Yugoslavia has a long history of precision display flying which was first demonstrated to the public during and airshow at Zemun – Belgrade's military airfield – in June 1938...
aerobatics team were destroyed at Golubovci Airbase, as a result of a NATO airstrike.
Only two G-4s have been involved in fatal accidents in its 27 years of service; the latest involved a Serbian G-4 Super Galeb which crashed at Batajnica Air Base near Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
on 24 September 2008 while practicing for an upcoming air show.
Variants
G-4- Armed jet trainer and light ground-attack aircraft.
G-4Š
- Unarmed jet trainer.
G-4T
- Target puller.
G-4M
- Upgraded avionics and hardpoints, missile rail added to wingtips. Avionics include a Zrak ENP-MG4 HUDHead-Up DisplayA head-up display or heads-up display is any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints...
incorporating a Rudi Cajavec ENS-MG4 electronic sight, a gyro platform, multi function displays, and an optional chaff/flare dispensers. The inner hardpoints are rated at 500 kg, while the outer ones are rated at 350 kg, giving a maximum disposable load of 1,800 kg. Normal takeoff weight is 4,971 kg as a trainer, with a maximum takeoff weight of 6,400 kg in the attacker configuration, the maximum speed in "clean" configuration is 865 km/h at 10,000 m and 900 km/h at 4,000 m, with a ferry range of 2,900 km with drop tanks; range of 1,800 km with standard fuel, reduced to 1,200 km with cannon pack, four BL755 cluster bombs and two AAMs, maximum rate of climb at sea level of 1,800 m per minute, and a service ceiling of 12,500 m.
G-4MD
- Further development of G-4M upgrade including: LCDLiquid crystal displayA liquid crystal display is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals . LCs do not emit light directly....
flight screens, HOTASHOTASHOTAS, an abbreviation for Hands On Throttle-And-Stick, is the name given to the concept of placing buttons and switches on the throttle stick and flight control stick in an aircraft's cockpit, allowing the pilot to access vital cockpit functions and fly the aircraft without having to remove his...
, HUDHead-Up DisplayA head-up display or heads-up display is any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints...
, integrated mission computers, distance measuring equipment, GPS-based navigation systems, identification friend or foe, navcomm units, mission records, and VHF omni-range and instrument landing systems. Integration of guided weapons, countermeasures and targeting systems is also scheduled as part of the upgrade.
Current operators
- Serbian Air ForceSerbian Air ForceThe Serbian Air Force and Air Defence is the air force of Serbia and service branch of the Serbian Armed Forces. Established in 1912, it is one of the oldest air forces in the world.-History:...
- Operates 23 G-4s, upgrading 15 to G-4MD.
Myanmar
- Myanmar Air Force - 6 delivered, 4 currently operational.
Former operators
- Yugoslav Air ForceSFR Yugoslav Air ForceThe Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Yugoslav Air Force , was the air force of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia . Formed in 1945, it was preceded by the Yugoslav Royal Air Force which was disbanded in 1941, following the German occupation of Yugoslavia...
Republika Srpska
- Republika Srpska Air ForceRepublika Srpska Air ForceThe Republika Srpska Air Force was the air force of Republika Srpska and was used primarily during the Bosnian war. In 2005, it was integrated into the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. SFOR still plays a large role in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which consists of the Federation of Bosnia and...
- Operated 1 G-4.
- G-4s located at Podgorica AirbasePodgorica AirbaseThe Podgorica Airbase is an active airbase in Montenegro. The airbase facilities are shared with Montenegro's main international airport, Podgorica Airport. It is the main base of the air arm of the Military of Montenegro...
. left over after Montenegro Independence all have been returned to Serbia, they were in very poor condition.
Specifications (G-4M Super Galeb)
See also
External links
- Aerosvet Magazine; (Entry from the International Directory of Design)
- G-4 Super Galeb No.23405
