VFW VAK 191B

VAK 191B
VAK 191B displayed next to a Dornier Do 31 transport
Role VTOL strike fighter
Manufacturer Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke
First flight 20 September 1971
Status Retired
Primary user German Air Force
Number built 3


The VFW VAK 191B was an experimental German VTOL nuclear strike fighter of the early 1970s. Designed and built by the Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke (VFW), it was intended to lead to a replacement for the Fiat G.91.

Design and development

The VAK 191B was produced by the German company Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke (VFW) a company formed by Focke-Wulf and Weser-Flugzeugbau. Initially, Fiat of Italy was also involved but Italy withdrew from the joint development agreement with Germany in 1967, and Fiat remained as the major sub-contractor producing wings, tailplanes and some of the fuselage. The initial programme (already altered from three single-seater and three-two seater to only single-seater aircraft to reduce development costs) was cut to three aircraft only.[1]

VAK was the abbreviation for Vertikalstartendes Aufklärungs- und Kampfflugzeug (V/STOL Reconnaissance and Strike Aircraft).

Rotating nozzle detail

Propulsion was provided by a Rolls-Royce/MAN Turbo RB.193-12 vectored thrust engine for both lift and cruise which was augmented by two Rolls-Royce vertical lift engines.

The program was begun in 1962 to replace the Fiat G.91 ground attack fighter with a VTOL aircraft as part of NBMR-3 but NATO requirements changed and it became a technology demonstrator.

With a new project appearing - the German/American "Advanced Vertical Strike" (AVS) fighter - the VAK was "reclassified as an experimental programme"[1]

Three VAK 191B aircraft were flown in the flight test program between 1970-1975 making 91 flights. The first hovering flight was made in Bremen on 20 September 1971. The first transition from vertical flight to horizontal and vice versa was achieved on 26 October 1972 in Munich.

The prototypes were used to test some of the concepts in for the European MRCA programme (which led to the Panavia Tornado) including 'fly-by-wire' technology.

The VAK 191B was similar in concept to the British Harrier, but was designed for a supersonic dash capability (Mach number 1.2-1.4) at medium to high altitudes. It was judged that having a single engine would create too much drag, but the two lift engines were dead weight in cruise, and the small cruise engine gave a poor thrust to weight ratio. It also had very small highly loaded wings. By contrast, the Harrier had a much higher thrust-to-weight ratio, it was effective as a dogfighter, and had larger wings which were put to good use in rolling short takeoffs.

Aircraft on display

Operators

 Germany

Specifications (VAK 191B)

VAK 191B from above

Data from {X-Planes and Prototypes}[5]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 Flight International p504
  2. ↑ Deutsches Museum, VAK 191B (German language) Retrieved: 16 March 2008
  3. ↑ www.aviation museum.eu Retrieved: 16 March 2008
  4. ↑ Jackson,1976. p.144.
  5. ↑ Winchester, Jim, X-Planes and prototypes, Barnes & Noble
Bibliography
  • Jackson, Paul A. German Military Aviation 1956-1976. Hinckley, Leicestershire, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1976. ISBN 0-904597-03-2.
  • 'The Technical Editor' (Michael Wilson) (13 April 1972), "VAK 191B—Germany's V/Stol fighter?", Flight International (IPC Business) 101 (3292): 502–506 

External links

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