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Buccaneer

The Buccaneer is a two-seater that was originally produced for carrier-based duty with a low-level strike and attack capability. Following the Suez operation in 1956 the Fleet Air Arm was on the threshold of another new era with more powerful strike and all-weather fighters coming along, the Sea Vixen, the Scimitar and the Buccaneer. 1978 saw the end of conventional fixed wing flying with the withdrawal of HMS ARK ROYAL. A new generation began with the commissioning in 1980 of the first of three light aircraft carriers, HMS INVINCIBLE. These carriers are fitted with another British invention, the ski jump, which enables vertical take off Sea Harriers to carry a much greater load when taking off with forward thrust. The Buccaneer continued in service with the UK RAF as a land-based aircraft with maritime missions.

Specifications

Country United Kingdom (UK)
Builder
Similar Aircraft AV-8 Harrier, F-4 Phantom, Jaguar
Crew Two
Length 63 ft, 5 in (19.34 m)
Span 44 ft (13.5 m)
Height
Weight
Type Attack, Maritime duties, reconnaissance
Ceiling 12200 meters
Cruise range 1700 nm
In-Flight Refueling Yes
Internal Fuel 5446 kg
Payload 7257kg ext/ 1811kg int
Sensors Blue parrot radar, RWR, FLIR, Balistic bombsight
Drop Tanks Slipper tank with 908kg of fuel for 142nm range
Int Bay Tank with 1598kg of fuel for 499nm range
Armament Sea Egle, AS.37 Martel, ALQ-101, AIM-9L, BL755, Green Parrot nuclear Bomb, GBU-10, Pave Spike Pod
User Countries South Africa, UK

Sources and Resources


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http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/row/buccaneer.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Tuesday, September 21, 1999 10:18:15 AM