F/A-18C Mock-up MAGO
The F/A-18C Mock-up MAGO (official designation: MAGO Mobile training Aid Ground Operations) are two interactive training device in the form of non-flying replicas of McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets. They are fitted with specialised equipment and used by the Swiss Air Force for training purposes on its military airfields. Both manufactured by the Hugo Wolf AG.
History[edit]
The Swiss Air Force operates a number of McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet aircraft. It is currently unable to offer round-the-clock operational readiness.[1] A sophisticated, active and highly realistic non-flying mock-up for training ground crew was seen as a cost-effective alternative to using operational aircraft and first a single example was ordered. Delivered in 2013, it was even given a serial number, X-5099.[2] Due to the positive experience and the growing need for such a training device, the Swiss Air Force has decided to procure another F/A-18C mock-up, serialled X-5098, which was handed over in April 2017.[3][4]
Design and construction[edit]
The rig is an accurate mock-up of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornets used by the Swiss Air Force, based on data supplied by the aircraft manufacturer. Made in Switzerland by Hugo Wolf AG, the structure is of wood, metal and composite materials. Physically, it corresponds closely to the external appearance of an F/A-18C, having an overall length of 17 m (56 ft), span of 12 m (39 ft) and weighing about two-thirds as much as the real aircraft.[5][6] Powered dynamic features include an opening cockpit canopy and folding wings. The wing hard points are functional, allowing the attachment of external stores which are also integrated into the system.[7]
The rig is fitted with additional specialised equipment for simulating many rescue scenarios. Supporting equipment includes an onboard power supply and control computer.
Training features[edit]
An instructor can set the rig to simulate scenarios including engine fires, overheated and glowing Landing gear, smoke in the cockpit, or recovery from runway excursions.
The mock-up can simulate realistic engine noise and fuel leaks (using water) from both internal and external tankage, Dummy AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder weapons and external fuel tanks may be fitted to any of the external hard points. The cockpit is partly furnished with original American instruments and fittings, including the Ejection seat, for use in conjunction with the powered canopy. The second example, X-5098, has additional capabilities, being controllable remotely from a tablet and including a retractable nose undercarriage to simulate collapse. In addition to the self-settable scenarios, the various programs can also be triggered remotely via a tablet computer.[4][8] The X-5098 was delivered in April 2017.
Locations of use[edit]
With the introduction of the more robust and more functional X-5098, whose transport is somewhat more complex than X-5099, X-5098 is used exclusively on Payerne Air Base. The X-5099 is mainly used on other airfields of the Swiss Air Force, such as Militärflugplatz Emmen, Meiringen Air Base, Sion Airport[4] and Zürich Airport which is used as an alternate base for Air Policing missions.[9][10]
References[edit]
Citations[edit]
- ↑ "Kampfjets fliegen nächstes Jahr bis 18 Uhr" (Fighter jets fly next year until 6 pm), 20 Minuten, 1 December 2015.[1] (retrieved 6 February 2017)
- ↑ X-5099 in the inventory of the Swiss Air Force
- ↑ AeroRevue, 7/8 2016, Page 8
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Schweizer Luftwaffe Militärische Kennungen Regristrationen, MinPic.de.
- ↑ "Eine F/A-18 unterwegs auf der Autobahn" (An F/A-18 on the Autobahn), 20 Minuten, 16 April 2014.[2]
- ↑ "Why a replica F/A-18 drove through Seftigen", Berner Zeitung, 18 April 2013.[3]
- ↑ F/A18C Mock-Up, Hugo Wolf. brochure (retrieved 6 February 2016)
- ↑ "Auftrag für die Luftwaffe" (Order for the Air Force), Hugo Wolf, 23 June 2016.[4] (retrieved 6 February 2017)
- ↑ "Heute Morgen auf der A1: Diese F/A-18 nimmt die Autobahn". Blick. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
- ↑ http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/panorama/vermischtes/fa18-auf-der-autobahn-unterwegs/story/30074424 Die falsche F/A-18, gesehen von einem Leserreporter am Flughafen Zürich
Bibliography[edit]
- "Bodentruppen trainieren an F/A-18 aus Holz" (Ground staff train on a wooden F/A-18), Eidgenössisches Departement für Verteidigung, Bevölkerungsschutz und Sport, 2015.[5] (retrieved 6 February 2017).
- Cockpit, May 2013, Page 16.[6] (retrieved 5 February 2017).
- "Militärflugplatz Meiringen viert 75-jarig bestaan" (Meiringen air base celebrates its 75th anniversary), AirOnline.nl, 18 June 2016.[7] (retrieved 6 February 2017).
- Schweizer Luftwaffe Jahrespublikation 2017 Die "Manipulier"- Hornet (S.60 - 63.)
- "Spezialauftrag für den Kabinen-Bauer", Seilbahnen International 3 June 2013, pp. 106–7.[8] (retrieved 5 February 2017).
- Hans Rudolf Schneider; "Die Hornisse, die nie fliegen wird" (The Hornet that won't fly), Berner Zeitung, 20.08.2016 ()retrieved 8 November 2017).
- Jürg Studer; "Eine F/A-18 Hornet, die auf Kommando qualmt und raucht" (An F/A-18 Hornet that smokes and fumes on demand), Allgemeine Schweizerische Militärzeitschrift, September 2015 [9](pdf), also doi link
External links[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to X-5099 (aircraft). |
- "X-5099 Now for something completely different", FighterControl.co.uk forum: Images of the F/A-18C Mock-up at a demonstration exercise
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