Super Machete

The SM-47S/T Super Machete is a highly maneuverable, Air Defense Fighter (ADF), Strike Fighter (SF) and Advanced Pilot Trainer (APT). Powered by a single GEAE F414 EE afterburning turbofan, the SM-47S/T has digital Power-By-Wire flight controls, AESA radar and eight external stores hardpoints to carry up to 12,000 lbs of ordnance and stores. With 9-g maneuverability with full internal fuel and six air-to-air missiles, the Forward Swept Wing (FSW) SM-47S/T will offer a maximum level speed at altitude in excess of Mach 2.2 and a tactical radius on internal fuel of over 700 nm. The SM-47S/T is armed with a 20mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon.

The SM-47 is a single engine afterburning turbofan powered single seat Air Defense Fighter (S) and two seat tandem (T) Strike Fighter. A super-maneuverable aircraft with Forward Swept Wings, the SM-47 has a Mach 2.27 maximum level speed and a tactical radius on internal fuel of 800 nm. Armed with a 20mm cannon and 9 external hardpoints to carry 12,000 lbs, the SM-47S/T is a readily exportable non-stealth aircraft that will outperform the JAS-39. Serving as a low cost, non-stealth alternative to the F/A-35 in the fighter role the SM-47 can satisfy both F-16 and F/A-18 missions as well. The SM-47A is the dedicated two seat tandem supersonic Advanced Pilot Trainer (APT) member of the SM-47 family.

The SM-47 will be produced in piloted and unpiloted configurations. The piloted SM-47 will be produced in three variants: the single seat SM-47S and two seat tandem SM-47T and SM-47A. The SM-47S will satisfy intercept, Air Defense Fighter, Multi-Role Fighter and DACT and Aggressor missions while the SM-47T will serve as a two seat strike fighter or as a mission capable, high performance supersonic trainer. The SM-47A is a dedicated Supersonic Advanced Pilot Training (APT) aircraft.

The most significant evolution of the Machete series, the Super Machete marries an SM-28 Machete derivative fuselage to a FSW augmented by custom canard foreplanes and a distinctive empennage. Driven by over 26,000 lbs of thrust, the SM-47 will have direct commonality with the F/A-18E/F and draw from many of the same spares stores.

A potential successor to F-5, F-16A/B, F/A-18A/B/C/D, MiG-21 and other light weight fighters, the SM-47S is a competitor to the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. Equipped with AESA radar, advanced IRST, the super maneuverable SM-47 is optimized to engage, counter and defeat fifth generation fighter threats.

The SM-47 cockpit is designed to accommodate a wide spectrum of male and female crewmembers accommodating JPATS Cases 1 through 8. The SM-47S flight crew consists of a single pilot seated on a Martin Baker MK16E, MK18 or Collins ACES 5 zero/zero ejection seat. The SM-47T seats two in tandem.

The GE F414 Enhanced Engine will power the SM-47S/T, providing over 26,600 lbs of static thrust at sea level, an 18% thrust increase over the F414-GE-400. With a mass flow of 187 lbs/sec and a pressure ratio of 30:1, the F414 EE will have a Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) of 1.81 lb/lbf-hr at military power. Turbofan airflow is supplied via twin, rectangular, bifurcated fuselage side mounted air intakes raked aft 48 degrees. The SM-47S/T is equipped with a 142 kW Honeywell 36-150F Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to facilitate self-starting and to provide ground power.

SM-47S/T Super Machete armament includes both fixed internal and expendable, externally carried weapons. Fixed internal armament includes one nose mounted 20mm cannon, the General Dynamics M61A2 six-barrel hydraulically driven Vulcan, mounted dorsally within the aircraft nose. The SM-47 will carry up to 12,000 lbs of external stores on eight wing-mounted hardpoints equipped with NATO standard suspension. The Super Machete is designed primarily for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, employing ordnance such as the AIM-9, AIM-120, AGM-65, GBU family and is capable of LANTIRN, LITENING, SNIPER and ECM pod carriage on a MIL-STD-1760 Weapon Interface Data Bus.

The SM-47 has an Open System Architecture (OSA) with avionics and sensors integrated about a MIL-STD-1553B Interface/Data Bus. Standard core avionics include the Power-By-Wire (PBW) Flight Control System, Air Data Computer, Flight Management System and Avionics Management Computer. Building upon the core avionics, the SM-47 is offered with a variety of avionics configurations to address specific customer needs.

The SM-47S/T is now under development and will be qualified and certified to MIL-HDBK-516B Airworthiness Certification Criteria in accordance with AFPD 62-6 and AFI 62-601.