UTVA Kobac
{{short description|Type of aircraft}}
| {{Infobox Aircraft Begin
| name = Kobac | image = Kobac7.jpg | caption = A mock-up of the "Kobac" }}{{Infobox Aircraft Type | type = Trainer Aircraft, Attack aircraft | manufacturer = Utva Aviation Industry | designer = Military Technical Institute | first flight = Never flown | introduced = 2012 | retired = | status = Cancelled | primary user = Serbian Air Force | more users = | number built = 0 completed | developed from = | variants with their own articles = | developed into = }} |
The UTVA Kobac (English: Sparrowhawk) was a prototype Serbian single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training/light attack aircraft manufactured by Pančevo based UTVA Aviation Industry, and designed by the Military Technical Institute. Revealed as a mockup on 2 September 2012 during the Batajnica 2012 Air Show, the aircraft's first flight was planned for 2013, but was never realized.[http://www.kurir-info.rs/print/srpski-kobac-polece-dogodine-clanak-157810 Kurir - Srpski "kobac" polece dogodine (Serbian) - April 2, 2012]{{Cite web|title=KOBAC Trainer / Attack Aircraft|url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/kobac-trainer-attack-aircraft/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=Airforce Technology|language=en-US}}
Design Concept
Based on the proven UTVA Lasta 95P-2 tandem two-seat low-wing trainer, the Kobac promised a {{convert|310|mph|km/h|disp=flip}} maximum speed and was intended to serve the Serbian Airforce and export customers with advanced training in all weather conditions. Equipped with the capability to conduct border patrols and strikes against ground-based targets, the aircraft was touted as a close air support, counterinsurgency, and reconnaissance aircraft similar to the Super Tucano and Texan II.
The Kobac concept envisioned modifications to the Lasta platform to suit advanced new roles. Most importantly it was planned to be powered by a {{convert|750|shp|kW|abbr=on}} turboprop engine housed in a lengthened nose and possess five hard points for the carriage of more than {{convert|1,100|lb|kg|disp=flip}} of stores.
Two engine options were planned to be offered in the production version of the Kobac. The {{convert|750|shp|kW|abbr=on}} Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C and the Ukrainian built {{convert|730|shp|kW|abbr=on}} Ivchenko-Progress Motor Sich AI-450S. To handle the increase in power, the rear fuselage of the Lasta airframe was lengthened and a new rear fin was designed. Additionally, {{convert|420|lb|kg|disp=flip}} fuel tip tanks were planned to complement the {{convert|344|lb|kg|disp=flip}} internal fuel capacity, raising the Kobac flight endurance to approximately five hours or {{Convert|1,500|km|mi}}.
All four underwing pylons of the Kobac were intended to carry unguided munitions, tube rocket launchers and gun pods for either a 12.7-mm (0.5-inch) machine gun or {{Convert|20|mm|in}} autocannon. The outer wing pylons were intended for mounting air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles or racks for practice bombs; while the centreline hardpoint was designed to carry an electronic warfare pod.
UTVA redesigned the Kobac cockpit with a new canopy offering better visibility than the Lasta-95. The rear seat was raised by approximately {{convert|4|in|cm|disp=flip}} to give the back-seater better forward vision and both positions were to be fitted with Martin-Baker Mk 15B lightweight ejection seats. A modern three-screen cockpit was installed in the Kobac mockup, with a large central multifunction display for tactical displays and sensor imagery. Control of the system was to be by HOTAS (hands-on throttle and stick) and a navigation and attack system was reportedly devised with sensors mounted in a low-profile pallet under the centre fuselage.[http://www.politika.rs/rubrike/Drustvo/Kobac-iz-domaceg-jata.sr.html Politika (Serbian)-April 4, 2012 - Kobac iz domaceg jata]
Specifications (Kobac prototype)
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|crew=Two, student and instructor
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|empty weight kg=1325
|empty weight lb=
|gross weight kg=1700
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|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62
|eng1 type=turboprop
|eng1 kw=857
|eng1 hp=
|power original= flat-rated at 708 kW (950 shp)
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|max speed kmh=555
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|cruise speed kmh=500
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|cruise speed note=at 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
|stall speed kmh=143
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|stall speed note=EAS flaps and gear up, 128 km/h (80 mph; 69 kn) flaps and gear down
|range km=1537
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|ceiling m=11580
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|g limits= + 6.0 g to −3.0 g
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=4090
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- Take-off distance over 50 ft (15 m) obstacle at sea level: 1,280 ft (296 m)
- Landing distance over 50 ft (15 m) obstacle at sea level: 2,295 ft (510 m)
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Video promotion
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxuVQ0a8R4Q&feature=endscreen KOBAC - turboprop training aircraft - Al Jazeera Balkans]
See also
{{aircontent
|similar aircraft=
- KAI KT-1
- PZL-130 Orlik
- Pilatus PC-9
- Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano
- Embraer EMB 312 Tucano
- Short Tucano
- Texan II
- TAI Hürkuş
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}}