On Wednesday, July 1st Stavatti Aerospace began optimizing the SM-27J/L Turbofan Machete and SM- 47S Super Machete variants to address anticipated USAF Northern Command (NorthCom) and U.S. Air National Guard (USANG) needs.

About the Machete

Originally intended as a next-generation attack and air defense export for U.S. allies requiring combat aircraft to replace OV-10s, A-37s, A-4s, F-5s and F-16As, the Machete series was developed around a plugand- play architecture to comply with ITAR export limitations. The Machete series satisfies Counter- Insurgency (COIN), Close Air Support (CAS), Air Defense Fighter (ADF), and Advanced Trainer (AT) missions and the three Machete variants; the SM-27S/T Turboprop, SM-27J/L Turbofan, and the SM-47S/T Super Machete, share a common airframe core.

Stavatti is developing domestic variants of the Turbofan and Super Machete as privately sponsored commercial initiatives. The Turbofan Machete will be ready for IOC by 2014/2015 and the Super Machete by 2015/2016. Both would satisfy potential NorthCom and USANG needs and fill the pending fighter gap.

SM-47S/T Super Machete (ASA variant)

Stavatti is designing a dedicated ASA variant of the Super Machete to prepare for the coming fighter gap between 2015 and 2017 when eight of the 11 USANG F-16 units currently flying Air Sovereignty Alert (ASA) missions reach their end of life.

To address specific NorthCom and USANG needs in the 2015-2025 timeframe, the aircraft will benefit from a fully integrated domestic-oriented avionics, sensor, and EW suite that will include an AESA radar. Stavatti is considering the Northrop Grumman Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR). Originally designed to fit the F-16, quoting Northrop Grumman, "the SABR will offer an active electronically scanned multifunction array at significant cost savings." The Super Machete ASA may also be equipped with the Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-37 Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (EO DAS).

This forward swept-wing, single-seat, highly maneuverable single-engine fighter is powered by the GEAE F414-GE-400. The high-performance multi-role aircraft can perform F-16 ASA missions at significantly lower operating and support costs. Unlike export-configured variants, the domestic version will feature signature reducing features including canted vertical stabilizers, a shielded engine compressor face, and export-restricted Radar Absorbent Materials (RAM) to significantly reduce aircraft Radar Cross Section (RCS). With a projected per unit flyaway cost in the $25 Million class, the first Super Machete ASAs could enter IOC by 2016.

SM-27J/L Turbofan Machete (USANG Variant)

Since NorthCom and USANG require dedicated fighters and multi-role aircraft for maritime surveillance, air patrol, and interdiction, Stavatti is developing a dedicated USANG variant of the SM-27J/L Turbofan Machete.

This aircraft features a non-afterburning F414 derivative engine benefiting from a similar fuselage core, modular cockpit, air inlet system and nose/avionics bay that could provide NorthCom and USANG with high subsonic, long-range, compact, and affordable CAS, SEAD, FAC, Interdiction, Air Patrol, andmaritime surveillance aircraft. The titanium winged and highly armored aircraft is equipped with a fixed 30mm cannon and eight external stores hardpoints. It can perform missions once satisfied by many classic aircraft including the A-10, A-4, A-6, A-7, F/A-18 and F-16. The Turbofan Machete USANG can be equipped with SABR and the AN/AAQ-37 and will feature export restricted avionics and sensor systems to provide leading edge continental air defense capability.

SM-27IT Machete

To perform the ISR mission, the extended wing SM-27IT will provide U-2 like operational capability using a common SM-27J core.

SM-47T Supersonic Trainer

Stavatti submitted information regarding the two-seat tandem SM-47T Supersonic Trainer Super Machete variant in response to the USAF Advanced Pilot Training (APT) Family of Systems (FoS) RFI on April 30th, 2009.