Kurnass 2000

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A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
This page is about the Israeli jet fighter Kurnass 2000. For the other version, see Kurnass.
Kurnass 2000
f-4e_kurnass_2000.png
GarageImage Kurnass 2000.jpg
Kurnass 2000
AB RB SB
11.3 11.3 11.3
Research:400 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:1 080 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The F-4E Kurnass 2000 was an upgrade package for the F-4E Phantom II by the IAF. The upgrade focused on the aircraft armament and electronic systems. While upgrades to the power plant were proposed, with the introduction of more powerful engines, this modification was not installed to reduce costs. The Kurnass 2000 received a new radar, the AN/APG-76, that was far more superior than the AN/APG-120 used by the standard F-4E. It also was equipped with the ASX-1 TISEO targeting system which allowed Raphael Popeye ASMs to be launched. More advanced avionics and targeting systems for anti-tank munitions and guided bombs were installed, as well as the ability to carry the AIM-9L and Python 3 missile.

Introduced in Update "Sky Guardians", the Kurnass 2000 is an Israeli upgrade of the venerable F-4E Phantom II. It looks and flies almost identically to the standard F-4E, however its air-to-air armament is now drastically improved and rounded out by the all-aspect AIM-9L Sidewinder and Python 3 for closer engagements. For anti armour situations, it has access to the IR guided AGM-65D Maverick and new Paveway II laser guided bombs, coupled with its Pave Spike targeting module. The Kurnass 2000 is a multirole aircraft with impressive systems and weapons, only held back by the performance of its old airframe compared to 4th generation opponents like the MiG-29 and F-16A. The Kurnass 2000 also features an EEGS for its cannon, like the one featured in all 4th generation fighters, it's very good for gun kills, especially in simulator battles. It also has a very powerful radar (although no radar-guided missiles) and can carry a total of 290 countermeasures.

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear
Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier
Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Drogue parachute
Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway
Max speed
at 12 192 m2 140 km/h
Turn time26 s
Max altitude16 000 m
Engine2 х General Electric J79-GE-17
TypeJet
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight24 t
Characteristics Max speed
(km/h at 12,192 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 2,065 2,039 16000 26.5 27.5 160.6 150.9 850
Upgraded 2,202 2,140 25.5 26.0 221.6 190.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Drogue chute
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
1458 463 1,458 625 463 ~11 ~4
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 810 < 750 < 700 -

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Basic mass Wing loading (full fuel)
General Electric J79-GE-17 2 14,205 kg 408 kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load) Max Gross
Weight
Weight (each) Type 9m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel
1,750 kg Afterburning axial-flow turbojet 15,964 kg 18,027 kg 20,070 kg 27,501 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition 100% WEP 9m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel MGW
Stationary 5,200 kgf 8,008 kgf 1.00 0.89 0.80 0.58
Optimal 5,260 kgf
(1,458 km/h)
10,170 kgf
(1,400 km/h)
1.27 1.13 1.01 0.74

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff
Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar
Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural1 458 km/h
Gear463 km/h

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 031 → 4 094 Sl icon.png
RB8 914 → 12 042 Sl icon.png
SB9 680 → 13 077 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications307 300 Rp icon.png
467 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost3 100 Ge icon.png
Crew training310 000 Sl icon.png
Experts1 080 000 Sl icon.png
Aces3 400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 280 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
100 / 320 / 600 % Sl icon.png
250 / 250 / 250 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods booster.png
New boosters
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
500 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
25 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
38 000 Sl icon.png
960 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
500 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
25 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
38 000 Sl icon.png
960 Ge icon.png
Mods air to air missile.png
AIM-9G
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods ammo.png
M60_belt_pack
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
M117
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods heli false thermal targets.png
Flares/Chaff
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods air to air missile.png
AIM-9L
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
M60_new_gun
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Mk83
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods laser guided bomb.png
GBU-12
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon block rocket.png
LAU-3/A
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods air to air missile.png
Python 3
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
500 Ge icon.png
Mods gunpods.png
Gun pod SUU-23/A.
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
500 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Mk84
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
500 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon block rocket large.png
LAU-10/A
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
500 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods laser guided bomb.png
GBU-10
Research:
25 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
38 000 Sl icon.png
960 Ge icon.png
Mods atgm heli preset.png
AGM-65D
Research:
25 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
38 000 Sl icon.png
960 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns) CCIP (Rockets) CCIP (Bombs) CCRP (Bombs) Lead indicator
Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png

Offensive armament

Main article: M61A1 (20 mm)

The Kurnass 2000 is armed with:

  • 1 x 20 mm M61A1 cannon, chin-mounted (640 rpg)
  • 90 x countermeasures

Suspended armament

The Kurnass 2000 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Hardpoints F-4C Phantom II.png
20 mm GAU-4 cannons (1,200 rpg) 1 1 1
250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs 6 3 6 3 6
500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs 6 3 6 3 6
500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs 6 3 6 3 6
750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs 3 3 5 3 3
1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs 2 3 3 3 2
2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs 1 1 1
277 kg GBU-12 Paveway II bombs 2* 2*
957 kg GBU-10 Paveway II bombs 1* 1* 1* 1*
BLU-27/B incendiary bombs 1 2 1
FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets 57 57 57 57 57
Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets 12 12 12 12 12
AGM-65D missiles 3 3
AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles 2 1 1 2
AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles 2 1 1 2
Python 3 missiles 2 1 1 2
Countermeasures 100 100
Pave Spike targeting pod 1*
600 gal drop tanks 1
Maximum permissible loadout weight: 7,257 kg
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 1,500 kg
* Pave Spike targeting pod must be equipped when carrying guided bombs
AGM-65D missiles on hardpoints 2/10 cannot be equipped in conjunction with guided bombs, or AAMs on hardpoints 3/9 respectively
Default weapon presets
  • 1 x 600 gal drop tank
  • 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles
  • 6 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles
  • 6 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
  • 6 x Python 3 missiles
  • 3 x 20 mm GAU-4 cannons (1,200 rpg = 3,600 total)
  • 24 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (6,000 lb total)
  • 24 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (12,000 lb total)
  • 24 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (12,000 lb total)
  • 17 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (12,750 lb total)
  • 4 x BLU-27/B incendiary bombs
  • 13 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (13,000 lb total)
  • 3 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (6,000 lb total)
  • 285 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
  • 60 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
  • 200 x countermeasures
  • 6 x AGM-65D missiles
  • 4 x 277 kg GBU-12 Paveway II bombs (1,108 kg total)
  • 4 x 957 kg GBU-10 Paveway II bombs (3,828 kg total)

Usage in battles

Air RB:

In Air RB, the Kurnass 2000 could be compared to the F-4EJ Kai, having the same air-to-air missile armament and similar radar. To properly utilize the 8 potent missiles and one of the best radars in game is the major task that every Kurnass 2000 pilot will have to face. Typically, enter the battle at a low altitude and shooting down everyone on your way is a viable and effective way to fly the Kurnass 2000. Climbing could also be attempted, but given the presence of AIM-54s and 4th generation fighter jets featuring the same avionics and significantly higher climb rate, it would be a riskier style to fly the Kurnass 2000.

A major difference between the Kurnass 2000 and the F-4EJ Kai is the slats on the Kurnass' wings. At high speed, extension of the slats provides more lift and limits the angle of attack of the aircraft, resulting in a significant decrease in speed loss during turns to a level even comparable to the level of 4th generation aircraft like the F-16 and MiG-29. At lower speed, the slats also increase the overall manoeuvrability of the aircraft, so it is advised to extend the slats in battles (by toggling "combat flaps"), especially when fighting in groups, retracting them when needed to gain more speed or for higher angle of attack. Overall, the slats of the Kurnass provides pilots with the ability to alter the aerodynamics of the aircraft during combat, and provide more versatility and a higher overall performance compared to the F-4EJ Kai.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • One of the most effective air-to-air armament sets in-game with AN/APG-76, Python 3s, and AIM-9Ls
  • Can carry six IR-guided air-to-air missiles
  • Wing slats for increased manoeuvrability and versatility
  • High level of manoeuvrability at high speed as with any other Phantoms
  • Guided bombs and missile with targeting pod for engaging ground targets
  • Equipped with an IR-guided ground attack weapon, the AGM-65D

Cons:

  • Big and heavy aircraft
  • Thrust to weight ratio less than 4th generation jets
  • Lack of radar-guided missiles
  • Despite having a targeting pod and a camera on the wing, neither has a thermal camera, which can make difficult to identify targets at long range

History

F-4E Kurnass 2000 of the IAF, on Ground display in Tel Nof air base during the 66th Independence day of Israel.
F-4E Kurnass 2000 of the IAF, on Ground display in Tel Nof air base during the 66th Independence day of Israel.

The Kurnass 2000 was an Israeli program intended to extend the service life of the existing F-4s in the IDF Air Force. A major part of the program was to improve the avionics and the aging airframes. New displays, cameras, and computers were implemented during the program, greatly enhancing its capabilities over a standard F-4E. In addition, fuel tank leaks were fixed and parts of the airframe were reinforced. F-4Es were also to be upgraded with the APG-76 radar over the standard APQ-120 radar. The Kurnass 2000 also received the ASX-1 TISEO targeting system which allowed Raphael Popeye ASMs to be launched.

The Kurnass 2000 was also intended to receive an engine upgrade. Pratt & Whitney PW1120 engines were proposed by the IDF/AF to be fitted to the F-4s and a test bed was built to examine the performance. The test bed was originally meant for the IAI Lavi project, but it also proved the enormous performance increase over Phantoms with the J79 engines. The P&W-powered F-4 was able to pass Mach 1 without afterburner, increase climb rate by over 35 percent, and had a 15% increase in sustained turn rate. Although ambitious, the upgraded F-4Es never received this engine upgrade largely due to costs. Thus, the main differences between the Kurnass 2000 modernized Phantoms and the regular F-4E were almost exclusively avionics and some airframe changes.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Related development

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


McDonnell Aircraft Corporation
Jet Fighters  F2H-2 · F3H-2
  F-4C Phantom II · F-4E Phantom II · F-4J Phantom II · F-4S Phantom II
  F-15A
Export/Licensed 
Aircraft  ◄F-4F Early · ◄F-4F · Phantom FG.1 · Phantom FGR.2 · F-4J(UK) Phantom II · F-4EJ Phantom II · F-4EJ ADTW · Kurnass · Kurnass 2000
  Baz · F-15J
  ▄AV-8B Plus
Helicopters  AH-6M · Lahatut
  The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation merged with Douglas Aircraft Company in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas.
See Also  Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Israel jet aircraft
  Kfir Canard · Kfir C.2 · Kfir C.7 · Nesher
Britain 
Meteor  Meteor NF.13 · Meteor F.8
France 
Vautour  Vautour IIA · Vautour IIN
Super Mystere  Sambad · Sa'ar
Mirage III  Shahak
Other  M.D.450B Ouragan · Mystere IVA
USA 
F-84  F-84F
A-4  A-4H · A-4E Early (M) · A-4E · Ayit
F-4  Kurnass · Kurnass 2000
F-15  Baz
F-16  Netz · Barak II