IAI Kfir
Israel Aerospace Industries · Israel · first flew 1973 · fighter
The IAI Kfir is an Israeli-built supersonic fighter derived from the Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, re-engined with the General Electric J79 and featuring distinctive canard foreplanes.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | J79 engine gives a wider rear fuselage than the Mirage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Israeli delta-wing fighter based on Mirage III/5 airframe
- Distinctive small canard foreplanes added ahead of the delta wing
- J79 engine gives a wider rear fuselage than the Mirage
Like a Mirage III but with a shortened, blunter nose, small rectangular canard foreplanes, and a wider rear fuselage to accommodate the J79 engine.
Specifications
- The IAI Kfir has a length of 15.65 m (51 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.22 m (27 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 2440 km/h (1516 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed after France embargoed arms to Israel following the 1967 war, the Kfir entered service in 1975. Israel clandestinely obtained Mirage 5 plans and a SNECMA Atar engine, then redesigned the aircraft around the American J79 turbojet.
Variants
Variants include the Kfir C1, C2 (with canards), C7 (upgraded avionics and combat capability), and the TC2/TC7 two-seat trainers.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Israeli Air Force and exported to Ecuador and Colombia; leased to the US Navy and USMC as adversary aircraft.
Related aircraft
- IAI F-21A Lion
- IAI Nesher
- IAI 1124 Westwind
- IAI Arava
- Alpha Jet
- Beechcraft T-34C-1 Turbo Mentor
- Sukhoi Su-17M2
- A-10 Thunderbolt II
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