In 1981, the nation of Pakistan took delivery - and local production - of the MFI-17 "Mushshak" ("Proficient") for the basic training and light attack roles. These were manufactured under the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) brand label and represented a localized version of the Swedish "Safari" twin-seat trainer. Additional work to the product by the Swedes eventually spawned an improved and upgraded form in the Saab "Supporter" which has gone on to become the "Super Mushshak" in Paskitani Air Force service.
The Super Mushshak continues in the same designated roles as the former design and over sixty have been produced to date (2016) - forty are committed to Pakistan and twenty were sent to Saudi Arabia. The rebuilding air force of Iraq has also ordered twenty, these stemming from a February 2014 commitment. A first-flight by a prototype Super Mushshak was had in 1995 with service introduction coming the following year. Production has been ongoing since 1995.
The Super Mushshak seats its crew of two in a side-by-side arrangement aft of the engine installation in the nose (a third crewman can be carried as an observer / passenger further aft). The aircraft sports a braced high-wing monoplane planform for excellent lifting and control properties. Its empennage is made up of a T-style plane arrangement. A tricycle undercarriage is fitted. The engine is a Textron Lycoming IO-540 V4A5 6-cylinder unit outputting 260 horsepower while driving a two-bladed propeller. Maximum speed is 270 kmh with a range out to 815 kilometers, a service ceiling up to 6,700 meters, and a rate-of-climb equal to 1,220 feet-per-minute.
For the light strike / attack role, the wings of the Super Mushshak can be fitted with pylons to mount external ordnance options such as gun pods, rocket pods, and conventional drop stores (up to 300 kilograms).
Specifications
Year: 1996
Status Active, Limited Service
Crew 2
Production 391 Units
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) - Pakistan
Azerbaijan; Iran; Iraq; Nigeria; Oman; Pakistan; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; South Africa; Syria; Turkey
- Close-Air Support (CAS)
- Training
Length:
23.46 ft (7.15 m)
Width:
29.04 ft (8.85 m)
Height:
8.53 ft (2.6 m)
Empty Weight:
1,676 lb (760 kg)
MTOW:
2,756 lb (1,250 kg)
(Diff: +1,080lb)
(Showcased weight values pertain to the PAC Super Mushshak production model)
1 x Textron Lycoming IO-540 V4A5 6-cylinder engine developing 260 horsepower driving a two-bladed propeller unit at the nose.
Max Speed:
168 mph (270 kph; 146 kts)
Service Ceiling:
21,998 feet (6,705 m; 4.17 miles)
Max Range:
506 miles (815 km; 440 nm)
Rate-of-Climb:
1,220 ft/min (372 m/min)
(Showcased performance values pertain to the PAC Super Mushshak production model; Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database)
Typically none. Can be outfitted for light attack role with installation of underwing pylons managing up to 660lb of stores (assumed rocket pods, gun pods, and conventional drop bombs).
(Showcased armament details pertain to the PAC Super Mushshak production model)
"Super Mushshak" - Base Series Name; based on the earlier MFI-17 "Mushshak" basic training platform.
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Azerbaijan; Iran; Iraq; Nigeria; Oman; Pakistan; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; South Africa; Syria; Turkey
