The final official entry into military aviation history concerning the Folland Aircraft Company became the "Fo.148". This aircraft was proposed against a standing Royal Air Force (RAF) requirement calling for a "combination" airframe capable of primary/advanced pilot training as well as light strike sorties. While the requirement was ultimately fulfilled by a modified, trainer-oriented form of the SEPECAT "Jaguar" jet aircraft, the Fo.148 followed Folland's other proposal, the Fo.147 (detailed elsewhere on this site), in an attempt to woo RAF authorities.
Unlike the twin engine Fo.147 proposal, which was based in the proposed Gnat Mk.5 model, the F.148 was set to feature the single engine installation of the Gnat Mk.1. The same high-winged mainplane arrangement was to be used though modified with an inherent "Variable Geometry" (VG) - or "swing-wing" - capability. The swing-wing nature of the mainplanes allowed the aircraft to more efficiently operate at both low- and high-speed flight envelopes by changing the sweepback of the mainplanes in real-time / mid-flight.
Folland engineers proposed the Fo.148 as something of a "one-size-fits-all" solution, capable of fulfilling both basic and advanced jet trainer roles for RAF airmen as well as having a secondary light attack function. The relative simplicity of the Gnat framework was also to have enticed foreign operators to purchase the type in number. All of this planning led to three distinct forms of the base Fo.148 being proposed: the basic trainer sans a radar fit and afterburning engine along with fixed wing mainplanes, the advanced trainer model with full swing-wing functionality but lacking the afterburning engine and any advanced weapons/avionics support, and the light attack platform having access to all advanced systems (including nose-mounted radar) and afterburning engine to make for a sound low-level attacker.
In any case, the aircraft's design was to carry a single Rolls-Royce RB153-61 turbojet engine offering 6,720lb thrust on dry and 11,750lb with reheat engaged. The engine was installed in the aft-section of the fuselage and aspirated by side-mounted intakes. Along with this the aircraft would feature two crewmen seated in tandem and a retractable tricycle undercarriage for ground-running. The tail unit incorporated a single vertical fin with low-set horizontal planes - this was in contrast to the earlier Fo.147 which was to make use of a unique rotating/retractable canard arrangement, resulting in the deletion of the horizontal tailplane members. All wing surfaces were given sweepback in the Fo.148 design.
Beyond its multi-faceted airframe, the aircraft's engine was to feature a "thrust-reverser" quality to help shorten landing runs (this feature was prominently seen in the contemporary, Cold War-era Swedish Saab JAS 37 "Viggen" fighter detailed on this site), an inherent missile-carrying capability for possible interception duties, and an advanced Fire Control System (FCS) found in then-top-flight RAF platforms such as the English Electric "Lightning" supersonic interceptor. Two hardpoints were to be featured in the Fo.148, these found along the lower sides of the fuselage and supporting either the "Red Top" air-to-air missile or the "Bullpup" air-to-surface missile depending on attack role needed (up to 2,000lb of externally-held stores possible).
As drawn up, the aircraft was given a running length of 47 feet with a wingspan of 35 feet. Gross weight was to reach 16,500. Proposed maximum speed was just above Mach 2.0.
In any event, the Fo.148 failed to net interest just as the Fo.147 before it - neither making it to the prototype stage. A first-flight of the Fo.148 prototype was, indeed, being planned for the end of 1963 or early 1964 but this fell to naught and both designs ended up as nothing more than proposals destined to never see the light of day.
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Air-to-Air Combat, Fighter
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.
✓Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
✓X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator)
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.
✓Training (General)
Developed ability to be used as a dedicated trainer for student pilots (typically under the supervision of an instructor).
Length
47.1 ft (14.35 m)
Width/Span
34.9 ft (10.65 m)
Height
8.9 ft (2.70 m)
Empty Wgt
11,905 lb (5,400 kg)
MTOW
16,535 lb (7,500 kg)
Wgt Diff
+4,630 lb (+2,100 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Folland Fo.148 production variant)
Installed:
1 x Rolls-Royce RB.153-61 afterburning turbojet engine developing 6,720lb of thrust dry and 11,750lb of thrust with reheat; thrust-reverser capability.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Folland Fo.148 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
PROPOSED:
2 x "Red Top" air-to-air missiles OR 2 x "Bullpup" air-to-surface missiles.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 2
Fo.148 - Base Project Designation; encompassing primary trainer form lacking radar, afterburning engine and swing-wing capability, advanced trainer form with full swing-wing capability and minimal avionics package, and light strike model with nose-mounted radar, afterburning engine, and complete weapons/avionics suite.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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United Kingdom (abandoned)
