Milos Sijacki
Senior Airman
The G-4 Super Galeb is a tandem-seat low-wing advanced jet trainer/light attack jet of Yugoslav origin. The plane was first flown July 17, 1978 and production began in 1982. It was built to replace the G-2 Galeb and Lockheed T-33 in the Yugoslav Air Force. The G-4 Super Galeb is not a modified G-2 Galeb as is claimed in some aircraft books, but an entirely new design.
Development
In the early 1990s the G-4 was a briefly a losing contender in the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System program in the U.S and was highly praised by American test pilots who flew it. The Raytheon/Pilatus entry won, and became the T-6 Texan II.
There was also a design for a single-seat version of the G-4 possibly called the G-5, which would have had greater attack capability including a radar. The G-5 project was dropped due to the disintegration of Yugoslavia.
The latest version of the G-4 is the G-4M[1] which is currently in an advanced test phase, designed by Lola Utva and tested and researched by the Batajnica Flight Test Center. Compared to the original G-4, the G-4M has can carry a greater payload, has more advanced avionics, an integrated nav/attack system, a HUD, satisfies HOTAS requirements, and can carry guided air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.
Variants
* G-4 Super Galeb (Super Seagull) : Two-seat basic / advanced jet trainer, light attack aircraft.
* G-4š : Unarmed trainer version of G-4.
* G-4t : Target puller.
* G-4M : Prototype.
Operational service
The G-4 saw extensive combat in both the Bosnian War and the Kosovo War where it was used in the ground attack role.
During the Bosnian War, VRS forces were reported to have used G-4 Super Galeb's. The USAF officials claimed that they had shot down several Super Galebs, But these claims were withdrawn as the only official losses by the VRS were 6 J-21 Jastrebs and two J-22 Oraos from both enemy fire and accidents. after the war only one G-4 Super Galeb was left in Republika Srpska Air Force the rest returned to Serbia.
Development
In the early 1990s the G-4 was a briefly a losing contender in the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System program in the U.S and was highly praised by American test pilots who flew it. The Raytheon/Pilatus entry won, and became the T-6 Texan II.
There was also a design for a single-seat version of the G-4 possibly called the G-5, which would have had greater attack capability including a radar. The G-5 project was dropped due to the disintegration of Yugoslavia.
The latest version of the G-4 is the G-4M[1] which is currently in an advanced test phase, designed by Lola Utva and tested and researched by the Batajnica Flight Test Center. Compared to the original G-4, the G-4M has can carry a greater payload, has more advanced avionics, an integrated nav/attack system, a HUD, satisfies HOTAS requirements, and can carry guided air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.
Variants
* G-4 Super Galeb (Super Seagull) : Two-seat basic / advanced jet trainer, light attack aircraft.
* G-4š : Unarmed trainer version of G-4.
* G-4t : Target puller.
* G-4M : Prototype.
Operational service
The G-4 saw extensive combat in both the Bosnian War and the Kosovo War where it was used in the ground attack role.
During the Bosnian War, VRS forces were reported to have used G-4 Super Galeb's. The USAF officials claimed that they had shot down several Super Galebs, But these claims were withdrawn as the only official losses by the VRS were 6 J-21 Jastrebs and two J-22 Oraos from both enemy fire and accidents. after the war only one G-4 Super Galeb was left in Republika Srpska Air Force the rest returned to Serbia.
