1) First
a/c designed with digital computers being used for
both aerodynamic analysis and designing the structural
matrix (and a whole lot more). |
2) First
a/c design to have major components machined by CNC
(computer numeric control); i.e., from electronic
data which controlled the machine. |
3) First
a/c to be developed using an early form of "computational
fluid dynamics" with an integrated "lifting
body" type of theory rather than the typical
(and obsolete) "blade element" theory. |
4) First
a/c to have marginal stability designed into the
pitch axis for better maneuverability, speed and
altitude performance. |
5) First
a/c to have negative stability designed into the
yaw axis to save weight and cut drag, also boosting
performance. |
6) First
a/c to fly on an electronic signal from the stick
and pedals. i.e., first fly-by-wire a/c. |
7) First
a/c to fly with fly by wire AND artificial feedback
(feel). Not even the first F-16's had this. |
8) First
a/c designed to be data-link flyable from the ground. |
9) First
a/c designed with integrated navigation, weapons
release, automatic search and track radar, datalink
inputs, home-on-jamming, infrared detection, electronic
countermeasures and counter-countermeasures operating
through a DIGITAL brain. |
10) First
high wing jet fighter that made the entire upper
surface a lifting body. The F-15, F-22, Su-27 etc.,
MiG-29, MiG 25 and others certainly used
that idea. |
11) First
sophisticated bleed-bypass system for both intake
AND engine/exhaust. Everybody uses that now. |
12) First
by-pass engine design. (all current fighters have
by-pass engines). |
13) First
combination of the last two points with an "ejector" nozzle
that used the bypass air to create thrust at the
exhaust nozzle while also improving intake flow.
The F-106 didn't even have a nozzle, just a pipe. |
14) Use
of Titanium for significant portions of the aircraft
structure and engine. |
15) Use
of composites (not the first, but they made thoughtful
use of them and were researching and engineering
new ones). |
16) Use
of a drooped leading edge and aerodynamic "twist" on
the wing. |
17) Use
of engines at the rear to allow both a lighter structure
and significant payload at the centre of gravity.
Everybody copied that. |
18) Use
of a LONG internal weapons bay to allow carriage
of specialized, long-range standoff and cruise missiles.
(not copied yet really) |
19) Integration
of ground-mapping radar and the radar altimeter plus
flight control system to allow a seriousstrike/reconnaissance
role. The first to propose an aircraft be equally
adept at those roles while being THE air-superiority
fighter at the same time. (Few have even tried to
copy that, although the F-15E is an interesting exception.) |
20) First
missile armed a/c to have a combat weight thrust
to weight ratio approaching 1 to 1. Few have been
able to copy that. |
21) First
flying 4,000 psi hydraulic system to allow lighter
and smaller components. |
22) First
oxygen-injection re-light system. |
23) First
engine to have only two main bearing assemblies on
a two-shaft design. |
24) First
to use a variable stator on a two-shaft engine. |
25) First
use of a trans-sonic first compressor stage on a
turbojet engine. |
26) First "hot-streak" type
of afterburner ignition. |
27) First
engine to use only 10 compressor sections in a two-shaft
design. (The competition was using 17!!) |
