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Desing History

F-61EX is the third modernization of the F-61 Multirole aircraft designed by Republic Armament Systems in 1974.

The F-61 was a twin-engine purebred fighter aircraft that was first designed in 1974 and flew in 1978, replacing the F-42s.

The F-61 received its first modernization in 1992, converting to the F-61M Art II version.

F-61s gained ground attack capabilities with Art II modernization. In addition to the new ground attack radar, the main radar was updated to a higher model and subsystem improvements were made.

With Art IIs, the F-61's weapon range has expanded and it has become capable of using new generation air-to-air missiles.

F-61Ms received AESA radars with the ECL (Extended Combat Life) Program in 2001 and also underwent some body modifications.

F-61M (Multirole) units started to be modernized with the F-61EX Art III modernization package in 2022.

With this modernization package, F-61Ms received more advanced AESA and Land attack radars and were able to use more advanced and various land attack munitions.

They also underwent some major design changes and their camouflage pattern was replaced with EAF's newly designated camouflage pattern, "Estar White".

Although aircraft camouflage is not as important as it used to be, due to some minor advantages and historical reasons (1919 Confederate Air Army Camo Pattern T.23 ''Flying Estarian''), the EAF switched to a pattern very similar to naval aviation camouflage.

With the ART III Modernization, F-61Ms gained the ability to use the following ammunition (now F-61EX)

-Conventional explosive free fall munitions
-Bunker Buster and Napalm bombs
-Chemical and Biological weapons
-Free fall EMP munitions
-Nuclear free-fall munitions and Nuclear-tipped cruise missiles
-HACM hypersonic missiles regardless of warhead
-Free fall bombs with Medium Size EME warheads (Enchanted Exposive)
-All Air-to-Surface Missiles in the Estarian Air Force inventory

Operation History

F-61Ms had their first combat experience in the 2012 Arainq war.

F-61Ms mainly performed rear-line patrol duties and some limited ground attack missions.

The most notable operation of F-61Ms was the 2013 Al-Yazn Raid.

Seven F-61Ms escorting two HGA-51 Lancer Gunships were en route to provide close air support to friendly units of the 224th Tank Battalion trapped in an Arainq ambush at Al-Yazn, supported by tanks and armored vehicles.

Although HGA-51 and F-61Ms successfully evaded several SAM attacks, they encountered eight MD-23Ls of the Arainq air force a few minutes later.

MD-23Ls were domestic warplanes produced by AMAC (Arainq Military Aviation Center) and did not receive much maintenance.

F-61Ms intercepted two MD-23Ls and engaged in a dogfight with the remaining six. Although one of the two HGA-51s was shot down in this dogfight, the F-63Ms did not suffer any other casualties.

After Bagandth, Al-Yazn was one of the most heavily protected airspaces, and it seemed impossible for a plane without Stealth capability to fly without being hit.

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