VFW VAK 191B
| VAK 191B | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| VAK 191B displayed next to a Dornier Do 31 transport | |
| Role | VTOL strike fighter |
| Manufacturer | Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke |
| First flight | 20 September 1971 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | German Air Force |
| Number built | 3 |
The VFW VAK 191B was an experimental German VTOL nuclear strike fighter of the early 1970s. Designed and built by the Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke (VFW), it was intended to lead to a replacement for the Fiat G.91.
The VAK 191B was produced by the German company Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke (VFW) a company formed by Focke-Wulf and Weser-Flugzeugbau. Initially, Fiat of Italy was also involved but Italy withdrew from the joint development agreement with Germany in 1967, and Fiat remained as the major sub-contractor producing wings, tailplanes and some of the fuselage. The initial programme called for three single-seater and three two-seater, but was first altered to six single-seater aircraft, and then was further cut to only three aircraft.
VAK was the abbreviation for Vertikalstartendes Aufklärungs- und Kampfflugzeug (V/STOL Reconnaissance and Strike Aircraft).
Propulsion was provided by a Rolls-Royce/MAN Turbo RB.193-12 vectored thrust engine for both lift and cruise which was augmented by two Rolls-Royce vertical lift engines.
The program was begun in 1962 to replace the Fiat G.91 ground attack fighter with a VTOL aircraft as part of NBMR-3 but NATO requirements changed and it became a technology demonstrator.
With a new project appearing - the German/American "Advanced Vertical Strike" (AVS) fighter - the VAK was "reclassified as an experimental programme"
Three VAK 191B aircraft were flown in the flight test program between 1970-1975 making 91 flights. The first hovering flight was made in Bremen on 20 September 1971. The first transition from vertical flight to horizontal and vice versa was achieved on 26 October 1972 in Munich.
The prototypes were used to test some of the concepts in for the European MRCA programme (which led to the Panavia Tornado) including 'fly-by-wire' technology.
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