What the Cheetah meant to South Africa?

The Cheetah was acquired to counter a more advanced adversary and to defend the country at a time when modern aerial combat started to change its face to ever increasing stand-off distances and improved frontal hemisphere engagement angles. Few would have thought the type would remain in service for 21 years. In terms of the Cheetah D the initial role was to train fighter pilots and strike navigators in modern combat techniques. Later, laser designation was added to introduce a stand-off capability for precision delivery of smart bombs. The aging fleet of Mirage F1CZ interceptor aircraft saw the Cheetah C entering service with 2 Sqdn.

A rare photo featuring a Cheetah C, E & D

  This aircraft took the SAAF to the next level by introducing BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missiles as part of a highly advanced fighter aircraft system to counter far more advanced systems. In fact the oversized HUD with its method of information display and the HOTAS system as fitted on the Cheetah C is still one of the best available on the market, even today. The HUD and HOTAS system provides the pilot with a world class situation awareness information system.

The advanced EW system added a phenomenal amount of value to the aircraft with the added advantage of an integrated system fitted internally to the aircraft. Apart from a highly advanced passive role the system could also be used in the active role. All Cheetah variants were capable of in flight refuelling and with the fleet of Boeing tankers this aspect introduced a force multiplier of note. A modern recce pod could be used on the Cheetah C to provide a highly capable tactical reconnaissance role. With the introduction of this advanced aircraft, the local aviation industry benefited by gaining experience in modern aerospace techniques. This afforded them the opportunity to be positioned in the market as capable sub-contractors to far larger aerospace companies in recent years.

Cheetah - fastest animal on earth

In terms of the Cheetah program the C model was in many ways unique and to only a few pilots who qualified on the type the entire capability of this grey cat is known. Despite shrouded in secrecy with many items on the classified list to this day, the type enjoyed a huge popularity with the South African public and abroad. This was largely due to the efforts of “Spotty” – a Cheetah C in a Cheetah colour scheme used for dissimilar combat training.