Four decades of transonic fighter design

A sizeable market potentially exists for aircraft in the light combat aircraft category. A review of progress in some aspects of the design of transonic fighters over four decades is presented by comparing the Hawker Hunter and British Aerospace Hawk 200. The genesis and development of each aircraft is briefly traced, whereupon the main areas of comparison, i.e., aerodynamics, propulsion, structure, performance, avionics, and cost are addressed, including reference to contemporary aircraft. It is not only clear that significant advances have been made but also that the future holds promise of even more.