View source for Atlas Cheetah

{{Short description|South African fighter aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use South African English|date=September 2012}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name = Cheetah
 |image = File:SAAF Cheetah-C 344 (13703004263).jpg
 |caption = A [[South African Air Force]] Cheetah C
 |type = [[Fighter aircraft]]
 |national_origin=South Africa
 |manufacturer = [[Atlas Aircraft Corporation]]
 |first_flight = 
 |introduction = 1986
 |retired =   
 |number_built = 38 (C), 16 (D), 16 (E)
 |status=Active with private companies
 |primary_user = [[South African Air Force]] (historical)
 |more_users = [[Chilean Air Force]] (historical)<br/>[[Ecuadorian Air Force]] (historical)
 |unit cost = 
 |developed_from = [[Dassault Mirage III]]<br>[[IAI Nesher]]<br>[[IAI Kfir]]<ref name=AR>{{cite web |url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_274.shtml |title=Dassault Mirage III & Mirage 5/Nesher in Israeli Service |publisher=ACIG |year=2003 |access-date=9 July 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726102431/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_274.shtml |archive-date=26 July 2014 }}</ref> 
 |variants =
}}

The '''Atlas Cheetah''' is a South African [[fighter aircraft]] designed and produced by the aviation company [[Atlas Aircraft Corporation]] (later [[Denel Aeronautics]]). It was primarily designed and developed to be operated by the [[South African Air Force]] (SAAF).

The Cheetah was developed amid the [[South African Border War|Border War]] of the 1980s as a major upgrade of the French-built [[Dassault Mirage III]] fleet operated by the SAAF. The programme integrated technology from the [[Israel]]i-built [[IAI Kfir]],<ref>[http://americasforum.com/content/ex-south-african-air-force-cheetah-fighter-jets-arriving-ecuador "Ex-South African Air Force Cheetah fighter jets arriving in Ecuador."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402211834/http://americasforum.com/content/ex-south-african-air-force-cheetah-fighter-jets-arriving-ecuador |date=2 April 2012 }} AmericasForum.com, 20 April 2011.</ref> which had been derived from the [[Dassault Mirage 5|Mirage 5]]/[[IAI Nesher]]. The upgrade programme, which was known as ''Project Cushion'', produced three variants; the two-seat ''Cheetah D'', the single-seat ''Cheetah E'', and the single-seat ''Cheetah C''. All three models were inducted into the SAAF, functioning for a time as the service's most capable [[fighter aircraft|fighter]] and [[strike fighter|strike]] aircraft. A single ''Cheetah R'', intended for [[aerial reconnaissance]], was built as a prototype, but this variant never entered service.

During 1992, the Cheetah E model was withdrawn from SAAF service; both the Cheetah Cs and Cheetah Ds were retired during April 2008, having been being replaced by the Swedish-built [[Saab Gripen]]. Since its retirement by the SAAF, a limited number have still operated in South Africa as flight test aircraft. Some have been exported, such as to the [[Ecuadorian Air Force]] (EAF) as a source of spare parts. The [[privately held company|privately owned company]] [[Draken International]] intends to use the Cheetah as an [[Aggressor squadron|adversarial aircraft]] for combat training services in the United States.

==Development==
===Background===
[[File:SAAF-Cheetah-Simulator-001.jpg|thumb|Cockpit of the Cheetah D flight simulator]]
The Atlas Cheetah programme originated during the 1980s out of South Africa's requirement for more capable [[fighter aircraft|fighter]] and [[strike fighter|strike]] aircraft. At the time, the [[South African Air Force]] (SAAF) was confronted by the need for more advanced aircraft to attain an edge over the ever-more sophisticated [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-built aircraft, such as the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MiG-23]], that were being supplied to both [[Angola]]n and [[Cuba]]n forces. These aircraft were being deployed against South Africa's own military during the lengthy conflict commonly known as the [[South African Border War|Border War]].<ref name = "boring 2017">Beckhusen, Robert. [https://warisboring.com/the-cheetah-was-south-africas-good-enough-fighter/ "The Cheetah Was South Africa’s ‘Good Enough’ Fighter."] ''warisboring.com'', 14 December 2017.</ref> Furthermore, the increasing cost of maintenance due to international [[International sanctions|sanctions]] and the increasing age of existing aircraft in the SAAF's inventory also needed to be addressed. As a consequence of the [[arms embargo]] being imposed at the time under [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 418]], South Africa was prevented from purchasing new aircraft from almost any other country in the world; accordingly, the upgrading of existing aircraft became the only viable option available.<ref name = "boring 2017"/><ref name="Isolated">{{cite book |last=Geldenhuys |first=Deon |title=Isolated States: A Comparative Analysis |url=https://archive.org/details/isolatedstatesco0000geld |url-access=registration |date=1990 |page=[https://archive.org/details/isolatedstatesco0000geld/page/510 510] |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |isbn=978-0521283267}}</ref>

====Companies involved====
By the 1980s, the South African aviation industry had attained the level of technical capability to make a large and sophisticated upgrade possible. These factors contributed to the SAAF making the decision to authorise an extensive upgrade programme involving one of the existing types in service. Furthermore, the development of an advanced indigenously developed fighter, known as the [[Atlas Carver]], was also initiated around the same time.<ref name="Olivier">{{cite web |title=Project Carver emerges from the shadows |last=Olivier |first=Darren |url=https://www.africandefence.net/project-carver-emerges-from-the-shadows/ |location=Randburg
|publisher=African Defence Review |date=14 November 2016 |access-date=25 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212154350/https://www.africandefence.net/project-carver-emerges-from-the-shadows/ |archive-date=12 December 2016}}</ref>

During the 1980s, the SAAF's fast jet fleet consisted of multiple variants of the [[France|French]]-built [[Dassault Mirage III]] (EZ/CZ/BZ/DZ/D2Z/RZ/R2Z) and [[Dassault Mirage F1|Mirage F1]] (AZ/CZ) aircraft. Although the Mirage F1 was considered to be the most modern aircraft type in the fleet, deliveries having commenced during 1977, the type comprised the primary element of South Africa's air defence and strike fleet. Withdrawing the Mirage F1 to perform an extensive upgrade would have necessitated opening a major gap in that nation's air defence and strike capability, which was deemed to be unacceptable by senior SAAF officials.<ref name = "boring 2017"/>

In addition, various features could be integrated into the Mirage III from related, pre-existing upgrades that had been made to similar aircraft, such as the [[Dassault Mirage 5|Mirage 5]]/[[IAI Nesher]]/[[IAI Kfir]] lineage and [[Dassault Mirage III#Mirage 3NG|Mirage 3NG]] project, the latter being based on the Mirage III. Consequently, the SAAF's Mirage III fleet was chosen as the recipient for this upgrade programme, which was initially referred to as ''Project Cushion''.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

The work was carried out by Atlas Aviation (formerly ''Atlas Aircraft Corporation'' and lately [[Denel Aviation]]). Atlas was also able to acquire skilled technicians with relevant knowledge from [[Israel]], following the cancellation of an advanced Israeli fighter project, known as the [[IAI Lavi]].<ref name="Isolated"/> Prior to the programme, Israel had already established itself as a source of military technology for South Africa, cumulating in the [[Israel–South Africa Agreement]]. The two nations had engaged in multiple arrangements specifically involving SAAF's Mirage III fleet, including the procurement of spare parts by Israel and the embedding of Israelí advisors within SAAF units.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}} According to some aviation publications,<ref name="acmrf">{{Cite web |url=http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/atlas_cheetah.htm |title=Atlas Cheetah - Multi-role fighter |access-date=20 December 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081210032756if_/http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/atlas_cheetah.htm|archive-date= 10 December 2008 |url-status= usurped}}</ref> foreign aviation company [[Israel Aerospace Industries|Israel Aircraft Industries]] had been involved in at least the initial stages of the upgrade, and that some components were sourced directly from Israel. IAI themselves have acknowledged their involvement in the joint development of related projects, such as an active-radar development programme.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/python-3-in-south-african-service-23148/ "Python 3 in South African service."] ''Flight International'', 29 November 1995.</ref> According to ACIG, a total of five [[IAI Nesher]] fighters may have been acquired from the [[Israeli Air Force]] for Cheetah trials and later absorbed into the existing fleet.<ref name=AR/> According to aviation author John W. Golan, a potentially large number of [[IAI Kfir]]s may have been provided to South Africa for the programme.<ref>Golan 2016, p. 374.</ref>

====Details====
The upgrade consisted of a complete refurbishment of the airframe down to zero flight hours condition; to achieve this, roughly 50% of the original airframe was reportedly replaced, according to statements made by Atlas.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}} Aerodynamic changes included the installation of non-moving [[canard (aeronautics)|canard]]s just aft of the engine intakes, the Cheetah D & E models were fitted with slightly smaller (70%) canards than that of the Cheetah C and IAI Kfir.<ref name = "boring 2017"/> Other airframe alterations included two additional [[hard point|stores pylon]]s at the [[wing root]]s, an [[Aerial refueling|aerial refuelling probe]], new [[ejection seat]]s, a new main wing [[spar (aeronautics)|spar]] along with a new "drooping" [[leading edge]] and a [[dog-tooth]] incision on each wing, modern [[elevon]]s controlled by a twin computer-based flight control system, and [[strake]]s on the nose to improve the Cheetah's high-[[Angle of attack]] (AoA) performance.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}} Reportedly, the Cheetah could carry three times as much ordinance (in terms of weight) as the Mirage III while possessing superior agility as well.<ref name = "boring 2017"/> However, according to aviation author [[Dick Lord]], the Mirage F1 remained capable of superior performance in areas such as fuel efficiency, ease of handling, and range.<ref name = "lord 21791">Lord 2008, pp. 217, 291.</ref>

In terms of its electronics and systems, the Cheetah was provisioned with new [[avionics]], [[radar]] set, [[electronic warfare]] (EW) and [[Electronic countermeasure|self-protection suite]]s.<ref>Chenel, Liébert and Moreau 2014, pp. 128-131</ref> As many of these were accommodated within the nose, this necessitated its lengthening to provide more internal space. The EW suite incorporated a [[missile approach warning system]] and [[radar warning receiver]]s, while the aircraft's self-protection system, which consisted of electronic [[Radar jamming and deception|jammers]] and [[Chaff (countermeasure)|chaff]]/[[Infrared countermeasure|flare]] dispensers that were automatically activated. An indigenously developed [[helmet-mounted sight]] (HMS) and an oversized [[head-up display]] (HUD) were also installed in the cockpit, along with other sophisticated cockpit instrumentation.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}} The upgrade involved the fitting of a new and capable [[Doppler radar|Pulse-Doppler]] radar system. While both the Cheetah D and the Cheetah E were still equipped with the [[SNECMA Atar|SNECMA Atar 9C]] [[turbojet]] engine, the Cheetah C used the more powerful Atar 9K50.<ref>Chenel, Liébert and Moreau 2014, pp. 128, 130</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) Cheetah.jpg|thumb|left|260px|A Cheetah flying over [[USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98)|USS ''Forrest Sherman'']] in Table Bay]]
On 16 July 1986, the first Cheetah D was publicly unveiled although a number of Cheetah Ds had already entered service with [[89 Combat Flying School]] at AFB Pietersburg. During 1987, the Cheetah D was declared to be operational with the SAAF. The second and third aircraft to be delivered to Atlas were both Mirage IIIEZs, following their conversion of the ''Cheetah E'' configuration, these aircraft went into service with 5 Squadron at [[AFB Makhado|AFB Louis Trichardt]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Sparke |first=Capt. Colin |title=Cheetah aircraft |journal=Ad Astra Magazine |date=2007 |volume=27 |issue=2 |page=10 |url=http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/cpsi/unpan031861.pdf |access-date=12 April 2014 |editor1-first=Maj J.V. |editor1-last=Du Toit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904223810/http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/cpsi/unpan031861.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 September 2012}}</ref><ref name = "lord 217">Lord 2008, p. 217.</ref> Early experiences with the Cheetah found it to be markedly more difficult to successfully perform [[Aerial refueling|in-flight refuelling]] than the Mirage F1 fleet.<ref name = "lord 235">Lord 2008, p. 235.</ref> While the type had been developed in response to the increasing pressure of the [[South African Border War|Border War]], there is no evidence that any Cheetahs of any variant actually conducted offensive operations in the final years of the conflict.<ref name = "boring 2017"/>

By 1991, 16 of each type were reported in service when the Cheetah D and E conversion lines closed. This same year, the production of the Cheetah C started, the first such aircraft being rolled out during January 1993. All the Cheetah Cs entered service with [[2 Squadron SAAF|2 Squadron]], which was also stationed at AFB Louis Trichardt.<ref name="Chenel 2014, p. 131">Chenel, Liébert and Moreau 2014, p. 131</ref> The type continued to be used during the [[Negotiations to end apartheid in South Africa|post-Apartheid]] peacetime, but became increasingly obsolete in comparison to international fighter aircraft over the course of two decades. The Cheetah was eventually withdrawn from SAAF service during the 2000s in favour of newly procured [[Sweden|Swedish]] [[Saab JAS-39 Gripen]]s, which has succeeded the Cheetah as the service's principal fast jet fighter.<ref name = "boring 2017"/><ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/nation-building-187399/ "Nation Building."] ''Flight International'', 14 September 2004.</ref>

Retired Cheetahs were typically stored rather than scrapped, and during 2003, South Africa began seeing buyers for these surplus aircraft.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/south-africans-put-older-aircraft-on-the-block-167600/ "South Africans put older aircraft on the block."] ''Flight International'', 19 June 2003.</ref> Accordingly, the Cheetah has been exported to various customers. In [[South America]], [[Ecuador]] decided to acquire the type.<ref>Hoyle, Craig. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ecuador-signs-for-12-ex-south-african-cheetahs-350870/ "Ecuador signs for 12 ex-South African Cheetahs."] ''Flight International'', 13 December 2010.</ref> During late 2017, it was announced that a [[privately held company|privately owned company]], [[Draken International]], had made a deal with Denel Aviation to procure much of the ex-SAAF fleet; the company reportedly intended to use the Cheetah as an [[Aggressor squadron|aggressor aircraft]] for dissimilar combat training services for customers in the [[United States]].<ref name = "boring 2017"/><ref>Pocock, Chris. [https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-01-04/adversary-air-contractors-still-expanding-and-expecting "Adversary Air Contractors Still Expanding—and Expecting."] ''AIN Online'', 4 January 2018.</ref>

==Variants==

===Cheetah C===
The Cheetah C was the final development in the Cheetah series and was the only fighter aircraft in service with the SAAF until replaced by the [[Sweden|Swedish]]-built [[Saab Group|Saab]] [[JAS 39 Gripen]] during 2008.<ref name="Chenel 2014, p. 131"/> In addition to the upgrades described above, the Cheetah C incorporated more sophisticated avionics and navigation suite and an improved pulse-doppler multi-mode radar (ELTA). The aircraft was also fitted with a [[data link]] and updated versions of the helmet-mounted sight, HUD and improved [[HOTAS]] controls.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Other improvements included the fitting of a single-piece wrap-around windshield in place of the previous three-piece version, a revised in-flight refuelling probe with less external piping, new undercarriage and suspension, the deletion of the wing fences, an Atar 9K50 engine and a new nose to incorporate the more sophisticated electronics and radar.<ref name="Chenel 2014, p. 130">Chenel, Liébert and Moreau 2014, p. 130</ref>

Like the Cheetah D, the Cheetah C was capable of delivering [[precision-guided munition]]s (PGMs), ranging from [[laser-guided bomb]]s (LGBs), to [[Precision-guided munition|GPS-guided weapons]] and TV-guided bombs. It also had the capability of using stand-off air-to-ground weapons such as the MUPSOW and TORGOS. In addition, it was able to carry a wide range of air-to-air weapons including the [[R-Darter (missile)|V4 R-Darter]] radar-guided missile and the infra-red homing [[Python (missile) |V3S-Snake (Rafael Python 3)]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/weapons/68/v3s-snake-rafael-python-3 | title=South African Airforce, V3S }}</ref> and U-Darter.<ref>{{ cite web | url=https://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/weapons/62/u-darter | title=South African Airforce, U-darter}}</ref>

===Cheetah D===
[[File:Atlas Cheetah static display.jpg|thumb|A Cheetah D in 2007]]
The Cheetah D was the sole two-seater variant, and was predominantly used as a trainer for pilots converting to the Cheetah C. It also had a secondary attack capability, including the ability to deliver PGMs. Under ''Project Recipient'', 10 Cheetah Ds were re-engined with the Atar 09K50C-11, replacing their original Atar 09C engines. After the engine modification, the remaining aircraft received an avionics upgrade to bring them to the same standard as the Cheetah C.  The original three piece front windshield was also replaced with a one-piece wraparound version.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

[[File:Atlas Cheetah E '826' (15611692306).jpg|thumb|250px|A Cheetah E on static display.]]

Cheetah D No.845 was based at the [[Test Flight and Development Centre SAAF|Test Flight and Development Centre]] (TFDC) as a systems testing aircraft and used in the development of the Denel Dynamics MUPSOW stand-off weapon. Denel used two Cheetah Ds for testing (844 and 847). The former was Denel's standard systems testing aircraft, while the latter was used in the evaluation of the SMR-95 engine, a development of the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-built [[Klimov RD-33]].<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/upgrade-for-south-african-fighters-131711/ "Upgrade for South African fighters."] ''[[Flight International]]'', 18 June 2001.</ref> The performance increase offered by the Russian engine was impressive, but a combination of budget cuts and problems with the aircraft's centre of gravity contributed to the program's termination.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

These aircraft were retired from service in 2008, as the first [[Saab JAS-39 Gripen|Saab JAS-39D Gripen]] began to be delivered to the SAAF.

===Cheetah E===
[[File:SAAF-Cheetah E-001.jpg|thumb|Cheetah E at the SAAF Museum, [[AFB Swartkop|Swartkop]], Pretoria]]
The single-seater Cheetah E was developed as an interim fighter for use in the period before the Cheetah Cs became operational. It was fitted with a comparatively simple avionics suite and radar and retained the Atar 9C-3 engine. Its typical mission was as a standby interceptor, whereby a minimum of two aircraft armed with two V3B (later V3C) missiles, would be on permanent alert status in case of an attack from the north.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

All aircraft were placed into storage with the final example (No.842) painted in a non-standard camouflage scheme and used for systems testing. No.842 is currently with the SAAF Museum, and is stored at [[AFB Swartkop]]. In 2003, Chile purchased five of the mothballed aircraft (Numbers 819, 820, 827, 832 and 833) and indicated its desire to purchase seven more aircraft (numbers 822, 823, 825, 828, 829, 831 and 834) subject to the agreement of a suitable purchase price. The [[Chilean Air Force]] (FACh) used the Cheetah E airframes as a source of spares for its similar [[Dassault Mirage 5#Mirage 50|ENAER Pantera]] aircraft until these planes were retired in late 2006.<ref name="The South African Air Force">{{cite web |url=http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/aircraft/68/cheetah-e |title=THE AIRFORCE&nbsp;— AIRCRAFT&nbsp;— CHEETAH E |access-date=20 December 2008 |publisher= saairforce.co.za }}</ref>

===Cheetah R===
The Cheetah R was a feasibility study into an extension of the Cheetah upgrade programme to include a specialist [[reconnaissance]] model.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}} An Atar 9K50-engined Mirage IIIR2Z, (855), was chosen as the airframe for the upgrade. In addition to the airframe refurbishment, 855 received a new nose design and the same radar as used in the Cheetah E, the twin DEFA 30mm cannons were removed and it was the only Cheetah type to not receive an in-flight refuelling probe. The SAAF decided not to proceed with the Cheetah R programme and 855 was assigned to the Atlas Advanced Combat Wing (ACW) where it was used as a testing and development aircraft.  It was decided that rather than developing a dedicated reconnaissance airframe, that the Vinten Vicon 18 Series 610 reconnaissance pod would be used on the Cheetah C variant to provide reconnaissance capabilities.<ref name="Chenel 2014, p. 130"/>

==Operators==
[[File:Atlas Cheetah Users.png|thumb|Map with Cheetah operators in blue]]
;{{Flag|South Africa}}

* [[Denel Aviation]] – As of October 2012, the [[state-owned enterprise]] operates two Cheetah D as system testbeds. They are based at Denel Aviation's facilities at [[O.R. Tambo International Airport]].

;{{Flag|United States}}
* [[Draken International]] – During December 2017, it was announced that the company would buy and operate 12 ex-South African Air Force Cheetahs as an [[Aggressor squadron|adversarial aircraft]] for training military pilots.<ref>Trevithick, Joseph. [https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/16966/draken-picks-up-a-dozen-south-african-cheetahs-to-emulate-4th-generation-adversaries "Draken Picks Up a Dozen South African Cheetahs to Emulate 4th Generation Adversaries."] ''thedrive.com'', 13 December 2017.</ref>

'''Former operators'''

;{{Flag|Chile}}
* [[Chilean Air Force]] – In 2003, Chile purchased five of the mothballed SAAF's Cheetah Es as a source of spares for its similar [[Dassault Mirage 5|ENAER Pantera]]. Chile retired its last Pantera (and closed its Grupo 4) from active service during 2007 following the retirement of their last Mirage Elkan in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://diario.elmercurio.com/2007/03/11/nacional/_portada/noticias/599844E6-DC62-4EB4-84EC-1F374DF2765E.htm|title=Chile: Fuerza Aérea retirará toda su flota Mirage}}</ref>

;{{Flag|Ecuador}}

* [[Ecuadorian Air Force]] – Grounded and definitely retired due to discontinuation and lack of spare parts. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/4936819/131-ecuador-adios-definitivo-caza-cheetah-ecuatoriano |title=Ecuador da un cierre definitivo al uso del caza Cheetah |date=26 July 2024 |access-date=20 August 2024 |language=es}}</ref> 

;{{Flag|South Africa}}
* [[South African Air Force]] – Entered service in 1986 and retired from active service in 2008.
** [[2 Squadron SAAF|2 Squadron]] Cheetah C and D
** [[5 Squadron SAAF|5 Squadron]] Cheetah E
** [[89 Combat Flying School]] Cheetah D
** [[Test Flight and Development Centre]] Two Cheetah D

==Specifications (Cheetah C)==
[[File:Atlas Cheetah.svg|thumb|A drawing of the Atlas Cheetah]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref= Aerospaceweb.org&nbsp;— Aircraft Museum<ref name="Aerospaceweb.org&nbsp;— Aircraft Museum">{{cite web |url= http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/attack/mirage5/ |title=Aerospaceweb.org&nbsp;— Aircraft Museum |access-date=20 December 2008 |publisher= Aerospaceweb.org }}</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=
|length m=15.55
|length note=
|span m=8.22
|span note=
|height m=4.5
|height note=
|wing area sqm=35
|wing area note=<br/>
* '''Canard Area:'''  {{cvt|1.66|m²}}
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=3.5%<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight kg=6600
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=13700
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Snecma Atar 9K50C-11]]
|eng1 type=[[afterburning turbojet]] engine
|eng1 kn=49.2
|eng1 note=
|eng1 kn-ab=70.6
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=2350
|max speed note= / M2.2 at high altitude
::::{{cvt|1390|km/h|mph kn}} at sea level
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=1300
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=2600
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=17000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=233.5
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=250
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|thrust/weight=

|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns= 2 × [[30 mm caliber|30 mm (1.18 in)]] [[DEFA cannon|DEFA 552]] cannons with 125 rounds per gun
|rockets= 4 × Matra rocket pods with 18 × [[SNEB]] 68 mm rockets each, OR 2 × [[SNEB|Matra JL-100]] drop tank/rocket pack, each with 19 × SNEB 68 mm rockets and {{convert|250|L|USgal}} of fuel
|missiles= 2 × [[Python (missile)#Python-3|Python-3]] [[Air-to-air missile|AAM]]s, [[R-Darter (missile)|V4 R-Darter (BVR missile)]],  [[Python (missile)#Python-3|V3S]] and/or [[Matra R530]] missiles.
|bombs= 8,800 lb (4,000 kg) of payload on five external [[hardpoint]]s, including 250&nbsp;kg [[Laser-guided bomb]]s (LGB), [[Global Positioning System|GPS]]-guided bombs, 250&nbsp;kg 'booster' bombs, a variety of unguided 'iron' bombs, reconnaissance pods or [[drop tank]]s

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|South Africa|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Dassault Mirage III]]
* [[Dassault Mirage 5]]
* [[IAI Kfir]]
* [[IAI Nesher]]
* [[IAI Nammer]]
|similar aircraft= 
* [[Atlas Carver]]
* [[Dassault Mirage 2000]]
* [[Chengdu J-10]]
* [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]]
* [[Saab 37 Viggen]]
|lists=
* [[List of fighter aircraft]]
* [[List of aircraft of the South African Air Force]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Breffort |first=Dominique |author2=Jouineau, Andre |year=2004 |publisher=Histoire et Collections, Paris |title=The Mirage III, 5, 50 and derivatives from 1955 to 2000 |series=Planes and Pilots 6 |isbn=2-913903-92-4}}
* Chenel, B., Liébert, M. and Moreau, E. ''Mirage III/5/50 en service à l'étranger''. Hameau Les Farges, France: LELA Presse, 2014. {{ISBN|978-2-914-017763}}
* {{Cite book |editor-last=Eden |editor-first=Paul |title=The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft |location=London, UK |publisher=Amber Books |year= 2004 |isbn=1-904687-84-9}}
* Golan, John W. "Lavi: The United States, Israel, and a Controversial Fighter Jet." ''University of Nebraska Press'', 2016. {{ISBN|1-612347-22-3}}
* Lord, Dick "Vlamgat: The Story of the Mirage F1 in the South African Air Force." ''30° South Publishers,'' 2008. {{ISBN|1-920143-36-X}} 
* {{cite book |last=Pérez San Emeterio |first=Carlos |year=1978 |publisher=Editorial San Martin, Madrid |language=es |title=Mirage. Espejismo de la técnica y de la política |series=Armas 30 |isbn=84-7140-158-4}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Atlas Cheetah}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080420184851/http://newsite.ipmssa.za.org/content/view/368/28/ Cheetah – The Official End]
*[http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/aircraft/1/cheetah-c Official SAAF Factsheet: Atlas Cheetah-C]
*[http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/aircraft/68/cheetah-e Official SAAF Factsheet: Atlas Cheetah-E]

{{Dassault Mirage family}}
{{Atlas/Denel aircraft}}

[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1986]]
[[Category:Atlas Aircraft Corporation aircraft|Cheetah]]
[[Category:Canard aircraft]]
[[Category:Cold War military equipment of South Africa]]
[[Category:Delta-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Israel–South Africa relations]]
[[Category:1980s South African fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Third-generation jet fighters]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined jet aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]