Evolving the Mushshak: From Global Success to Autonomy Linchpin
History
The PAC MFI-17 Mushshak, a license-built version of the Saab MFI-17 Supporter, has been a cornerstone of Pakistan’s aviation industry since the 1980s. Pakistan’s involvement with the Mushshak dates back to the late 1970s when the country received 18 Saab MFI-17 Supporters. Recognizing the potential of the aircraft, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) began assembling Supporters from knocked-down kits, eventually producing 92 aircraft. In 1981, Pakistan acquired the sole manufacturing rights to the Supporter, paving the way for the indigenous production of the MFI-17 Mushshak.
The Mushshak quickly became a staple in the training fleet of the Pakistan Air Force and Army. Its rugged design, excellent visibility, and aerobatic capabilities made it an ideal platform for basic flight training. PAC continued to refine the aircraft, incorporating improvements such as a more powerful 260 hp engine, electrical instruments, and dual flight control systems.
Going Super
In 1995, under the leadership of Air Cdr Muhammad Younas, PAC initiated the development of the MFI-395 Super Mushshak. This upgraded variant featured a more powerful engine, advanced avionics, and enhanced fuel injection systems. The Super Mushshak was designed to meet the stringent requirements of FAR part 23 certification in normal, utility, and aerobatics categories.
Over the years, PAC has consistently enhanced the capabilities of this reliable trainer aircraft, transforming it into a multi-role platform capable of meeting the diverse needs of modern military aviation. The Super Mushshak’s capabilities were further expanded in 2019 when PAC unveiled a light attack variant. This version was equipped with six underwing hardpoints, enabling it to carry a variety of armaments, including 7.62 mm machine gun pods, unguided rocket pods, wire-guided anti-tank missiles, and the highly effective, indigenous Barq laser-guided missile. These enhancements transformed the Super Mushshak into a potent counter-insurgency (COIN) platform.
PAC has also made substantial avionics upgrades to the Super Mushshak, enabling it to perform effectively in COIN roles. The aircraft now features advanced glass cockpits and integrated reconnaissance systems, such as the L3 Wescam MX-10 EO/IR sensor turret. These enhancements significantly bolster the aircraft’s ground support and direct combat capabilities.
The Super Mushshak’s potential for extended operations has been realized through the incorporation of external drop tanks, which can significantly increase its range and loitering time. This increased endurance allows the aircraft to take on advanced roles beyond basic training and light attack. Equipped with additional sensors and communication equipment, the Super Mushshak can serve as an electronic intelligence (ELINT) platform, gathering and relaying critical information on enemy communications and electronic signals. Furthermore, its enhanced loitering time enables the aircraft to function as a mobile command center, coordinating the operations of loitering munitions and drones — a crucial capability in modern warfare.
Export Success
The Mushshak and Super Mushshak have found favor with numerous air forces worldwide. As of 2022, there were nearly 500 PAC MFI-15, MFI-17, and MFI-395 aircraft in service, making it one of the most widely used training aircraft globally. Countries such as Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and Zimbabwe have all inducted the Mushshak or Super Mushshak into their fleets.
Pakistan has continued to invest in the Mushshak program, ensuring that the aircraft remains relevant and capable in the face of evolving threats and operational requirements. Zimbabwe, the latest addition to the Super Mushshak family, has ordered 12 aircraft from PAC Kamra to replace its aging fleet and enhance its training capabilities. This procurement is part of Zimbabwe’s broader effort to modernize its air force, despite facing Western sanctions since 2001.
In another recent development, the Iraqi Air Force received its second batch of MFI-395 Super Mushshak aircraft in January 2024, as part of a contract signed with Pakistan in September 2021. The final batch is expected to arrive around mid-October 2024, with the aircraft set to be operated by the 205th Training Squadron from the refurbished As Suwayrah Air Base, south of Baghdad.
Evolving the Platform
The Super Mushshak platform offers significant potential for further development and adaptation to meet the evolving needs of modern warfare, particularly in the age of drones.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Control Platform & Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T): As the use of UAVs becomes increasingly prevalent in military operations, the Super Mushshak can be used to serve as a control platform for multiple drones. With its range extended by drop tanks, the aircraft could act as a mobile command center, coordinating the deployment and operation of various types of UAVs, such as reconnaissance drones, loitering munitions, and even swarms of small, expendable drones for low-latency, tactical strike operations. The second seat in the Mushshak allows one individual to focus entirely on UAV management, while the pilot continues to fly the aircraft.
Tactical Electronic Warfare (EW) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT): With its ability to carry a variety of payloads and sensors, the Super Mushshak could be adapted to perform electronic warfare (EW) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) missions. The aircraft could be equipped with advanced EW pods, such as jammers and electronic countermeasures (ECM) systems, to track and disrupt tactical enemy communications including cell networks. Additionally, the integration of SIGINT payloads would allow the Super Mushshak to gather valuable intelligence on enemy electronic emissions, providing crucial information for mission planning and execution.
In Pakistan’s context, this capability could be useful on the Eastern border, and for users like Nigeria, against groups such as the Boko Haram.
Counter UCAV: A manned Mushshak can intercept and hunt unmanned aircraft and slow-flying loitering munitions any day of the week. A lightweight air-to-air guided air-to-air missile such as an adaptation of the Anza would be a perfect weapon to integrate for such a mission. Note that the Mushshak can carry a payload of over 650lbs while the Stinger, similar to an Anza, weighs only 35lbs. Conceivably, the Mushshak could carry up to eight air-launched Anzas and provide a low-cost means of taking down UAV and UCAV threats.
Forward Air Controller (FAC) and Close Air Support (CAS): The Super Mushshak’s low-speed handling characteristics, excellent visibility, addition of EO/IR turret, and ability to operate from austere airfields make it well-suited for the role of a Forward Air Controller (FAC) platform. Equipped with advanced sensors, data links, and communication systems, the aircraft could be used to identify and designate targets for other attack aircraft or armed UAVs, providing real-time targeting information and coordination for close air support (CAS) missions in a counter insurgency environment, or a situation where air dominance has already been established.
The integration of more advanced sensors, such as synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and multi-spectral imaging systems, would improve the aircraft’s ability to detect and identify targets in various environmental conditions. Additionally, the incorporation of precision-guided micro-munitions and miniaturized smart weapons would increase the platform’s lethality and minimize collateral damage. There is a range of such weaponry now being developed by Turkey, China and Pakistan itself. As these systems become smarter and smaller, the Mushshak becomes more and more useful.
Modular Payload Integration: To maximize the Super Mushshak’s versatility and adaptability, PAC could develop a modular payload system that allows for the rapid integration and swapping of various mission-specific payloads. This modular approach would enable the aircraft to quickly transition between roles, such as switching from a reconnaissance configuration to a light attack setup, depending on mission requirements. The modular payload system would also facilitate the integration of future sensors, weapons, and systems as technology advances.
Enhanced Powerplant: Upgrading the Super Mushshak’s engine to a more powerful and efficient version would improve the aircraft’s high-altitude performance and increase its payload capacity.
The Super Mushshak is already able to operate at an altitude of about 22,000 feet. This puts it comfortably higher than the ceiling of a shoulder fired SA-7 or FIM-92 Stinger missile and others like them.
Upgrading the engine to something like the Continental TSIOF-550-D which delivers 350 hp compared to the present 260 hp would go a long way in extending all performance parameters.
Datalink and Network Integration: Incorporating a datalink system, such as Pakistan’s indigenous Link 17 would enable the Super Mushshak to receive real-time target information from AWACS, fighters and other PAF aircraft. More importantly, because a large number of Mushshak aircraft also serve with the Pakistan Army, this would bring a level of jointness to the forces, enhancing situational awareness and facilitating the coordination of precision strikes between aircraft, artillery and rocket forces. For those of you who might wonder whether this is possible, a Link-16 radio generally weighs around 15 lbs. Link-17 would be in that class.
Electronic Warfare (EW) and Self-Protection Suite: Equipping the Super Mushshak with a comprehensive EW and self-protection suite, including Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), chaff and flare dispensers, and Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM), would improve the aircraft’s survivability against radar-guided and infrared-guided surface-to-air threats. Even though the Mushshak is not capable of carrying a very heavy payload, a self-protection suite built around a chaff and flare dispenser in the class of the AN/ALE-47 should only weight about 20kg. For the Mushshak, this is very manageable.
Advanced Avionics and Mission Systems: Computers and displays are low-power, flexible and cheap; even hardened aviation grade systems are benefitting from the underlying exponential progress in software and electronics. Integrating a voice-control, large-language model based suite with modern mission computers, digital maps, sensor fusion software and larger multi-function displays would enhance the crew’s situational awareness and decision-making capabilities, enabling them to effectively manage high-altitude precision strike missions. These capabilities would add value in every context discussed in this article, in particular, in the proposed MUM-T role.
The Road Ahead
Of course, the PAC could consider extending the Super Mushshak into a new, purpose-built platform that incorporates these capabilities from the outset, rather than attempting to retrofit the Super Mushshak to perform all the missions envisaged here. This new platform, while modeled on the current aircraft, could be designed with a larger airframe, more powerful engine, and advanced avionics and mission systems, specifically tailored to meet the requirements of high-altitude operations and precision engagement.
Either way, there is quite a bit of innovation possible with the platform. The Super Mushshak’s versatility, affordability, and proven track record make it an attractive aircraft for further development in the age of drones and UCAVs. By extending its unique capabilities and incorporating advanced technologies, the Super Mushshak could evolve into a multi-role workhorse, capable of performing a wide range of missions in support of modern military operations. The aircraft, by some accounts, costs between $200,000 and $400,000 for the PAC to produce. At this incredibly low price, adding even two hundred more airframes is a relatively small expense.
Many air forces now seek cost-effective solutions to address the challenges posed by the increasing prevalence of UAVs, the Super Mushshak is well-positioned to offer a compelling and adaptable platform that can keep pace with the rapidly changing battlefield landscape.
The Mushshak’s journey from a basic trainer to a versatile light attack and ISR platform is proof of the PAC’s capabilities and long-term commitment to indigenous aviation development. Through consistent upgrades and enhancements, PAC has ensured that the Mushshak remains a vital asset for Pakistan and its global customers, providing them with a reliable, proven and low-cost training and light attack platform that can enhance their military capabilities in a complex security environment.
But all of its past success might just be the first chapter for the Mushshak. With the right focus and a well-conceived product roadmap, this mighty little aircraft has the potential to go much, much further.
