Note from "Wings of Motherland" magazine of the late '80s.

Fighter helicopters.

British firm British Aerospace announced the results held for two years on the quiet light of the draft highly maneuverable subsonic aircraft «SABA», intended for low-altitude low-speed control purposes, mostly helicopters and cruise missiles. We studied three variants of the machine designated R.1233-1, R.1234 R.1234-1 and -2.

While the advantage given to the option R.1233-1. Its layout scheme of the "duck" with a small swept wing, front and rear destabilizers turbofan engine (TVVD) with twin pusher propeller. According to the representative of the company, the main advantages of a total of fighters high maneuverability in all flight modes, the possibility of basing the unpaved airfields with long runways up to 300 meters, a large, up to 4 hours, the duration of free flight and a powerful rocket and small arms and cannons.

 
The length of this version of the aircraft - 9,5 m, 
wing span - 11.0 m 
square - 20.4 meters 
Maximum Takeoff Weight 4989 kg car.

including weapons - 1814 kg. 
The average speed of 740 km h

Landing - 148 km h

The machine is very maneuverable.

minimum turning radius of 152.4 m,

and time required to turn 180 degrees just 5 seconds. In accordance with the main purpose - to intercept enemy helicopters crossing the line of contact, the plane armed with missiles 6th grade "air to air" short-range type "Sidewinder" and "Asr" and embedded 25 mm cannon with 150 rounds ammunition. As part of surveillance and targeting system provides teplopelengator and laser rangefinder - pointer. According to the designers of such equipment with high maneuverability allow the pilot «SABA» equally to short-range air combat at low altitude, even with supersonic fighters.

 
Option «SABA» R.1234-1 is designed with delta-shape wing and turbofan engines "Adour".

 
Maximum takeoff weight 5750 kg.

wing area 36 sq. m. 
Armament - two rockets of class "air-to-air" and a movable gun mount.

 
The best hope, as the representative of the company associated with perfecting option «SABA» R.1234-2. He usual scheme, but is equipped with turbojet Avco Lycoming-traction 3340 kg. It uses electro-wire flight control system.

Take-off weight - 5990 kg, 
wing area - 18.6 sq.m.

equipment is the same as for turboprop.