Shildonia
10-01-2004, 20:39
In response to Design Requirement 2003\7209, which called for a stand off fighter capable of conducting operations far from friendly bases, the Boland Design Bureau of the Shildonian Weapons Corp. has developed the F-52 Minotaur. Previously the Boland Bureau has been responsible for developing heavy bombers, most recently the B-6 "Venona", so it may come as a surprise that they have now built a fighter. However, given their expertise in constructing large aircraft they were the natural choice to construct this behemoth.
At first glance, the F-52 "Minotaur" resembles the venerable B-52 "Stratofortress", and to some extent the airframe is based on that aircraft. However, there are several differences. Firstly bomb bay has been relocated to the top of the aircraft, allowing a retractable radar dome to be placed in the aircraft. This allows it to retract the radar while in transit, producing less drag and providing greater fuel efficiency, as well as greater speed. This Radar dome has roughly the same performance as that of the E-2c, and requires four operators, who are also responsible for firing the weapons systems.
The F-52 "Minotaur" has a top speed of over 1000kph with the radar dome retracted, or 580kph with it extended. It can travel for almost 15,000km without refueling, although this can be increased indefinately with tanker support.
For armament, the F-52 "Minotaur" carries up to 54 Phoenix air-to-air missiles, carried on pylons under the wings. These missiles have a range of over 160km, which denies a huge amount of airspace to the enemy. It can also carry the Screamer decoy missile to distract the enemy whilst on the Escape and Evasion portion of the mission.
At a cost of only £55million Shildonian Pounds (about $110mill US), the F-52 "Minotaur" is an extremely cost effective weapons system, and the Shildonian Flying Corp has already placed an order for 100 units.
At first glance, the F-52 "Minotaur" resembles the venerable B-52 "Stratofortress", and to some extent the airframe is based on that aircraft. However, there are several differences. Firstly bomb bay has been relocated to the top of the aircraft, allowing a retractable radar dome to be placed in the aircraft. This allows it to retract the radar while in transit, producing less drag and providing greater fuel efficiency, as well as greater speed. This Radar dome has roughly the same performance as that of the E-2c, and requires four operators, who are also responsible for firing the weapons systems.
The F-52 "Minotaur" has a top speed of over 1000kph with the radar dome retracted, or 580kph with it extended. It can travel for almost 15,000km without refueling, although this can be increased indefinately with tanker support.
For armament, the F-52 "Minotaur" carries up to 54 Phoenix air-to-air missiles, carried on pylons under the wings. These missiles have a range of over 160km, which denies a huge amount of airspace to the enemy. It can also carry the Screamer decoy missile to distract the enemy whilst on the Escape and Evasion portion of the mission.
At a cost of only £55million Shildonian Pounds (about $110mill US), the F-52 "Minotaur" is an extremely cost effective weapons system, and the Shildonian Flying Corp has already placed an order for 100 units.