NationStates Jolt Archive


F-225A Stealth Precision/First Strike Bomber Released

Soviet Bloc
08-05-2004, 02:25
F-225A 'Kestril'

Stealth Precision/First Strike Bomber


*Picture near bottom*


The F-225A Kestril, the ARSB's most technological domestic-built aircraft, was created to give the ARSB an extremely stealthy, fast (well, for a strictly stealth aircraft), and technologically advanced aircraft. The Kestril was named after the small hawk that was quick, agile, and powerful, with its sharp talons and strong muscles. The F-225A was cheifly designed to be an extremely stealthy aircraft for engaging ground targets as a first strike or covert strike option. The F-225A can also double as an air-to-air fighter and it is recommended that the F-225A carry at least two AAMs for defense against aerial targets. The F-225A should not be purchased only for anti-air duties as its far too expensive for this role and most of its avionics are deveoted to ground attack. The F-225A, with its advanced passive systems (including an IR system that can pick up the faint heat signatures of most contemporary stealth aircraft and it can use a satellite uplink to observe the aircraft through friendly radar installations), can also engage enemy, unarmed stealth bombers, making this useful for anti-stealth aircraft duties and stealthy precision bombing runs.


Stealth
Stealth features will be described below in the six areas they encompass-

Radar
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The F-225A was designed with radar stealth in mind. The entire aircraft was shaped in a curved way that allows a 99.9% reduction in radar cross-section (RCS). Another radar-associated stealth feature, is the material it is composed of. The F-225A uses a radar absorbing paint that has a smooth gradient in its intrinsic impedance from 377 ohms (the intrinsic impedance of the air) on the surface so low that it's right along the border of the metal..
The F-225A also uses a fuselage made up of a certain material that also absorbs radar waves. The skin of the aircraft, underneath the paint, is composed of a ferrous composite, this material absorbs radar waves. The shape of the aircraft resembles a flying 'triangle' design, only with raised areas for the engines and cockpit, the curve of the surface deflects or absorbs 99.9% of the radar waves away from the radar station in three direct beams. Which means, if the aircraft was in the perfect position, the radar station could pick it up, but if it was in any other position, the station could not. Except a very small amount of radar 'static'.

The other RCS-reducing stealth feature, although many wouldn't consider it one, is its vectored thrust. Vectored thrust, since the thrust can be directed in different directions allowing for enhanced agility and maneuverability, cancels out many traditional forms of changing the aircraft's heading, such as rudders, canards, aileroins, etc. And since all of those, when the aircraft maneuvers, move and shift, creating different angles which can increase radar cross-section. With vectored thrust, many of these are not required and do not operate when maneuvering, making it even more stealthier due to reduced RCS. Of course, some of the older maneuvering equipment is still on the aircraft for maneuvering when landing or when the pilot activates them for use in the air.


Heat
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Another stealth feature of the F-225A, is reducing its heat signature. The F-225A uses an advanced heat dampening system to reduce the heat signature of its twin engines and the actual jet exhaust ports are located farther into the fuselage, making it 'invisible' to infrared detectors. Friction is reduced in all moving parts by using an advanced lubricant. The leading edges of the wings and fuselage are composed of a material that actually dissipates heat across a larger part of the wing and has small tubes inside that pump coolant across the leading edge, significantly reducing its heat signature to fool the higher end, advanced infrared systems. With these heat dampening systems it makes it nearly impossible for ADVANCED (not low quality or vehicle-based receivers) mid-infrared receivers to locate the aircraft at ranges over 50 km and high-infrared receivers at 12 km. Of course a heat-seeking missile can still lock onto the F-225A (well, either advanced ground launched ones or ones launched at close proximity) but they won't be able to hold that lock because the total heat output of the entire aircraft is slightly mor than that of a car's engine (some 150 or so degrees). It'll also be much, much more easier to distract the missile with flares, as flares heat up a nearly 20 square foot area to temperatures approacing 600 degrees if not higher (some may reach 1500), depending on contents creating such a juicy target for the heat seeker.

Acoustic/Turbulence
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A third feature, again, the way it was designed. With its wings set like they are, its entire body built this way, it reduces wake left by the aircraft. Meaning doppler-type radar will not pick up the wake/turbulence left by the aircraft unless the F-225A is within 15 km of the doppler radar station. This type of 'stealth' is acheived by designing the wings in a way that air, after passing over the wings (creating pressure imbalances, bla, bla, bla, etc. how aircraft fly) and converging with the air from the underside, combine effortlessly in such a way that turbulence/wake is hardly detected unless the doppler radar is at close range or of extremely high power.

To counter acoustic detection, the F-225A's engines are very silent and cannot be heard by anyone on the ground when the aircraft is above 12000 feet.


Radio/sensor
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Another stealth-contributing factor, is its passive sensors (see Other Systems, below) and the fact that radio is reserved for emergency use because it can be intercepted and the location of the aircraft can be found. Normal mode of communications is by using a satellite-type of communication, but that is also restricted.



Visual
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The aircraft's engines and exhaust 'ports' are constructed in such a way that no light or illumination is emitted from them. No active lights are on the exterior of the aircraft. The aircraft's paint is of a dark blue with a wavy pattern that makes it impossible to see at night and significantly reduces vision in daylight. It also has no reflective surfaces.

Electromagnetic
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The F-225A has a system on it that prevents the detection of the change of electromagnetic radiation when an aircraft passes through varying areas of electromagnetic radiation. This system would fool a detection system that knows the electromagnetic radiation gradient of a certain area and can detect the change or disturbance of it when metal or an aircraft travels through it. The F-225A also has a continuously changing electromagnetic jammer, which prevents it from being detected in this way as well.


------------
All of these stealth factors do not make the plane completely invisible to radar, although it does significantly reduce its RCS. RCS does not always stay constant because as an aircraft nears the radar receiver, its RCS grows. But, using these features allows the pilot of this aircraft to fly 'around' the area where it has a larger RCS. This can be accomplished by using the passive radar receiver to pick up ground-station radar waves and avoid them.


Armor
The F-225A Kestril is outfitted with an extensive, lightweight armor underneath the radar-absorbant materials and frame. Most of the armor is provided by using honeycombed kevlar and epoxy resin with a layer of extremely dense plastic threads, capable of stalling all anti-aircraft rounds and prevening the aircraft from breaking up and improving survivability in event of a SAM hit.



Engine
The F-225A uses twin SB-LHSHO-ATF-115AX advanced, low-heat signature low-bypass turbofans. These engines are rated to produce about 39,500 lbs of thrust and are considered transonic, meaning the maximum speed (actually can go up to about 1.8 mach) and cruise speed lie in the transonic area (about Mach .8- Mach 1.4). These engines are are non after-burning which means they do not have the afterburn feature which increases its heat signature and drastically increases fuel consumption (reduces engine/fuel efficiency). The engines lie about in the middle of the aircraft and have long 'exhaust ports' that lead to the rear, where the exhaust leaves the aircraft and propels it forward. All along this way, the exhaust is cooled to where infrared detecting systems have to be much closer to get a positive lock-on to the exhaust. At the end of these 'ports' are the 3D thrust vectoring which vents the exhaust in different directions (on a 3 dimensional plane, meaning it can vector the thrust up, down, and to the sides), allowing for phenomenal maneuvering. The thrust vectoring can hit angles as sharp as 76 degrees in all directions (assuming that when the nozzle is facing straight out equals zero degrees, it can bend 76 degrees in EVERY direction). Each nozzle (one for each engine) are wired seperately and can act seperately, such as if the pilot attempts to a twisting drop, then one nozzle will move up, the other down, then the two will reallign and propel the aircraft down, while it is spinning giving this aircraft superb handling and maneuverability.


Avionics
The aircraft, itself, is nearly two-thirds run by a computer due to its unorthodox shape and inherent instability. All wiring in the aircraft is fiber optic. Each crew member is outfitted with an advanced self-contained helmet that can relay all information into the visor system. The aircraft also uses advanced heads up displays (HUDs) and numerous monitors to relay target and weapon information.

Weaponry
The F-225A has four internal weapons bays. Two lie on the ventral area of the fuselage with one more weapons bay on the starboard side, and another on the port side. The two center bays can hold upwards of five 2000lb guided bombs (or equal weight of missiles) and one smaller AAM. Air to air munitions, anti-tank munitions, or heavy air-to-ground munitions in any combination can be put in these bays. A possible loadout may include air to air munitions in the side bays and air to ground in the center bays. The bays are sealed with fast close/fast open (FCFO) doors which open in a quarter of a second using advanced pneumatics and a high-pressure closed hydraulic system, then a compressed air system ejects the missile (s), then the door is pulled shut by the same system... The entire process takes about four seconds, by doing this it reduces the temporary radar cross section that a slow-moving door would cause opening and closing. For the larger guided munitions, a standard door opening system is employed to hold open the doors while the munition (s) is/are dropped. The weapons bays doors were also designed to reduce RCS but still increase the overall RCS of the aircraft by only slight increases.

The F-225A also has the communications and strengthened hardpoints for the ability to carry nuclear weapons.

Other systems
The F-225A uses multiple systems for targetting and tracking. All of these systems are passive in order to reduce detection. The first is IIR (Imaging- InfraRed). This system tracks a target based on heat and emits no pulse, wave, or anything else, meaning it can not be detected, at all (can be used on air and ground targets). The second system is Electro-Optical. This system is basically a camera. Using this, information from the camera can be relayed to a missile and the missile can be locked on to a target and fired, where missile's own guidance systems can track and engage the target (used normally on ground targets). The third: IRST which is InfraRed Search and Track system. This system scans the entire area and at ranges up to 120 km for any heat signature. When a signature is found, the system tracks the target and provides the weapons computer a firing solution, then a missile can be fired and that missile's own guidance system can take over and steer the missile to its target (can be used on both air and ground targets). The last two are the laser designator and a passive radar sensor. The laser designator can be used for targetting something on which you are to launch a laser-guided bomb/missile. This can not be detected. The passive radar system is an advanced radar system that actually acts as a radar receiver, picking up other aircraft/ground station's emitted radar waves and electromagnetic descrepancies in the air. Using this, the exact position of an aircraft can be found using the advanced fire control computer, which calculates its position based on numerous calculations.
The primary ground targetting system is the ARSB developed STB/TRAS-152C which utilizes numerous satellite-based trackers to locate and acquire enemy targets on the ground. The satellite then relays the target information to the aircraft, which then shows the information on the HUD and relays information to the armament. The satellite signals cannot be intercepted and therefore can not give up the aircraft's position and allows it to strike targets many, many miles away (up to 100, depending on the missile's range) with lethal precision.


All of these systems are run by a central targetting system. This system is brand new and will replace the aging ALMRS/TTAC series of firing computers. The nation's primary computer systems developer, ICT Corporation, is proud to announce the brand new and innovative ARC/MSR-225 advanced tracking, targetting, acquisition,and firing computer. The aircraft does not carry any form of radar jamming except a rudimentary one that can be used in the event that an enemy aircraft somehow gets a radar lock-on with a missile. The reason for no jamming is because when the jamming is activated, it essentially shuts down or incapacitates the radar systems, at least for awhile, this alerts the enemy to your presence and gives them plenty of time to surf radar 'channels' (frequencies) to find a radar wave that bypasses the jamming, this also gives them plenty of time to get aircraft airborne and to undertake visual searches.


Crew Survival

The cockpit area is armor protected and strengthened. Each crewmember is given the AHAAN protective aerial suit, which is self sealed and has a small back-pack device that contains nearly six hours of oxygen. When the crewmember is sitting in the aircraft's seat, a small nozzle is locked into a reciever unit and oxygen from tanks on the aircraft are diverted into the suit. These suits will protect the crew from NBC threats and are pressurized. The entire cockpit is also sealed and pressurized, with heated, breathable air running freely from onboard air tanks. The aircraft can recycle its own air and carries an onboard supply of fourteen hours.

The suit also doubles as their G-suit.

Picture of the AHAAN protective suit:

http://img21.photobucket.com/albums/v63/Chlevenkov/F-225A_Flight_Suit.jpg



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http://img21.photobucket.com/albums/v63/Chlevenkov/6640427f.gif


Specifications-
Role: Stealth Precision/First Strike Bomber
Crew: 2 (pilot, weapons officer) in a tandem-type configuration
Length: 67.50 ft.
Wingspan: 46.00 ft.
Height: 17.23 ft.

Empty Weight: 71,000 lb.
Maximum Weight: 123,000 lb.
Fuel Weight: 24,200 lb.
Armament Weight: 27,800 lb.

Powerplant: 2x Transonic SB-LHSHO-ATF-115X Advanced, low-heat signature low-bypass turbofans with 3D vectored thrust at end of exhaust 'port'
Maximum Thrust: 39,450 lbs per engine
Maximum Speed: Mach 1.6 Cruise speed: Mach 1.2 or Mach .87

Initial Climb Rate: 31,000 ft/min
Service Ceiling: 85,650 ft.
Range: 2,670nm (combat); 5,100nm (ferry)
G-Limits: -4 / +8

Weapons: Four internal bays (two mounted on underside of fuselage with one on each side of the two) Can carry any combination of air to air, or air to ground munitions
Center bays can carry weapons as large as 2000lb guided munitions and can house five of them in each bay with one small AAM. The outer bays can house numerous smaller munitions or could each hold one 2000lb guided weapon.


Avionics: IIR (Imagine InfraRed) and EO (Electro-Optical or Camera), IRST (InfraRed Search and Track) and laser designator, passive radar sensor

RCS size: .000001 meters



Cost-

$186 Million USD per unit
Production rights will not be sold

Background checks will be conducted.

Unit numbers that are purchased must be within reason and your nation must have the money and capabilities to maintain and operate the number of purchased aircraft.

---------
10% discount to region members
20% discount to allies


OOC- Questions? Comments? Ideas?
The Zoogie People
09-05-2004, 03:53
Very nice picture...:jealous: It's another excellent aircraft from Soviet Bloc...for the sake of my own industries, I shall only purchase twelve at around $1.8bn...
Luxembourgistan
09-05-2004, 03:58
I would be interested in 10 of them for $1.86 billion.
Artitsa
09-05-2004, 04:14
Hmm, I'd like 24 for now. How much could I possibly pay for Production rights. IE 1 Trillion. In essence, I really really like this bomber.
Soviet Bloc
09-05-2004, 06:18
All orders confirmed.


Zoogie- You're an ally which means you get a 20% discount. Therefore your order stands at $1.44 Billion USD I believe.


Production rights... Well, I'll grant them to you Artitsa... How about $1.04 Trillion USD for them?

$4.46 billion USD is the cost for twenty four of them. Total order cost for Artitsa: $1.040446 Trillion USD.
The Burnsian Desert
09-05-2004, 06:21
Yet another beautiful aircraft by the Soviet Bloc.
Artitsa
09-05-2004, 15:05
Money has been wired, thank you very much.
The Zoogie People
09-05-2004, 16:56
Soviet Bloc, I already factored in the discount, it was $1.7-something billion :P
Soviet Bloc
10-05-2004, 04:44
Hmm... Very well. Then it's 1.7-something billion USD. Lol.


-Bump-
10-05-2004, 05:00
Due to several disturbing world events, The Democratic Empire of Watertest would like to purchase several powerful steath bombers to increase our power projection. Watertest would be interested in purchasing 55 F-225A Bombers....The total comes to $10,230,000,000.
Soviet Bloc
10-05-2004, 05:13
Order confirmed.


Units will be built and shipped over a three year period at 19 the first year and eigtheen each year after.
Anarresa
10-05-2004, 05:28
*tag for later ordering*
Soviet Bloc
10-05-2004, 19:53
Bump.
Artitsa
11-05-2004, 00:31
Can you strengthen your aircraft to withstand more G forces?
Xeraph
11-05-2004, 00:52
A truly stunning aircraft.......

Xeraph wishes to purchase 50 F-225A fighters, total 9.3 billion. Funds will be automatically wired upon confirmation of order.

respectfully,

Alaric, King of Xeraph, Protector of the Xeraphian Federation, Master of the Knights Templar (XF), Councilor Prime of GAPTS
Soviet Bloc
11-05-2004, 01:56
Artitsa- Very well... I suppose I can. We'll send you kits immediately that will strengthen its frame to a +10 and -5 threshold for G-forces. This same kit will be sent to all nations who purchased the F-225A except for Xeraph, who will receive the first F-225As with the reinforced frame.


Xeraph- Order confirmed. Units will be built and shipped over a 4 year span.
Anarresa
11-05-2004, 02:09
Anarresa has needed such a bomber as this for some time now. We would like to purchace 48 F-225A 'Kestrils' to strengthen our defence forces. (we expect these can accurately target naval targets)

The total cost is 8.928 billion USD
Soviet Bloc
11-05-2004, 02:19
Yes, they can attack naval vessels as long as you use anti-shipping missiles...


Anyways, order confirmed. Units will be built and shipped over a four year period.
Soviet Bloc
14-05-2004, 01:47
Bump.
Sarzonia
14-05-2004, 03:13
The Incorporated States of Sarzonia would like to purchase 50 of these stealth bombers. At $186 million each, the total should come to $9.3 billion.

Money shall be wired upon confirmation.

Terrence A. Wilson
Vice President for Defense
Incorporated States of Sarzonia
Crimmond
14-05-2004, 03:57
OOC: Just wondering.... why do nations make new aircraft then immediatly sell them, when any RL nation would not sell their stealth craft until it is severely outdated?
14-05-2004, 04:00
I want to purchase 100 of them please...

Thank you...

And may all proletariat racial comrades unite against the New World Order elite...
14-05-2004, 04:00
OOC: Just wondering.... why do nations make new aircraft then immediatly sell them, when any RL nation would not sell their stealth craft until it is severely outdated?

Worth more new. Weigh the benefits and costs of selling them early on. If you need cash, sell it.
Anarresa
14-05-2004, 04:17
Erm.... Fascist White States, thats about one fifth of your GDP, not to mention well over your government budget.

for the calc go here: http://www.thirdgeek.com/nseconomy.php?nation=Fascist%20White%20States
Soviet Bloc
14-05-2004, 04:41
OOC- Well, actually Crimmond, we've had this in service for a while (By no means does this mean its out-dated, its technically still brand new) and have plenty of them, more than we'd ever allow any other nation to acquire, except for trusted allies. Ya know, we gotta make some nice cash right off the bat as well...

Sarzonia- All right. Order confirmed.

FWS- Denied (that's alot of aircraft for a nation of your size). I will sell you twenty though. Deal?
14-05-2004, 11:11
Erm.... Fascist White States, thats about one fifth of your GDP, not to mention well over your government budget.

for the calc go here: http://www.thirdgeek.com/nseconomy.php?nation=Fascist%20White%20States'

Okay, thank you for your help. I didn't know :(

But now I do :)
African Commonwealth
14-05-2004, 11:14
Commending the excellence of Soviet Bloc aviation technology, the Secular Republic of the African Commonwealth wishes to buy 25 Kestrels. Money has already been send by bonded courier.
Soviet Bloc
14-05-2004, 17:31
Very well. Order confirmed.
Soviet Bloc
16-05-2004, 00:01
Gotta BUMP this one too.
Soviet Bloc
22-05-2004, 03:22
Bump.
You are not logged in
06-06-2004, 23:49
The Inability to log in is interested in aquiring 300 of these aircraft for a total of $55,800,000,000.
Soviet Bloc
07-06-2004, 00:00
Hmm... 300 aircraft is a bit large... And I normally wouldn't sell that many in one sale... But 55 billion USD is alot of money... To hell with my guidelines for selling this aircraft, confirmed.

Your order will take about 8 to 10 years to fill.
You are not logged in
07-06-2004, 00:04
Thank you, Soviet Bloc. The money has been wired.
Doomingsland
07-06-2004, 00:36
The Allied States of Doomingsland will purchase 50 of these coming to a total of 9.3 billion.
Wired on confirmation.
Troen
07-06-2004, 00:43
im not sure how much money my country has but ill buy one
Soviet Bloc
07-06-2004, 00:54
Doomingsland, confirmed. Your 50 aircraft will be built and delivered over a three year period.

Troen, I'm sure you have enough to purchase one. So, confirmed. It will be shipped immediately.
Bonstock
07-06-2004, 00:56
The Federal Republic of Bonstock would like to purchase 12 for testing and evaluation.

The value should be around 2.16 billion USD (I think)
Soviet Bloc
07-06-2004, 02:04
I'll take your word for it. 2.16 billion USD it is. Order of twelve confirmed. They will be built and shipped over a 2-month period.

Thank you for the order.