NationStates Jolt Archive

The ageing F14's, as good as they are, need to be decommisioned from our Carrier Based forces. We currently have 10 F14's on 6 Elessar Class Carriers. That makes a total of 60, Therefore I am looking for 60 replacement newer Interceptors or dual role aircraft.

The Airforces budget is $5.13 Billion for this particular overhaul. This makes for a budget of around $80 Million for each aircraft.

F/A-18 Super Hornets, the newest version, would probably be the easiest replacements for your ageing F-14s. You can purchase them at several storefronts. Also the JSF, Joint Strike Fighter, is also a vary good choice if you want something that it slightly more futuristic, although in reality it is no more than 12 years off probably less. Your choice in the end though.

I already have JSF's and F/A-18 Superhornet's however I was told neither fitted the role of an interceptor, and rather the F/A-18 Superhornet was considered a dual role aircraft and the JSF also.

Super Hornet is nothing compared to the Tomcat. Might the Empire of Layarteb recommend it's F-14D Tomcat UPGRADE, which gives it additional software for AIM-120 AMRAAM capability and AIM-9X Sidewinder capability? In addition, it can carry a wider range of air to ground munitions, primarily AGM-88 HARM missiles on its two wing hardpoints (not previously used for A2G munitions) as well as AGM-84 Harpoon & AGM-84 SLAM missiles, AGM-154 JSOW, and AGM-158 JASSM missiles.

F-14A/B/D Tomcat

Function: Carrier-borne intercept
Crew: 2
Length: 62.67 ft.
Height: 16.00 ft.
Wingspan: 64.08 ft. (unswept); 37.17 ft. (swept)
Empty Weight: 40,105 [A/B]; 43,600 lb. [D]
Arament Weight: 13,000 lb.
Max Weight: 73,000 lb.
Internal Fuel: 16,200 lb.
Ceiling: 53,000 ft.+
Max Speed: 1,584 mph
Range: 1,600nm
Armament: M61 (675 rds), AIM-7, AIM-9, AIM-54, Cluster, Iron, and Laser-guided bombs. Carries LANTRIN pods in space of one AIM-7 or AIM-54.
Unit Cost: $35M [A/B]; $40M [D]; $10M [AIM-120 upgrade (F-14D only)]
Delivery Time: 1 RL day per 1,000 units

So for the upgrade you'd be paying $50M per Tomcat.

In addition, the Empire of Layarteb offers an upgrade to the fabulous Typhoon MK1 aircraft, previously the Eurofighter 2000. For $65M you can get the EF-2000 with all its capabilities and added carrier capability.

EF-2000 Eurofighter Typhoon

Function: Multi-role fighter
Crew: 1
Length: 47.58 ft.
Height: 21.00 ft.
Wingspan: 34.46 ft.
Empty Weight: 21,495 lb.
Arament Weight: 14,330 lb.
Max Weight: 46,297 lb.
Internal Fuel: 8,819 lb.
Ceiling: 60,000 ft.
Max Speed: 1,320 mph
Range: 500nm
Armament: 1 Bk-27 27MM cannon with 150 rounds; 13 hardpoints for an assortment of weapons
Unit Cost: $60M [EF-2000]; $5M [Carrier Upgrade]
Delivery Time: 1 RL day per 500 units


You could pay $15M - $30M less per aircraft, get more of them, and get fine quality!

Well, I have always used my Superhornets in an Interceptor role. I think that the JSF and the Superhornet can be used as Interceptors. I'd check around but I'm pretty sure about that.

MiG-31M2 with R-37B might do the trick. Check our storefront. (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=336823)

Well, I have always used my Superhornets in an Interceptor role. I think that the JSF and the Superhornet can be used as Interceptors. I'd check around but I'm pretty sure about that.

From all reports from all pilots the SH is a beast. It eats gas, turns like a pig, and lacks the range of the Tomcat. After all, in OEF, the Tomcat was the only carrier borne fighter capable of making it to Afghanistan on a tank of gas, and yes F/A-18Es were being used.

I use my F/A-18E/Fs soley for air to ground. Air to air is covered by F-14Ds, F-22Ns, and F-26Bs (EF-2000s).

We will look into the Eurofighter Carrier possibility.

We will look into the Eurofighter Carrier possibility.

Interceptor Loadout
1x 1100 litre tank on centerline
4x AIM-120C AMRAAM or BVRAAM on fuselage
2x (possibly 4x) AIM-120C AMRAAM or BVRAAM on inner most wing pylon
2x 1500 litre tank on middle wing
4x AIM-132A ASRAAM or 2x (possibly 4x) AIM-120C AMRAAM on outer wing
2x AIM-132A ASRAAM on outermost wing
plus 150x 27MM

Plus she can carry air to ground ords on its wing hardpoints. At very minimum, your air to air loadout will consist of 4x AIM-120 or BVRAAM on the fuselage and 2x AIM-132 on the outermost wings. That leaves 6 hardpoints for air to air or air to ground.

Pretty spiffy huh?

The terms have been corrupted over the years, but you have to remember a few points...

Interceptor: Aircraft with long loiter time (that is, just flying around) and whose primary role is to shoot down enemy aircraft (usually bombers) at very long range, before they can reach you. Tend to be big and slow.

Air Superiority: Aircraft which tend to be more maneuverable than an interceptor. They are designed to outfight any aircraft, usually at close (visual sight) ranges, even in desperation, going down to a gunfight, but very rarely doing any long range work. Any long range attacks made by Air Superiority aircraft are usually to break up an attack before closing the distance.

Got all that? A Tomcat is an Interceptor, with long range missiles and long range to knock down bombers before they can launch their ship killer missiles. The Super Hornet/JSF is an Air Superiority fighter, designed to shoot down enemy aircraft if they get into range. Please read the final sentence of my Air Superiority explanation.

The definitions are splitting hairs, but you can't use something in a role it's not designed/suited for.

I wouldn't nessisarily agree with those definitions. my interceptors tend to be small, manouverable, and short ranged... they operate near their bases, protecting my airspace from enemy bombers. Since they don't need to fly far, they don't need much endurance. Air superiority fighters tend to be larger, designed to take over contested areas. Then there are fleet fighters like the F-14, real beasts, unmanouverable airborn missile platforms.

Layarteb, we have decided to buy 60 of your updated F14's. They look like fine aircraft. Money to be wired upon confirmation.

Layarteb, we have decided to buy 60 of your updated F14's. They look like fine aircraft. Money to be wired upon confirmation.

Confirmed and you can have the upgraded engines for free. They increase MPG and range about 33%.

NWV Thanks you Layarteb.

$3 Billion wired.

NWV Thanks you Layarteb.

$3 Billion wired.

If you ever consider our F-26B (Navalized EF-2000) do inquire and we also recommend, with that, our Vampire Class Light Assault Carrier, basically for when a 100,000 ton aircraft carrier is overkill!

Vampire Class

http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/kuznetsov/images/kuz2.jpg
Vampire Class turning training exercises

http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/kuznetsov/images/kuz1.jpg
Side view of the Vampire Class during testing

http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/kuznetsov/images/kuz9.jpg
Mean view of the Vampire Class during testing

Function: Medium Assault Carrier
Crew: 2,000 total
Length: 1,000 ft.
Beam (Width): 237 ft.
Draft (Depth under water): 30 ft.
Displacement: 60,000 tons (full)
Max Speed: 32 knots
Power Plant: 1 SNR-3 nuclear reactor (135,000 Shaft horsepower); 4 Controllable-Reversible Pitch Propellers; 4 Rudders
Endurance: 10 years without refueling
Aircraft: Up 32 aircraft (up to 65,000 GTW) & 22 helicopters (12 AV-8B+ Harrier II, 2 C-2A Greyhound, 2 E-2C Hawkeye, and 16 F-26B Typhoon; 8 AH-1W Super Cobra, 6 CH-53E Sea Stallion, 4 HH-60H Sea Hawk, and 4 SH-60F Sea Hawk)
Armament: 1 Mk 41 V-Cell systems with 64 cells for ASROC, ESSM, Standard MR, Standard ER Block IV, or Tomahawk missiles; 6 Mk 15 Mod 2 Phalanx CIWS with 15,500 rounds per weapon; 4 Mk 141 Harpoon Launchers with 16 RGM-84A Harpoon missiles; 4 RIM-116 mounts with 84 missiles
Unit Cost: $5B
Delivery Time: 9 RL Days

ROUND UP TOTAL

1x Vampire Class: $5,000M
8x AH-1W Super Cobra: $85.6M
12x AV-8B+ Harrier II: $288M
2x C-2A Greyound: $78M
6x CH-53E Sea Stallion: $150M
2x E-2C Hawkeye: $102M
16x EF-2000 Typhoon [Carrier Capable]: $1,040M
4x HH-60H Sea Hawk: $76M
4x SH-60F Sea Hawk: $76M
Total: $6,895.6M

I've completed my Carrier Group upgrades for now, but will be sure to contact you again if I need anything.

I've completed my Carrier Group upgrades for now, but will be sure to contact you again if I need anything.

Roger that, pleasure doing business with you.