NationStates Jolt Archive

Chellis has, for a long time, used the RAA-M Strike Fighter and, more recently, the V-121 heavy bomber, as its two main carrier components. However, even though Chellian carriers are reinforced to take the weight of the V-121, Chellian carriers constantly are needing repairs. In addition, the V-121 forces there to be less planes to be used on the ship. The RAA-M, too, is reaching its ending age. The Mach 1.85 aircraft is a modification of a modification of a modifcation of a modified plane, complete modifications as well.

Chellis is soon to start competitions for five areas. Interceptor, Strike Fighter, Bomber, Long-range detection, and ASW, the last two being rotary-wing tryouts. The current leaders are the Rafale M, the Rafale N , the V-21(Much Lighter, smaller version of the V-121), the Ka-31, and the SH-60.

We are open to offers to test, and while we would produce the craft, we would buy the production rights from the nation in question. Our first picks are what we are looking for, so offers should be similar to the planes we have picked.

bumgdp

Asgardian F-92 Sea Hound

NO PICTURE AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT
Type: Carrier Defense fighter, interceptor, with strike capebillities
Short Description: This is the carrier variant of the land-based fighter the Lightning Hound. It is a very, very potent fighter, with attack possibilities aslo.
Powerplant: 2 SNECMA M152-2A turbofans supplying 27,000 lbs of thrust.
Performance:Maxium speed at high altitude-1,4765mph. Range(w/o refueling) 1,729 mph
Maxium takeoff weight: 67,458lbs.
Armament: One 30mm DEFA 791B cannon, 10 external pylons for a combination of AIM-7 Sparrow AAMs, AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs, and AIM-54 Phoenix AAMs, or a choice of attack wepons such as Bombs(smart, conventional, or cluster) ASMs, anti-ship missiles, or fuel tanks.

Asgardian V-54 Jump Condor

http://giantkiller54.250free.com/JumpCondor.jpg
Type:VTOL Strike/Air Superiority Fighter
Short Description: This V/STOL aircraft is perfect for naval strike operations, and air superiority tasks.
Powerplant: 2 SNECMA M88-2 turbofans supplying 16,424lbs of thrust.(the engines were recently upgraded for maxium air superiority performance)
Performance:Maxium speed at high altitude-1,124mph, range(without refueling) 1,152 miles.
Maxium takeoff weight: 42,990lbs
Armament: One 30mm DEFA 791B cannon, 8 external pylons for AAMs, ASMs, anti-ship missiles, guided and conventional bombs, cluster bombs, fuel tanks, jammer pods, recon pods, and cannon pods.

Prices:
Sea Hound-45,000,000
Jump COndor-35,000,000

Asgardian F-92 Sea Hound

NO PICTURE AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT
Type: Carrier Defense fighter, interceptor, with strike capebillities
Short Description: This is the carrier variant of the land-based fighter the Lightning Hound. It is a very, very potent fighter, with attack possibilities aslo.
Powerplant: 2 SNECMA M152-2A turbofans supplying 27,000 lbs of thrust.
Performance:Maxium speed at high altitude-1,4765mph. Range(w/o refueling) 1,729 mph
Maxium takeoff weight: 67,458lbs.
Armament: One 30mm DEFA 791B cannon, 10 external pylons for a combination of AIM-7 Sparrow AAMs, AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs, and AIM-54 Phoenix AAMs, or a choice of attack wepons such as Bombs(smart, conventional, or cluster) ASMs, anti-ship missiles, or fuel tanks.

Asgardian V-54 Jump Condor

http://giantkiller54.250free.com/JumpCondor.jpg
Type:VTOL Strike/Air Superiority Fighter
Short Description: This V/STOL aircraft is perfect for naval strike operations, and air superiority tasks.
Powerplant: 2 SNECMA M88-2 turbofans supplying 16,424lbs of thrust.(the engines were recently upgraded for maxium air superiority performance)
Performance:Maxium speed at high altitude-1,124mph, range(without refueling) 1,152 miles.
Maxium takeoff weight: 42,990lbs
Armament: One 30mm DEFA 791B cannon, 8 external pylons for AAMs, ASMs, anti-ship missiles, guided and conventional bombs, cluster bombs, fuel tanks, jammer pods, recon pods, and cannon pods.

Prices:
Sea Hound-45,000,000
Jump COndor-35,000,000

In our opinion, the first is too heavy, the second is too weak.

Take a look at the Su-54 Starshooter

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=351385

In our opinion, the first is too heavy, the second is too weak.
I could add armour to the Jump Condor, but that would make Vertical takeoff harder. For the 1st one, if you only wanted it with the carrier defense/interceptor role, I could take some supports out that allow it to carry strike munitions.

But if a new, lightweight fighter is what you want then I have one for you.

Asgardian F/A-47 Twin Tail
Type: This one is purely interceptor to cut down on weight.
Engine Thrust Class:38,810 lb
Level Speed: Possible Mach 2
Total Length: 57.09 ft
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-250 Turbofans
Range: 1,600 miles w/o in-flight refueling
Max. Takeoff Weight: 25,5840 lb
Max. External Stores: 9,914 lb
Weight Empty: 10,670 lb (14,365 kg)
Ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Crew: 2
Armour: 3.7 inches
Armament:1 M-61A1 20mm multibarrel machine gun, 2000 rounds of ammunition, 8 external pylons that can hold any western, or swedish made AAM.
Price: 25,000,000
NOTE: For an extra 2 Million I'll add ECM or Recon. Kits.

CK-ROC of Taiwan submits the following aircraft for naval air superiority operations.

F-36T
http://142.26.194.131/aerodynamics1/Appendix/Aircraft/Graphics/x36.jpg
The F-36T is Taiwan's fifth-generation air superiority fighter. For a air superiority fighter, maneuverability, advanced avionics and stealth are essential, although some may argue stealth is outdated with modern radars, it still helps greatly.

The F-36T has advanced avionics that assist the pilot in many ways. The aircraft is highly automated : Take-off and landing can be managed by autopilot. A standard Taiwanese avionics suite is also equipped, which is both cost-effective and weight-effective. Costs have been lowered greatly by using off-the-shelf components. The radar system is light and hard to detect. In normal operation with AWACS support, it is not even needed.

Design features on the F-36T also enhance it's lethality. All weapons are carried internally, reducing drag and allowing much faster supercruise than aircraft which carry their ordinance externally. Range is also improved. The tailless design further reduces drag and also reduces cross-section, as most of an aircraft's radar cross section comes from the tail. The F-36T has a RCS of 1/20th the F-22. The lack of a tail also increases survivability.

The F-36T is the lightest fighter in the ROCAF inventory. Specialising on air superiority means that cost and weight is kept down, with no need for strike-focused avionics or a bulky structure to support the weight of air-to-ground munitions. Being very lightweight, it is perfect for naval operations. The naval carrier version the F-36TN is STVOL capable and is slightly larger.

Function: Air Superiority
Length: 14.5m
Wingspan: 12.3m
Max Weight : 50,000 lbs
Thrust: Single engine @ 35,000lbs
Propulsion: TN-3 3D thrust-vectored turbofans
Speed: Mach 1.7 Cruise - Mach 1.9 Max
Combat radius: 700nm
Ceiling: 65,000 feet
Armaments:
Internal : 6 BVRAAMs, 2 Python Vs
Cost: $25 million

GD-140 Lightweight Radar system

CPU: 3x 200Ghz
Weight: 40kg
Power: 10 Kilowatts
Ranges:
220km against 1m^2 target in detailed scan
180km against 1m^2 target in quick scan
Passive radar detection mode can detect radar waves at 110% range of the opposing radar

Cost: $2.1m

But if a new, lightweight fighter is what you want then I have one for you.

Asgardian F/A-47 Twin Tail
Type: This one is purely interceptor to cut down on weight.
Engine Thrust Class:38,810 lb
Level Speed: Possible Mach 2
Total Length: 57.09 ft
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-250 Turbofans
Range: 1,600 miles w/o in-flight refueling
Max. Takeoff Weight: 25,5840 lb
Max. External Stores: 9,914 lb
Weight Empty: 10,670 lb (14,365 kg)
Ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Crew: 2
Armour: 3.7 inches
Armament:1 M-61A1 20mm multibarrel machine gun, 2000 rounds of ammunition, 8 external pylons that can hold any western, or swedish made AAM.
Price: 25,000,000
NOTE: For an extra 2 Million I'll add ECM or Recon. Kits.

This, and _Taiwan's submission, are too small, cheap, and under-capable. We are also not interested in VTOL, not worth the effort.

_Taiwan, Chellian planes are more about giving the pilot the most capability. While Stealth, and automated systems are nice, we prefer other things much more. In addition, the weapons we are wanting to mount are simply not sufficient for holding in internal bays.

The Su-54, btw, seems like it would have trouble making it off a carrier. Its very similar to the Mig-31, and we couldnt successfully make that a carrier plane.

(Darn, that just about goes against everything in my doctrine)

F/A-42 Raven
http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/talon-new1.jpg
More pics of the Raven: Here (http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/talon-new2.jpg), here (http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/talon-new4.jpg), and here (http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/talon-new6.jpg).

The Hamptonian Ministry of Defense came to the conclusion that the Royal Navy need a new, domestically designed carrier-based fighter/bomber/interceptor to insure the continued dominance of the Hamptonian Royal Armed Forces. Combining stealth, speed, and lethality, the Raven is the next generation fighter for the next century. The Raven has the latest HDC and Omni Systems radar technology and boasts a 'standard radar profile' of a 20mm bullet.

The F/A-42 can be deployed from carriers or land bases.

Classification: Carrier-based fighter/bomber/interceptor
Crew: 1
Length: 16 meters
Height: 5m
Wingspan: 14m
Weight (Empty): 10,810 kg
Weight (Fully Loaded): 36,000 kg
Range: 4,000 NM
Ceiling: 65,000+ feet
Max Speed: Mach 4.1
Cruise Speed: Mach 3 at altitude
Engines: 2 WTI YF42 Air Turbo Ramjet (ATR) each developing 40,000 lbs of thrust

Armament:
All Configurations:
2 x 20mm Cannons with 1000 rounds of ammunition each
Air-to-Air Missiles (up to):
4 x Short Range AIM, 6 x Medium Range AIM, 6 x Long Range AIM
Air-to-Ground Ordnance:
Up to 12,000 pounds of air to ground ordinance on six standard hardpoints

Cost:
$50 million


F/A-40 King

http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/king.gif

The Royal Navy Directorate, after a review of Carrier Air-Wing Capabilities, came to the conclusion that the Fleet needed a new land-attack jet to join the F-35Cs currently in service. While the F-35C and F-35Bs provide VSTOL capability, they lack the punch the Royal Navy desired. The F/A-40 is a conventional take-off and landing jet that boasts similar stealth capabilities to the F-35 JSF.

The F/A-40 can be deployed from carriers or land bases.

Classification: Carrier-based land-attack
Crew: 2
Length: 37 feet 5.0 inches
Height: 11 feet 3.4 inches, 12 feet 6.2 inches with wings folded
Wingspan: 70 feet 3.2 inches, 36 feet 3.2 inches with wings folded
Weight (Empty): 39,000 pounds
Weight (Fully Loaded): 80,000 pounds
Combat Radius: 1,000 miles
Ceiling: 55,000 feet
Max Speed: Mach 1
Cruise Speed: 580 mph at sea level
Engines: 2 WTI YF30 Turbofan Engines each developing 16,500 lbs of thrust

Armament:
1 x 20mm Cannons with 1000 rounds of ammunition; 2 x Medium Range AIM; 2 x HARM; 14,000 pounds of Air-to-Ground Ordnance

Cost:
$25 million

C-3000 Combattente Multirole Carrier Based Fighter

Designed as a carrier based fighter to replace both the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-14D Tomcat in Agrigentian Naval Service, this aircraft allows for unmatched versatility and reliability. The Combattente also utilizes a double redundant fly-by-light system with a fly-by-wire backup.

It can be armed with a variety of weapons from Precision Guided Bombs to Advanced Air-to-Air Missiles.

The C-3000 can perform both the interceptor and strike fighter role admirably.

Specifications

Engine: Two Fiat Thrust Vectoring Turbofans with afterburners
Max Speed: Mach 2.3
Max G: 8.5
Range: 1,700 nm
Crew: two; pilot and radar intercept officer
Armament: Up to 18,450 pounds of ordnance on 8 hardpoints and 2 wingtip stations
1 Berettino 20 mm Cannon

Wingspan: 15 m
Length overall: 22.20 m
Height overall: 6.34 m
Weight, empty: 11,080 kg
Maximum fuel weight:
Internal: 6,500 kg
External: 5,000 kg
Maximum external stores load: 8,000 kg
T-O weight, attack mission: 30,000 kg
Max T-O weight : 33,000 kg

Systems:
ATARPS, Advanced Targeting Assistance and Reconnaissance Pod System
BPT-AESA-09 Multifunction Radar
BPT-23 Common Missile Warning System CMWS


ATARPS: The ATARPS is designed to provide unparalleled weapons performance working conjunctively with a "Turn-and-Shoot" helmet system. It incorporates numerous systems, including Advanced Targeting and Designation Forward-Looking Infrared System (ATFLIR),Navigation Forward-Looking Infrared (NAVFLIR), laser spot tracker (LST), air-to-air laser ranging, electronic zoom, geographic-point targeting, and Electro-optics. It also combines the functions of three legacy pod systems (TFLIR, NAVFLIR, and LST) into one pod. This next-generation technology is designed to provide three fields of view, incorporate a larger detector array, and allow flight operations up to 50,000 feet altitude.

RADAR: The BPT-AESA-09 radar system is an Active Electronically Scanned Array. The radar beam can be steered at close to the speed of light, this rapid beam scan feature enables superior performance and capabilities. The C-3000's radar’s Multi-Function Array is comprised of numerous solid state transmit and receive modules, or T/R modules. Because the array is solid state, mechanical breakdowns are virtually eliminated, leading to dramatic improvements in reliability and lower cost; all achieved with tremendous performance enhancements. Complete with Friend or Foe Indentificaton system.

CMWS: The BPT-23 is a Passive Infrared Warning Receiver coupled to a flare dispensor and IR countermeasures.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/Agrigento/comb.bmp

F/A-42 Raven
http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/talon-new1.jpg
More pics of the Raven: Here (http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/talon-new2.jpg), here (http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/talon-new4.jpg), and here (http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/talon-new6.jpg).

The Hamptonian Ministry of Defense came to the conclusion that the Royal Navy need a new, domestically designed carrier-based fighter/bomber/interceptor to insure the continued dominance of the Hamptonian Royal Armed Forces. Combining stealth, speed, and lethality, the Raven is the next generation fighter for the next century. The Raven has the latest HDC and Omni Systems radar technology and boasts a 'standard radar profile' of a 20mm bullet.

The F/A-42 can be deployed from carriers or land bases.

Classification: Carrier-based fighter/bomber/interceptor
Crew: 1
Length: 16 meters
Height: 5m
Wingspan: 14m
Weight (Empty): 10,810 kg
Weight (Fully Loaded): 36,000 kg
Range: 4,000 NM
Ceiling: 65,000+ feet
Max Speed: Mach 4.1
Cruise Speed: Mach 3 at altitude
Engines: 2 WTI YF42 Air Turbo Ramjet (ATR) each developing 40,000 lbs of thrust

Armament:
All Configurations:
2 x 20mm Cannons with 1000 rounds of ammunition each
Air-to-Air Missiles (up to):
4 x Short Range AIM, 6 x Medium Range AIM, 6 x Long Range AIM
Air-to-Ground Ordnance:
Up to 12,000 pounds of air to ground ordinance on six standard hardpoints

Cost:
$50 million


F/A-40 King

http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/king.gif

The Royal Navy Directorate, after a review of Carrier Air-Wing Capabilities, came to the conclusion that the Fleet needed a new land-attack jet to join the F-35Cs currently in service. While the F-35C and F-35Bs provide VSTOL capability, they lack the punch the Royal Navy desired. The F/A-40 is a conventional take-off and landing jet that boasts similar stealth capabilities to the F-35 JSF.

The F/A-40 can be deployed from carriers or land bases.

Classification: Carrier-based land-attack
Crew: 2
Length: 37 feet 5.0 inches
Height: 11 feet 3.4 inches, 12 feet 6.2 inches with wings folded
Wingspan: 70 feet 3.2 inches, 36 feet 3.2 inches with wings folded
Weight (Empty): 39,000 pounds
Weight (Fully Loaded): 80,000 pounds
Combat Radius: 1,000 miles
Ceiling: 55,000 feet
Max Speed: Mach 1
Cruise Speed: 580 mph at sea level
Engines: 2 WTI YF30 Turbofan Engines each developing 16,500 lbs of thrust

Armament:
1 x 20mm Cannons with 1000 rounds of ammunition; 2 x Medium Range AIM; 2 x HARM; 14,000 pounds of Air-to-Ground Ordnance

Cost:
$25 million

We are interested in the F/A-42. However, what we have problems with is, we wonder how strong the radar and detection capabilities are, Payload(Doesnt meet our 6k kg preference), hardpoints(We need 8 minimum, prefer more), and stealth(dont need it.). The F/A-40 is very unsatisfactory for our needs, and seems alot like our V-21, but bigger, and weaker.

To Agrigento: We are interested, but we need to know more about the weights, size, and radar.

We are interested in the F/A-42. However, what we have problems with is, we wonder how strong the radar and detection capabilities are, Payload(Doesnt meet our 6k kg preference), hardpoints(We need 8 minimum, prefer more), and stealth(dont need it.). The F/A-40 is very unsatisfactory for our needs, and seems alot like our V-21, but bigger, and weaker.

To Agrigento: We are interested, but we need to know more about the weights, size, and radar.

The F/A-42's avionics and software system are among the most advanced ever integrated into an aircraft. The Raven is one of the latest fighters to use integrated avionics, where the weapons management system, electronic warfare system and the WT/APG-92 radar work as one.

The WT/APG-92 radar is designed for air-superiority and strike operations and features a low observable, active aperture, electronically-scanned array with multi-target, all-weather capability.

The radar is key to the F/A-42's integrated avionics and sensor capabilities. It provides pilots with detailed information about multiple threats before the adversary's radar ever detects the F/A-42. This is also called BVR, or Beyond Visual Range capability.

The F/A-42's WorldTech Industries-built WT/APG-92 radar is an active-element, electronically scanned (that is, it does not move) array of over 2000 finger-sized transmitter / receiver modules. Each module weights ca 12g and has a power output of over 4.5W. The APG-92 is capable of changing the direction, power and shape of the radar beam very rapidly, so it can acquire target data, and in the meantime minimizing the chance that the radar signal is detected or tracked.

Most of the mechanical parts common to other radar have been eliminated, thus making the radar more reliable. This type of antenna, which is integrated both physically and electro magnetically with the airframe, provides the frequency agility, low radar cross-section, and wide bandwidth necessary to support the F/A-42's air dominance mission.

Features:
*Integrated Navigation and Electronic Warfare Systems (INEWS)
*Communications, Navigation, and Identification System- Version 2 (CNI-2)
*Active/Passive Weapon Support System (APWSS)- includes Omni-Directional Infrared Tracking, Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground Laser Designators, Laser Detection System, High Resoultion Optical Scanners, GPS, and Geographic Designation Targeting Sytems
*Active Friend-or-Foe Detection System with failsafes (AFFD)
*250km against 1m^2 target in Full Active Scan Mode (FASM)
*200km against 1m^2 target in Fast/Partial Scan Mode (FPSM)
*Can detect radar waves at 120% range


The full Payload of the F/A-42 is approx 7,000 kg. The F/A-42 has 16 hardpoints for missiles; for ground attack roles the Raven boasts 12,000 pounds of air to ground ordinance on six standard hardpoints. As for its stealth characteristics, if you are absoltely aganist it, we can provide you with a non-stealth version of the F/A-42 (elminates those expensive stealth materials in the airframe).

To Agrigento: We are interested, but we need to know more about the weights, size, and radar.

ooc: Added it to my original post.

ooc: Hamptonshire, I think Mach 4.1 is extremely unrealistic... It would take about 2 hours to get from Moscow to LA at that speed. Plus the airframe does not look like it could take that. Especially with supercruise. Considering how I know very little about Ramjets I will leave it at that, but I just think that a Mach 4 fighter is completely uneccessary in modern tech. I also don't know about that Thrust-to-Weight Ratio providing that kind of speed...

Hamptonshire, the F/A-42 without stealth is a canidate for the spot, as well as the F-14, Su-33, and Rafale N. Our pilots dont like the looks of it, but we will see how it does in tests.

Agrigento, we are curious to know information such as how many targets it can track at once, range of tracking, etc..

ooc: Hamptonshire, I think Mach 4.1 is extremely unrealistic... It would take about 2 hours to get from Moscow to LA at that speed. Plus the airframe does not look like it could take that. Especially with supercruise. Considering how I know very little about Ramjets I will leave it at that, but I just think that a Mach 4 fighter is completely uneccessary in modern tech. I also don't know about that Thrust-to-Weight Ratio providing that kind of speed...

OOC: First thing first, it isn't unrealistic. The engines used on the Raven are Air Turbo Ramjets, the same engine typed used on the SR-71 Blackbird of the 1970s. The Raven weighs nearly a hundred thousand pounds less than the SR-71 and its two engines provide more than 15,000 more pounds of thrust when compared to the SR-71's engines.

ooc: Hamptonshire, I think Mach 4.1 is extremely unrealistic... It would take about 2 hours to get from Moscow to LA at that speed. Plus the airframe does not look like it could take that. Especially with supercruise. Considering how I know very little about Ramjets I will leave it at that, but I just think that a Mach 4 fighter is completely uneccessary in modern tech. I also don't know about that Thrust-to-Weight Ratio providing that kind of speed...

Its possible with Ram-jets, though Ram-jets are hard to take off with, especially heavy planes.

However, Chellian aircraft carriers already operate ramjet aircraft, so it would fit into our speculum.

Its possible with Ram-jets, though Ram-jets are hard to take off with, especially heavy planes.

However, Chellian aircraft carriers already operate ramjet aircraft, so it would fit into our speculum.

These are Air Turbo Ramjets. At lower speeds the function exactly like a turbojet engine, at higher speeds the 'switch' to Ramjets.

Its possible with Ram-jets, though Ram-jets are hard to take off with, especially heavy planes.

However, Chellian aircraft carriers already operate ramjet aircraft, so it would fit into our speculum.

ooc: The thing is...the SR-71 had a Radar Cross Section the size of Texas...
I'm not saying its not possible, but it makes the plane a sitting duck. I could track it with a transistor radio for godsake...

SR-71 was one of the largest radar targets ever detected on the FAA's long-range radars. The FAA was able to track it at ranges of several hundred miles. The explanation offered was that the radars were detecting the exhaust plume.

Not to mention the fact that the SR-71 used up about 95% of its fuel on take off.

ooc: The thing is...the SR-71 had a Radar Cross Section the size of Texas...
I'm not saying its not possibly, but it makes the plane a sitting duck. I could track it with a transistor radio for godsake...

That's true, but you're talking about a plane that's a product of 1970s and earlier technology.

That's true, but you're talking about a plane that's a product of 1970s and earlier technology.

ooc: Its the engines, and the speed. The way the plane goes through the atmosphere, and the engine exhaust. NASA has been experimenting with Mach 4...for extra-planetary flight. However, I will stop cluttering this thread with my undying hatred for Mach4wank.

ooc: Its the engines, and the speed. The way the plane goes through the atmosphere, and the engine exhaust. NASA has been experimenting with Mach 4...for extra-planetary flight. However, I will stop cluttering this thread with my undying hatred for Mach4wank.

OOC: Last post on this subject in this thread

If've had to defend this plane before, once I find the links I can send them. It literally took me nearly 3 weeks of arguing, finding evidence, and providing sources from respected and accepted aeronautical journals and sites to get my points across.

As for that Mach 4 stuff, don't ever forget the X-15. While NASA may be experimenting with that speed for extra-planetary flight, the USAF and USN are exploring it for weapons much 'closer to home'.

Hamptonshire, the F/A-42 without stealth is a canidate for the spot, as well as the F-14, Su-33, and Rafale N. Our pilots dont like the looks of it, but we will see how it does in tests.

Agrigento, we are curious to know information such as how many targets it can track at once, range of tracking, etc..

We can produce several F/A-42Ns (the designated classification for this model is F/A-42N) for Chellian testing at a cost of $40 million per plane. Once your testing is complete, we can negotiate upon the production rights cost.

OOC: Last post on this subject in this thread

If've had to defend this plane before, once I find the links I can send them. It literally took me nearly 3 weeks of arguing, finding evidence, and providing sources from respected and accepted aeronautical journals and sites to get my points across.

As for that Mach 4 stuff, don't ever forget the X-15. While NASA may be experimenting with that speed for extra-planetary flight, the USAF and USN are exploring it for weapons much 'closer to home'.

ooc: Really sorry, now this is my absolute last post on the subject.

An unofficial motto of flight research in the 1940s and 1950s was "higher and faster." By the late 1950s the last frontier of that goal was hypersonic flight (Mach 5+) to the edge of space. It would require a huge leap in aeronautical technology, life support systems and flight planning. The North American X-15 rocket plane was built to meet that challenge. It was designed to fly at speeds up to Mach 6, and altitudes up to 250,000 ft. The aircraft went on to reach a maximum speed of Mach 6.7 and a maximum altitude of 354,200 ft. Looking at it another way, Mach 6 is about one mile per second, and flight above 265,000 ft. qualifies an Air Force pilot for astronaut wings.

The X-15 was a rocket powered aircraft 50 ft long with a wingspan of 22 ft. It was a missile-shaped vehicle with an unusual wedge-shaped vertical tail, thin stubby wings, and unique side fairings that extended along the side of the fuselage. The X-15 weighed about 14,000 lb empty and approximately 34,000 lb at launch. The rocket engine, the XLR-99, was pilot controlled and was capable of developing 57,000 lb of thrust. It was manufactured by Thiokol Chemical Corp. As with the X-2, the steel boat-shaped skids saved precious internal space to be used for fuel. The wedge-shaped lower portion of its fin was jettisoned prior to the landing; it will be retrieved to be used again.

Because of the large fuel consumption, the X-15 was air launched from a B-52 aircraft at 45,000 ft and a speed of about 500 mph. Depending on the mission, the rocket engine provided thrust for the first 80 to 120 sec of flight. The remainder of the normal 10 to 11 min. flight was powerless and ended with a 200-mph glide landing.

Now if by weapons you mean Missiles, than I am completely agreeable, but I sincerely doubt that we will ever see a Mach 4 fighter in the next 20-30 years.

The X-15 was designed to explore the problems of space and reentry at high speeds (Mach 6) and altitudes. Not for fighter aircraft.

We can produce several F/A-42Ns (the designated classification for this model is F/A-42N) for Chellian testing at a cost of $40 million per plane. Once your testing is complete, we can negotiate upon the production rights cost.

Six should be sufficient.

Six should be sufficient.

Alright, that comes to $240 million. Since we already have two production facilities tooled to produce the "N" Variant of the Raven, we should be able to deliver your six test planes within 8 months.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=351385 <-- Su-54 Starshooter

However, Chellian aircraft carriers already operate ramjet aircraft, so it would fit into our speculum.

Main Entry: spec·u·lum
Pronunciation: 'spek-y&-l&m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural spec·u·la /-l&/ also spec·u·lums
: any of various instruments for insertion into a body passage to facilitate visual inspection or medication <a vaginal speculum> <a nasal speculum>

Are you sure that's what you meant? :)

Juts out of interest, for your rotary wing options would you cosnider something a little different like say rotodynes:
http://www.meatballs.terminator.org.uk/crookfur/rotodynes.html

(if these exact models don't fit your requirements we coudl always coem up with soem more specficly siuted to your needs)

Juts out of interest, for your rotary wing options would you cosnider something a little different like say rotodynes:
http://www.meatballs.terminator.org.uk/crookfur/rotodynes.html

(if these exact models don't fit your requirements we coudl always coem up with soem more specficly siuted to your needs)

We are more interested in helicopters of the traditional sense. The Ka-31 as of now doesn't have any competition, and will probably be picked by default.

Also, Automated, Bug off.

Bah humbug to you then... I'll just keep my huge operational efficency benefits to myself and others who see the light ;)

I don't suppose a navalised version of our K-29 vandal would tickle your fancy:
http://www.meatballs.terminator.org.uk/crookfur/helos.html#hun

If I could find out what the K-29 was...

oops my bad i got the numbers and names mixed up...

I ment the K-49 Hun (the vandal is my light utility helo)