New Empire
02-10-2004, 18:08
F-133 Valkyrie Air Superiority Fighter
http://img8.exs.cx/img8/4854/valk1.png
http://www.acecombat04.com/img/air/x02a.jpg
Many unique design features include new switchblade wings and variable trapezoidal "ruddervators" similar to those seen on the earlier YF-23 prototype that flatten out during supersonic cruise. Rudder action is not aerodynamically controlled on this plane, instead the 3D thrust vectoring nozzles on the new GE F-129 engines handle all of the planes yaw control. The use of canards, a Forward Swept Wing (FSW) design and thrust vectoring makes this plane highly maneuverable.
The Valkyrie's unique wing design owes itself for better low speed control at higher angles of attack and lower landing and takeoff speeds that are connecting with carriers. The fighter's switchblade wings also dual up as decreasing width for better storage. The aircraft uses high strength thermalplastics and Boron fiber on the joints and doors of the variable geometry wings, where much stress is induced at high speeds. These doors also double up as flaps during takeoffs and landings.
This design lends itself to many low-observables features such as masked air intakes, internal bays for weapons, a blended fuselage, and many other aspects that reduce its chance to show up on radar and infrared tracking devices, and the stealth concept of same angles. The use of internal bays is a stealth one too. It has one large payload bay down the fuselage and two smaller "pop-up" bays behind the air intakes. All-composites wing; high proportion of composites and welded aluminium-lithium alloy in remainder of airframe. Extensive use of radar-absorbent coatings, including Ironball and 'Fibersteel'.
The fighter uses the high thrust, variable bypass (like the earlier GE 120 engines) General Electric F-129 turbofans, with three-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles for increased maneuverability. The F-129 engine uses a high temperature core and high-tech combustion parts, as well as a variable bypass design that allows it to act more like a turbofan at low speeds and more like a turbojet during supersonic cruise. Despite all of this, this engine has 40% less major parts and is easier to repair and maintain than the engines of the F-125. Supercruise has been reported at Mach 2.25 during trials, with a max speed of over Mach 3. The aircraft incorporates mission adaptive/aeroelastic wings, meaning instead of using 'flaps', the edges of the wings, ruddervators, and canards bend. The canards themselves can rotate.
The fighter uses SAN/APG-95 'Have Sight' radar, which is similar to the -91, but with improved tracking/identification capabilities, a forward looking solid state pulse doppler radar with a rear looking version with about 50% of the range. Both have NPI and LPI capabilities, along with programming for bistatic function. Another radar pod can be mounted on the fuselage for side looking and bird's eye capability. Forward and rearward looking IR systems are used, along with a rear looking camera. The 'Have Ray' and 'Have Light' LIDAR systems are also mounted. The latest version of Pallas Athena is mounted to aid the Valkyrie's already tiny radar signature. The TSRS (Thermal Signature Reduction System) of Blurred Edges, Flickering skins, and a cooling sheath over the engines helps lower the IR signature. Incorporated into the forward and rearward LIDAR pods are higher powered lasers for 'blinding' IR guided weapons. The F-133 can be equipped with a form of 'active camouflage', usually changing the grey tones of the aircraft to fit best with the sky around it.
Almost all of the instruments availible to the pilot are digital MFD displays, with a few key instruments in the old format in the event that the multilayered systems fail. A fly-by-light fiberoptic system is used, again with multiple 'layers' for saftey. The helmet used in the new G-suit, like on all other fighters, can be linked to any of the MFD displays or sensors for a true 'heads up display'. The F-133 is TARGETS II compatible, meaning sensor and aircraft information is projected into the 'mind's eye' (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=342069)
There are four internal bays, the forward two capable of holding up to four AAMs each, the rear two capable of holding up to two each. Usually, long range or heavy weapons are carried in the main bays, with the others carrying short range air to air missiles like the Python, AIM-9X, or AIM-121 Banshee. An M-75 20mm Hyveloc gatling gun is mounted under a small door in the aircraft for stealth. There are 6 additional wing pylons that can be used, usually with the EHSP pods to maintain stealth.
::Statistics::
Crew: 1
Wingspan (Unswept): 18.59m (61'0")
Wingspan (Swept): 11.58m (38'0")
Length: 21.92m (71'0")
Height: 4.38m (14'4")
Range: 2000 miles (Without Hafnium assistance)
G-Limit: 10+ (With new G-Suit)
Top Cruise Speed: Mach 2.25
Top Speed: Mach 3+ (Wings swept)
Armarment: M-75 20mm HYVELOC Gatling gun, 8 Fuselage internal hardpoints, 'pop up' rear fuselage bays can carry up to four lightweight missiles. There are 6 optional wing hardpoints.
http://img88.exs.cx/img88/1416/yf133.png
http://img88.exs.cx/img88/7617/yf133II.png
http://img88.exs.cx/img88/2126/yf133III.png
http://img88.exs.cx/img88/3523/yf133IV.png
http://img8.exs.cx/img8/4854/valk1.png
http://www.acecombat04.com/img/air/x02a.jpg
Many unique design features include new switchblade wings and variable trapezoidal "ruddervators" similar to those seen on the earlier YF-23 prototype that flatten out during supersonic cruise. Rudder action is not aerodynamically controlled on this plane, instead the 3D thrust vectoring nozzles on the new GE F-129 engines handle all of the planes yaw control. The use of canards, a Forward Swept Wing (FSW) design and thrust vectoring makes this plane highly maneuverable.
The Valkyrie's unique wing design owes itself for better low speed control at higher angles of attack and lower landing and takeoff speeds that are connecting with carriers. The fighter's switchblade wings also dual up as decreasing width for better storage. The aircraft uses high strength thermalplastics and Boron fiber on the joints and doors of the variable geometry wings, where much stress is induced at high speeds. These doors also double up as flaps during takeoffs and landings.
This design lends itself to many low-observables features such as masked air intakes, internal bays for weapons, a blended fuselage, and many other aspects that reduce its chance to show up on radar and infrared tracking devices, and the stealth concept of same angles. The use of internal bays is a stealth one too. It has one large payload bay down the fuselage and two smaller "pop-up" bays behind the air intakes. All-composites wing; high proportion of composites and welded aluminium-lithium alloy in remainder of airframe. Extensive use of radar-absorbent coatings, including Ironball and 'Fibersteel'.
The fighter uses the high thrust, variable bypass (like the earlier GE 120 engines) General Electric F-129 turbofans, with three-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles for increased maneuverability. The F-129 engine uses a high temperature core and high-tech combustion parts, as well as a variable bypass design that allows it to act more like a turbofan at low speeds and more like a turbojet during supersonic cruise. Despite all of this, this engine has 40% less major parts and is easier to repair and maintain than the engines of the F-125. Supercruise has been reported at Mach 2.25 during trials, with a max speed of over Mach 3. The aircraft incorporates mission adaptive/aeroelastic wings, meaning instead of using 'flaps', the edges of the wings, ruddervators, and canards bend. The canards themselves can rotate.
The fighter uses SAN/APG-95 'Have Sight' radar, which is similar to the -91, but with improved tracking/identification capabilities, a forward looking solid state pulse doppler radar with a rear looking version with about 50% of the range. Both have NPI and LPI capabilities, along with programming for bistatic function. Another radar pod can be mounted on the fuselage for side looking and bird's eye capability. Forward and rearward looking IR systems are used, along with a rear looking camera. The 'Have Ray' and 'Have Light' LIDAR systems are also mounted. The latest version of Pallas Athena is mounted to aid the Valkyrie's already tiny radar signature. The TSRS (Thermal Signature Reduction System) of Blurred Edges, Flickering skins, and a cooling sheath over the engines helps lower the IR signature. Incorporated into the forward and rearward LIDAR pods are higher powered lasers for 'blinding' IR guided weapons. The F-133 can be equipped with a form of 'active camouflage', usually changing the grey tones of the aircraft to fit best with the sky around it.
Almost all of the instruments availible to the pilot are digital MFD displays, with a few key instruments in the old format in the event that the multilayered systems fail. A fly-by-light fiberoptic system is used, again with multiple 'layers' for saftey. The helmet used in the new G-suit, like on all other fighters, can be linked to any of the MFD displays or sensors for a true 'heads up display'. The F-133 is TARGETS II compatible, meaning sensor and aircraft information is projected into the 'mind's eye' (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=342069)
There are four internal bays, the forward two capable of holding up to four AAMs each, the rear two capable of holding up to two each. Usually, long range or heavy weapons are carried in the main bays, with the others carrying short range air to air missiles like the Python, AIM-9X, or AIM-121 Banshee. An M-75 20mm Hyveloc gatling gun is mounted under a small door in the aircraft for stealth. There are 6 additional wing pylons that can be used, usually with the EHSP pods to maintain stealth.
::Statistics::
Crew: 1
Wingspan (Unswept): 18.59m (61'0")
Wingspan (Swept): 11.58m (38'0")
Length: 21.92m (71'0")
Height: 4.38m (14'4")
Range: 2000 miles (Without Hafnium assistance)
G-Limit: 10+ (With new G-Suit)
Top Cruise Speed: Mach 2.25
Top Speed: Mach 3+ (Wings swept)
Armarment: M-75 20mm HYVELOC Gatling gun, 8 Fuselage internal hardpoints, 'pop up' rear fuselage bays can carry up to four lightweight missiles. There are 6 optional wing hardpoints.
http://img88.exs.cx/img88/1416/yf133.png
http://img88.exs.cx/img88/7617/yf133II.png
http://img88.exs.cx/img88/2126/yf133III.png
http://img88.exs.cx/img88/3523/yf133IV.png