NationStates Jolt Archive


New VTOL transport released!

Doomingsland
02-02-2005, 20:58
MV-68 Banshee

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/Doomingsland/MVXOPTIONALJPEG.jpg

The AUV-68 was designed in response to a requirement for a fast VTOL transport, capable of airlifting twelve fully armed soldiers into harm’s way, and provide support fire upon kicking them out.

Cockpit

The cockpit of the MV-68 is arranged to have the pilot and co-pilot sit in a tandem seating arangment (pilot in front of WSO). Display systems are located on an all digital system arranged for the operators to quickly and easily access information. In addition to this, the pilots utilize a helmet mounted HUD system, allowing for them to easily aim the weapons systems merely by looking at their target.

Crew-

The MV-68 is manned by a four-man crew consisting of a pilot and weapons system operator that sit in the two cockpit seats, a loadmaster who sits in the troop compartment, and a rear door gunner. The loadmaster's seat is across from the crew door, within the troop compartment, while the gunner sits closest to the ramp door, right within reach of his GAU-19. The troop compartment itself accomadates twelve fully equiped soldiers sitting facing each other.

Engines-

It utilizes two, extremely quiet DDI T-1209 turbofan engines mounted on the wings for thrust. To permit VTOL capability, the designers went the way of the F35 Joint Strike Fighter by providing two lifting fans located on the wings near the body of the aircraft. The thrust nozzle system of the engines also twists downwards for added support, allowing the aircraft to land vertically.

Weapons-

In addition to the capability of airlifting the men, the AUV-68 has the capability to provide supporting fire. Four wing mounted hard points are provided for the mounting of ATGMs, FFARs, cannons, or other ordnance. An especially effective weapon for use against infantry and light vehicles is the aircraft’s advanced 30mm nose mounted chain gun. This cannon system, the M192, uses the computer to utilize information from the aircraft's radar and other sensors to track a target in front of the aircraft in a small cone that radiates outwards. The M192 is mounted in a semi-sealed 'bubble' underneath the aircraft and can maneuver inside this bubble to fire on enemy target. This means that MV-68 the only has to point its nose in a general direction while its cannon moves and locks onto the target then opens fire either on its own or by the pilot's control. This system is similar to that of the F78 series aircraft, but different in that the cannon is also capable of being lowered out of the bubble at low speeds. The cannon is mounted to a remote gun pod, allowing the weapon to be lowered out of the bubble beneath the aircraft, and fire with a far greater degree of maneuverability (similar to an attack helicopter). Both pilots wear a helmet mounted HUD system, allowing the weapons systems operator (WSO) to need only look at a target to engage (similar to the Apache attack helicopter). An GAU-19 machinegun is also mounted on the rear door to cover exiting soldiers with a hail of 12.7mm rounds. The GAU-19 is mounted to a hydrolic arm attached to the cieling of the troop compartment, and can be automatically folded to the cieling when not in use, saving space. When the rear ramp door is opened, the weapon folds down, allowing for the gunner to make use of it. It is easily aimed with little effort, as the hydrolics allow for the weapon to be easily manuevered.

Countermeasures

Other systems include the AFFC/SIRR-12. This is the MV-68’s active electronic camouflage system. A series of five passive radar receivers detect an incoming radar pulse, it is quickly analyzed and a pulse of similar nature with the same frequency, wavelength etc. is deployed, canceling the radar waves out (active wave cancellation). This effectively means the aircraft can become invisible to most if not all types of radar at any range (only limited by the aircraft's radar's range). This same system is found on the F78 series aircraft. In addition to this, the aircraft includes 20 flare pods, 20 chaff pods, and four electronic disturbance pods.



In conclusion, the MV-68 is a godsend to light infantry and special forces, allowing for men to be deployed virtually undetected into hostile territory and remain on station to provide extremely lethal close air support.

Length- 25.2 m
Height- 5.5 m
Wing span- 20.5 m
Turbofan engine- Two DDI T1209
Maximum take-off weight- 27,216 kg
Maximum speed- Mach .81
Maximum cieling- 40,000 feet
Weapons- Four external hard points, one nose mounted M192 30mm six barreled chaingun, one door mounted GAU-19 three barreled 12.7mm machinegun
Cost per unit- 50 million USD

AVAILABLE TO ALLIES ONLY!!!