NationStates Jolt Archive

The Albatross: WIGE

The Albatross is being developed to take advantage of Anarcanis's status as an island nation, it utilizes the Wing-In-Ground-Effect principle as it's primary means of lift. The Albatross is neither airplane, nor boat, but a bit of both, it's large surface area wing and engines are at their most efficient at altitudes of 20 feet or less, although the craft can enter normal flight modes at higher altitudes with a corresponding drop in performance.


The Prototype Albatross is being looked at as both a light-medium cargo transport and troop transport versions, respectively.

Role Assault / Cargo WIGE craft
Wing Span 103ft (31.5m)
Length 190ft (58m)
Height 14 m
Weight 140 tonnes - loaded
Engine 2 x Kabrinki Thunderjet (starting)

1 x Kabrinski Whirlwind (cruise)

Maximum speed 400 km/h
Range 3000 km
Armament: dual Cyclone ventral turret (military version only)
Crew 9
Passengers 75 (Luxury passenger liner porposed variant)

or 150 (Normal)

or 300 (Twin Deck)

or 30 tons cargo.

Albatross in Test Run (http://www.samolet.co.uk/jpegs/orlenok_12.jpg)

No prices or production dates have been set as of yet.

OOC: Nice one, hav'nt seen a ground effect plane in a long time.
Ever thought of using them for fast attack planes that sneak in and out under radar and thus are only able to be hit for a few seconds as they rise up to fire and turn. that seems to be a good idea to me. anyway...

yes, various military applications beyond transport are being explored.

OOC: thanks, I've always had a thing for the WIGE craft, they're just too damn funky not to use.

Hmm... Joint research program? I'd be interested in a good surface effect strike plane. Air power isn't my strongpoint though, mainly cos i use a completely different propulsion system based on magnetics (as is all my tech) and my planes arent very quick or all that manouverable. dont like buying from other players so i'm stuck with what my tech allows and what i can get from joint research which isn't up to spec. anyway, if you're interested, i'll put as much funding as i can in.

we as a nation welcome the opportunity to engage in a joint research program.

After extensive testing, the Anarcanian Defense Militia has approved the Albatross WIGE aircraft for adoption into it's armed services as a rapid medium transport craft.

The Albatross is designed for port to port sealift as it's primary duty, carrying up to 300 troops and their personal gear to debarkation ports, the Albatross can also sit in shallow drafts, offloading it's troops directly into a combat zone before reversing engines and pulling back out to safety.. The production version of the Albatross carries a pair of 25mm rotary Hurricane cannons in the ventral turret behind the cockpit area for self defense, and countermeasure launch tubes embedded in the fuselage.

The Civilian version of this same vessel, the Seagull, is designed to transport 200 passengers in comfort, and is unarmed.

Costs:

Albatross: $35,000,000 USD, Production rights: $3,500,000,000

Seagull: $25,000,000 USD, Production rights: $2,500,000,000