NationStates Jolt Archive

From the RAI Sales Desk, 1953

Robotic Aerospace Industries is dedicated to producing capable, reliable, and long-lasting aircraft for both civil and military use. Not only does RAI produce a wide range of piston-engined aircraft and helicopters, but RAI is also a world leader in the use of jet and turboprop engines, at the very forefront of modern technology.

RAI also provides service support to customers.


Swift FB. 2 Fighter-Bomber

http://www.itteringham.com/Images/363%20Westland%20Whirlwind.jpg

A Swift in flight over RAF Kingston.

Designed as a heavily-armed ground attack aircraft and heavy fighter, the Swift entered series production with the Robotic Air Force in 1945. While initially performance was less than stellar, the addition of two Grampus X piston aircraft engines, each delivering over 1000kW of power, remidied the early performance bugs. The Swift is a rugged airplane, capable of taking heavy fire and returning to base with the pilot. Thanks to the twin-engined layout, the Swift is even more resilliant to ground fire, and also provides an added measure of security for pilots on long missions. If one Grampus X fails, the Swift can operate safely (albeit with impaired performance) on the other.

General Characteristics

Crew: 1 Pilot
Length: 9.82m
Wingspan: 13.72m
Height: 3.53m
Weight Empty: 3,786kg
Loaded: 4,680kg
Maximum Takeoff: 5,350kg
Powerplant: Two Harold Motors Grampus X (1000kW+ each)

Performance

Maximum Speed: 402mph
Range (w/centerline drop tank): 988km
Service Ceiling: 9,240m

Armament

4x20mm Hispano cannons in nose, 400kg of bombs, 8x3in rockets

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/h_images/263sqnwhirlwind1.gif

Cost: $100,000 (OOC:Note, anyone who is more familiar with era aircraft prices, your input is greatly desired. Therefore, this total is open to negotiation).

Hawker/RAI Sea Fury FB.11

http://www.naval-museum.mb.ca/navalair/hawker_sea_fury.jpg

Due to the scarcity of good airfields in the Robotic Archipelago, most islands being too small or too hilly and mountainous to accomodate them, carrier aviation has always been very important to the Robotic military. Therefore, the Fleet Air Arm has always kept a large stock of modern and capable carrier-based fighters. One of the most important of these types is the Sea Fury FB.11, a design from none other than Sidney Camm, the designer of the Hurricane, which serves alongside the newer Vampire. Used primarily as a fighter-bomber, the Sea Fury is a sturdy, capable, and powerful airframe that can carry a large bomb load. It is equipped with an arrestor hook and folding wings for carrier operations.

General Characteristics

Wingspan: 11.7m
Length: 10.6m
Height: 4.9m
Empty Weight: 4,190kg
Maximum Take-off: 5,670kg
Powerplant: Harold Motors Rumpus XVIII Piston Engine (1,850kW)

Performance

Maximum Speed: 471mph
Service Ceiling: 10,900m
Range: 1,127km (without drop tanks)

Armament

4x20mm Hispano cannons, 912kg of bombs, 12x3in rockets

http://www.korean-war.com/images/KWAircraft/British/Sea_Fury.jpg

Cost: $80,000*

Ruckus TF. 2

http://www.unrealaircraft.com/fowler/images/westland_wyvern.jpg

The Ruckus TF. 2 is another important carrier-based aircraft operated by the Fleet Air Arm, and the most advanced prop-driven fighter operated by either the RAF or FAA. Its most innovative feature is its use of a turboprop engine, a technology entirely alien to Robotic military aircraft until that time. While some have criticized it as a step backwards as the military should be placing more jet squadrons in service, the Ruckus TF. 2 and the RAF's FRB. 1 variant are inarguably capable and rugged airplanes. The large contra-rotating propeller eliminates any trend towards veering to one side, and the Sultan V turboprop provides enough power to get the aircraft into the air very quickly. No. 7 squadron NAS was the first unit to operate the TF. 2, and recieved its first examples in late 1951.

General Characteristics

Wingspan: 13.42m
Length: 12.88m
Height: 4.57m
Weight Empty: 7,095kg
Loaded: 9,636kg
Maximum Take-off: 11,115kg
Powerplant: Harold Motors Sultan V Turboprop (2,900kW)

Performance

Maximum Speed: 410mph
Range: 1,446km (without drop tanks)
Service Ceiling: 8,537m

Armament

4x20mm Hispano cannons, 1,400kg of bombs, 16x3in rockets, 1xair-launched torpedo

Cost: $155,000*

Supermarine/RAI Walrus

http://www.aeroplaneart.com.au/Images/JSJ_Vickers_Armstrong_Walrus.jpg

While far from being an advanced aircraft, the Supermarine Walrus, liscence-produced by Robotic Aircraft Industries, has served in the Robotic Air Force and Robotic Navy since 1936. What it lacks in advanced features, it more than makes up for in reliability and maintainability. The Walrus, while relatively small and delicate-looking, can be launched from a cruiser or battleship by catapult while carrying full military load, and can also perform aerobatic manouvers. To facilitate shipboard storage, its wings can be folded back, making for a storage width of only 5.5m. The Walrus's most favorable quality, at least in Robotic service, is its amphibious nature. It is perfectly suited for operation from coastal waterways and channels, and can be refueled and rearmed from a pier. The Walrus can be used for SAR, ASW, and scouting roles, and can be catapult-launched in all these configurations. Civillian uses include light transport, survey, and air-sea rescue.

General Characteristics

Crew: 3/4
Length: 10.2m
Wingspan: 14.0m
Height: 4.6m
Empty Weight: 2,220kg
Loaded: 3,265kg
Powerplant: Harold Motors Type VII Radial Aircraft Motor (510kW)

Performance

Maximum Speed: 135mph
Combat Radius: 965km
Service Ceiling: 5,650m

Armament

2xVickers K Guns, one foreward and one aft, plus 350kg of bombs, or 4x3in rockets

Cost: $25,000

Jet-Powered Military Aircraft

DeHavilland/RAI Vampire FB. 5

http://www.jaapteeuwen.com/ww2aircraft/pictures/jpg/de%20havilland%20dh100%20vampire.jpg

The DeHavilland/Robotic Aircraft Industries Vampire is one of the most modern and capable fighter-bombers on the market, offering operators with a fast, light, and well-armed combat airplane that can take on a variety of roles. Not only is the Vampire a capable land-based fighter, but it is also able to operate off aircraft carriers. This allows an airforce and a fleet air arm to equip with the same type and therefore cut down on logistical difficulties involved with operating two different aircraft types.

General Characteristics

Crew: 1
Wingspan: 11.58m
Length: 9.37m
Height: 1.88m
Weight Empty: 3,297kg
Maximum Take-off: 5,618kg
Engine: DeHavilland/Harold Motors Goblin II (13.8kN thrust)

Performance

Maximum Speed: 512mph
Service Ceiling: 12,200m
Range: 1,775km

Armament

4x20mm Hispano cannon, 910kg of bombs, 8x3in rockets

Cost: $250,000

eh, bump?

Nobody interested?

bump

bump

bump

bump

So, nobody's interested at all?

bump

Come on, somebody must be slightly interested.