NationStates Jolt Archive


MTA-F02 Mephistos Interceptor

Phoenixius
16-09-2005, 02:21
MTA-F02 Mephistos

Overview
With the impractability of the MTA-F01, MierTech got their scientists and engineers to create a more reasonable aircraft. After much debating, a switchblade style aircraft was chosen, much like previous models. However, the Mephistos was to be able to take down any enemy fighter, regardless of where they were. After researching various other fighters in production by other manufactures, the final design was made.

Design
As a switchblade design, the Mephistos can alter its flight profile to get the job done. Taking directly perpendicular to the fuselage as 0º, the wings can be swept from -10º (backwards) to +90º (forwards), allowing for delta, FSW, and normal wing configurations. For takeoff, landing, and VTOL mode, the wings are placed at the 0º position for maximum control. When taking on enemy fighters, and manouverability is needed, the wings move forwards, taking the best angle for the current flight path, and enemy projections. For high speed, the wings move fully forward to form a delta. Throughout flight, the wings will be constantly shifting position, so that the optimum angle is obtained for the current flight profile.

Armour and Defence
Though armour is pretty much useless on an aircraft, certain areas need protecting. The cockpit, engines and weapons bays are protected by multiple layers of Triad armour, allowing for the best protection possible from debris encountered.

The PDCS system gives a very good chance for the vehicle using it to be able to avoid the majority of enemy missiles that may be fired at it. Using a small launcher, each decoy has the same IR signature as the vehicle, as well as creating a RCS almost the same as that of the vehicle. They also emit the same sort of sound as the vehicle to prevent audible detection (mainly in ships), and have a small radar jammer equipped. When used in conjunction with PMAS and APS, the aircraft can launch the decoys, and then change the movement profile of the vehicle in order to confuse the missile as to which target it should go for.

The EMPPS uses various detectors to discover incoming EMPs and then deactivates electronic systems onboard the aircraft to minimise electrical surges. It also exchanges traditional wires for fibre-optical wires, which cannot let electricity surge along them. There are also electro-magnets incorporated into the skin of the aircraft that activate to create an electric field around the aircraft of different frequencies and types, reducing that amount of EMP that can pass through, and therefore the amoutn of damage recieved. There are also capacitors stored on various parts of the circuitry that are designed to absorb the harmful electronic surges.

The PMAS detects incoming missiles via linkage to PHBVS, and determines the time-to-impact. If the pilot does nothing, and/or the missile gets within 3 secs of detonation, the system activates the PDCS, and rolls the aircraft to the left or right, while at the same time either increasing or decreasing the speed of the aircraft in order to change the flight profile of the aircraft. When APS is present, along with PHBVS, the computer will work out the more advantageous side to roll to, in order to engage the enemy.

Electonic systems
The Mephistos has the PHBVS. This is the radar part of the aircraft, cycling its frequency hundreds of times a second in an attempt to confuse enemy stealth measures. It also incorporates various other detection systems such as IR, UV and more. This system also gathers data about the surroundings, as well as enemy and friendly vehicles. This allows the APS to work to its best, and gives a better idea of the surroundings. The system can track around 30 vehicles, though with linkage to other PHBVS, many more can be shown. This is especcially important as this includes a holographic imaging system to show the user the battlefield, including structures of note, enemy and friendly vehicles, plus any other important information. Using the APS, details from other PHBVS users can create a much larger picture of the battlefield, and combining several users at once, each using a different frequency for their radar, means that conventional active stealth measures are pretty much useless. Again, the radar uses several waves in each 'pulse' where many of the waves cancel each other out in the atmosphere. For naval units, this system includes a sonar array, and a system that speeds up sounds to determine if they are natural, or man-made in origin.

Archangel detects incoming radar waves and compares them with the current atmospheric conditions. It then relays the resultant waves back to the source, defeating the radar. However large numbers of radar sites will reduce the impact this has significantly. However, the system can also be used to increase the number of radar 'hits', either giving the enemy incorrect data, or swarming the radar screens so that they cannot be read, or even in extreme cases, destroy the radar set altogether. The system also includes IR filters on the engine exhausts, plus pipes that leak the heat to other parts of the aircraft to confuse incoming missiles. This can also be linked with the PDCS so that the heat is concentrated at the engine at the time of release, then being spread over the entire aircraft in order to reduce the IR signature of the engine. A sound deadining system, similar in generation to the radar cancellation is also included, though the effectiveness of this is not as important as that of the radar cancellation.

A generation ahead of the old CACS, the APS will utilise all onboard systems to control the vehicle with no human intervention. It creates a battlefield-wide map using the systems from its own vehicle, and others - a virtual battlefield, that commanders can access to control their forces. This allows it to prioritise its own needs and any viable targets, and then carry them out. Some would say that the system wouldn't have the creativity of human piots, but when your pilot has blacked out, or your low on pilots, its very useful - especially when it comes with a database of manouvers it could take based on the current situation. It can communicate with every single APS unit in the world, and send this information back to HQ, allowing a world view to be generated, as well as allowing other APS units to use the information.

Weapons
The Mephistos has both guns and missiles as its primary weapon systems, however other armaments may be installed to provide different roles.

MTG-01
This is a machine gun that has a 20mm calibre. It uses semi-guided ammunition, the details of which were first obtained from Kotterdam, and then modified by MierTech. Using four small electronic ‘muscles’ in the bullet, they receive information from the host vehicle and then activate the muscles accordingly in order to achieve a change of direction. This isn’t exactly homing, as the bullets have only a limited capacity to turn, but it can make the difference between a hit and a near miss. It has a ROF of around 200 rpm, and the bullets achieve speeds of up to 1,600m/s.

MTM-10 Swift LRAAM
Designed for the Mephistos fighter, the MTM-10 Swift missiles are equiped with a RAMjet, allowing the missile to reach speeds of around Mach 6 at normal combat altitudes. It uses a modifed PHBVS link to follow the target, which allows for a much more accurate targeting. If countermeasures are deployed, comparisons between the various IR, UV and radar signatures are compared, and the one most like the initial target is chosen as the new target - this prevents most usual countermeasures from working effectively. Its has a range of 200km at normal combat altitude, and each missile costs $700,000. 4 missiles can be accomodated, and a further 2 instead of the MTM-11 Oppressor SRAAMs.

MTM-11 Opressor SRAAM
Like the Swift LRAAM, the Oppressor was designed with the Mephistos in mind. It also has a RAMjet, though for the shorter ranges this is designed for, it 'only' has a speed of Mach 4. Again a modifed PHBVS link is used to target and track the enemy, with a small IR tracker in case the PHBVS link is lost. Again, constant comparisons are made to ensure that the target, and not the countermeasures are hit. This missile has a range of 40km, and each missile costs $375,000. 8 missiles can be contained, and a further 8 instead of the Swift LRAAMs.


Designed by: Phoenixius
Function: AVTOL interceptor
Crew: 1
Length: 20m
Wing span (90º sweep): 10m
Wing span (0º sweep): 14m
Height: 4.3m
Empty weight: 14,392kg
Payload: 7,500kg
Ceiling: 20,000m
Thrust: 90,000lbs
Max Speed: Mach 3.3
Supercruise: Mach 2.4
Range: 1,500km
Weapons:
1x MTG-01 - 900 rds
4x MTM-10 Swift LRAAM
8x MTM-11 Oppressor SRAAM
Systems:
Archangel G-V
PHBVS G-IV
EMPPS G-II
PDCS G-III
APS
MAA
PMAS G-III

Cost: $150mil


OOC: What do you think of this? I'm trying to keep this to under 2010, so anything that seems to improbable please tell me.
Phoenixius
16-09-2005, 08:04
Any comments at all?
Phoenixius
16-09-2005, 16:34
bump
Truitt
16-09-2005, 16:44
OOC: I just scanned thsi but the laser seems a bit over 2010, more or less PMT.

It would need a large powersource and the energy from the engines which are beign produced and any batteries onboard goes to systems and targetting, the guns are usually left alone. The use of a laser, even for the short durations (I am guessing to prevent against overheating) seems too high much of a power problem.
The Macabees
16-09-2005, 17:02
[OOC: More specifically, the problem with high energy lasers on aircraft is the fact that currently there is no know superalloy known that can handle the heat crafted by such a mechanism, meaning your transmitter would literally melt in front of your eyes. I recently had a discussion with a biochemistry major, who also plays NS, and we argued for about a day on this - he argued that by 2015 there would be a superalloy. I argued that it might be true, however, it's not something that is forseeable, meaning we don't know if it'll exist by 2015, so for the sake of the role play we can't assume it. On the contrair, a rail gun is known to be foreseeable by 2015 because they've released the date for it, and we know that most of the technology is there, and the idea is no longer theoritical. Regardless, those are just my two cents.]
Phoenixius
17-09-2005, 04:59
So you don't reckon the laser gun is 2010 tech huh? Well I read somewhere (ambiguous references again) that it might be possible. However if you believe that its PMT, then it'll be changed. Is the rest alright?
Phoenixius
17-09-2005, 15:08
Bump
Phoenixius
18-09-2005, 02:08
Any more comments before this is released for sale?
Prates
18-09-2005, 02:52
lasers are possible and prototypes are around

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2003/12/22/2003084494
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050824/tc_nm/laser_dc

they will be around soon (2-5 years) so i wont consider it pmt
Truitt
18-09-2005, 03:33
OOC: Those are single-shot lasers, or better yet, those you see "superweapons" that shoot massive red lights. One problem though, they don't make a lot of light (unless passing through a thick enough median) and also are not that big. They overheat greatly and can short out almost any effective powerplant as a weapon unless it is a pebblebed onboard a carrier equipped with a fixed laser.
Prates
18-09-2005, 03:40
actually the one the us is developing to destroy ICBMs are multi shot and don't over heat quickly but its supposed to be either 2012 or 2025
Phoenixius
18-09-2005, 09:37
bump
Thrashia
18-09-2005, 10:06
What might be the cost for buying the production rights?
Phoenixius
18-09-2005, 15:40
If I do give out produciton rights, they would probably be for around $30bil, plus for the purchaser to sign an agreement that they will not use the aircraft against Phoenixius, or my allies.
Thrashia
19-09-2005, 07:13
If I do give out produciton rights, they would probably be for around $30bil, plus for the purchaser to sign an agreement that they will not use the aircraft against Phoenixius, or my allies.

$30,000,000,000 -wired-

I Thrashia agree to never use the air-craft shown above against the soveriegn nation of Phoenixius or any allies of his in the future.

Thankyou, and nice doing business.
Phoenixius
19-09-2005, 15:38
Very well. I hope NOT to face you in any future war. Have fun.
Truitt
19-09-2005, 15:45
OOC: The MTG-01, this is an interesting consept. It reminds me of that one gun the anti-virus guy had on the show "REBOOT". I am wondering how this consept could work, being these muscles would have to move, plyability, and how using this idea, it could withstand these speeds which, just the exit of the barrel alone, would create massive amounts of heat with the friction involved.

I can't see this working, as it would need some sort of a microprossesor to establish such commands, and an electrical circuit that is easily disrupted with the casing during the launch of the round. Would this be caseless, and if not (or so), what is it made out of?

I wouldn't mind a link to your resources....(this is an interesting idea)
Phoenixius
19-09-2005, 15:49
OOC: Ah, well as it stated (I think) I got the tech form Kotterdam and New Empire, so if their still around, you could ask them. Myself, it sounded great so I got it.
Truitt
19-09-2005, 16:14
OOC: I will TG New Empire and ask him about it. He still RPs FT, right? Maybe it was a FT statistic.
Phoenixius
20-09-2005, 02:15
Well he was MT when I got it.