Civitas Americae
12-11-2005, 18:32
When the Civitas Americae Air Force decided to replace the Valkyrie and Lancer bombers with the Tu-160 Blackjack, they also decided that they needed a better escort than the current F-108 Rapier. When the contract was put out, PSC Tupolev asked why they couldn’t just put some air-to-air missiles on the Blackjack. Thus was the Tu-161 Black Widow born.
Structurally, the Tu-161 is very similar to its parent design. The only notable difference is a weight reduction program that, though keeping the lavatory, enables the Black Widow to fly 150 mph faster than the Blackjack. The electronics are the main difference in this plane.
The traditional dials and gauges in the Tu-160 have been replaced with an LCD display, and a HUD has been added, making the pilot’s job much easier. The weapons system officer’s control panels have been upgraded to allow him to use the air-to-air weapons systems carried by the Black Widow.
The AN/APG-77 AESA radar has been installed, along with two Common Integrated Processors and an Inter/Intra-Flight Data Link. This advanced radar not only allows the Black Widow to engage up to six targets at once, but also functions as an electronics warfare package.
The Inter/Intra-Flight Data Link is the real killer however. Using the data link, squadrons of Tu-161s can launch synchronized attacks on enemies many times their number without fear of accidental double targeting.
The reason for the name Black Widow lies in its twin bomb bays. Each Black Widow has the ability to carry literally dozens of missiles mounted in rotary launchers. The rotary launchers allow for a quick release of missiles, and with the number of missiles carried by the Black Widow, entire divisions of aircraft may find themselves quickly under attack by a few squadrons of Black Widows
Weapons per bomb bay:
18 R-33
20 R-77
24 R-73M
6 Trapshoot
24 SHARK
6 Long-ARM
24 Rolling Airframe Missile (to shoot down missiles heading towards the Tu-161 or one of the bombers its escorting)
Like the Tu-160 Blackjack, the Black Widow is also capable of carrying two Massive Ordnance Air Blast bombs in each bomb bay, but current Air Force doctrine reserves these weapons for the Blackjack.
Endorsements:
“It’s a missile spamming…fighter?!” Field Marshal Arinze upon reviewing Tupolev’s bid.
“Woohoo, it’s a missile spamming fighter!” Various members of the Missile Consortium at the announcement of Tupolev’s selection for the Long Range Escort Fighter contract.
“Mommy…” Anonymous F-108 pilot witnessing a single squadron of Black Widows
Price: $150 million
Production rights: $48 billion
Structurally, the Tu-161 is very similar to its parent design. The only notable difference is a weight reduction program that, though keeping the lavatory, enables the Black Widow to fly 150 mph faster than the Blackjack. The electronics are the main difference in this plane.
The traditional dials and gauges in the Tu-160 have been replaced with an LCD display, and a HUD has been added, making the pilot’s job much easier. The weapons system officer’s control panels have been upgraded to allow him to use the air-to-air weapons systems carried by the Black Widow.
The AN/APG-77 AESA radar has been installed, along with two Common Integrated Processors and an Inter/Intra-Flight Data Link. This advanced radar not only allows the Black Widow to engage up to six targets at once, but also functions as an electronics warfare package.
The Inter/Intra-Flight Data Link is the real killer however. Using the data link, squadrons of Tu-161s can launch synchronized attacks on enemies many times their number without fear of accidental double targeting.
The reason for the name Black Widow lies in its twin bomb bays. Each Black Widow has the ability to carry literally dozens of missiles mounted in rotary launchers. The rotary launchers allow for a quick release of missiles, and with the number of missiles carried by the Black Widow, entire divisions of aircraft may find themselves quickly under attack by a few squadrons of Black Widows
Weapons per bomb bay:
18 R-33
20 R-77
24 R-73M
6 Trapshoot
24 SHARK
6 Long-ARM
24 Rolling Airframe Missile (to shoot down missiles heading towards the Tu-161 or one of the bombers its escorting)
Like the Tu-160 Blackjack, the Black Widow is also capable of carrying two Massive Ordnance Air Blast bombs in each bomb bay, but current Air Force doctrine reserves these weapons for the Blackjack.
Endorsements:
“It’s a missile spamming…fighter?!” Field Marshal Arinze upon reviewing Tupolev’s bid.
“Woohoo, it’s a missile spamming fighter!” Various members of the Missile Consortium at the announcement of Tupolev’s selection for the Long Range Escort Fighter contract.
“Mommy…” Anonymous F-108 pilot witnessing a single squadron of Black Widows
Price: $150 million
Production rights: $48 billion