Sarzonia
25-12-2005, 22:24
SZ-34 'Leopard' single-engined strike fighter
[OOC: Designed with the help of MassPwnage.]
Background With the introduction of the SZ-23 Aurora as a single-engine scout aircraft and short-ranged interceptor, the Incorporated Sarzonian Air Force originally considered its task for incorporating single-engine aircraft into the service largely complete. However, the recent merger with Space Union National Arms Corporation and the incorporation of several SUNAC designs into Avalon Aerospace reinforced the need to modernise its fleet with a new single-engine aircraft devoted to being maneuverable, lightweight, but still a deadly combatant in its own right. Enlisting the help from an unnamed Pwnage engineer who requested and received asylum in exchange for parts and money, the Portland Iron Works and its Avalon Aerospace Corporation subsidiary are proud to present the new SZ-34 'Leopard' VTOL multi-role fighter.
Airframe One of the chief priorities of the new design was a lightweight airframe that promotes maneuverability in a cost-effective aircraft. To accomplish this, the Leopard has been built with composite materials and a titanium/aluminum alloy. Using a combination of 64 percent composite materials, 26 percent titanium/aluminum alloy, and 10 percent Inconel for areas facing high temperatures, making sure the Leopard is among the more lightweight, compact designs out there. The Leopard employs a foldable straight wing configuration to save space on ships with limited runway space or on uncertain or non-existent runway space. Additionally, the Leopard's wingspan of 13 metres provides additional maneuverability.
Propulsion Drawing its inspiration from the STOL variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Leopard uses separate lift and engine systems for its vertical takeoff requirement. Avalon Aerospace considered, then discarded the all-in-one system employed by the Harrier jump jet for several reasons. One, the all-in-one system requires a high-bypass engine that introduces safety issues such as air reflecting from the ground and back into the engine, which causes engine failure. Two, such a system is more vulnerable to attack because it’s relatively easy to detect. Three, the system also hampers speed and maneuverability, which are two critical features of the Leopard design. The engine is a Windham & Green Mark IV 3d thrust vectored turbofan engine that produces 35,000 pounds of thrust.
Stealth In order to improve survivability against air and ground based radars; the Leopard is lined with radar absorbing carbon composite glazes around its leading edges, nose cone, undercarriage doors and air intakes. The body of the Leopard is shaped to smooth out the N-wave resulting from the aircraft breaking through the sound barrier, thus resulting in a much quieter sonic boom.
Safety The SZ-34 Leopard ensures that the pilot will have a safe flight, or failing that, a safe landing. Starting with the cockpit bubble, we have a sealed, spectra lined cockpit with its own NBC and oxygen pump system that will eject as a single piece in the event of fatal damage. The flight mask and liquid pressure suit also have oxygen systems, as well as vital signs monitors that allow the autopilot to automatically kick in if the pilot blacks out. Within the cockpit bubble itself is a water filter, a small food supply, some fishing gear, a first aid kit and a survival rifle, in the event that the plane crashes behind enemy lines and the pilot needs to survive on his own.
Armament With the Aurora serving as a scout craft and last-ditch interceptor, the need for an aircraft to serve in that role has been largely addressed. Thus, efforts have been turned toward designing the Leopard as a multi-role fighter capable of strike missions or filling an air superiority role. As such, the Leopard offers the option of carrying four external hardpoints where ordnance such as Warp ELRAAMs or modernised JDAMs can be carried. Depending on the Leopard's mission profile, the 3,500-kg of weapons bay space distributed among six internal weapons bays can be equipped with a multitude of weapons. If the Leopard is called upon to take part in a dogfight, it is also equipped with the MP 25 x 200 mm ETC chaingun mounted internally. Avalon Aerospace Corporation ruled out the 32 mm ETC chaingun employed by many Sarzonian fighters because they believed the extra weight involved in the larger ordnance would negate the benefits brought by additional range and killing power.
Flight Control Making the Leopard fast and maneuverable were just two considerations of the new design. Also high on the list of priorities for the design was a need for creating one of the most responsive birds in service. Thus, the Leopard comes with a Fly-by-Light system that is an upgrade over the previous Fly-by-Wire system, using fiber optics instead of conventional copper wires and giving it faster reaction times and enhanced flight performance. Other systems include active electronically scanned array radar, ground imaging radar, long ranged pulsed Doppler LADAR and a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensor. The ability of the fire control computer to successfully integrate onboard sensor input and reference them with GPS and other external input helps to increase targeting accuracy. An LPI detecting passive radar completes the sensor package.
Specifications:
Name: SZ-34 Leopard VTOL multi-role fighter
Manufacturer: Portland Iron Works/Avalon Aerospace Corporation
Length: 14 m
Wingspan: 13 m
Height: 4.0 m
Armament: 1 x 25 x 200 mm MP ETC chaingun; four external hardpoints optional; 3,500 kg payload space in six internal weapons bays
Empty weight: 8,255 kg
Loaded weight: 15,200 kg
Maximum: 17,500 kg
Engine: One turbofan engine producing 35,000 lbs. thrust
Speed: Mach 1.4 supercruise
Maximum: Mach 1.9
Range: 500 nm
Crew: One
Price: $50 million
[OOC: Designed with the help of MassPwnage.]
Background With the introduction of the SZ-23 Aurora as a single-engine scout aircraft and short-ranged interceptor, the Incorporated Sarzonian Air Force originally considered its task for incorporating single-engine aircraft into the service largely complete. However, the recent merger with Space Union National Arms Corporation and the incorporation of several SUNAC designs into Avalon Aerospace reinforced the need to modernise its fleet with a new single-engine aircraft devoted to being maneuverable, lightweight, but still a deadly combatant in its own right. Enlisting the help from an unnamed Pwnage engineer who requested and received asylum in exchange for parts and money, the Portland Iron Works and its Avalon Aerospace Corporation subsidiary are proud to present the new SZ-34 'Leopard' VTOL multi-role fighter.
Airframe One of the chief priorities of the new design was a lightweight airframe that promotes maneuverability in a cost-effective aircraft. To accomplish this, the Leopard has been built with composite materials and a titanium/aluminum alloy. Using a combination of 64 percent composite materials, 26 percent titanium/aluminum alloy, and 10 percent Inconel for areas facing high temperatures, making sure the Leopard is among the more lightweight, compact designs out there. The Leopard employs a foldable straight wing configuration to save space on ships with limited runway space or on uncertain or non-existent runway space. Additionally, the Leopard's wingspan of 13 metres provides additional maneuverability.
Propulsion Drawing its inspiration from the STOL variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Leopard uses separate lift and engine systems for its vertical takeoff requirement. Avalon Aerospace considered, then discarded the all-in-one system employed by the Harrier jump jet for several reasons. One, the all-in-one system requires a high-bypass engine that introduces safety issues such as air reflecting from the ground and back into the engine, which causes engine failure. Two, such a system is more vulnerable to attack because it’s relatively easy to detect. Three, the system also hampers speed and maneuverability, which are two critical features of the Leopard design. The engine is a Windham & Green Mark IV 3d thrust vectored turbofan engine that produces 35,000 pounds of thrust.
Stealth In order to improve survivability against air and ground based radars; the Leopard is lined with radar absorbing carbon composite glazes around its leading edges, nose cone, undercarriage doors and air intakes. The body of the Leopard is shaped to smooth out the N-wave resulting from the aircraft breaking through the sound barrier, thus resulting in a much quieter sonic boom.
Safety The SZ-34 Leopard ensures that the pilot will have a safe flight, or failing that, a safe landing. Starting with the cockpit bubble, we have a sealed, spectra lined cockpit with its own NBC and oxygen pump system that will eject as a single piece in the event of fatal damage. The flight mask and liquid pressure suit also have oxygen systems, as well as vital signs monitors that allow the autopilot to automatically kick in if the pilot blacks out. Within the cockpit bubble itself is a water filter, a small food supply, some fishing gear, a first aid kit and a survival rifle, in the event that the plane crashes behind enemy lines and the pilot needs to survive on his own.
Armament With the Aurora serving as a scout craft and last-ditch interceptor, the need for an aircraft to serve in that role has been largely addressed. Thus, efforts have been turned toward designing the Leopard as a multi-role fighter capable of strike missions or filling an air superiority role. As such, the Leopard offers the option of carrying four external hardpoints where ordnance such as Warp ELRAAMs or modernised JDAMs can be carried. Depending on the Leopard's mission profile, the 3,500-kg of weapons bay space distributed among six internal weapons bays can be equipped with a multitude of weapons. If the Leopard is called upon to take part in a dogfight, it is also equipped with the MP 25 x 200 mm ETC chaingun mounted internally. Avalon Aerospace Corporation ruled out the 32 mm ETC chaingun employed by many Sarzonian fighters because they believed the extra weight involved in the larger ordnance would negate the benefits brought by additional range and killing power.
Flight Control Making the Leopard fast and maneuverable were just two considerations of the new design. Also high on the list of priorities for the design was a need for creating one of the most responsive birds in service. Thus, the Leopard comes with a Fly-by-Light system that is an upgrade over the previous Fly-by-Wire system, using fiber optics instead of conventional copper wires and giving it faster reaction times and enhanced flight performance. Other systems include active electronically scanned array radar, ground imaging radar, long ranged pulsed Doppler LADAR and a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensor. The ability of the fire control computer to successfully integrate onboard sensor input and reference them with GPS and other external input helps to increase targeting accuracy. An LPI detecting passive radar completes the sensor package.
Specifications:
Name: SZ-34 Leopard VTOL multi-role fighter
Manufacturer: Portland Iron Works/Avalon Aerospace Corporation
Length: 14 m
Wingspan: 13 m
Height: 4.0 m
Armament: 1 x 25 x 200 mm MP ETC chaingun; four external hardpoints optional; 3,500 kg payload space in six internal weapons bays
Empty weight: 8,255 kg
Loaded weight: 15,200 kg
Maximum: 17,500 kg
Engine: One turbofan engine producing 35,000 lbs. thrust
Speed: Mach 1.4 supercruise
Maximum: Mach 1.9
Range: 500 nm
Crew: One
Price: $50 million