Tyrandis
28-01-2006, 17:08
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2522/j142ae.jpg
TF-62 "SUZUME" (Sparrow) Multi-Role Fighter
Sixth Generation Tactical Aircraft of the Militaristic Federation
"Breastdown fluttering in the breeze,
The sparrow's full of air holes.
Let the winds of winter blow,
Let them crack a wing, two,
The sparrow doesn't care.
The air streams through him, free, easy,
Scattering feathers, bending legs.
He hops calmly, from branch to empty branch
In an absolutely spaceless world.
I'd catch, skewer, boil you,
But my every shot misses: you're impossible.
All at once there's the sound
Of breaking glass, and houses begin
To crumple..." - Shinkichi Takahashi
Abstract:
The roots of the TF-62 “Sparrow” lay with a Tyrandis Imperial Air Force contract for a new multirole tactical aircraft to replace the ancient and ill-designed TSA-12 “Kestrel”. Kestrel's performance since the project’s completion was quite dismaying to her builders at Kotoko Aircraft Corporation, both financially and on the battlefield. Exported in significant quantities only to the Real ALM organization, the Kestrel found itself horribly outclassed in the air superiority role, and took only marginal success in air-to-ground operations. TSA-12 pilots serving the RALM suffered an unacceptably high attrition rate by previous generation aircraft, resulting in the priority completion of the TSF-616 “Eidolon” project to replace the Kestrel.
Since displaced by the Eidolon as the premier Tyrandisan fighter, the aging Kestrels were redesignated attack planes. As the ravages of time passed, the TIAF found itself suffering a shortage of spare parts for the TSA-12s, as well as increasing flight costs per hour due to airframe fatigue. Burdened with this fiscal abortion of a jet, the branch contacted Tyrandis Precision Machine Import/Export Corporation to provide a suitable replacement. TPMI/EC, in a joint project with aerospace companies from MassPwnage, produced the TF-62 Sparrow some four years after the project's initiation.
The TF-62 is a highly capable, multi-role tactical aircraft, cutting down on production costs while maintaining a high level of performance. It combines the functions of existing roles into a compact, streamlined design. The synthesis of the best Pwnage and Tyrandisan aeronautical science has to offer, Sparrow brings the agility of an ASF and the payload of an attack plane in a single lethal package. TF-62 boasts excellent maneuverability, advanced sensor systems, a comprehensive electronic warfare suite, and low observable performance.
General Data:
Function: Advanced Multi Role Fighter
Contractor: TPMI/EC, MP Ordnance Corporation
Personnel: 1 (Pilot)
Airframe:
The TF-62 “Sparrow”'s construction was born out of a compromise between Tyrandis Precision Machine Import/Export Corporation's orthodox and MP Ordnance Corporation's radical designs. It is built for maximum resistance to wear and tear, as well as limited stealth features.
Like previously designed Tyrandisan tactical aircraft, Sparrow's frame is constructed primarily from Ti-1100, a high-strength, low-weight, near-alpha titanium/aluminum alloy. Small quantities of nanocrystalline heavy metals reinforce sixteen ribs built from this material at the joints to add additional strength. TPMI/EC-developed RADAR Absorbent Structure is then mated wherever possible to this frame. RAS is constructed from honeycombed Kevlar sections, treated with a proprietary glaze based on carbon, and then bonded to polyethylene/carbon fiber skins on its front and back, creating a rigid panel. Each honeycomb is 3cm in length, and absorbs incoming RF energy quite well; the relatively large gaps allow for the RAS to dependably absorb or at least weaken RADAR returns of all frequencies higher than 10 Mhz. A lightweight graphite-epoxy and metal matrix composite (silicon carbide whiskers embedded in an aluminum matrix) is streched across this skeleton.
The aircraft skins are composed of a combination of graphite-epoxy and carbon-fiber reinforced thermoplastics. Reinforced carbon-carbon panels are bonded beneath this exterior, further reducing thermal stress and improving stealth characteristics. The leading edges and nose of the Sparrow is built from reinforced-carbon-carbon and titanium.
The tail stabilizers are deliberately canted off-center to prevent formation of dihedral reflectors, an extremely radar-reflective surface produced whenever two metallic surfaces are positioned at 90 degrees to each other. They are a multispar, multirib structure constructed of Ti-1100 alloy with a reinforced carbon-carbon skin. Finally, the tail structure also serves to dissipate IR signature when viewed from behind, restricting tailpipe visibility to near-zero and thus improving the Sparrow’s survivability.
Wing structure for the TF-62 is in a canard + diamond wing layout, similar to that of the YF-23 technology demonstrator. This was chosen due to its inherent low-observable characteristics, as well as achieving wing/body blending, which improves the aircraft’s range (more fuel capacity). Saw-teeth along the trailing edge allow for the addition of more control surfaces. Like most modern designs, this shape makes the aircraft aerodynamically unstable, giving the TF-62 superior maneuverability. Beneath the exterior of the wing lie layers of Kevlar honeycombed graphite epoxy, for strength and reduced weight. Finally, the wings also boast a low cross-section to reduce drag.
The fighter also provides excellent performance at high angles of attack thanks to a forward fuselage chine, which maintains pitch and yaw stability.
Canopy:
The canopy of the TF-62 is manufactured of polycarbonate, backed by a rubber insulation layer and a thin strip of an indium-tin alloy. It is designed to provide pilots maximum protection against birdstrike and hostile fire. Traditionally, the cockpit has been the most problematic area for advanced stealth designers; because RADAR waves passes through the canopy as if it were transparent, an especially strong signal will bounce back to its receiver because any aircraft interior contains angles and shape that generate a substantial return. The InSn coating allows over 98.5% of visible light to pass through to the pilot, but will appear on RADAR as a semi-metallic surface. Another innovation is the addition of lumped circuit analogue RAM to the canopy, which weakens the resulting RF return. As a result of these advancements in the development of stealthy canopies, the TF-62 possesses a smaller head-on RCS than almost any other aircraft in its performance class.
Systems/Avionics:
The electronics core of the TF-62 is a fusion of MP Ordinance Corporation individual components and a TPMI/EC developed architecture. Sparrow uses the Peregrine-II avionics architecture, a package which can be split up into three parts: The MMS-8 Mission Management Suite, the SMS-3 Sensor Management Suite, and the VMS-11 Vehicle Management Suite, which are connected by a 2.5 GHz high-speed fiber optic bus, although the VMS-11 has its own bus for aircraft control.
The Peregrine-II architecture is manufactured in a full-custom ASIC design, utilizing Quasi-Delay Insensitive integrated circuits, which is a robust, asynchronous circuit that provides several major benefits as compared to traditional versions (circuits governed by an internal clock); these include early completion of circuits when it is known that the inputs which have not yet arrived are irrelevant, lower power consumption because transistors do not work unless performing useful computations, superior modularity and composability, adaptable circuit speed based on temperature and voltage conditions (synchronous chips are locked in at optimal clock speed for worst-case conditions), easier manufacturing processes due to lack of transistor-to-transistor variability, and less produced Electro-Magnetic Interference (Synchronous circuits create enormous amounts of EMI at frequency bands near clock frequencies). The entire avionics suite is driven by a Central Integrated Processor [CIP], which is a supercomputer built into the airframe. Because the integrated circuits operate under asynchronous logic, signals and instructions are processed near-instantaneously, without consideration for the restraints of a clock circuit.
MMS-8 - This subsystem of the Peregrine-II is composed of the terrain/navigation suite, fire-control, munitions management and Electronic Warfare equipment.
NGTRS-2 - Terrain Reference System, which relies on careful measurement of the terrain profile passing beneath the aircraft with a RADAR altimeter and comparison with digitally-stored geographic data. The primary advantage to using a TR system is that a standard TF (terrain-following) navigation scheme will alert enemy Electronic Survelliance Measures far sooner, due to the RADAR beam's direction. On the other hand, the TF-62's TRN's altimeter has an extremely narrow beam width whose energy is directed downwards, rendering virtually all ESM measures impotent.
FC3S-4 Fire Control System - The FC3S-4 is the TF-62’s fire control system. Its processors can keep track of more than 500 targets at once and maintain relevant data on them, in order to engage any of the targets at any given time. With distributed computing, the number of targets grows immensely. The FC3S-4 is linked to all of the sensors on the TF-62, including the control computer that determines what the pilot sees. According to sensor data, it rapidly calculates a firing solution and then updates this as necessary up to the last possible second right up until actual weapon discharge.
ASPIS-4 - Integrated Electronic Warfare System of the TF-62, which consists of the NLR-41 threat warning system, NRV-27 RF jammer, and XC-80 chaff/flare dispenser. The system provides a fully integrated solution to the active and passive electronic warfare (EW) suite requirements of the Sparrow and has flexibility for future development. The ASPIS is comprised of two major subsystems: a passive receiver, capable of detecting Low Probability of Interception signals, and an active jammer. The XC-80 dispenser is programmed to deploy multi-spectral expendable chaff/flares only in the direction of the threat, improving Sparrow's ability to defend against both RADAR and IR guided weapons.
SMS-3 - This subsystem of the Peregrine-II combines the TF-62's RADAR, IRST, integrated signal processing, encrypted data, communications, and the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System interface, allocating the fighter's processor power to the sensor subsystems as required.
Series V MAESA - The Series V Most Advanced Electronically Scanned Array active radar is an electronically scanned, ultra high resolution, wideband inverse synthetic apeture radar. The MAESA is mounted as a series of individual transmit/receive (T/R) modules that each scan a small fixed area, negating the need for a moving antenna, which further decreases ESM detection probabilities as well as aircraft volume issues. It is placed in the nose and in a tail aperture of the TF-62.
MAESA is rated as VLPI, Very Low Probablity of Intercept, due to its long pulse, wide band, frequency modulated signal, and low sidelobe energy.
As a bonus, MAESA can act as a radar reciever, a radar jammer, or a communications mast, all by changing the operation settings in the radar controls. The MAESA has a search range of approximately 575 kilometers, and a track range of 400 kilometers for fighter targets and a search/track range of 650/525 kilometers for bomber sized targets. Ground scan range is approximately 330 kilometers, and ground penetration range is 105 kilometers.
AN/RSI-1 - Inverse Synthetic Aperture RADAR of the TF-62 Sparrow, which processes the Doppler shift resulting from target motion as a means of improving RADAR resolution. Thanks to shared components with the Series V MAESA, the AN/RSI-1 is highly compact, and adds less than 30 lbs to the fighter's weight. By measuring the much larger Doppler shifts created by the Sparrow's own movement and the target's changes in attitudes, the AN/RSI-1 is able to extract the Doppler effects due to pitch, yaw, and roll of the different parts of the target aircraft, processing these to obtain a clear physical profile.
Infernus ODLIR - The TF-62 is equipped with the Infernus Omni-Directional Infrared system, which depends on two recievers mounted on the Sparrow to provide 360 degree video quality infrared/thermal imaging for the TF-62. The software modules on the Infernus system package allow it to differentiate between decoys and actual engine signatures on airplanes, and as such, can override the less advanced sensors on air to air missiles if the need arises. Also, Infernus is capable of ground imaging for targeting strikes. It has a search range of 120 km and a track range of 77 km.
ICNIA - Integrated Communication Navigation Identification Avionics suite, which combines the functions of current communications equipment, such as HF SSB (High Frequency-Single Side Band), VHF/UHF, SINCGARS, Have Quick, EJS, JTIDS, various navigational aids and transponder/interrogator facilities compatible with NATO-standard IFF systems. Based on common digital and RF processing modules built up from asynchronous logic circuits, the system allows for all these functions to be seamlessly built into just one package. It also takes up half the volume and weight of the aforementioned equipment. The Central Integrated Processor filters much of the information being passed to the pilot, presenting him with only data necessary for the phase for the mission currently being flown, to prevent information overload (optional manual override).
VMS-10 - The Vehicle Management Suite is responsible for cockpit controls and displays, flight and manuver control, and engine/power control.
NACS Mk. II - The Sparrow is controlled by a centralized fly by light fiber optic system that takes both control input from the pilot and feedback from the various sensors and control surfaces around the airplane. This system gives the Sparrow far superior agility and maneuverability to any legacy fly-by-wire system, thanks to the improved transfer speed that light offers. Finally, it is virtually immune to electro-magnetic interference. The flight control system binds all of the control surfaces and canards together, giving the Sparrow’s pilot unmatched agility.
Stealth:
The TF-62 Sparrow boasts reduced RADAR Cross Section and environmental signatures thanks to a variety of technologies and materials incorporated in the fighter. Although it does not have the all-aspect low RCS enjoyed by dedicated air superiority fighters, Sparrow is nonetheless a difficult detection target. Here’s why:
*Carbon: Carbon threaded thermoplastics and heatproof carbon glazes are used heavily in the Sparrow, absorbing a great deal of enemy radar.
*Angular Shape: The TF-62 employs a geometrically based RADAR dispersing configuration, developed with computational RCS modeling. Its curves and angles serve to deflect RF energy away from hostile receiver sets.
*RAM: RADAR absorbent materials coat every potential irregular surface, such as the armament doors, engine ports and refuling ports.
*Low IR signature: The Sparrow’s flat exhaust nozzles dissipate heat in a “beavertail” of infared energy, spreading temperature intensity over a wide range. Its tail structure also restricts IR visibility.
*No Contrails: Sparrow’s powerplant produces no visible smoke, reducing probability of visual identification.
Cockpit:
The TF-62’s NACS flight control system is linked to an system display integrator which uses a holographic model to project all relevant data into the helmet in a single, easy to read display that also shows a composite of the outside environment according to the sensors on the exterior of the aircraft. The helmet itself is wired to several motion sensors, allowing the pilot to aim at a point on the display simply by looking at it. This way, the pilot can set mission waypoints, designate targets to destroy etc.
Internally, what the pilot sees is the a 3d composite map of the world outside, assembled by the plane's sensors. Both hostile and friendly objects are marked with a target number designation, its range, velocity, bearing and potential type. Friendlies are also marked with the name of the pilot, the mission of the pilot, what the pilot is currently doing, and the status of the plane and pilot. If the pilot requests it, flight data, such as velocity, altitude, fuel capacity, engine load etc. can be placed displayed at the touch of a button and will disappear when the button is released. This simple control scheme reduces pilot workload considerably.
Features:
2 task-switching Multi-Function Displays
Multi-node RADAR indication panel
Octo-functional HUD synchronized with MFD and helmet targeting
GPS synchronization panel
Topographic orientation TRV systems
Autopilot TRV/NRT based systems
JTIDs/A50 airborne intelligence/global targeting, guidance systems.
APEX 345 ejection seat, synchronized with primary turbine failures.
Powerplant:
The TF-62 utilizes two TC-250K low-bypass ratio turbofan engines. They feature a very high thrust-to-weight ratio, and enable the TF-62 to operate at speeds of Mach 1.6 during supercruise. The TC-250K’s mechanically simplistic design means that it requires very little maintenance time as compared to its contemporaries. Electronic control for the engine is provided by a fifth-generation triple-redundant FADEC, improving the engine’s reliability. Exit nozzles for the TC-250K are manufactured by MP Ordnance Corporation, and are built from metal-injected ceramic. These are 3D vectored with the use of Counterflow Thrust Vectoring (up/down: +/-60 degrees, side/side: +/-10 degrees), improving aircraft maneuverability. The flat shape of the nozzles also serves to reduce IR signature by spreading out the exhaust into a “beavertail” of heat energy that is very difficult to detect.
Each TC-250K provides 38,566 lbs of thrust individually (sum 77,132 lbs) to the Sparrow.
Armament:
Cannon:
The TF-62 has a 25x200mm ETC chaingun, developed by MP Ordinance Corporation, capable of firing 3100 rounds per minute. It holds 320 rds for its cannon and uses combustible casings in order to save weight. The cannon lies behind a retractable RAM coated door, and the edges of the cavity made the retracting door are also coated with RAM. The chaingun is capable of phenomenal muzzle velocities, making the TF-62 be able to hit a moving target with amazing precision.
Payload:
The TF-62 Sparrow has six internal hardpoints, and an optional two mounting pylons underneath each wing. Up to 5,450 kilograms of munitions of most air-to-air and air-to-ground types may be mounted on the aircraft. There are two wingtip mounts for IR-guided AAMs as well.
Dimensions/Performance:
Length: 20m
Wingspan: 14.2m
Height: 4.8m
Propulsion: ~35,000 kg
Empty Weight: 8,845 kg
Normal Weight: 17,801 kg
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 22,112.5 kg
Maximum Payload: 5,450 kg
Combat Range: 3100 km
Maximum Altitude: 18,600 m
Cruising Speed: Mach 1.6
Maximum Speed: Mach 2.5
Rate of Climb: 16,120 m/min
Crew (List): 1 (Pilot)
Price for Export:
TF-62A (Standard version) - $120,650,000 per unit
TF-62B (Navalized version, reinforced materials, shortened tail radome) - $135,000,000 per unit
TEF-62 (Electronic Warfare variant, fitted with jammer pods and has a second seat for a EW officer) - $160,000,000 per unit
TF-62 "SUZUME" (Sparrow) Multi-Role Fighter
Sixth Generation Tactical Aircraft of the Militaristic Federation
"Breastdown fluttering in the breeze,
The sparrow's full of air holes.
Let the winds of winter blow,
Let them crack a wing, two,
The sparrow doesn't care.
The air streams through him, free, easy,
Scattering feathers, bending legs.
He hops calmly, from branch to empty branch
In an absolutely spaceless world.
I'd catch, skewer, boil you,
But my every shot misses: you're impossible.
All at once there's the sound
Of breaking glass, and houses begin
To crumple..." - Shinkichi Takahashi
Abstract:
The roots of the TF-62 “Sparrow” lay with a Tyrandis Imperial Air Force contract for a new multirole tactical aircraft to replace the ancient and ill-designed TSA-12 “Kestrel”. Kestrel's performance since the project’s completion was quite dismaying to her builders at Kotoko Aircraft Corporation, both financially and on the battlefield. Exported in significant quantities only to the Real ALM organization, the Kestrel found itself horribly outclassed in the air superiority role, and took only marginal success in air-to-ground operations. TSA-12 pilots serving the RALM suffered an unacceptably high attrition rate by previous generation aircraft, resulting in the priority completion of the TSF-616 “Eidolon” project to replace the Kestrel.
Since displaced by the Eidolon as the premier Tyrandisan fighter, the aging Kestrels were redesignated attack planes. As the ravages of time passed, the TIAF found itself suffering a shortage of spare parts for the TSA-12s, as well as increasing flight costs per hour due to airframe fatigue. Burdened with this fiscal abortion of a jet, the branch contacted Tyrandis Precision Machine Import/Export Corporation to provide a suitable replacement. TPMI/EC, in a joint project with aerospace companies from MassPwnage, produced the TF-62 Sparrow some four years after the project's initiation.
The TF-62 is a highly capable, multi-role tactical aircraft, cutting down on production costs while maintaining a high level of performance. It combines the functions of existing roles into a compact, streamlined design. The synthesis of the best Pwnage and Tyrandisan aeronautical science has to offer, Sparrow brings the agility of an ASF and the payload of an attack plane in a single lethal package. TF-62 boasts excellent maneuverability, advanced sensor systems, a comprehensive electronic warfare suite, and low observable performance.
General Data:
Function: Advanced Multi Role Fighter
Contractor: TPMI/EC, MP Ordnance Corporation
Personnel: 1 (Pilot)
Airframe:
The TF-62 “Sparrow”'s construction was born out of a compromise between Tyrandis Precision Machine Import/Export Corporation's orthodox and MP Ordnance Corporation's radical designs. It is built for maximum resistance to wear and tear, as well as limited stealth features.
Like previously designed Tyrandisan tactical aircraft, Sparrow's frame is constructed primarily from Ti-1100, a high-strength, low-weight, near-alpha titanium/aluminum alloy. Small quantities of nanocrystalline heavy metals reinforce sixteen ribs built from this material at the joints to add additional strength. TPMI/EC-developed RADAR Absorbent Structure is then mated wherever possible to this frame. RAS is constructed from honeycombed Kevlar sections, treated with a proprietary glaze based on carbon, and then bonded to polyethylene/carbon fiber skins on its front and back, creating a rigid panel. Each honeycomb is 3cm in length, and absorbs incoming RF energy quite well; the relatively large gaps allow for the RAS to dependably absorb or at least weaken RADAR returns of all frequencies higher than 10 Mhz. A lightweight graphite-epoxy and metal matrix composite (silicon carbide whiskers embedded in an aluminum matrix) is streched across this skeleton.
The aircraft skins are composed of a combination of graphite-epoxy and carbon-fiber reinforced thermoplastics. Reinforced carbon-carbon panels are bonded beneath this exterior, further reducing thermal stress and improving stealth characteristics. The leading edges and nose of the Sparrow is built from reinforced-carbon-carbon and titanium.
The tail stabilizers are deliberately canted off-center to prevent formation of dihedral reflectors, an extremely radar-reflective surface produced whenever two metallic surfaces are positioned at 90 degrees to each other. They are a multispar, multirib structure constructed of Ti-1100 alloy with a reinforced carbon-carbon skin. Finally, the tail structure also serves to dissipate IR signature when viewed from behind, restricting tailpipe visibility to near-zero and thus improving the Sparrow’s survivability.
Wing structure for the TF-62 is in a canard + diamond wing layout, similar to that of the YF-23 technology demonstrator. This was chosen due to its inherent low-observable characteristics, as well as achieving wing/body blending, which improves the aircraft’s range (more fuel capacity). Saw-teeth along the trailing edge allow for the addition of more control surfaces. Like most modern designs, this shape makes the aircraft aerodynamically unstable, giving the TF-62 superior maneuverability. Beneath the exterior of the wing lie layers of Kevlar honeycombed graphite epoxy, for strength and reduced weight. Finally, the wings also boast a low cross-section to reduce drag.
The fighter also provides excellent performance at high angles of attack thanks to a forward fuselage chine, which maintains pitch and yaw stability.
Canopy:
The canopy of the TF-62 is manufactured of polycarbonate, backed by a rubber insulation layer and a thin strip of an indium-tin alloy. It is designed to provide pilots maximum protection against birdstrike and hostile fire. Traditionally, the cockpit has been the most problematic area for advanced stealth designers; because RADAR waves passes through the canopy as if it were transparent, an especially strong signal will bounce back to its receiver because any aircraft interior contains angles and shape that generate a substantial return. The InSn coating allows over 98.5% of visible light to pass through to the pilot, but will appear on RADAR as a semi-metallic surface. Another innovation is the addition of lumped circuit analogue RAM to the canopy, which weakens the resulting RF return. As a result of these advancements in the development of stealthy canopies, the TF-62 possesses a smaller head-on RCS than almost any other aircraft in its performance class.
Systems/Avionics:
The electronics core of the TF-62 is a fusion of MP Ordinance Corporation individual components and a TPMI/EC developed architecture. Sparrow uses the Peregrine-II avionics architecture, a package which can be split up into three parts: The MMS-8 Mission Management Suite, the SMS-3 Sensor Management Suite, and the VMS-11 Vehicle Management Suite, which are connected by a 2.5 GHz high-speed fiber optic bus, although the VMS-11 has its own bus for aircraft control.
The Peregrine-II architecture is manufactured in a full-custom ASIC design, utilizing Quasi-Delay Insensitive integrated circuits, which is a robust, asynchronous circuit that provides several major benefits as compared to traditional versions (circuits governed by an internal clock); these include early completion of circuits when it is known that the inputs which have not yet arrived are irrelevant, lower power consumption because transistors do not work unless performing useful computations, superior modularity and composability, adaptable circuit speed based on temperature and voltage conditions (synchronous chips are locked in at optimal clock speed for worst-case conditions), easier manufacturing processes due to lack of transistor-to-transistor variability, and less produced Electro-Magnetic Interference (Synchronous circuits create enormous amounts of EMI at frequency bands near clock frequencies). The entire avionics suite is driven by a Central Integrated Processor [CIP], which is a supercomputer built into the airframe. Because the integrated circuits operate under asynchronous logic, signals and instructions are processed near-instantaneously, without consideration for the restraints of a clock circuit.
MMS-8 - This subsystem of the Peregrine-II is composed of the terrain/navigation suite, fire-control, munitions management and Electronic Warfare equipment.
NGTRS-2 - Terrain Reference System, which relies on careful measurement of the terrain profile passing beneath the aircraft with a RADAR altimeter and comparison with digitally-stored geographic data. The primary advantage to using a TR system is that a standard TF (terrain-following) navigation scheme will alert enemy Electronic Survelliance Measures far sooner, due to the RADAR beam's direction. On the other hand, the TF-62's TRN's altimeter has an extremely narrow beam width whose energy is directed downwards, rendering virtually all ESM measures impotent.
FC3S-4 Fire Control System - The FC3S-4 is the TF-62’s fire control system. Its processors can keep track of more than 500 targets at once and maintain relevant data on them, in order to engage any of the targets at any given time. With distributed computing, the number of targets grows immensely. The FC3S-4 is linked to all of the sensors on the TF-62, including the control computer that determines what the pilot sees. According to sensor data, it rapidly calculates a firing solution and then updates this as necessary up to the last possible second right up until actual weapon discharge.
ASPIS-4 - Integrated Electronic Warfare System of the TF-62, which consists of the NLR-41 threat warning system, NRV-27 RF jammer, and XC-80 chaff/flare dispenser. The system provides a fully integrated solution to the active and passive electronic warfare (EW) suite requirements of the Sparrow and has flexibility for future development. The ASPIS is comprised of two major subsystems: a passive receiver, capable of detecting Low Probability of Interception signals, and an active jammer. The XC-80 dispenser is programmed to deploy multi-spectral expendable chaff/flares only in the direction of the threat, improving Sparrow's ability to defend against both RADAR and IR guided weapons.
SMS-3 - This subsystem of the Peregrine-II combines the TF-62's RADAR, IRST, integrated signal processing, encrypted data, communications, and the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System interface, allocating the fighter's processor power to the sensor subsystems as required.
Series V MAESA - The Series V Most Advanced Electronically Scanned Array active radar is an electronically scanned, ultra high resolution, wideband inverse synthetic apeture radar. The MAESA is mounted as a series of individual transmit/receive (T/R) modules that each scan a small fixed area, negating the need for a moving antenna, which further decreases ESM detection probabilities as well as aircraft volume issues. It is placed in the nose and in a tail aperture of the TF-62.
MAESA is rated as VLPI, Very Low Probablity of Intercept, due to its long pulse, wide band, frequency modulated signal, and low sidelobe energy.
As a bonus, MAESA can act as a radar reciever, a radar jammer, or a communications mast, all by changing the operation settings in the radar controls. The MAESA has a search range of approximately 575 kilometers, and a track range of 400 kilometers for fighter targets and a search/track range of 650/525 kilometers for bomber sized targets. Ground scan range is approximately 330 kilometers, and ground penetration range is 105 kilometers.
AN/RSI-1 - Inverse Synthetic Aperture RADAR of the TF-62 Sparrow, which processes the Doppler shift resulting from target motion as a means of improving RADAR resolution. Thanks to shared components with the Series V MAESA, the AN/RSI-1 is highly compact, and adds less than 30 lbs to the fighter's weight. By measuring the much larger Doppler shifts created by the Sparrow's own movement and the target's changes in attitudes, the AN/RSI-1 is able to extract the Doppler effects due to pitch, yaw, and roll of the different parts of the target aircraft, processing these to obtain a clear physical profile.
Infernus ODLIR - The TF-62 is equipped with the Infernus Omni-Directional Infrared system, which depends on two recievers mounted on the Sparrow to provide 360 degree video quality infrared/thermal imaging for the TF-62. The software modules on the Infernus system package allow it to differentiate between decoys and actual engine signatures on airplanes, and as such, can override the less advanced sensors on air to air missiles if the need arises. Also, Infernus is capable of ground imaging for targeting strikes. It has a search range of 120 km and a track range of 77 km.
ICNIA - Integrated Communication Navigation Identification Avionics suite, which combines the functions of current communications equipment, such as HF SSB (High Frequency-Single Side Band), VHF/UHF, SINCGARS, Have Quick, EJS, JTIDS, various navigational aids and transponder/interrogator facilities compatible with NATO-standard IFF systems. Based on common digital and RF processing modules built up from asynchronous logic circuits, the system allows for all these functions to be seamlessly built into just one package. It also takes up half the volume and weight of the aforementioned equipment. The Central Integrated Processor filters much of the information being passed to the pilot, presenting him with only data necessary for the phase for the mission currently being flown, to prevent information overload (optional manual override).
VMS-10 - The Vehicle Management Suite is responsible for cockpit controls and displays, flight and manuver control, and engine/power control.
NACS Mk. II - The Sparrow is controlled by a centralized fly by light fiber optic system that takes both control input from the pilot and feedback from the various sensors and control surfaces around the airplane. This system gives the Sparrow far superior agility and maneuverability to any legacy fly-by-wire system, thanks to the improved transfer speed that light offers. Finally, it is virtually immune to electro-magnetic interference. The flight control system binds all of the control surfaces and canards together, giving the Sparrow’s pilot unmatched agility.
Stealth:
The TF-62 Sparrow boasts reduced RADAR Cross Section and environmental signatures thanks to a variety of technologies and materials incorporated in the fighter. Although it does not have the all-aspect low RCS enjoyed by dedicated air superiority fighters, Sparrow is nonetheless a difficult detection target. Here’s why:
*Carbon: Carbon threaded thermoplastics and heatproof carbon glazes are used heavily in the Sparrow, absorbing a great deal of enemy radar.
*Angular Shape: The TF-62 employs a geometrically based RADAR dispersing configuration, developed with computational RCS modeling. Its curves and angles serve to deflect RF energy away from hostile receiver sets.
*RAM: RADAR absorbent materials coat every potential irregular surface, such as the armament doors, engine ports and refuling ports.
*Low IR signature: The Sparrow’s flat exhaust nozzles dissipate heat in a “beavertail” of infared energy, spreading temperature intensity over a wide range. Its tail structure also restricts IR visibility.
*No Contrails: Sparrow’s powerplant produces no visible smoke, reducing probability of visual identification.
Cockpit:
The TF-62’s NACS flight control system is linked to an system display integrator which uses a holographic model to project all relevant data into the helmet in a single, easy to read display that also shows a composite of the outside environment according to the sensors on the exterior of the aircraft. The helmet itself is wired to several motion sensors, allowing the pilot to aim at a point on the display simply by looking at it. This way, the pilot can set mission waypoints, designate targets to destroy etc.
Internally, what the pilot sees is the a 3d composite map of the world outside, assembled by the plane's sensors. Both hostile and friendly objects are marked with a target number designation, its range, velocity, bearing and potential type. Friendlies are also marked with the name of the pilot, the mission of the pilot, what the pilot is currently doing, and the status of the plane and pilot. If the pilot requests it, flight data, such as velocity, altitude, fuel capacity, engine load etc. can be placed displayed at the touch of a button and will disappear when the button is released. This simple control scheme reduces pilot workload considerably.
Features:
2 task-switching Multi-Function Displays
Multi-node RADAR indication panel
Octo-functional HUD synchronized with MFD and helmet targeting
GPS synchronization panel
Topographic orientation TRV systems
Autopilot TRV/NRT based systems
JTIDs/A50 airborne intelligence/global targeting, guidance systems.
APEX 345 ejection seat, synchronized with primary turbine failures.
Powerplant:
The TF-62 utilizes two TC-250K low-bypass ratio turbofan engines. They feature a very high thrust-to-weight ratio, and enable the TF-62 to operate at speeds of Mach 1.6 during supercruise. The TC-250K’s mechanically simplistic design means that it requires very little maintenance time as compared to its contemporaries. Electronic control for the engine is provided by a fifth-generation triple-redundant FADEC, improving the engine’s reliability. Exit nozzles for the TC-250K are manufactured by MP Ordnance Corporation, and are built from metal-injected ceramic. These are 3D vectored with the use of Counterflow Thrust Vectoring (up/down: +/-60 degrees, side/side: +/-10 degrees), improving aircraft maneuverability. The flat shape of the nozzles also serves to reduce IR signature by spreading out the exhaust into a “beavertail” of heat energy that is very difficult to detect.
Each TC-250K provides 38,566 lbs of thrust individually (sum 77,132 lbs) to the Sparrow.
Armament:
Cannon:
The TF-62 has a 25x200mm ETC chaingun, developed by MP Ordinance Corporation, capable of firing 3100 rounds per minute. It holds 320 rds for its cannon and uses combustible casings in order to save weight. The cannon lies behind a retractable RAM coated door, and the edges of the cavity made the retracting door are also coated with RAM. The chaingun is capable of phenomenal muzzle velocities, making the TF-62 be able to hit a moving target with amazing precision.
Payload:
The TF-62 Sparrow has six internal hardpoints, and an optional two mounting pylons underneath each wing. Up to 5,450 kilograms of munitions of most air-to-air and air-to-ground types may be mounted on the aircraft. There are two wingtip mounts for IR-guided AAMs as well.
Dimensions/Performance:
Length: 20m
Wingspan: 14.2m
Height: 4.8m
Propulsion: ~35,000 kg
Empty Weight: 8,845 kg
Normal Weight: 17,801 kg
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 22,112.5 kg
Maximum Payload: 5,450 kg
Combat Range: 3100 km
Maximum Altitude: 18,600 m
Cruising Speed: Mach 1.6
Maximum Speed: Mach 2.5
Rate of Climb: 16,120 m/min
Crew (List): 1 (Pilot)
Price for Export:
TF-62A (Standard version) - $120,650,000 per unit
TF-62B (Navalized version, reinforced materials, shortened tail radome) - $135,000,000 per unit
TEF-62 (Electronic Warfare variant, fitted with jammer pods and has a second seat for a EW officer) - $160,000,000 per unit