The Candrian Empire
10-06-2007, 05:11
a few days late, but here it is.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/Gizeh/FA-16-Priest-final.gif
History
The Light Combat Fighter program was initiated with the expected retirement of the FA 11 Deacon. The Cardinal could effectively replace the Deacon in some roles; notably, as an effective heavy strike fighter; however, it is too large and unwieldy as a lightweight, carrier ready aircraft. Being one of the heaviest fighters in the sky, it wasn't exactly carrier-friendly, a point raised by GEM's export customers. The ICA's air arm wanted a lightweight fighter capable of deployment from it's recently aquired command battleships, necitating an aircraft at least capable of verticle landing; they also wanted something at least somewhat stealthy, and able to support landing infantry. The CAF and SPARTA wanted fighters able to sneak into enemy territory, loiter near targets, and provide extreme close air support, similar in the vein of the Deacon. All three branches wanted the aircraft to be able to defend itself effectively in the event of a dogfight within contested airspace; even if they were going to be backed up by the Cardinal Calvary. With the three branches calling for aircraft filling similar roles, the Military Consulate decided to combine their programs into one all-encompassing request - the Light Combat Fighter. All of a sudden, things seemed very reminiscent of the US Joint Strike Fighter program.
Of the 3 companies who were delivered notices of inquiry, only GEM responded with a solid design before the Phase I deadline. The aircraft was a single engined stealth aircraft with a canard-delta-V planform, with vertical lift provided by direct down thrust vectoring and a modified lift fan system derived from the Rolls Royce Lift Fan employed on the F 35B.
The aircraft, essentially the only entry, quickly won over the Military Consulate.
Following the success of the FA 15 and its derivatives, GEM prompted the Consulate for permission to export the Priest - considering it was intended to supplement the Cardinal, and vice-versa, and much of the impetus for the design came from external pressure.
Design and Mission
The FA 16 is a heavily-reduced RCS STOVL tactical combat support aircraft, intended to support infantry in close air operations and to provide the fleet with a suitable air arm. The aircraft provides generous lift at low speeds, with the ability to strike quickly and get out fast. The ability to hover and land vertically allows the aircraft to operate out of the ICA's non-carrier fleet, while it's overall small size makes it a much more forgiving carrier borne aircraft.
Airframe
The general planform of the Priest is a dogtoothed cropped delta, featuring rear ruddervators and retractable forward canards fixed on a wide lifting body design. Further enhancing control is the all-aspect thrust vectoring system, featuring four articulating plates. Flaps forward of the nozzle allow thrust to safely flow foward of the aircraft, allowing both thrust vectoring and, with the retractable top intake ramps deployed, reverse flight. Top speeds in the upper Mach 2 region are more than achievable, giving the FA 16 an ability to go low, hit a ground target, and quickly escape, potentially without even being tracked & targeted.
The aircraft is primarily constructed from lightweight alloys; structurally, the Priest is a semi monocoque stressed skin design, with the 29 lithium-alumninum formers and longerons fused together via electron welding. The wing structure is also formed of electron-welded LiAl ribs and longerons, with the further foldable section interfacing with the hydraulics pumping to facilitate the use of the sectioned ailerons. The wingbox, landing gear, engine fairing, and cockpit frames are fashioned from cast SOCADI steel, providing further increased strength. Two articulating plates in each intake provide for variable geometry, increasing the top speed well above Mach 2 at altitude. The underlying stressed skin is made primarily of LiAl-based alloy covered in polyketon bonded carbon fiber with a titanium boride coating laid on via vapor deposition; this skin is spotwelded on to the frame. Forward panels are composed primarily of LiAl-based alloy, while panels progressively to the rear of the aircraft are typically resin bonded carbon fiber reinforced polyvinyl.
The use of the composite skin with the dielectric ceramic coating allow partial radar absorption, acting as a radar-absorbant material. Combined with the general shaping, the bare airframe radar cross section is significantly reduced over comparable non-stealth designs. The two intake ducts are S shaped, and, with the VGI plates folded flat to prevent corner reflection, reduce the radar return from the compressor and fan face of the aircraft significantly. The thin-spacing plate thrust vectoring system also provides significant reduction of cross section from the rear, hiding the rear stage turbines and The aircraft was designed with all-aspect stealth in mind, and as a result features a relatively flat bottom. All non-engine intakes were designed with the concept of reentrant triangles in mind; as a result, the cooling inlets of the cannon have a distinctive shape to them. In places where a high radar return is expected (Canopy door, all major hatches, wingtips, inlet plates, etc) ferritic-polymer RAM paint is applied.
To limit return from the canopy, a layer of vapor-deposited gold is layed inside the top layer of the canopy, regulating the radar return. This also gives the Priest a distinctive gold-hued canopy; a rather elegant feature.
The aircraft was primarily designed as a naval strike fighter capable of overland missions, and as such ships with thick landing gear. The skin has a natural measure of corrosion resistance, reducing the need for any special measures to ensure navalization; this also means little has to be done if the aircraft wereto require tropicalization. To reduce space, the wings fold just before the second slat, going over the airframe, while the ruddervators can be either lowered flat or raised to nearly verticle for storage. The forward radome can be straight pulled off, and a cage placed over the GFVm-aero radar to protect it from external conditions.
Powerplant
The a909LB VBT CC low-bypass turbofan engine is a hybrid compression engine from the a9XX family, a family known to be strong, relatively efficient, and for the most part, reliable. The compressor layout is 1F/2LP/6HP/CC. Each stage rides on it's own shaft. The shaft design is a hollow and ventilated to allow air to cool the semihollow turbines, providing an active cooling measure. The turbine stages make extensive use of zalium, halfnium-diboride alloys, and nickle aluminide coatings to allow for higher temperatures.
For all the thrust they provide (with a thrust/weight ratio of 9.41), the engines are relatively less fuel hungry than the larger models used on the larger FA 15 Cardinal series; however, even this engine family can cause significant airframe damage if used improperly. Prolonged maneuvers at maximum thrust and burner can significantly warp the aircraft body, and as such the frame must be checked for warp, cracks, microfissures, and other signs of wear that may be unnoticable to unaided observation. Front line fighters with extensive combat records should be overhauled at least every 15 years to maintain their effectiveness; GEM provides this service at no cost.
Mounted forward of the engine is a lift fan system derived from the Rolls Royce Lift Fan system employed in the F35; however, in the system employed by the Priest, the fans are roughly a half meter larger, providing more overall lift. Instead of a 3 bearing swivel, a ceramic-coated deflection plate is closed before the thrust vectoring nozzles while an underside nozzle roughly approximate to an aerospike nozzle in general configuration opens, pointing thrust down in a manner similar to clamshell-type thrust reversers. The two telescoping roll posts fed from the low-pressure Stage 3 air are deployed from ports above the landing gear doors.
Armament
Preservation of stealth is key; as such the Priest has two internal bays accepting munitions up to 500 kg in weight, and a single 1000 kg bay located under the fan driveshaft. More smaller munitions can be used with rotary drums fitted into the bays; with a maximum of 8 mounts for the 1000 kg bay - the stores managment suite must be refreshed and updated accordingly to account for these munitions. Internally, the Priest can hold some 2000 kg of munitions; including smart bombs of all sorts; be they laser, GPS, TV, or radar guided; as well as effectively any proximity AtA (air to air) missle and some smaller BVR missle payloads.
Removable pylons on the wings can support effectively any munition within their weight limit with little modification; including multiple lock racks. Specifically, two wingtip pylons capable of carrying 200 kg AtA missles are suspended just inside the wingspan; two 500 kg pylons can be mounted on the further folding wing sections, while closer inboard, four 1000 kg pylons can be mounted - two wet for accepting fuel tanks. These two wet pylons are mounted closer to the centerline of the aircraft.
The Mettel DBG30/190 CETC Gast cannon features two boron carbide barrels coated with nickle aluminide; these barrels are very resistant to warp and corrosion. A simple robust gas-powered Gast mechanism with spring dampeners, a thick chamber and rather thick hammers means that the weapon is likely to outlast the aircraft. To save weight and space, the rounds are combusting case capacitated ETC shells; that is, their baseplate features several capacitor wafers that, when struck by the firing pin, complete a circuit, sending a charge through the circuit wires and through the matrix running throught the propellent; in the DBG30/190, CxC Mix A, a relatively stable hard, rubbery gel with a high ignition temperature, in the same family as the more volatile propellent Mix B used on infantry weapons.Baseplates from expended shells are saved; they are refurbished for reuse in new shells.
Even with this, the Priest only has space for a 200 round internal magazine with 2 types of ammunition. To increase accuracy, the gun estimated trajectory is highlighted on the HUD.
To preserve stealth, two doors cover the opening for the muzzles, just about eliminating the radar return from them.
All told the FA 16 Priest can carry an effective 7,500 kg maximum payload.
Avionics
Information and mission objectives are fed into the primary flight computers, multiprocessor interlinked computers located behind and underneath the pilot. These computers process the myriad of information the internal and external systems aquire, onboard mission data, battlenet information, and any other relevant data, and displays the information on a forward OLED HUD (multicolor instrument display and through the hybrid analog/digital glass cockpit display. Targeting information is displayed using the cockpit; as targets are highlighted using the OLED layer of the canopy and targets can be locked with the use of the Helmet Intergrated Mission Unified Display (HIMUD) cuing system. This system uses three radio transmitters intergrated in the helmet to determine the position and FOV of the pilot. As the pilot fixes a reticle on his target, computers in the cockpit translate his current head position and determine where he's looking, what he's looking at, and who he wants to shoot; allowing a pilot tracking a hostile visually to get a lock at any visible position when using radar guidance.
The quad redundant fly-by-light system implemented in the aircraft's controls allows for a programmable & emergency autopilot, ensuring the saftey and fighting readiness of the crew. Navigation features automatic GPS correcting, keeping the inertial navigation system accurate while under satellite coverage. All this is covered by a two-layered laminated plastic canopy sandwiching the OLED Target Highlight layer.
Like the Cardinal, backup mechanical displays are located in the Center Flight Panel, following a relative basic T - 10 mechanical gauges include, from left to right - Air Speed Velocity, Artifical Horizon, Altimeter, with a second row containing the Turn Coordinator, Heading Indicator, and Vertical velocity. Below these are mechanical external static pressure gauges, an analog clock, external temperature, and lift reserve. Although the HUD is qualified for Intrument Flight Rules, in the event of a failure of that device a pilot can successfully use the analog instruments and the ISOL FBL channel to control the aircraft.
Flanking this setup are two backlit Symmetric OLED Multifunction Displays, with one underneath, all featuring their requisite buttons and tabs. Fuel control panel is tucked slightly under and between the Center Flight Panel and right Symmetric MFD, and features a fuel release tab, engine cutoff, and manual rich-lean knob. Below the bottom MFD, an auxillary tube radio allows communication in the event of systems failure. Emergency Oxygen tab (a small red tab) is located on the top of the CFP; flipping this tab will provide a half hour of oxygen to the pilot, reserving the remainder in the case of ejection. On a separate box above the console, a remote mirror actuator box can be mounted to automatically flip 7 mirrors mounted in the canopy to provide view and HIMUD targeting to the rear. Above the pilot is the pull tab for the CPS330 Zero-Zero ejection seat. Pulling this tab will blow the canopy off in a stagger front-back-rear-launch pattern, deflecting it back. Pulling the tab off will launch the seat. Attachted to the east is the Emergency Oxygen Generator, which upon ejection will automatically activate and begin reaction.
All those airflow & frame stress sensors dotting the wings are utilized by the Flight Control computer to provide for a wing that actively uses the twist of the wing under aerodynamic stress to reduce structural loads & greatly improve agility - this feature is known as an Active Aeroelastic Wing, first tested on a NASA F/A 18 Hornet (dubbed the X 53). As a result, the Priest is a particularly tough in close range, knife fight engagements; certainly not the absolute most adgile aircraft, but more than enough to hold it's own.
Detection
The front nosecone of the Priest houses the GFVm-aero Multiband 3D AESA radar, a hemispherical 6,200 die array with a 260* all aspect FOV out to 320 km. In the rear, two small GFVs-aero radars work in unison out of the twin spikes to look out to 220 km. These radar, operating on the IEEE X, V/NATO M, W, and, in domestic models, I bands, gives the GFV family of radars unprecedented detection capabilities; capable of seeing through band-specific stealth features like RAM & RAS & in some cases even faceting and design. The radar family can also serve as mapping radars (via synthetic aperature mode), have full tracking functionality, terrain avoidance features, can serve as jammers, radar warning recievers, and can utilize a networking system (SaBOCAD COMLINK in domestic models) to share detection data with friendly aircraft. With this datasharing, the GFV family of radars can decouple the roles of emitter and reciever between a flight of aircraft, giving an added level of detection also able to see through many stealth designs.
Two retracting MOTS optical targeting domes are fitted to the aircraft; one below a door in front of the canopy which can rise up and provide AtA infrared targeting or use it's nightvision system to provide the pilot with visual terrain avoidance; and one below behind the forward landing gear using the full IR/TV/NV setup for ground targeting.
----
Type: Fast Attack Fighter
Length: 16.78 m
Wingspan: 12.42 m
Height (Body) : 2.9 m
Ground clearance, landing gear down: 1.4 m
Propulsion: 1 x GEM a909LB CC VBT Afterburning 3D Thrust Vectoring Turbofan (3,121 kg)
Total Net Thrust: 29,360 kgf Dry, 35,520 kgf Burner
Empty Weight: 13,121 kg
Maximum Take-Off Weight: Est 33,000 kg
Normal Fuel Weight: 8,130 kg
Maximum Fuel Weight: 11,100 kg
Weapons Systems:
2 200 kg wingtip pylons
2 500 kg wing pylons
4 1000 kg wing pylons (2 innermost wet, 2 dry)
2 500 kg internal bays (Rotary, max dimensions 2.5 m X .5 m, maximum mounts 8)
1 1000 kg internal bays (Single, max dimensions 4.4 m X .75 m, maximum mounts 4)
1 30 mm double-barrel Mettel DBG30/190 Gast mechanism cannon (200 rounds, 3700 RPM, 83 kg)
Compatible with SARH-type, independent system-based command guidance, operator-based command guidance payloads.
Normal Stealth Payload: 1,113 kg
Maximum Stealth Payload: 2,113 kg
Normal non-stealth Payload: 4,513 kg
Maximum non-stealth Payload: 7,513 kg
Normal Stealth Combat Weight: 22,364 kg
Maximum Stealth Combat Weight: 26334 kg
Normal non-stealth Combat Weight: 25,763 kg
Maximum non-stealth Combat Weight: 31,734 kg
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: .925 under maximum possible loadout
Variable Geometry Intake? Yes, twin articulating plates
G-Load Limits: -4.5/+12.7
Alpha: --, 33 degrees Software Limited (Disengagable in flight)
Baseline Range: ~ 2,000 km
Combat Radius: ~ 1,000 km
Ferry Range: ~ 5000 km
In-flight refueling? Yes, Boom and receptacle - located behind canopy.
Carrier Ready? Yes. Provisions for arresting gear hook. Provisions for catapult hookup.
Oxygen Generation? Yes - Sodium Chlorate cell located under pilot seat. 30 - 60 min duration.
Pressurized Canopy? Yes
Runway length, normal combat weight: ~180 m takeoff, > 150 m landing w/o thrust assisstance
Operational Ceiling/Altitude: 16.8 km
Maximum Altitude: 21.1 km
Cruising Speed: Mach .81 Sea Level
Supercruising Speed: Mach 1.41 @ Altitude
Maximum Speed: Mach 2.65 @ Altitude
Crew: 1 (Pilot)
Avionics Suite:
AOC Fly-by-light digitalized control
OLED Wraparound Canopy HUD
HIMUD Helmet Targeting & Cueing System
GFVm-aero Multiband 3D Phased Array Targeting Radar System
GFVs-aero Multiband 3D Phased Array Targeting Radar System (twin spike rear arrays)
Multiband Optical Targeting System (MOTS) Thermal, Visual, Laser Targeting & Designation with VLD Ground Targeting Suite (Retractable, Forward Nosecone, Belly)
SaBOCAD Battlenet uplink
Pathknowledge M5 INS
Pathknowledge Programmable Autmatic Control
C97 Intergrated Defense Countermeasures System (Chaff, IR/LD Blinder, CCDB, Radar Blinders, Intergrated Radar Jamming Suite)
Price: $64,331,424
Variants & Upgrades
B Model (Block VIII) STOL Variant (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12767714&postcount=59)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/Gizeh/FA-16-Priest-final.gif
History
The Light Combat Fighter program was initiated with the expected retirement of the FA 11 Deacon. The Cardinal could effectively replace the Deacon in some roles; notably, as an effective heavy strike fighter; however, it is too large and unwieldy as a lightweight, carrier ready aircraft. Being one of the heaviest fighters in the sky, it wasn't exactly carrier-friendly, a point raised by GEM's export customers. The ICA's air arm wanted a lightweight fighter capable of deployment from it's recently aquired command battleships, necitating an aircraft at least capable of verticle landing; they also wanted something at least somewhat stealthy, and able to support landing infantry. The CAF and SPARTA wanted fighters able to sneak into enemy territory, loiter near targets, and provide extreme close air support, similar in the vein of the Deacon. All three branches wanted the aircraft to be able to defend itself effectively in the event of a dogfight within contested airspace; even if they were going to be backed up by the Cardinal Calvary. With the three branches calling for aircraft filling similar roles, the Military Consulate decided to combine their programs into one all-encompassing request - the Light Combat Fighter. All of a sudden, things seemed very reminiscent of the US Joint Strike Fighter program.
Of the 3 companies who were delivered notices of inquiry, only GEM responded with a solid design before the Phase I deadline. The aircraft was a single engined stealth aircraft with a canard-delta-V planform, with vertical lift provided by direct down thrust vectoring and a modified lift fan system derived from the Rolls Royce Lift Fan employed on the F 35B.
The aircraft, essentially the only entry, quickly won over the Military Consulate.
Following the success of the FA 15 and its derivatives, GEM prompted the Consulate for permission to export the Priest - considering it was intended to supplement the Cardinal, and vice-versa, and much of the impetus for the design came from external pressure.
Design and Mission
The FA 16 is a heavily-reduced RCS STOVL tactical combat support aircraft, intended to support infantry in close air operations and to provide the fleet with a suitable air arm. The aircraft provides generous lift at low speeds, with the ability to strike quickly and get out fast. The ability to hover and land vertically allows the aircraft to operate out of the ICA's non-carrier fleet, while it's overall small size makes it a much more forgiving carrier borne aircraft.
Airframe
The general planform of the Priest is a dogtoothed cropped delta, featuring rear ruddervators and retractable forward canards fixed on a wide lifting body design. Further enhancing control is the all-aspect thrust vectoring system, featuring four articulating plates. Flaps forward of the nozzle allow thrust to safely flow foward of the aircraft, allowing both thrust vectoring and, with the retractable top intake ramps deployed, reverse flight. Top speeds in the upper Mach 2 region are more than achievable, giving the FA 16 an ability to go low, hit a ground target, and quickly escape, potentially without even being tracked & targeted.
The aircraft is primarily constructed from lightweight alloys; structurally, the Priest is a semi monocoque stressed skin design, with the 29 lithium-alumninum formers and longerons fused together via electron welding. The wing structure is also formed of electron-welded LiAl ribs and longerons, with the further foldable section interfacing with the hydraulics pumping to facilitate the use of the sectioned ailerons. The wingbox, landing gear, engine fairing, and cockpit frames are fashioned from cast SOCADI steel, providing further increased strength. Two articulating plates in each intake provide for variable geometry, increasing the top speed well above Mach 2 at altitude. The underlying stressed skin is made primarily of LiAl-based alloy covered in polyketon bonded carbon fiber with a titanium boride coating laid on via vapor deposition; this skin is spotwelded on to the frame. Forward panels are composed primarily of LiAl-based alloy, while panels progressively to the rear of the aircraft are typically resin bonded carbon fiber reinforced polyvinyl.
The use of the composite skin with the dielectric ceramic coating allow partial radar absorption, acting as a radar-absorbant material. Combined with the general shaping, the bare airframe radar cross section is significantly reduced over comparable non-stealth designs. The two intake ducts are S shaped, and, with the VGI plates folded flat to prevent corner reflection, reduce the radar return from the compressor and fan face of the aircraft significantly. The thin-spacing plate thrust vectoring system also provides significant reduction of cross section from the rear, hiding the rear stage turbines and The aircraft was designed with all-aspect stealth in mind, and as a result features a relatively flat bottom. All non-engine intakes were designed with the concept of reentrant triangles in mind; as a result, the cooling inlets of the cannon have a distinctive shape to them. In places where a high radar return is expected (Canopy door, all major hatches, wingtips, inlet plates, etc) ferritic-polymer RAM paint is applied.
To limit return from the canopy, a layer of vapor-deposited gold is layed inside the top layer of the canopy, regulating the radar return. This also gives the Priest a distinctive gold-hued canopy; a rather elegant feature.
The aircraft was primarily designed as a naval strike fighter capable of overland missions, and as such ships with thick landing gear. The skin has a natural measure of corrosion resistance, reducing the need for any special measures to ensure navalization; this also means little has to be done if the aircraft wereto require tropicalization. To reduce space, the wings fold just before the second slat, going over the airframe, while the ruddervators can be either lowered flat or raised to nearly verticle for storage. The forward radome can be straight pulled off, and a cage placed over the GFVm-aero radar to protect it from external conditions.
Powerplant
The a909LB VBT CC low-bypass turbofan engine is a hybrid compression engine from the a9XX family, a family known to be strong, relatively efficient, and for the most part, reliable. The compressor layout is 1F/2LP/6HP/CC. Each stage rides on it's own shaft. The shaft design is a hollow and ventilated to allow air to cool the semihollow turbines, providing an active cooling measure. The turbine stages make extensive use of zalium, halfnium-diboride alloys, and nickle aluminide coatings to allow for higher temperatures.
For all the thrust they provide (with a thrust/weight ratio of 9.41), the engines are relatively less fuel hungry than the larger models used on the larger FA 15 Cardinal series; however, even this engine family can cause significant airframe damage if used improperly. Prolonged maneuvers at maximum thrust and burner can significantly warp the aircraft body, and as such the frame must be checked for warp, cracks, microfissures, and other signs of wear that may be unnoticable to unaided observation. Front line fighters with extensive combat records should be overhauled at least every 15 years to maintain their effectiveness; GEM provides this service at no cost.
Mounted forward of the engine is a lift fan system derived from the Rolls Royce Lift Fan system employed in the F35; however, in the system employed by the Priest, the fans are roughly a half meter larger, providing more overall lift. Instead of a 3 bearing swivel, a ceramic-coated deflection plate is closed before the thrust vectoring nozzles while an underside nozzle roughly approximate to an aerospike nozzle in general configuration opens, pointing thrust down in a manner similar to clamshell-type thrust reversers. The two telescoping roll posts fed from the low-pressure Stage 3 air are deployed from ports above the landing gear doors.
Armament
Preservation of stealth is key; as such the Priest has two internal bays accepting munitions up to 500 kg in weight, and a single 1000 kg bay located under the fan driveshaft. More smaller munitions can be used with rotary drums fitted into the bays; with a maximum of 8 mounts for the 1000 kg bay - the stores managment suite must be refreshed and updated accordingly to account for these munitions. Internally, the Priest can hold some 2000 kg of munitions; including smart bombs of all sorts; be they laser, GPS, TV, or radar guided; as well as effectively any proximity AtA (air to air) missle and some smaller BVR missle payloads.
Removable pylons on the wings can support effectively any munition within their weight limit with little modification; including multiple lock racks. Specifically, two wingtip pylons capable of carrying 200 kg AtA missles are suspended just inside the wingspan; two 500 kg pylons can be mounted on the further folding wing sections, while closer inboard, four 1000 kg pylons can be mounted - two wet for accepting fuel tanks. These two wet pylons are mounted closer to the centerline of the aircraft.
The Mettel DBG30/190 CETC Gast cannon features two boron carbide barrels coated with nickle aluminide; these barrels are very resistant to warp and corrosion. A simple robust gas-powered Gast mechanism with spring dampeners, a thick chamber and rather thick hammers means that the weapon is likely to outlast the aircraft. To save weight and space, the rounds are combusting case capacitated ETC shells; that is, their baseplate features several capacitor wafers that, when struck by the firing pin, complete a circuit, sending a charge through the circuit wires and through the matrix running throught the propellent; in the DBG30/190, CxC Mix A, a relatively stable hard, rubbery gel with a high ignition temperature, in the same family as the more volatile propellent Mix B used on infantry weapons.Baseplates from expended shells are saved; they are refurbished for reuse in new shells.
Even with this, the Priest only has space for a 200 round internal magazine with 2 types of ammunition. To increase accuracy, the gun estimated trajectory is highlighted on the HUD.
To preserve stealth, two doors cover the opening for the muzzles, just about eliminating the radar return from them.
All told the FA 16 Priest can carry an effective 7,500 kg maximum payload.
Avionics
Information and mission objectives are fed into the primary flight computers, multiprocessor interlinked computers located behind and underneath the pilot. These computers process the myriad of information the internal and external systems aquire, onboard mission data, battlenet information, and any other relevant data, and displays the information on a forward OLED HUD (multicolor instrument display and through the hybrid analog/digital glass cockpit display. Targeting information is displayed using the cockpit; as targets are highlighted using the OLED layer of the canopy and targets can be locked with the use of the Helmet Intergrated Mission Unified Display (HIMUD) cuing system. This system uses three radio transmitters intergrated in the helmet to determine the position and FOV of the pilot. As the pilot fixes a reticle on his target, computers in the cockpit translate his current head position and determine where he's looking, what he's looking at, and who he wants to shoot; allowing a pilot tracking a hostile visually to get a lock at any visible position when using radar guidance.
The quad redundant fly-by-light system implemented in the aircraft's controls allows for a programmable & emergency autopilot, ensuring the saftey and fighting readiness of the crew. Navigation features automatic GPS correcting, keeping the inertial navigation system accurate while under satellite coverage. All this is covered by a two-layered laminated plastic canopy sandwiching the OLED Target Highlight layer.
Like the Cardinal, backup mechanical displays are located in the Center Flight Panel, following a relative basic T - 10 mechanical gauges include, from left to right - Air Speed Velocity, Artifical Horizon, Altimeter, with a second row containing the Turn Coordinator, Heading Indicator, and Vertical velocity. Below these are mechanical external static pressure gauges, an analog clock, external temperature, and lift reserve. Although the HUD is qualified for Intrument Flight Rules, in the event of a failure of that device a pilot can successfully use the analog instruments and the ISOL FBL channel to control the aircraft.
Flanking this setup are two backlit Symmetric OLED Multifunction Displays, with one underneath, all featuring their requisite buttons and tabs. Fuel control panel is tucked slightly under and between the Center Flight Panel and right Symmetric MFD, and features a fuel release tab, engine cutoff, and manual rich-lean knob. Below the bottom MFD, an auxillary tube radio allows communication in the event of systems failure. Emergency Oxygen tab (a small red tab) is located on the top of the CFP; flipping this tab will provide a half hour of oxygen to the pilot, reserving the remainder in the case of ejection. On a separate box above the console, a remote mirror actuator box can be mounted to automatically flip 7 mirrors mounted in the canopy to provide view and HIMUD targeting to the rear. Above the pilot is the pull tab for the CPS330 Zero-Zero ejection seat. Pulling this tab will blow the canopy off in a stagger front-back-rear-launch pattern, deflecting it back. Pulling the tab off will launch the seat. Attachted to the east is the Emergency Oxygen Generator, which upon ejection will automatically activate and begin reaction.
All those airflow & frame stress sensors dotting the wings are utilized by the Flight Control computer to provide for a wing that actively uses the twist of the wing under aerodynamic stress to reduce structural loads & greatly improve agility - this feature is known as an Active Aeroelastic Wing, first tested on a NASA F/A 18 Hornet (dubbed the X 53). As a result, the Priest is a particularly tough in close range, knife fight engagements; certainly not the absolute most adgile aircraft, but more than enough to hold it's own.
Detection
The front nosecone of the Priest houses the GFVm-aero Multiband 3D AESA radar, a hemispherical 6,200 die array with a 260* all aspect FOV out to 320 km. In the rear, two small GFVs-aero radars work in unison out of the twin spikes to look out to 220 km. These radar, operating on the IEEE X, V/NATO M, W, and, in domestic models, I bands, gives the GFV family of radars unprecedented detection capabilities; capable of seeing through band-specific stealth features like RAM & RAS & in some cases even faceting and design. The radar family can also serve as mapping radars (via synthetic aperature mode), have full tracking functionality, terrain avoidance features, can serve as jammers, radar warning recievers, and can utilize a networking system (SaBOCAD COMLINK in domestic models) to share detection data with friendly aircraft. With this datasharing, the GFV family of radars can decouple the roles of emitter and reciever between a flight of aircraft, giving an added level of detection also able to see through many stealth designs.
Two retracting MOTS optical targeting domes are fitted to the aircraft; one below a door in front of the canopy which can rise up and provide AtA infrared targeting or use it's nightvision system to provide the pilot with visual terrain avoidance; and one below behind the forward landing gear using the full IR/TV/NV setup for ground targeting.
----
Type: Fast Attack Fighter
Length: 16.78 m
Wingspan: 12.42 m
Height (Body) : 2.9 m
Ground clearance, landing gear down: 1.4 m
Propulsion: 1 x GEM a909LB CC VBT Afterburning 3D Thrust Vectoring Turbofan (3,121 kg)
Total Net Thrust: 29,360 kgf Dry, 35,520 kgf Burner
Empty Weight: 13,121 kg
Maximum Take-Off Weight: Est 33,000 kg
Normal Fuel Weight: 8,130 kg
Maximum Fuel Weight: 11,100 kg
Weapons Systems:
2 200 kg wingtip pylons
2 500 kg wing pylons
4 1000 kg wing pylons (2 innermost wet, 2 dry)
2 500 kg internal bays (Rotary, max dimensions 2.5 m X .5 m, maximum mounts 8)
1 1000 kg internal bays (Single, max dimensions 4.4 m X .75 m, maximum mounts 4)
1 30 mm double-barrel Mettel DBG30/190 Gast mechanism cannon (200 rounds, 3700 RPM, 83 kg)
Compatible with SARH-type, independent system-based command guidance, operator-based command guidance payloads.
Normal Stealth Payload: 1,113 kg
Maximum Stealth Payload: 2,113 kg
Normal non-stealth Payload: 4,513 kg
Maximum non-stealth Payload: 7,513 kg
Normal Stealth Combat Weight: 22,364 kg
Maximum Stealth Combat Weight: 26334 kg
Normal non-stealth Combat Weight: 25,763 kg
Maximum non-stealth Combat Weight: 31,734 kg
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: .925 under maximum possible loadout
Variable Geometry Intake? Yes, twin articulating plates
G-Load Limits: -4.5/+12.7
Alpha: --, 33 degrees Software Limited (Disengagable in flight)
Baseline Range: ~ 2,000 km
Combat Radius: ~ 1,000 km
Ferry Range: ~ 5000 km
In-flight refueling? Yes, Boom and receptacle - located behind canopy.
Carrier Ready? Yes. Provisions for arresting gear hook. Provisions for catapult hookup.
Oxygen Generation? Yes - Sodium Chlorate cell located under pilot seat. 30 - 60 min duration.
Pressurized Canopy? Yes
Runway length, normal combat weight: ~180 m takeoff, > 150 m landing w/o thrust assisstance
Operational Ceiling/Altitude: 16.8 km
Maximum Altitude: 21.1 km
Cruising Speed: Mach .81 Sea Level
Supercruising Speed: Mach 1.41 @ Altitude
Maximum Speed: Mach 2.65 @ Altitude
Crew: 1 (Pilot)
Avionics Suite:
AOC Fly-by-light digitalized control
OLED Wraparound Canopy HUD
HIMUD Helmet Targeting & Cueing System
GFVm-aero Multiband 3D Phased Array Targeting Radar System
GFVs-aero Multiband 3D Phased Array Targeting Radar System (twin spike rear arrays)
Multiband Optical Targeting System (MOTS) Thermal, Visual, Laser Targeting & Designation with VLD Ground Targeting Suite (Retractable, Forward Nosecone, Belly)
SaBOCAD Battlenet uplink
Pathknowledge M5 INS
Pathknowledge Programmable Autmatic Control
C97 Intergrated Defense Countermeasures System (Chaff, IR/LD Blinder, CCDB, Radar Blinders, Intergrated Radar Jamming Suite)
Price: $64,331,424
Variants & Upgrades
B Model (Block VIII) STOL Variant (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12767714&postcount=59)