NationStates Jolt Archive


LUK-47 'SaberFang'

Tigerlan
07-08-2007, 12:20
Luft-Überlegenheit Kämpfer-Vierzig Sieben
LUK-47 'SaberFang' Air Superiority Fighter


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/SaintB/saberfang.png?t=1245105361

The LUK-47 was originally built as Tigerlan's principal testbed for composite materials and sophisticated fly-by-wire control systems. The aircraft makes use of forward-swept wings allowing superb maneuverability and operation at angles of attack up to 45° or more. Also, forward-swept wings offer lower wave drag, reduced bending moments, and delayed stall when compared to more traditional wing shapes. Unfortunately, forward sweep also induces twisting (divergence) strong enough to rip the wings off an aircraft built of conventional materials. Only recently have composite materials made the design of aircraft with forward-swept wings feasible.

To solve the problem of wing-twisting, the LUK-47 makes use of composite materials carefully tailored to resist twisting while still allowing the wing to bend for improved aerodynamic behavior. Due to its comparatively large wingspan, the LUK-47 is to be equipped with folding wings, in order to fit inside Tigerlani hangars.The LUK-47 is of tandem-triplane layout, with canards ahead of wings and tailplanes. Interestingly, the LUK-47 has two tailbooms of unequal length outboard of the exhaust nozzles. The shorter boom, on the left-hand side, houses rear-facing RADAR, while the longer boom houses a brake parachute.

The forward-swept midwing gives the unconventional (and characteristic) appearance of the LUK-47. A substantial part of the lift generated by the forward-swept wing occurs at the inner portion of the wingspan. The lift is not restricted by wingtip stall. The ailerons - the wing's control surfaces - remain effective at the highest angles of attack, and controllability of the aircraft is retained even in the event of airflow separating from the remainder of the wings' surface.

The wing panels are constructed of nearly 90% composites. The forward-swept midwing has a high aspect ratio, which contributes to long-range performance. The leading-edge root extensions blend smoothly to the wing panels, which are fitted with delectable slats on the leading edge; flaps and ailerons on the trailing edge. The all-moving and small-area trapezoidal canards are connected to the leading-edge root extensions.

The plane features variable geometry wings that sweep automatically during flight. For high-speed intercept, they are swept back; they swing forward to allow the LUK-47 to turn sharply and dogfight.

Thrust vectoring

Although not revolutionary, the thrust vectoring of 20° at 30°/second in pitch and yaw will greatly support the agility gained by the forward-swept-wings.

Cockpit

The cockpit's design has focused on maintaining a high degree of comfort for the pilot and also on the pilot being able to control the aircraft in extremely high g-load manoeuvres. The aircraft is equipped with a new ejection seat and life support system. The variable geometry adaptive ejection seat is inclined at an angle of 60°, which reduces the impact of high g forces on the pilot. The seat allows dogfight maneuvers with significantly higher g loadings than can normally be tolerable. The LUK-47 pilot uses a side-mounted, low-travel control stick and a tensiometric throttle control.

Electronics and sensors:
The Electronics and sensors of the LUC-47 are created by SaintB Integrated Systems of the SaintB, using all digitalized glass cock pit , and heavily integrated avionics, using photonic Fly by light controls, integrated battle net, LIDAR/RADAR over the horizon RADAR and GPS accurate to with in a few hundred meters. The battle net can link up and communicate with any friendly forces in the area, as well as access instant information from ships satellites and ground sources, the canopy it self is an LCD crystal display using fiber optic wiring, it automatically tracks targets , targets the nearest enemy fighter. An axillary display is also available. The electronics package also includes auto GPS and automatic remote guidance for missiles, as well as next generation ECM and ECCM systems.

The LUK-47 is also equipped with an auto dispensing chaff and decoy system, any threat or lock on to the craft will result in automatic determination of speed, thread and position , and either recommend that an Anti radiation missile/ Active radar homing missile be used. Against a SAM site , or the system will automatically dispense chaff or a decoys. The sensors also contain Radar warning receivers good up to 500 NM or (805 KM)

Possible Armaments and missile systems Used by Tigerlan(not for sale):

The Silver strike 2 (Designed in The Fedral Union by Confederate Arms) and is a 2 meter long Dual staged Air to Air missile equipped with a chaff cluster, its sensors are upgraded LIDAR/RADAR, with the capability to home in on Passive/active radar ECM and ECCM, its is powered by liquid oxygen , and the second stage has a vectoring thrust nozzle to guide the missile. It can home in directly on aircraft using active RADAR/LIDAR, ECM or ECCM suits, it also has an optional heat seeking ability. The missile can turn and vector any witch way and has a rather long range, the silver strike 2 is a fire and forget missile system. Using the UD-101 Liquid propellant rocket engine, it is a fire and forget missile with auto tracking, and guidance.


The LUK-47 also contains the Javelin 2 missile system , it is an Air to air fire and forget more conventional medium range anti radiation missiles with LIDAR/RADAR guidance and homing capabilities, it is powered by a standard UD-51 Rocket.

The Third and final missile type is the standard AIM-102 Super sidewinder, that is a short range LIDAR/RADAR guided fire and forget missile it also have guidance and homing capabilities, it is powered by a standard UD-51 Rocket.


General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 22.6 m (74 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 15.16 m to 16.7 m (49 ft 9 in to 54 ft 9 in)
Height: 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in)
Wing area: 666 ft² (61.87 m²)
Empty weight: 36,100 lbs (16,375 kg)
Loaded weight: 77,162 lbs (35,000 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 88,184lbs (40,000 kg)
Powerplant: 2× Lavar Aero RM39 afterburning, thrust-vectoring turbofans with digital control
Dry thrust: 40,700 lbf each
Thrust with afterburner: 47,000 lbf each

* Thrust vectoring: 20° at 30° per second in pitch and yaw

Performance

Maximum speed: Mach 3.6
Range: 3,300 km (2,050 mi)
Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,050 ft)
Rate of climb: 230 m/s (45,300 ft/min)

Armament

Guns: 1 × 27 mm Mauser BK-27 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauser_BK-27)
Missiles:6 internal, 12 underwing, and 2 wingtip (Note: The SaberFang is outfitable with most, if not all, Air to Air Missiles)

Cost to Produce:120 million
Sale Price:170 million
DPR Price: 9.4 billion

Currently Used By
The Totalitarian Socialist State of Tigerlan
The Kingdom of SaintB
The Empire of Binaria
Tigerlan
08-08-2007, 03:47
Bump
Dweladelfia prime
08-08-2007, 04:16
At Mach 5.1 the wings on that plane would be torn off. You cant have a jet go that fast with the wings forward like that. They would rip right off.
1010102
11-08-2007, 08:04
The Empire of Binaria wishes to aquire the DPR for the LUK-47 'SaberFang' Air Superiority Fighter. the total is 9.4 billion USD to be wired upon confirmation.
Tigerlan
11-08-2007, 19:06
The Empire of Binaria wishes to aquire the DPR for the LUK-47 'SaberFang' Air Superiority Fighter. the total is 9.4 billion USD to be wired upon confirmation.

Order Confirmed, Please enjoy the LUK-47 SaberFang
Animarnia
11-08-2007, 20:49
OOC: You'd probably need to have a Switch blade style Wing to achive Mach 4+ with forward swept Wings other than that...looks pretty decent and if I didn't use my own fighters I might buy some
SaintB
12-08-2007, 10:58
The Saber Fang is used in SaintB under the designation AS-17 Gargoyle as our Air Services superiority fighter. Its heavy payload and high manueverability insure that this plane will be a powerhouse in the sky for years to come.
Alfegos
12-08-2007, 11:30
Alfegos Ministry of War

Proving Department

The governement would like to purchase 5 of these fighters for testing in our nation. We will reply to you with our results.
Tigerlan
12-08-2007, 20:59
Alfegos Ministry of War

Proving Department

The governement would like to purchase 5 of these fighters for testing in our nation. We will reply to you with our results.

Order Confirmed, We are interested in your findings.
Groznyj
13-08-2007, 02:06
ooc: nice to see you gettin' active on II friend :D
Dostanuot Loj
13-08-2007, 02:10
OOC: There is a reason no forward swept wing aircraft goes faster then mach 2.1, and it has nothing to do with engine power. Aerodynamics, and the fact that the materials needed to deal with the muge stress on the airframe, along with heat protection and cooling systems from friction once you push past mach 2.5 will all make your single plane cost more then the space shuttle to build, and take just as much time on the ground after every flight to repair and maintain.

Composits also tend to melt, which is why the F-22 is limited to no faster then something like mach 2.4. The faster you go the more friction, meaning more heat, and it grows exponentionally. It's also why aircraft designed to go faster, such as the XB-70, Mig-25 and Mig-31, or other such aircraft, are all made mostly from titanium and stainless steel.

It's also not a good idea to rip parts of your writeup directly from wikipedia. It's just bad form.
The Far Echo Islands
13-08-2007, 02:25
I agree with the critics on this one, there is a lot that needs to be revised on this plane. Even though I love the JAU-64, this plane is just too much of an exagguration of capibilites. And in a fighter aircraft, it is almost pointless to go over Mach 2 because once you have a target, you can fire you missile which goes way faster than your plane no matter what. So, while I'm normally a fan of 'Arms of Tigerlan' the LUK-47 needs some work before I'm willing to dish out the 9.4 billion for DPR's. (Mainly, a lot of this argument could be fixed if you'd jus lower that speed to mach 2.1, which is damn fast still.) Or is this all FT?
Shenyang
13-08-2007, 02:30
The wings would actually detach on a FSW design somewhere in the area of Mach 2, much less Mach 5, it produces some of the most awesome performance possible, manueverability-wise, at the expense of speed. Of course, in a true dogfight, the more manueverable guy with the gun wins. Even with missiles, if they shoot, and you can lose the missile, its a great choice. As stated, the problem is speed with FSW, It simply can't do it. Now, if it was a switchblade, it could tuck the wings into a psuedo-delta, and get up to much higher speeds, Mach 5 is still tough though.

Disclaimer:
All above info based on my limited technical knowledge.
Tigerlan
13-08-2007, 10:11
Speed has been lowered
The Candrian Empire
13-08-2007, 12:26
FSW is ideal for transonic design. In something like this you'd get some truly wicked control reversal. The design, at first glance, seems... about 8,000 kg too light. Even using composites, getting a FSW desgin to restrict twist (especially a swingwing one) and still go supersonic (not a good idea, at least have them fold forward to a delta well before speed of sound) you run the risk of having an all-composite construction be heavier than steels and titanium.

I also wouldn't mount missiles of unspecified weight on the wingtips of a swing wing fighter... could lead to a lot of unintended drag. Really, just chuck 'Missiles' and replace with 'Hardpoints' along with maximum weights so people can get a better idea of how they can load one of these out.

A few issues with the picture - a very inefficient nosecone, and the wings seem to connect directly to the engine nacelles... which is odd, since they need a lot of space for actuation. In short, the picture needs work.
SaintB
14-08-2007, 22:25
The drawing was done by me, I was planning on doing some modifications to it when I could, thanks for the input Candrian. At least its not another F-22 clone though right?
Tigerlan
28-08-2007, 05:11
Bump