Rosdivan
02-11-2007, 23:55
Originally posted at http://www.rosdefense.co.ros
In a deal that will certainly shock the domestic aerospace industry, the Commonwealth Army of Rosdivan has announced that it has successfully obtained a domestic license for production of the Questerian Hawker Cossack (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13163642&postcount=2). Though the Army's desire for a new land based anti-invasion maritime strike plane suitable for use in the Home Islands has been known for some time, the selection of a foreign aircraft was completely unexpected, especially given the current government's protectionist policies. Devalt Industries' SuperCorsair program was widely expected to be the winner of the contract, valued at over thirty billion pents (eighty-two billion USD).
Army spokesman Randolf Hames defended the decision, stating that, "Of the thirty billion pents, less than two will be spent outside of the nation, as royalties to Questers. The remainder of the contract will be spent here in Rosdivan, preserving local jobs. This will also help save tax dollars and increase our defense capabilities, as studies showed that the cost of development alone would equal or exceed the cost of producing these aircraft as well as taking several years longer to reach initial operating capability."
The Rosdivani Cossacks, designated A-51A by the Commonwealth Army, are not entirely the same as other Cossacks. For instance, the Army's intended use requires them to have a radar, as they will be forced to attack smaller targets, such as landing craft. Thus, where foreign Cossacks have ballast in their nose, Rosdivani Cossacks will mount an AN/APG-80 Active Electronically Scanned Array. The availability of a synthetic aperture imaging resolution of better than one foot was a key factor in the selection of this radar system. Additionally, unlike foreign Cossacks, the Army has no need for aircraft carrier capability with its own Cossacks, and so various elements of this shall be eliminated, although the main carriage strengthening is likely to remain for improved rough field performance.
The first of an expected 1,450 A-51A Cossacks is expected to join Attack Squadron 276, "Hellrazors," in three years time, IOC following within a few months.
In a deal that will certainly shock the domestic aerospace industry, the Commonwealth Army of Rosdivan has announced that it has successfully obtained a domestic license for production of the Questerian Hawker Cossack (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13163642&postcount=2). Though the Army's desire for a new land based anti-invasion maritime strike plane suitable for use in the Home Islands has been known for some time, the selection of a foreign aircraft was completely unexpected, especially given the current government's protectionist policies. Devalt Industries' SuperCorsair program was widely expected to be the winner of the contract, valued at over thirty billion pents (eighty-two billion USD).
Army spokesman Randolf Hames defended the decision, stating that, "Of the thirty billion pents, less than two will be spent outside of the nation, as royalties to Questers. The remainder of the contract will be spent here in Rosdivan, preserving local jobs. This will also help save tax dollars and increase our defense capabilities, as studies showed that the cost of development alone would equal or exceed the cost of producing these aircraft as well as taking several years longer to reach initial operating capability."
The Rosdivani Cossacks, designated A-51A by the Commonwealth Army, are not entirely the same as other Cossacks. For instance, the Army's intended use requires them to have a radar, as they will be forced to attack smaller targets, such as landing craft. Thus, where foreign Cossacks have ballast in their nose, Rosdivani Cossacks will mount an AN/APG-80 Active Electronically Scanned Array. The availability of a synthetic aperture imaging resolution of better than one foot was a key factor in the selection of this radar system. Additionally, unlike foreign Cossacks, the Army has no need for aircraft carrier capability with its own Cossacks, and so various elements of this shall be eliminated, although the main carriage strengthening is likely to remain for improved rough field performance.
The first of an expected 1,450 A-51A Cossacks is expected to join Attack Squadron 276, "Hellrazors," in three years time, IOC following within a few months.