Aprika
12-06-2008, 03:08
Hey guys. I'm new here in this nation, but I have been here many times before as different nations. However, I was a serious noob then so I'd rather not make a bad impression (Or embarrass myself) by talking about that :p
Anyway, after skimming through the forums several times today, I came across Space Union's very interesting "Building A Fighter" tutorial and tried my hand at it this afternoon, coming up with a lightweight air to air combat design I designated AS-1 (AS for "Air Superiority") Kestrel. Basically I want opinions on the realism of the design, in particular the weapons and price stats.
The stats I modeled the Kestrel off of were the JAS 39 Gripen, F16 Fighting Falcon, and HAL Tejas, as well as stats giving for the example jet in the tutorial. I probably messed it up pretty badly though, as I'm terrible at math and had to convert all of the numbers from the metric system so that I would feel comfortable working.
Here are the stats, and I can give a more detailed writeup if anyone wants it;
Model: AS-1 Kestrel
Manufacturer: Republic Weapons
Type: Lightweight Air Superiority Fighter
Length: 44 feet (Around 48 feet for AS-1B)
Wingspan: 27 feet
Height: 14 feet
Propulsion: 1 x JE19 turbofan producing 18,750 lbf dry thrust and 27,000 lbf with afterburner
Empty Weight: 12,000 pounds
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 36,000 pounds
Minimum Fuel Weight: 7500 pounds
Maximum Fuel Weight: 10,500 pounds
Limit Per/Number of Pylon(s): 6 external hardpoints, 3 on each wing
Maximum External Payload: around 8000 pounds
Normal Combat Weight: 26,500 pounds
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: Around 1/1 with activated afterburner
Combat Range: 420 miles
Ferry Range: 1,350 miles
Operational Ceiling/Altitude: 50,000 feet
Maximum Altitude: 65,000 feet
Top Speed: Mach 1.7
Crew (List): One pilot (AS-1A), Pilot and Co-pilot (AS-1B)
Price: $70,000,000 USD
I also want to know if anyone happens to have an Microsoft Excel military calculator I've been looking for. It had you in put your nation name, population, and probably some other stuff and then you could do things like set your tech level and change were the funds go across all the various branches and programs. It had some pretty colorful descriptions as well, such as a comment about supposed low tech level spy satellites actually being weather balloons. It also included magic as I remember.
Thanks in advance :)
Anyway, after skimming through the forums several times today, I came across Space Union's very interesting "Building A Fighter" tutorial and tried my hand at it this afternoon, coming up with a lightweight air to air combat design I designated AS-1 (AS for "Air Superiority") Kestrel. Basically I want opinions on the realism of the design, in particular the weapons and price stats.
The stats I modeled the Kestrel off of were the JAS 39 Gripen, F16 Fighting Falcon, and HAL Tejas, as well as stats giving for the example jet in the tutorial. I probably messed it up pretty badly though, as I'm terrible at math and had to convert all of the numbers from the metric system so that I would feel comfortable working.
Here are the stats, and I can give a more detailed writeup if anyone wants it;
Model: AS-1 Kestrel
Manufacturer: Republic Weapons
Type: Lightweight Air Superiority Fighter
Length: 44 feet (Around 48 feet for AS-1B)
Wingspan: 27 feet
Height: 14 feet
Propulsion: 1 x JE19 turbofan producing 18,750 lbf dry thrust and 27,000 lbf with afterburner
Empty Weight: 12,000 pounds
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 36,000 pounds
Minimum Fuel Weight: 7500 pounds
Maximum Fuel Weight: 10,500 pounds
Limit Per/Number of Pylon(s): 6 external hardpoints, 3 on each wing
Maximum External Payload: around 8000 pounds
Normal Combat Weight: 26,500 pounds
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: Around 1/1 with activated afterburner
Combat Range: 420 miles
Ferry Range: 1,350 miles
Operational Ceiling/Altitude: 50,000 feet
Maximum Altitude: 65,000 feet
Top Speed: Mach 1.7
Crew (List): One pilot (AS-1A), Pilot and Co-pilot (AS-1B)
Price: $70,000,000 USD
I also want to know if anyone happens to have an Microsoft Excel military calculator I've been looking for. It had you in put your nation name, population, and probably some other stuff and then you could do things like set your tech level and change were the funds go across all the various branches and programs. It had some pretty colorful descriptions as well, such as a comment about supposed low tech level spy satellites actually being weather balloons. It also included magic as I remember.
Thanks in advance :)