Aviation Monthly Options

[Cobretti]

Hey guys, this is the first installment on a magazine style review of the weapons and technology used in the ROTR world. I'll be doing most of the US aircraft first, I do plan on moving on to other faction's aircraft later on and perhaps expanding to ground vehicles, firearms, and warships. (Ever wanted to learn more about the Spirit of Freedom and it's sister ship?) Here's the first part:

Aviation Monthly: September 203x
United States Airpower, Part I
- Written by Amy Kelly
As tensions rise in Eurasia over the recent skirmishes in Africa and economic stagnation in Russia, so too has the specter of another major war in Europe and the eventual American involvement. Despite the downfall of NATO after the ill-advised US retreat from Europe 15 years ago, the Bradford administration maintains a strong anti-Russian expansionist policy and indications hint at possible military and economic action in favor of the European Continental Alliance should hostilities break out.

Ever since the Second World War, the United States military has relied extensively on air dominance to achieve battlefield superiority. As any member of the USAF or Naval Air Force can tell you, no US soldier or Marine on the ground has been killed by enemy aircraft since the Korean War. Even after the post GWOT cutbacks, the US military has maintained a strong Air Force and naval air capabilities, and seeks to further expand said capabilities in an ever more dangerous world. This article seeks to explore information about the aircraft used today by the various branches of the US armed forces.

TRANSPORT/AIRLIFT:
Though the majority of heavy airlifting by the USAF is done today by conventional aircraft such as the C-130J Super Hercules and C-17B Globemaster III, VTOL aircraft have become a more and more capable replacement for helicopters and light cargo transport.

Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey: Although the V-22 Osprey had a troubled development phase, today it serves as the main medium lift aircraft used by the US Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy. Even though newer designs such as the V-25 Goshawk are planned to eventually phase out the Osprey, it still sees heavy use as a transport aircraft by American combat forces and will see heavy use in the foreseeable future.

Bell-Boeing V-25 Goshawk: The V-25 Goshawk is one of the newest aircraft used by the US Armed forces, and is the end result of the JMR-Heavy Future Vertical Lift program. By the end of the last decade, the US Army desired a new VTOL transport to replace the aging CH-47 Chinook fleet, which had been wearing out through heavy use in the past two decades. Although the Army had declined to take part in the V-22 program, they looked with interest in the further development of tiltrotor aircraft. The V-25 Goshawk was the intermediate step between the light V-22 Osprey and the heavy V-34 Starlifter II. Compared to the CH-47 Chinook, the V-25 is capable of carrying more cargo faster, longer, and at a higher altitude. As an infantry carrier, it can transport a platoon of infantry or a single Cougar MRAP or HMMWV. In contrast to the Osprey, the Goshawk is a semi-tilt-wing with 250% more wing surface, roughly 60% of which tilts along with the engine nacelles, and a lifting body, significantly improving glide capability and allowing to remove the fancy - and heavy - transmission, converting the engines to straight-up carbon composite turbine turboprops with only standard reduction gearboxes remaining. Today, the US Army and US Navy are the main users of the V-25 Goshawk whilst the USMC and US Air Force are considering purchasing them to replace their aging Ospreys.

Bell-Boeing V-34 Starlifter II: The first examples of the V-44 entered the late prototype testing phase during the end of the GLA War, but budget cutbacks slowed its entry into service until quite recently. By the end of the last decade, the US Army desired a new VTOL transport to replace the aging CH-47 Chinook fleet, which had been wearing out through heavy use in the past two decades. Although the Army had declined to take part in the V-22 program, they looked with interest in the further development of tiltrotor aircraft. As the end result of the Bell-Boeing Quad Tilt Rotor program, the V-34 is the direct replacement of the CH-47 Chinook and the CH-53 Super Stallion, and is planned to phase out the C-130J Super Hercules. The quad tilt rotor engines give it a cruising speed of over 350 knots and allow it to land in places the C-130 cannot. It is capable of carrying around 26,000 kilograms of cargo (or several M5A1 Schwarzkopf �Crusader� light tanks or IFVs), or 110 paratroopers/150 infantry.

Lockheed-Martin C-130J Super Hercules, Boeing C-17B Globemaster III, & Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy: When heavier lifting is required by the US military’s expeditionary forces, the fixed wing airfleet comes into play. Though the C-130J Super Hercules and C-5M Super Galaxy are old (yet proven and popular) designs, the more advanced Boeing C-17B Globemaster III is an increasingly common sight in the US Air Force as well as the air forces of other nations. The C-17 underwent a mid-life upgrade even before the newer export production run, including double-slotted flaps, an additional main landing gear on center fuselage, more powerful engines (F-117-PW-200 turbofans) and other systems for shorter landing and take-off distances, a LANTIRN AN/AAQ-13 pod and passive radar installed into the nose, and an optional bulkhead separating the troop bay from the cargo bay for passenger comfort.

~~~

I hope you enjoyed the first part, stay tuned for Part 2!

This post has been edited by DerKrieger: 29 May 2014, 15:52

[MARS]

Very cool premise, although some of the technical designations are off in the light of certain updates that are yet to be posted. Nothing that a simple revision after the update couldn't fix though, so nice work. The timeline is a little off though: Bradford became president in 2044, Russia's recession began after the African debacle of 2041 and in the late 2030s, the US was more concerned with Russia's expansion into Africa rather than the possibility of a Russo-European War. By the way, there will be a pre-1.85 update that'll provide some background on the USS Spirit of Freedom which you may want to wait for first just to be safe.

PS: V-25 Goshawk, eh? I appreciate the EndWar reference^^

[Cobretti]

Ah, my bad, I thought that WWIII started in 2039 rather than in the mid 2040s. The next update will be on some US combat aircraft (likely fighter jets) so it'll be a while until I get to work on warships. I've already kicked around ideas as for stuff about the navies and air forces but it'll be some time before I get to them much less the Spirit of Freedom and its sister ship(s).

For the most part I've been envisioning the US Navy as being fairly conservative doctrine and design-wise, using Carrier Battle Groups centered around a seabase used as a home-port when away from Hawaii, Guam, or the continental US. In addition as a floating base for aircraft that can't be deployed from carriers, the seabase would serve as a resupply, repair, and refueling station for whatever CBGs are attached to it. You'd have a CBG consisting of a Nimitz or Ford class supercarrier as a flagship with Lexington-class drone carriers serving in the same role as escort/light carriers did in WWII, in addition to Littoral Combat Ships, AEGIS destroyers & Zumwalt gunboats, submarines, amphibious assault ships, and whatever support ships are needed.

And the Goshawk is indeed an Endwar homage. Given that there are already several such homages in ROTR you can expect to see a few more from here on out. ^^

[MARS]

As for the MOBs, I currently operate under the premise that the US only have a total of two of them, the Spirit of Freedom in the Atlantic and the Spirit of Independence in the Pacfic. They're both the size of several football fields and include three runways that can even be used by transport planes and strategic bombers when required. The USN would still use 'classic' super carriers, but also drone carriers, submersible ships and generally employ a lot of automation and AI support on their ships to reduce the size of the crews and pack more weaponry/protection in their place.

[Svea Rike]

(sorry if off-topic) MARS, I think I have found a solution to this whole aircraft carrier naming convention: President Paulson was quite unpopular (y'all know why) so the sailors despise calling their carriers after Presidents. They made up their own nicknames, like Daedalus or Olympia! Does this make sense?

[MARS]

To be honest, I'd simply ignore those two names entirely. Any attempt at explaining them would only draw more attention to how unfitting they are.

[Cobretti]

By the way, if you are going to talk about the Raptor, I have revised my personal take on the matter to a certain degree to keep things simple:
F-22B = The Raptor you build in-game, essentially a more affordable downgrade of the F-22A which is still the best fighter in the ROTR world
F-22N = The Sea Raptor is the carrier version used by the Navy, but in terms of appearance and function, indistinguishable from the B-version in-game
F-22A = What used to be referred to as the King Raptor in ZH plus some modular upgrades.

As for the MOBs, I currently operate under the premise that the US only have a total of two of them, the Spirit of Freedom in the Atlantic and the Spirit of Independence in the Pacfic. They're both the size of several football fields and include three runways that can even be used by transport planes and strategic bombers when required. The USN would still use 'classic' super carriers, but also drone carriers, submersible ships and generally employ a lot of automation and AI support on their ships to reduce the size of the crews and pack more weaponry/protection in their place.

I was operating under assumption that there were only two MOBs as well, one for the Atlantic and one for the Pacific.

I've already written up the F-22 article, and it is rather similar. I thought the F-22 variant in use by ROTR was called the F-22C but it looks like it's been retconned to F-22B. I took the King Raptor to be an advanced model of F-22 with more advanced avionics, an rotary arms rack in the weapons bay, a point defense laser system, and carbon-nano tube armor. Some of the avionics upgrades were later fitted to the F-22B and the F-22B can mount the point defense laser system but it isn't standard as it was on the King Raptor. The King Raptor was in part conceived as a test bed for technologies for a 6th generation fighter aircraft which will be mentioned in the article.

The Sea Raptor is an issue of controversy: an aerospace engineer friend of mine has told me in the past that converting the F-22 to a carrier based fighter would be so complicated and thus expensive (and would likely compromise the aircraft's performance) you'd might as well design an entirely new aircraft for the role. I was operating under the assumption that the US's carrier based combat aircraft are F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornets, some sort of UAV based on MQ-47C Pegasi, and F-35C Lighting IIs (F-35Bs for the USMC's amphibious assault carriers). The aforementioned 6th generation fighter jet will also have a carrier based variant.

[Kalga]

To be honest, I'd simply ignore those two names entirely. Any attempt at explaining them would only draw more attention to how unfitting they are.

Or just explaining that they were officially classified as "aviation cruiser" (with reason being to get the budget pass through congress or some other such nonsense), they will still be called carriers by everyone else because, well, no one (except maybe congress) is fooled by that for even one minute.

The Sea Raptor is an issue of controversy: an aerospace engineer friend of mine has told me in the past that converting the F-22 to a carrier based fighter would be so complicated and thus expensive (and would likely compromise the aircraft's performance) you'd might as well design an entirely new aircraft for the role. I was operating under the assumption that the US's carrier based combat aircraft are F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornets, some sort of UAV based on MQ-47C Pegasi, and F-35C Lighting IIs (F-35Bs for the USMC's amphibious assault carriers). The aforementioned 6th generation fighter jet will also have a carrier based variant.

Since it's the future a quick handwave with something like "the higher state of US military infrastructure and tech base in general" make conversion more feasible... or something like the fact that the downgraded version of the Raptor is simplified enough that a sea version conversion is actually feasible.

[Cobretti]

GUNSHIPS:

((NB: There may be another addition to this, I'm not quite sure where to put this other airplane in. I'll likely reserve a special update for it at some later date...))

Lockheed-Martin AC-130U Spooky II: The USAF still maintains a small number of the older AC-130U gunships, although the airframes are slated to be replaced by the more advanced AC-17 Spectre II gunships in the coming decade due to age of the remaining aircraft and the ever-diminishing supply of spare parts for the aging Bofors L/60 cannons and M102 howitzers mounted on the aircraft.

Boeing AC-17 Specter II: The AC-17 Specter II first saw combat in the later part of the Global War on Terror as a replacement to the earlier C-130 based generation of gunships. Though it lacked stealth capabilities, its supersonic capability, heavy armament and armor, and advanced sensor systems made it a feared opponent for the GLA, especially during the invasion and liberation of Iran and the second Battle of Baikonur.

Though active use of the search radar is mainly relegated to reconnaissance UAVs, the Specter II retains an extensive search and targeting suite for detecting and engaging targets from long range, as well as a passive radar and multiple passive optical sensors.

As with the AC-130 the AC-17 Specter II’s main gun is located aft of the wing, enabling the cargo bay door and ramp to be used to easily load ammunition onto the aircraft. Instead of the manually-loaded 105 mm M102 of the AC-130 it uses an auto-loaded M777 155 mm howitzer, specially modified to increase inertia and thus lessen recoil. The howitzer aboard the AC-17 is normally loaded with either HEAT rounds or Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions. Each bomblet of the latter shell has enough power to punch through the top armor of a main battle tank.

Mounted under and slightly behind the wing are the twin linked radar targeted GAU-12/U Equalizer 25mm autocannons and a 6000 round magazine. When loaded with explosive shells as normal, these cannons serve as an anti-soft target weapon. The GAU-12/Us aboard the AC-17 are liquid cooled and feature advanced inertial dampeners to increase accuracy and lessen recoil.

The fore gun deck houses two Bushmaster II GAU-23/A 30mm cannons for mid-ranged targets. It was the inclusion of these two weapons, as well as the desire for the AC-17 to have a high response time, that necessitated the addition of two GE TF39 engines (in addition to the existing four F-117-PW-200 turbofans) with new compressors and digital management systems to prevent compressor stalls when the weapons were fired. The swing wing configurations and overpowered engines are enough to give the AC-17 a maximum speed in excess of Mach 1, allowing it to reach the area of operation much faster than the AC-130. There are plans to phase out the 30mm cannons on the AC-17 in favor of the new XM2342 railgun due to complications caused by the recoil.

Finally, the AC-17 features four Gunslinger launch systems capable of launching AGM-176 Griffin missiles, AIM-9X Sidewinders, GBU-44/B Viper Strike glide bombs, or AGM-305 Joint Air-to-Ground missiles. One Gunslinger is mounted on the chin, another on the upper fuselage near the tail, and one on each wing.

The AC-17 is well stocked with chaff and flares to defeat enemy ground fire, and is equipped with an ECM station, a directed infrared jamming device, as well as a towed decoy. It additionally features 20 mm ceramic plating, and the fuselage is separated into several critical compartments containing crew and armament and semi-empty non-essential areas under the outer skin. The Specter II’s fuselage features self-healing materials and a limited self-repair subsystem to increase survivability.

This post has been edited by DerKrieger: 17 Jan 2014, 2:37

[MARS]

Again, a very nice factual breakdown of the various systems some of these technical designations would be well-suited to spice up Wiki descriptions in the future. A little bit of clarification is required though: The -current- gunship, the AC-17, is actually referred to as the Spectre III and was only introduced after the GWOT when the Air Force was the only branch that came out of the crisis with its budget largely unscathed. The plane we saw in ZH was actually the Spectre II. I haven't come up with an alphanumeric designation for it, but it has been said that it was actually a project of the Navy which tried to create a compact, carrier-capable gunship that was more deployable than the classic AC-130. It was purpose-built for that function, but unfortunately prone to mechanical issues due to the booser/variable geometry setup.

[Cobretti]

Alright, I was under the impression that the gunship was the same one from Zero Hour due to the strong resemblance, the RotR gunship appearing to be a much more detailed model of the stock Zero Hour version. It looked a bit too large to be launched from a carrier.

[Svea Rike]

Sometimes I wonder, Kriger, if you read descriptions of the renders.

Also MARS your new avatar is badass, is that a logo from a game?

[MARS]

Easy there, Swedish, not everyone can dedicate as much attention to the fluff as you

The logo is from Tom Clancy's EndWar, EFEC Battlegroup 22. I liked that game ever since The_Hunter brought it to my attention because it has great futuristic unit designs and an interesting setting. Bit of a shame that there isn't much of a narrative to speak of and the gameplay isn't exactly objective-based, but it's fun and diverting every once in a while.

[Serialkillerwhal...]

They may name the carriers after presidents, but odds are the MOB series aren't considered carriers at all.

Maybe these larger craft are named after key concepts to the US (Freedom, Independence, Liberty, Patriotism, Democracy)

[Cobretti]

Aviation Monthly: October 203x:
US Airpower, Part II
by Dan Kim


TANKER:
Boeing KC-46B Pegasus: This tanker based on the successful Boeing 767 freighter/airliner has changed little from its original 2010’s incarnation, the B variant featuring increased automation and two wing-mounted Flight Refueling Limited MK.32B drogue hose pods that allow refueling of two fighter craft instead of one.

AWACS/AEW/RECON:
Boeing E-3 Sentry/Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS/Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint: In the past few decades the E-3 Sentry has continued to serve as the main AWACS system for the USAF, though it and its airframe cousins the E-8 Joint STARS and RC-135W Rivet Joint are currently being phased out by the EAL-797 AWACS. All three have had their original engines replaced with more reliable and fuel-efficient Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 turbofans (CFM56 on the RC-135) as well as full glass cockpits.

Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk Block II/MQ-4C Triton: The original Global Hawk was deemed too expensive for widespread use the US Air Force, although the program was salvaged by the cheaper Triton maritime surveillance variant purchased by the US Navy. During the Global War on Terror the Global Hawk proved to be a useful surveillance UAV, later being equipped with the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) radar system for tracking targets. The Global Hawk has also been developed into the KQ-4 tanker drone, augmenting the KC-46 tanker at a fraction of the cost.

Boeing P-8 Poseidon: The P-8 Poseidon, based off of the 737 airliner, serves as the US Navy’s anti-submarine and anti-ship aircraft. When compared to smaller carrier launched aircraft, the P-8 Poseidon has longer range and greater loiter capability. Furthermore, the recent deployment of the Spirit of Independence and the pending completion of its sister ship Spirit of Freedom make the P-8 Poseidon much easier to be deployed almost anywhere in the world. The P-8 Poseidon is usually armed with Mark 54 MAKO 324mm guided torpedoes or glide bombs in its internal bay, as well as AGM-84K SLAM-ER/Harpoon Block III anti-ship missiles on its underwing external mounts.

Northrop Grumman QE-2E Hawkeye: Although the US Navy’s plan for a new light utility aircraft was canceled after the GLA War, the US Navy has managed to refurbish and upgrade the E-2 Hawkeye AWACS into an unmanned aircraft. Its AN/APS-145 active-passive radar is now augmented with computer processing and is supplemented with the short-range sensors needed for optionally manned operation. In addition to the US Navy, the E-2E Hawkeye has been exported to other nations requiring carrier based AWACS systems such as France and Japan.


General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle/MQ-9 Reaper: Derived from the first-generation MQ-1 Predator, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle & MQ-9 Reaper are the primary reconnaissance and light attack UAV (respectively) used by the US Air Force and many other militaries worldwide. Even though technically superseded by more advanced UAVs such as the AQ-360 Hunter-Killer and the FQ-47C Pegasus, the MQ-9 Reaper still is an effective reconnaissance and strike platform due to its low cost, high loitering capabilities, and Gorgon Stare surveillance system.

This post has been edited by DerKrieger: 8 Jul 2014, 18:04

[Cobretti]

Aviation Monthly, October 203x
US Airpower, Part III
By Dan Kim

HELICOPTERS:


Sikorsky UH-60N Ghosthawk/MH-60 Seahawk: This stealthy evolution of the UH-60 Blackhawk proved to be a less expensive alternative successor for the Blackhawk helicopter. Infamous for its first known use in the bin Laden raid in Abbottabad back in 2011, the Ghosthawk combined the proven airframe and design of the Blackhawk with a stealthier fuselage and more advanced electronics. The UH-60N features updated engines and a new lightweight composite fuselage giving it greater speed and maneuverability than the first generation Ghosthawk, and has a fly-by-wire system and a Common Avionics Architecture System cockpit suite. The US Navy uses the MH-60 Seahawk as a transportation and SAR helicopter, it's anti-submarine and reconnaissance purpose supplemented by the MQ-23A Guardian tilt-rotor.

Bell UH-1Y Venom: The UH-1Y Venom serves as the main light transport helicopter of the US Marine Corps, and has received incremental upgrades since its initial deployment back in 2008.

McDonnell-Douglas MH-6M Little Bird: The MH-6M Little Bird is the main light attack helicopter and Special Forces utility helicopter used by the US Army's 160th SOAR. It remains in use as it can insert and extract special forces in situations the V-25 and UH-60N cannot.

Boeing AH-64E/F Apache Guardian: The AH-64E Apache Guardian was the US Army's main attack helicopter through the 2010s-2020s. During the Global War on Terror, however, concerns arose over the vulnerability of the Apache to ground fire. Losses during Operation Iraqi Freedom and an incident in Yemen early during the conflict with the GLA where several Apache gunships were shot down, necessitating a rescue operation led to the US Army to consider a new stealthier gunship design. Today the AH-64E is commonly seen in reserve units and the armed forces of foreign nations, as most front-line US attack helicopter units have since transitioned to the AH-66B and AH-64F since the end of the Global War on Terror.

The F model of the Apache further improved the Apache's electronics, speed and operational ceiling as well as introducing a faster and less-vulnerable vectored thrust ducted propeller tail design. The AH-64F model was also adopted by the Israeli Defense Force and the Japanese (under the title "Yumi") and Korean armed forces in addition to the US Army.

Bell AH-1Z Viper: Even though the US Army has mainly moved on with a new attack helicopter design, the US Marines maintain their AH-1Z Viper gunships. Like the UH-1Y little major upgrades have taken place to the airframe.

Bell MQ-23A Guardian: Due to concerns about the lack of space on warships for helicopters, particularly aboard the Freedom and Independence class littoral combat ships, the US Navy decided to develop a new UAV that would cheaply and more compactly perform reconnaissance and ASW missions. Bell's MQ-23 Guardian tilt-rotor design, based loosely on their Eagle Eye concept aircraft, won the competition and subsequently replaced the MQ-8 Fire Scout as a reconnaissance platform as well as performing anti-submarine duties.
The MQ-23A utilizes a single GE T700 turbo-shaft to power its twin transverse six-blade ducted rotors modified for low acoustic signatures, and is equipped with an AQS-13 dipping sonar as standard as well as two Mark 54 MAKO torpedoes. It is also capable of mounting Elint, FLIR, and anti-surface radar pods.

Boeing-Sikorsky AH-66B Comanche: The AH-64 Apache’s vulnerability to AA systems was an increasingly troubling factor during the Global War on Terror. A particularly notable event was during the invasion of GLA-controlled Yemen where several Apache gunships were shot down, necessitating a rescue operation for the stranded aircrew. However, Boeing-Sikorsky had a somewhat inexpensive solution in mind; the AH-66B, an enhanced gunship version of the canceled Comanche reconnaissance helicopter.

The AH-66B Comanche was first used by units such as the 160th SOAR whenever stealth was needed. Its stealth and agility were well liked and it was only a matter of time until the US Army and Marine Corps began to order the aircraft in number. The helicopter's advanced fly-by-wire makes it easier to pilot than previous generations of helicopters and its targeting system is a unique innovation. Previous gunship targeting systems were connected to the gunner's helmet, pointing the gunship's cannon at wherever the gunner is looking. The Comanche's advanced targeting system takes this premise one step further and actually monitors the gunner's eyes making targeting virtually instantaneous and incredibly precise. Additionally, the Comanche features a sophisticated sensor suite with a low-profile rotor mounted AESA radar, passive radar and ground search radar, as well as an ECM suite, Link-16 data-links, and UAV control compatibility. The helicopter is powered by two Honeywell T800-6H hydrogen turbo-shafts with 2,100 horsepower each.

As for armament the AH-66B retains the internal arms bay of its predecessor and is capable of carrying AGM-305 Joint Air-To-Ground Missiles, Hydra-70 rockets, and AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles. The AH-66’s stub wings are capable of mounting extra armament if necessary, though this degrades the stealth capability of the helicopter as long as unstealthy armament is carried on the wings. The rotor blades are made out of ceramic nanocomposites, the same material as the bulk of the fuselage.

This post has been edited by DerKrieger: 7 Oct 2015, 17:08

[Cobretti]

Aviation Monthly, November 203x
US Airpower, Part IV
By Richard Wynorski

FIGHTER/ATTACK:

Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block III/EA-18H Growler: Today the F/A/-18E/F Super Hornet is the main fighter aircraft of the US Navy in conjunction with the F-35 Lighting II. The latest models of the Super Hornet and the Growler electronic warfare aircraft include updated General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans, an infrared search and track system, conformal fuel tanks, and under-wing armament pods which increase the aerodynamics of the airframe as well as stealth capability. A large center-line pod is capable of carrying larger munitions such as the AGM-158B JASSM-ER. In addition to the ECM role performed by the Growler, the Super Hornet can be used as a carrier-based tanker aircraft.

Lockheed Martin F-22C Raptor: The continuation of the F-22 production line shortly before the GLA war proved to be somewhat fortuitous for the US Air Force. Fears regarding the development of 5th generation fighter aircraft from nations such as China and Russia were a major factor in deciding to resume the production of the F-22. The cost per aircraft was lowered greatly from the original due to economies of scale, though the total cost of the program was not inconsiderable. Costs saving elements from the F-35 program such as a more durable radar absorbing coating were implemented as well. Further funding was acquired for the deployment of the advanced F-22X King Raptor variant, as well as the export of the F-22 to several friendly nations. Lockheed-Martin was successfully able to export models of the F-22 to Japan, Australia, Israel, and Korea.

Initially developed as a possible midlife upgrade for the F-22 as well as a test bed for possible 6th generation fighter designs, the F-22X King Raptor was by far the most advanced fighter jet built yet. It featured more advanced avionics than the F-22A as well as a miniature Rotary Launcher Assembly within its internal weapons bays, giving it a larger internal payload. When equipped with AIM-210 Cuda missiles or the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb, the F-22X King Raptor has frightening offensive capabilities. The most ambitious features of the F-22X King Raptor were its integrated 150 kW A-THEL (Tactical High Energy Laser) laser point defense system and its carbon nano-tube armored fuselage, making the aircraft a powerful multirole tactical bomber. Alhough the A-THEL system could be mounted on most US aircraft with the capability to power it, the F-22X had it integrated as standard.

However, the high cost of the F-22X King Raptor prevented all of its upgrades from becoming a standard upgrade to the entire F-22 fleet, especially after the heavy military cuts in the wake of the GLA War. Still, the F-22C mid-life upgrade program has managed to incorporate most of the improvements of the F-22X King Raptor. The carbon-nano tube fuselage and Rotary Launcher Assembly were deemed too expensive to implement, but most of the avionics upgrades featured on the F-22X were retained. This means that the AN/APG-77 radar from the A model is still used in the F-22C rather than replacement by the more advanced AN/APG-81 of the F-35, albeit the radar and the AN/ALR-94 ESM have undergone upgrades. The latest incremental upgrade blocks to the F-22C include two L-band intercept radars, and multipoint radar capabilities and high-resolution down seeking upgrades to the AN/APG-77, as well as a “smart skin� multipoint phased radar array along the entire fuselage.

While the A-THEL system and Rotary Launcher Assembly were not made standard issue on the F-22C, the F-22C has the full capability to mount and utilize the A-THEL and has a redesigned armament bay allowing for the carrying of larger JDAMs. As of today, the A-THEL is often equipped on F-22C fighter jets deployed in theaters where they are likely to encounter significant enemy resistance. In addition, the F-22C Raptor has upgraded F119 2D thrust vectoring engines that not only have cooler exhaust, but increase the F-22's already considerable top speed and acceleration.

The normal air-to-air load-out of the F-22C are two AIM-9Z Sidewinders, one in each of the two side bays, and six AIM-120 AMRAAMs (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles) in the three main bays (twelve of the miniature AIM-210 Cuda radar-guided missiles). When equipped with the powerful ramjet AIM-120E AMRAAMs as is standard, the F-22C makes an extremely effective long range fighter. Although not as used as often as the F-35 in the air-to-ground role, the F-22C is capable of carrying most bombs 1000 lbs and less used by the USAF, including Small Diameter Bombs, GBU-35 JDAMs and the AGM-154 JSOW.

Lockheed Martin F-35A/B/C Lightning II: Despite the expansion of the F-22 Raptor’s production line, the F-35 serves as a front line stealth attack aircraft and tactical bomber in several branches of the US armed forces. The A variant serves as the USAF’s primary strike fighter, the B variant the US Marine Corps’ rapidly deployed stealth fighter from Wasp & America class amphibious assault ships, and the C the US Navy’s primary stealth tactical fighter, based from the Nimitz & Ford class supercarriers.

Though the design has had mainly incremental updates throughout the years, most notably advancements to the avionics, stealth capabilities, weapons payload, and the ability to mount A-THEL air defense lasers, the biggest advancement was the development of the laser armed F-35 during the GLA War. Despite most of the advanced weapons systems developed by DARPA and General Townes falling by the wayside due to postwar budget cuts, lasers and particle beam weapons persisted as anti-aircraft/missile/satellite weaponry and for specific precision strikes. The F-35 Laser Lighting II was one of the very few weapons systems used by General Townes that was not completely decommissioned after the war.

Back in the first two decades of the 21st century, the high cost of the F-35 was a controversial feature of this advanced fighter jet. What was unknown to the public at large was that DARPA had discovered that the space in the F-35 A & C variants left from the absence of the vertical turbofan found in the B variant made for a perfect space to install a capacitor for a laser weapon. The apparent rising costs of the aircraft were a ruse to mask the funds being poured into developing aircraft mounted laser weaponry. General Townes, the head of the division of DARPA dedicated to directed energy weapons, jumped at this chance and led the effort to develop a powerful laser weapon based on the F-35 platform. The end result was a powerful platform for long range interdiction missions. During the war, General Townes used the F-35 modified with focused laser pulse emitters to burn out entrenched GLA as well as surgically eliminate hostiles with a minimum of collateral damage and a maximum of psychological damage to the enemy. Unsurprisingly, seeing one’s comrades vaporize instantly with no warning was often enough to make GLA fighters turn and run.

After the war, this particular advancement to the F-35’s future was in question, however. Even though laser weapons were proven to be highly effective on the battlefield, their high cost and need for intensive maintenance made them unsuited for general issue throughout the US armed forces save for specific applications such as missile and artillery defense, anti-air/missile applications, and surgical strategic strikes. The funding simply wasn’t there to equip every F-35 with laser weapons despite their unquestioned effectiveness, and further procurement of the system was put on hold until the later years of the O’Connell administration. More F-35s have been seen equipped with laser weaponry in recent years, though barring full US entry into a Eurasian conflict it will be quite some time, if ever, before directed energy weapons ever become standard on any F-35 model.

Boeing F-24 Rapier:With the possibility of hostilities with Russia over contested resources in Africa comes the possibility of the US Air Force and Navy having to deal with a modern air force equipped with a sizable number of bomber aircraft capable of carrying long-range anti-ship missiles as well as 5th generation fighter aircraft. Although the US military is confident that the F-22 and F-35 are at least a match to any other combat aircraft, the US military has never been one to rest on its laurels when it comes to technological advancement.

Boeing's F-24 Rapier is the winner of the US military's Next Generation Air Dominance competition for a new 6th generation fighter aircraft. Initially started by the US Navy in order to produce an advanced long-range fighter/bomber, it found the US Air Force as an additional backer after the post Global War on Terror economic crisis. Currently, the F-24 Rapier is planned to enter service with the US Navy and Air Force in the 2040s.

The F-24 Rapier's sensor suite consists of a hybrid AN/APG-83 AESA/PESA radar with a singular emitter for high power at long range, and emitter-capable individual elements for precise short-range operation. In addition to the radar the F-24 features an optical seeker for close range targeting, an AI suite for target analysis (and optional unmanned flying), and front and rear infrared detection.

The weapons bay of the F-24 differs greatly from the F-22 Raptor; each of the aircraft's two main weapons bays can house up to three AIM-120s or LJDAMs in a staggered column. There is also a shallow midline bay and a small bay on each side of the fuselage for AIM-9 missiles. In lieu of a Vulcan cannon, the F-24 Rapier is armed with an A-THEL laser weapon as a close-range anti-aircraft weapon. The laser also can serve as a target designator for Paveway laser guided bombs. Test pilots report that the F-24 serves as an effective bomber in addition to a fighter/interceptor, being able to use the laser to paint the target before their own bombs hit.

Its airframe is comprised of titanium alloys, ceramic scale armor, and classified metals to improve heat distribution, vital at speeds over M3. The F-24 Rapier also has a new type of stealth coating based on that used on the F/B-40 Aurora bomber in addition to the usual array of passive stealth measures and an Integrated Countermeasures Complex of ECM, chaff and flares. It is also capable of carrying ADM-141 TALDs.

Perhaps the most revolutionary feature of the F-24 is its twin General Dynamics Mk2 pulse-detonation engines. Similar in design to the pulse-detonation engines used on the new EF-3000 Hurricane fighter, these engines use plasma ignition to ignite normal JP-8 fuel to propel the aircraft to maximum speeds in excess of Mach 3 and supercruise speeds of over Mach 2. For boosts at top speed, the F-24 has a scramjet booster (similar to the engines of Boeing's Stratobird airliner and Northrop-Grumman's F/B-40 Aurora bomber).

Crew: 1 pilot (zero with AI guidance)
Length: 22.80m
Wingspan: 25.53m
Height: 4.60m
Powerplant: 2 × General Dynamics Mk2 Pulse Detonation engines
range: 4,000 nmi (7,400km+)
Max Speed: Mach 4+ (5,550km/h+)
Armament: 1 × solid-state pulse laser (100 kW output), and a wide assortment of missiles and bombs (AIM -9Z Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-210 Cuda, GBU-35 & GBU-53B SDB, GBU-16/GBU-48/GBU-50 Paveway, AGM-130, AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-88E AARGM, AGM-240 Persistent Anti-Radiation Missile, AGM-178 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, AGM-190 LRASM, 150 kW A-THEL weapons and defense system

Fairchild A-10C Thunderbolt II: The A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately referred to as the “Warthog� is the premier close air support aircraft of the US military. Its survivability from both enemy fire and attempts among the US military to retire it have been legendary, as is its capability of delivering overwhelming firepower in support to ground forces. The A-10 has changed little from its original incarnation, though the aging airframes and vulnerability to the latest anti-aircraft weaponry make it an ever less common sight on today's battlefields. Still, the effectiveness of the A-10 Thunderbolt II against ground vehicles ensure that it'll be a mainstay in close air support for the near future.

Northrop Grumman FQ-47 Vindicator II: Unlike the earlier prototype models developed before the Navy budget cuts, the production model (based on the X-47C) is considerably larger with greater range and payload. During its initial deployment by the US Navy in the early years of the formation of the North American Union, the FQ-47 was seen as an effective choice of strike and reconnaissance aircraft due to its low cost, small size, and capability to be deployed on the Nimitz & Gerald R. Ford class supercarriers.

In spite of its low cost, it comes equipped with two dozen multipurpose optical sensors, a laser targeting designator for laser guided munitions, two (or rather, thanks to the processing system, one) wing leading edge AESA radars, and standard-issue passive radar. Its armament consists of two wing bays capable of carrying three AIM-9X/Z missiles, AGM-154s, or GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs each, in addition to a lesser number of smaller ordinance (up to 4,500 kg). The FQ-47 is also capable of carrying an Elint pod or an AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN.

Though the FQ-47 was not originally designed to use self-editing software unlike the later AQ-360 Hunter-Killer, Northrop-Grumman quickly modified the FQ-47 with an artificial intelligence core, making the aircraft capable of learning and adapting. Like the AQ-360, it is roughly about as intelligent as a large dog. Despite its size, it has comparatively long range and loiter time due to its single high-bypass afterburner-capable Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbofan.

General Atomics AQ-360 Hunter-Killer: During the first two decades of the 21st century, the MQ-9 Reaper UAV gained notoriety for their effectiveness and capability to conduct surgical strikes on enemy targets without risking US military personnel, all at a lower operating cost than a traditional fighter bomber. Yet in recent years General Atomics have produced an even more advanced UCAV.

Dubbed the Hunter-Killer, the AQ-360 uses the latest in aerospace technology to provide a cost-effective close air support and strike fighter unmatched anywhere else in the world. Unlike previous aircraft such as the Reaper, the Hunter-Killer is controlled by an autonomous AI core. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney turbofan, the Hunter-Killer is capable of loitering over the battlefield for around 20 hours at a high sub-sonic speed without any input from the ground. Its integral weapons bay can carry over 1,600 kg in ordinance in addition to the six wing-mounted hardpoints, and the Hunter-Killer’s advanced wide-area AESA radar provides unparalleled targeting and surveillance capabilities to merit the successor to older models of UCAV.

This post has been edited by DerKrieger: 23 Sep 2015, 19:05

[Cobretti]

Ok folks, there will be two more US aircraft that will be mentioned in the next update but this just about does it for the US faction. I haven't quite decided on what to do next but I am taking suggestions if people have anything technical about the RotR verse that they want to see me write about!

Aviation Monthly: December 203x:
US Airpower, Part V
by Richard Wynorski

BOMBERS:

Boeing B-52H Stratofortress: The long-serving B-52H is projected to remain in the USAF inventory until the 2040s, a historic record for service length of a combat aircraft. Even though strategic bombers are an arguably obsolete concept the B-52 is a cost-effective means of delivering large amounts of JDAMs and cruise missiles on target.

Boeing B-1B Lancer: Though the B-1B Lancer's role is quickly being superseded by the F/B-40 Aurora the B-1B still sees service when large weapons payloads are a requirement. The B-1B has been upgraded with more advanced electronics systems, RAM coating (though the design of te aircraft renders it less effective than that used on the B-2), the capability of carrying the latest generation of ordinance, and new F101-GE-203 afterburning turbofans that allow the aircraft to reach a top speed of Mach 2 as well as featuring new bypass contours to improve stealth from IR sensors.

Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit: Consistent upgrades to the B-2 airframe have ensured its utility even today. In addition to upgrades to the avionics and computer systems, the B-2 (and all other stealth aircraft) has received a new, more economical radar absorbent coating that doesn't require climate controlled hangars as well as upgraded GE F118 engines that are stealthier and cheaper to maintain. The B-2 is also the only aircraft capable of carrying the GBU-57 Block 3 Massive Ordinance Penetrator, a 30000 lb bunker-buster warhead that was famously used against the GLA in the later stages of the campaigns in the Middle East. When armed with the AGM-214 Waverider HSSW cruise missile, the B-2 Spirit finally has a standoff nuclear capability.

Northrop-Grumman F/B-40 Aurora: The aircraft we know today as the F/B-40 Aurora's history stretches a long way back into the 1980s, where DARPA, along with Northrop and Lockheed's Skunk Works experimented with a hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft intended to replace the SR-71 Blackbird. This first generation Aurora had a top speed of Mach 4-5 and was powered by liquid methane-fulled ramjet engines. At the time, there was no way to correctly deploy bombs or other ordinance from an aircraft moving at such high speeds.
The development of more sophisticated spy satellites and the end of the Cold War put an end to the Aurora project in the mid 90's. The project lay dormant though the technology developed for the engines would live on in spaceplane concepts and a new generation of rocket boosters.

DARPA was currently running a black project program designed to produce a hypersonic bomber, and Northrop-Grumman saw a perfect opportunity to recycle their Aurora and F/B-23 projects. Additionally, the USAF was also seeking for a new medium strategic bomber design to replace their aging B-1B and F-117 aircraft. The resulting aircraft was dubbed the Aurora after the code name for the original prototype aircraft.

The new Aurora was powered by two ramjet engines in an over-under configuration which were far more efficient and sophisticated than the engines of the original 1980's design. General Electric's new ramjet design used methylcyclohexane (MCH) as fuel and thermal management medium instead of the cryogenic methane of the original engine. MCH has roughly ten times the energy capacity of hydrocarbon fuels and is much safer and more practical to store and utilize than hydrogen or methane, important due to the extreme heat generated due to atmospheric friction when moving at high speeds and for avoiding IR detection. The principle behind MCH thermal management is based on a catalytic reaction transforming MCH into Toluene and Hydrogen, which are then used to fuel the aircraft. A fuel pump pressurizes the fuel to avoid boiling, and the preheater heats the fuel to the proper reaction temperature while removing heat from a secondary coolant. After preheating, the fuel passes through the catalytic heat exchanger/ reactor before being ignited by the engines. The secondary coolant, Syltherm, circulates to the hot spots to maintain skin temperatures to within specified tolerances. At low speeds, the Aurora's ramjet engines act as normal turbojets; at hypersonic speeds the compressor and turbine are switched off so the engines can operate as ramjets. However, there is a cost. The fuel consumption when in hypersonic mode is significant as is the heat buildup from both the ramjet and atmospheric friction. Normally hypersonic mode is used when carrying out an attack or when going sub-orbital, and the pilot conserves fuel by flying at high altitude at a subsonic speed after the attack is complete. The F/B-40A was capable of reaching Mach 6 in the atmosphere and was capable of boosting the engine enough to reach sub-orbit for short periods of time. The fuselage of the aircraft was primarily made of titanium alloy with the outer edges being made of Inconel, a heat-resistant stainless steel. At Mach 5 speed the leading edges of the air-frame would glow red above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

As for avionics, the F/B-40 Aurora has an APG-81 LPI AESA radar based on the same radar used in the F-35. This gives the F/B-40 Aurora high-resolution SAR imaging, improved resistance to jammers, and ECM capabilities. Two APG-W-29 L-band AESA radars are implemented in the wings, and a tail-mounted APG-T-24 X-band AESA is also standard. It also incorporates the ALQ-110 Next-Generation Jammer, which uses six AESA arrays for all around coverage, a full digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) jammer, a stealthy version of the ALQ-41 Distributed Aperture System, an internal contraphasic radar jammer, and chaff and flares.

Needless to say the Aurora being submitted to the Next Generation Bomber competition was a surprise to the USAF. Northrop-Grumman had managed to deliver DARPA's hypersonic bomber project early in time for the Next Generation Bomber. Though the Aurora was highly expensive, it was deemed to be far more cost-effective than purchasing both a subsonic Next Generation Bomber and a more advanced 2037 Bomber. The USAF adopted the aircraft as the F/B-40 Aurora and intended it to replace the F-15E Strike Eagle and the B-1B Lancer. The “fighter� designation has generally been accepted as misinformation to mislead foreign intelligence agencies; though the F/B-40 could feasibly be used as an interceptor there is no evidence suggesting that it is routinely used as such.

After the full entry of US troops into the Middle East and Central Asia as a result of the Global War on Terror, the F/B-40 Aurora had its time to shine in combat. The new aircraft was used as a deep strike bomber whenever speed was needed, and the F/B-40 was forward deployed at RAF Lakenheath, Diego Garcia, Bagram, and Andersen AFB during the conflict in addition to deployments in CONUS at Whiteman, Barksdale, Mountain Home, Seymour Johnson, and Eglin. Common armaments for the F/B-40 Aurora included the JDAM series (including the GBU-31(V)4/B “bunker buster� bombs) and the devastating GBU-44 10,000 lb thermobaric bomb.

Despite its numerous successes during the war the F/B-40 Aurora's service record was marred due to the infamous Aurora scandal and the later Shakhdara incident. The Aurora was initially a top secret project that was to be revealed as the USAF's Next Generation Bomber at some later date. However, a few Air Force staffers carelessly leaked recordings and non-critical, but still classified information about the aircraft to an anonymous source. The Air Force staffers were subsequently discovered and punished but the proof of the F/B-40 Aurora existing was already out there for all to see.

The Shakdara incident came about from the aftermath of a successful covert mission to destroy a well defended convoy of GLA moving black market nuclear and chemical weapons to Afghanistan through a pass in the Shakhdara mountains of Tajikistan ended up as a PR embarrassment for the USAF when one of the Aurora strike aircraft which carried out the mission was shot down on egress over Pakistan when returning to Diego Garcia. The F/B-40 Aurora pilots had decided to fly low to avoid possible detection and international incident by Russian or Chinese radar whilst in contested airspace. As mentioned before, the Aurora had little defense from possible enemy aircraft if its fuel was low and caught at low speeds. When the Auroras were returning to Diego Garcia at low altitude over Pakistani air space, GLA fighters on the ground were able to spot the aircraft and were able to intercept them with surface-to-air missiles. Despite the Aurora's stealth features, the GLA managed to shoot down one of the aircraft, its pilot managing to eject and evade capture before being rescued. The pictures of the wreckage were circulated widely online by GLA agents and the heretofore secret operation was now public knowledge. With the Incirlik attack and public reveal of the Aurora broadly in the public mind the USAF had yet another serious blunder on their hands, made even worse since it involved one of their most advanced black projects.

Despite the Shakhdara incident, the F/B-40 Aurora served well during the Global War on Terror, and it became feared among the GLA for its capability to drop a GBU-44 bomb anytime, anywhere, with absolutely no warning. Lockheed Martin and Boeing even developed an even faster variant, the F/B-40B, with a more powerful engine capable of Mach 8 flight in the atmosphere as well as an A-THEL anti-missile laser for defense. These Aurora bombers were given a flat black paint scheme instead of the grey camouflage of the F/B-40As and the F-22 & F-35.

After the war the Aurora's future was in question due to the high cost of producing and maintaining the aircraft. It was due to the skilled manipulation and arguments of General Eugene Griffon that Congress allowed the production run of the aircraft to continue as per the original plan. Today the Aurora serves in the USAF under more auspicious circumstances.

General Characteristics:

* Crew: 1; may have unmanned capability
* Length: 35 m (115 ft)
* Wingspan: 20 m (65 ft)
* Height: 6 m (19 ft)
* Wing area: 125 m² (1,345 ft²)
* Empty weight: 29,480 kg (65,000 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 71,215 kg (157,000 lb)
* Powerplant: 2× scramjet/turbine (500 kN est. thrust) each

Performance:

* Maximum speed: Mach 5-6 at altitude (unknown at sea level); F/B-40B; Mach 8+ at altitude
* Combat radius: over 2,400 km (1,500 mi)
* Service ceiling: over 100 km (62 mi)
* Thrust/weight: unknown
Fuel types

* MCH
* Possible use of MHD (MagnetoHydroDynamics) technology.

Armament/Equipment:
Max Payload: 3,600 kg (8,000 lbs) internal ordinance capacity, optional pylons on wings adding additional 8,000 lbs of ordinance. Capable of carrying nuclear weaponry.
Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance, and command & control equipment allowing the Aurora’s pilot to direct friendly forces. C4ISR and AESA radar standard.

This post has been edited by DerKrieger: 23 Sep 2015, 19:29

[Svea Rike]

That's one interesting take on the Aurora scandal. Seeing as how 90% of my Auroras in ZH were shot down on the return trip I am not surprised.

[Cobretti]

For sure, it was the most obvious way to interpret the Aurora scandal. I also was inspired by the time that F-117 got shot down over Serbia during the NATO bombing back in 1999.

[Pepo]

is me or did you forget the f-117

good job with that writings, i really like the info given about USA planes

This post has been edited by Pepo: 9 Feb 2014, 13:12

[Cobretti]

I didn't, I couldn't figure out a plausible reason for it to still be flying with the F-35 and such around so I took it that the Nighthawk in Generals was a F-35.

And thanks, I have two more aircraft to cover then I'm going to move on to some other factions stuff and/or take requests. I have some ideas about some of the other tech in RotR and how it operates, so I'd like to get to them sometime.

[Svea Rike]

The Nighthawk is obviously not an F-35. Maybe you could come up with something, like budget costs, cutbacks or maybe an explanation from MARS?

[Knossos]

A credible explanation would be that when the F-35 was finally put to the test, it was a multipurpose stealth fighter jet that wasn't multipurpose, wasn't stealthy, and isn't qualified to be called a fighter credibly, necessitating the USAF to bring back the Hog and the predecessor of all stealth jets, the F-117.

[8igDaddy8lake]

It might also be reasonable because the F117 is one of the few planes able to carry those bunker busters. I doubt an F35 could carry one of those...also, it could be explained as a much upgraded Nighthawk, made with more cost-effective stealth materials from other projects and better electrical systems.

This post has been edited by 8igDaddy8lake: 9 Feb 2014, 7:18

[MARS]

Personally, I've always operated under the mindset that the Nighthawks were refurbished and upgraded for export/service during the GWOT so that the leftovers of lost F-35s or other planes would not be sold off to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea or the like by some crafty GLA merchants. Not sure if I want to treat that as an official explanation myself though. The original game had the Nighthawk because it was still in service at the time and because they wanted a visual shorthand for 'this is the American stealth plane' and we left it in for the sake of nostalgia as well as the second original reason.

[Cobretti]

A credible explanation would be that when the F-35 was finally put to the test, it was a multipurpose stealth fighter jet that wasn't multipurpose, wasn't stealthy, and isn't qualified to be called a fighter credibly, necessitating the USAF to bring back the Hog and the predecessor of all stealth jets, the F-117.

Given that the F-35 has been performing quite well in tests (and has already entered production) it seems unlikely.

It might also be reasonable because the F117 is one of the few planes able to carry those bunker busters. I doubt an F35 could carry one of those...also, it could be explained as a much upgraded Nighthawk, made with more cost-effective stealth materials from other projects and better electrical systems.

The F-35 can carry every weapon the F-117 could and then some. The thing is an upgraded Nighthawk is rather unlikely...the airframes date back from the 1980s and the tooling to produce the aircraft has long been destroyed.

Personally, I've always operated under the mindset that the Nighthawks were refurbished and upgraded for export/service during the GWOT so that the leftovers of lost F-35s or other planes would not be sold off to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea or the like by some crafty GLA merchants. Not sure if I want to treat that as an official explanation myself though. The original game had the Nighthawk because it was still in service at the time and because they wanted a visual shorthand for 'this is the American stealth plane' and we left it in for the sake of nostalgia as well as the second original reason.

Yeah, I know y'all didn't want to replace the visually identifiable Nighthawk with an airplane that closely resembles the F-22 for gameplay reasons plus adherence to the original game. I'm just chalking it up to the game being made before the F-35 was designed and before the F-117 was prematurely retired. If they had made Generals today, or if I was in charge of designing models for RotR or some other Generals mod, I would have used a F-35 or some fictional stealth bomber aircraft.

[Kalga]

Given that the F-35 has been performing quite well in tests (and has already entered production) it seems unlikely.

Well the Generals timeline does deviate from our timeline... guess a few more things went wrong in their universe.

[MARS]

^ Right. I'd probably go for the F-35 as the US main fighter, give it decent multirole and exclusive air-to-air capabilities while adding more specialised planes for CAS, precision bombing and the like in the later tiers. The F-22 would actually be reserved a stealthy air superiority fighter used for a kind of anti-air overwatch support power, i.e. you mark an area and any enemy air units that move through it will get wiped out by off-map Raptors. They would dominate every other plane in that situation and grant the enemy player a hefty XP bonus if he manages to shoot them down.

[Cobretti]

I had decided to go with the explanation that in the Generals timeline the US didn't cut back on the F-22 orders so the Air Force ended up with the full production run and subsequently purchased less F-35s. As a result the F-22 was used more for air superiority while the F-35A was a multipurpose light fighter as designed just like the F-16. The Navy and Marines used their variants for the same roles. During the Global War on Terror the F-22 was a relatively uncommon sight, F-16s, F/A-18s, and F-15Es were more common in the skies over Central Asia and the Middle East as the GLA didn't have that much in the way of advanced combat aircraft.

[Svea Rike]

So... this... wait, now, uh... is this canon or not?

[MARS]

Parts of it can be, yes. I'll give this some proper thought at a later point in time.

[Cobretti]

So... this... wait, now, uh... is this canon or not?

I don't see why large parts of it can't be (I'm still not 100% satisfied about the new AWACS, but I felt given the timeline they'd be developing a new AWACS/ELINT aircraft to replace the older generation), I just tried to explain the idiosyncrasies of the Generals setting being made back when certain projects were still in development/hadn't been made yet (see my explanation for the F-35 and the Comanche/Apache) to a somewhat realistic extent. For better or worse, I couldn't think up of a reason for the F-117 to be flying around the Middle East on combat missions in the 2010s. Come to think of it though, a tactical bomber spinoff of the F-35 dubbed the "Nighthawk II" that roughly resembles the F-117 could be plausible...

There'll be a little of the same (read: questionably canon) about the other sides...I was thinking of explaining away the Chinese "MiG" as a J-20 variant rather than an anachronistic MiG 1.44, the ECA Harrier has bigger changes to the original aircraft than the in-game model may imply and the ECA has an entirely new 5+ generation Eurofighter aircraft (though the EF-2000 still remains in wide service by the time of the war), and I'm thinking of an idea as to why the Russian Air Force/Navy uses what appears to be the Su-47 as a combat aircraft (spoiler: It's a new aircraft heavily based on the Su-47 design, or I may just invent a whole new aircraft to take its place). I also had an interesting idea as to why the Paladin is referred to such in game rather than the M1A4 Abrams, as well.

[8igDaddy8lake]

To be honest, I believe the Nighthawk should be replaced with something filling a similar role, like the unmanned X-47B or something derivative of the A-12 Avenger II...

[8igDaddy8lake]

Also, some more research I did suggests that it could be an offshoot of the F117N program, which created some improved technology for the aircraft.

[Cobretti]

To be honest, I believe the Nighthawk should be replaced with something filling a similar role, like the unmanned X-47B or something derivative of the A-12 Avenger II...

The FQ-47C I covered in the "Fighter" section is in fact directly based off of the X-47B and would serve a very similar role to the F-117 in game (aside from being unmanned and mainly carrier based). I would have used it as a Nighthawk replacement too.

Anyone have any ideas for requests for me to do in the near future?

[8igDaddy8lake]

Ah, didn't see that about the FQ-47, thanks for pointing that out.

I'm curious as to why England still uses the retired Vulcan bombers in the mod. I know they really have no alternative, but those things would be ancient - there are only two flying right now, and those are for air shows. Did they start production of an improved variant or something?

[Cobretti]

No problem, the "X" designation is used for experimental aircraft if I recall. Should the X-47 enter service it'd most likely be referred to as the FQ-47 or AQ-47.

I had an explanation for that too. The short version is that the RotR Vulcan is an advanced delta wing bomber that has a strong resemblance to the original Vulcan, so it was named after the Avro Vulcan as an homage. I'll probably work on ECA aircraft and stuff next, unless someone else has an idea.

[MARS]

I'm curious as to why England still uses the retired Vulcan bombers in the mod. I know they really have no alternative, but those things would be ancient - there are only two flying right now, and those are for air shows. Did they start production of an improved variant or something?

It's not so much a matter of them using the retired Vulcans again, but rather having built a new plane that's heavily based on the Vulcan, equipped with modern day electronics and named after the original plane as an hommage. The ECA mainly has these planes in order to ensure some basic capabilities when it comes to strategic bombing and strengthen their nuclear deterrent, albeit not to the same extent as America or Russia.

[8igDaddy8lake]

I get it. It makes a lot of sense, and it wouldn't need a fantastic range as it is pretty much in range of everything interesting when based from England. I imagine the design sprouted when Russia started to act more aggressively, or maybe during the ECA-GLA conflicts.

[8igDaddy8lake]

And I wonder about the designation for the X-47. Your explanation is feasible and realistic, but the US military has had some weird naming conventions, like the SR-71 or the MQ-1. It might be called the MQ-47. But that's just quibbling over stuff that doesn't really matter.

[Cobretti]

I get it. It makes a lot of sense, and it wouldn't need a fantastic range as it is pretty much in range of everything interesting when based from England. I imagine the design sprouted when Russia started to act more aggressively, or maybe during the ECA-GLA conflicts.

I'd assume that it'd have the same range as most aircraft its size, the ECA would want something capable of hitting north/central Africa or Russia from bases in the UK. I believe MARS was referring to the ECA having a smaller strategic bomber fleet than the US or Russia.

And I wonder about the designation for the X-47. Your explanation is feasible and realistic, but the US military has had some weird naming conventions, like the SR-71 or the MQ-1. It might be called the MQ-47. But that's just quibbling over stuff that doesn't really matter.

The "SR" designation is for reconnaissance aircraft so a combat/recon UAV like the X-47 wouldn't be refered to as such. "MQ" does stand for multirole drones so it could be called the MQ-47C. The Pegasus in universe is primarily designed for close air support and reconnaissance though it is quite capable of air-to-air combat if necessary, though the US Navy generally leaves the air-to-air combat to Super Bugs or Lightning IIs.

[8igDaddy8lake]

I'd assume that it'd have the same range as most aircraft its size, the ECA would want something capable of hitting north/central Africa or Russia from bases in the UK. I believe MARS was referring to the ECA having a smaller strategic bomber fleet than the US or Russia.

The B52 actually has roughly double the range of the Vulcan, but I was actually referring to how the ECA has comparatively fewer refueling areas or tankers available compared to other powers (like Russia and the USA). The USA especially has many places it could refuel and/or rearm long-range aircraft, like the seabases.


The "SR" designation is for reconnaissance aircraft so a combat/recon UAV like the X-47 wouldn't be refered to as such. "MQ" does stand for multirole drones so it could be called the MQ-47C. The Pegasus in universe is primarily designed for close air support and reconnaissance though it is quite capable of air-to-air combat if necessary, though the US Navy generally leaves the air-to-air combat to Super Bugs or Lightning IIs.

I was using the SR71 as an example of weird naming conventions - the SR stands for Search and Rescue, which the plane would be fairly useless in as it is meant to take high-speed, high-altitude photography of military bases (I know the designation was used to fool Soviets, but they kept it even after the public reveal). And you said it yourself, the Pegasus is a multirole drone, used for CAS and recon, like the MQ-1.

[MARS]

The Vulcan bombers were actually one of the first things that showed up during the forming of the ECA's military component in the early/mid 2030s because Europe's new politicians actively embraced the notion of having their own strategic nuclear deterrent. Russia or the GLA didn't really factor into this mindset, but rather the idea that they'd ultimately need something like this if they wanted to be a real player on the global stage after the termination of NATO. This is supposed to mark the shift in Europe's self-image, i.e. abandoning the pure 'soft power' approach which left the former in-universe EU dependent on America and vulnerable without them. It's a subtle thing, but the As The War Approaches update a while back had a section where a German minister flat-out stated that the nuclear weapons of France and Britain (and by extension, their delivery systems) serve as the ECA's strategic deterrent. Anyone with a passing familiarity of RL German politics could attest that this sort of acknowledgement is the expression of a -serious- geopolitical shift in how the ECA perceives itself and its role in the world.

[Cobretti]

Alright, just got to do a revised US AWACS and then I'm going to do a writeup on the new Vulcan bomber since that seems to be quite popular. I'm also going to do notes on non-aircraft as well at some point, so heads up. This particular entry is a pure lore aircraft (thus far).

SpaceX/Alliant Tech Systems X-41 Hot Eagle Hypersonic Cruise Spaceplane, Northrop Grumman/Scaled Composites Model 378 White Knight Three: DARPA's Falcon project, designed to produce a hypersonic aircraft capable of reaching anywhere on earth within two hours culminated in three working projects; Lockheed Martin's F/B-40 Aurora bomber, Boeing's AGM/RGM-214 Waverider hypersonic anti-ship/cruise missile, and last but clearly not least, the X-41 Hot Eagle spaceplane.

The X-41 Hot Eagle was not initially intended to be a military aircraft, being created by SpaceX as an optionally manned spaceplane capable of efficiently traveling to orbit and beyond without the need of an expensive atmospheric rocket booster. SpaceX was inspired by Boeing's X-37 space plane; however the X-41 was larger and capable of carrying passengers and traveling at high orbit. The atmospheric engine technology used by SpaceX came from a licensed and modified version of the ramjet engine used on the F/B-40 Aurora and Boeing's Stratobird airliner. Though the engine was powerful enough to reach sub-orbit breaking Earth's gravitational pull would require an additional rocket engine. Northrop Grumman by way of their subdivision Scaled Composites had offered SpaceX an ingenious solution to the problem of booster rockets.

Scaled Composites had tested their own suborbital spacecraft by means of launching them from high altitude from a carrier aircraft; the first such mission was the launching of SpaceShipTwo from White Knight Two in August 2013. Testing proved that the concept was indeed viable, and Northrop Grumman produced the White Knight Three carrier aircraft for the X-41 Hot Eagle. The project was a great success and the X-41 Hot Eagle soon became the premier means of travel to the Pennsylvania space station, being famous in recent years for transporting the astronauts to the Pennsylvania to prepare for their departure to Mars on the followup to SpaceX's historic 2018 Red Dragon manned mission.

As a result DARPA showed great interest in this spinoff of their own design, and the US Air Force has ordered several of these spacecraft and carrier aircraft for orbital deployment of satellites, global tactical deployment, and maintenance of the SDI network.

[Cobretti]

Since this one was revealed in Doomhammer's livecast I don't think my balls are in danger of being cut off with a rusty spoon if I post this here. And that's just about it for the US aircraft!

Boeing EAL-797 Guardian Angel: The success of DARPA's High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS) mounted on the F-22X King Raptor and select other US aircraft during the Global War on Terror, as well as its spinoff the Perimeter And Local Area Defense Integrated Network (PALADIN) system on the M1A4 Abrams and AN/TWQ-1L Laser Avenger inspired the US Air Force to take a bold step with the next generation of AWACS aircraft.

As problems with maintaining the aging Boeing 707-based airframes of the USAF's AWACS and ELINT aircraft became prevalent during the first few decades of the 21st century, it became apparent that a successor was needed. Even though the Air Force had to deal with post-war spending cuts, advances in computer technology allowed for all AWACS and ELINT tasks to be consolidated in one aircraft type. The US Air Force was highly pleased by the performance of the HELLADS system during the Global War on Terror but the funding wasn't there to retrofit the entire current generation of aircraft. That said, the USAF didn't wish to leave the airfleet without the protection afforded by laser defenses. However, DARPA had a radical plan for the USAF's needs.

Boeing's EAL-797 was an innovative solution to the problem. Based off of Boeing's new 797 airliner, the EAL-797 combined AWACS and ELINT devices in one airframe, as well as a scaled down version of Westinghouse's chemical oxygen iodine high energy laser that was the competitor to General Dynamics' high amperage tritium charged particle beam SDI system. Although the Advanced Tactical Laser mounted on the EAL-797's energy output is much lower than the emplaced SDI version, the ATL is more than powerful enough to disintegrate missiles and aircraft fuselages from long range. Details are still classified but it is known that the laser has an energy output in excess of 150 kW and a range of at least 300 km, giving it longer range than Raytheon's more compact but more expensive solid state laser combat tested on F-35s.

Given the immense amount of data collected by an EAL-797 Guardian Angel while in operation an AI core is far more efficient and effective than an on-board team of human operators. The aircraft's radome contains a powerful multi-frequency phased array radar which serves as both an active and passive sensor. The aircraft also has a LANTIRN-type TERFLW kit and a Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) radar system underneath the main fuselage, and its computers can easily interact with the sensors and communication systems of friendly UAVs and the F-22 and F-35 aircraft, using them to gather information for tactical analysis which is then broadcast back to friendly forces in the area. For defense, the Guardian Angel has an AN/ASQ-184 system controlling the AN/ALQ-161 ECM block, chaff-flare dispensers, and an IR jammer in addition to the nose mounted Advanced Tactical Laser.

This post has been edited by DerKrieger: 29 May 2014, 16:27

[Cobretti]

Alright, here's a short write-up on the new Vulcan bomber. I wasn't sure what sort of designation it'd have, though. As far as I recall the original Vulcan didn't have one either so I stuck with "Vulcan II."

BAE/Reaction Engines Limited Vulcan II: The relatively poor performance of the British, Italian, and French air forces and naval air wings in Libya just prior to the Global War on Terror was well in mind of European defense strategists during the foundation of the European Continental Army. Not only did the air forces of these nations find themselves running out of munitions at an alarmingly rapid pace, it was clear that without American backing the ECA needed long-range strategic bombers of their own. During the first NATO invasion of Afghanistan and at several points in the Global War on Terror, once-thought obsolete strategic bombers made effective “bomb trucks� for extended tactical bombing as well as effective tools for bunker-buster/penetration bomb delivery.

To this end, the ECA quickly arranged a competition for a long-range strategic bomber. It wasn't long before BAE's submission was found to stand out above all others. Dubbed the Vulcan II due to its strong similarity to the Cold War era Avro Vulcan, the Vulcan II featured some design elements from British aerospace company Reaction Engines Limited, the creators of the revolutionary Skylon spaceplane. The Vulcan II is a delta wing supersonic bomber with low-visibility radar signature. Its four EuroJet Euroluft turbojet engines allow a top afterburning speed of nearly Mach 2; though not as stealthy as the B2 Spirit or Tu-424 its greater speed was seen as an acceptable tradeoff. The Vulcan II relies on an AESA radar for ground search, and a passive radar and Galileo SatNav suite for navigation. With a payload of 25 metric tons, the Vulcan II can carry any ground ordinance from dumb bombs to hypersonic cruise missiles to nuclear ordinance.

[Karpet]

The last Avro Vulcan type is the Vulcan B.2 so I guess it could be the Vulcan B.3 but I'm not sure because as MARS said it is built from scratch but heavily based on the Vulcan.

[Cobretti]

Going to switch gears here for a moment and do something that's not an aircraft. I have further plans for other future updates in the same vein, but I'm still taking requests in case any of y'all want to read about your favorite RotR/Generals units.


ZTZ-200H Overlord tank with mounted gattling cannon and Chinese infantry during a combat exercise in the Tarim Basin.


ZTZ-200 Overlord series: Super-heavy tanks are nothing new in the field of armored warfare. However, the immense weight of such a vehicle and the difficulty of finding an engine powerful enough for these armored behemoths, not to mention the high costs of developing and manufacturing them, made them nothing more than engineering curiosities.

It came as no surprise that the (often regarded as eccentric) People's Liberation Army General Ta Hun Kwai came up with the idea of the revival of a heavy breakthrough tank to support armored columns. Kwai's idea was extremely controversial among Politburo members and PLA strategic planners, to say the least, but it narrowly managed to attain enough funding for development of such a project.

Norinco's end result of the project was the ZTZ-200 “Overlord.� It was nothing short of excessive, with obscenely thick multi-layer composite armor and mounting twin 140mm smoothbore autoloading cannons. Initial designs had it with high velocity twin 125mm cannons based on the same gun used on the ZTZ-99 main battle tank in order to simplify logistics, but the larger experimental 140mm cannon had far more range and firepower suiting a heavy assault vehicle. Furthermore, the large chassis of the ZTZ-200 made it a perfect platform for the gun. Most interestingly, however, was the modular turret design. The Overlord could be modified in field for a variety of support roles. In all, three packages were developed for the Overlord. One was a reinforced small bunker with room for an infantry squad complete with heavy weaponry, allowing them to use the Overlord as protection. The second possible configuration was mounting a loudspeaker on the turret, allowing for broadcasting of psy-ops material to either friendly troops or the enemy. Lastly, the Overlord could mount a twin 30mm auto-targeted rotary cannon AA mount to deal with attack helicopters or targets with which the 140mm cannons would be overkill.

Regardless of the Overlord's capability on paper, the tank was plagued with problems. The presence of an Overlord on a battlefield meant that it was by its nature vulnerable to enemy fire. It was a given to the PLA that the Overlord was not to be used in combat against an enemy with air superiority as it could easily be targeted and destroyed by aircraft. The Overlord was ponderously slow, even with its notoriously fuel-guzzling turbine engines. Not only did the engines require a great deal of fuel to power the Overlord, the engines were prone to breakdown and the weight of the Overlord meant that its treads had to be frequently replaced.

There was an ingenious solution to both the problem of fuel consumption and the maintenance intensive engines, however; Chinese engineers had come up with the possibility of mounting nuclear reactors to the Overlord in order to power such a beast. Despite initial concerns about the ability to shield tank crews properly from radiation, the project was given full funding. The end result was more promising than the PLA had initially hoped; the mini-reactors, fully compatible with the Overlord's turbines, could easily be retrofitted to the Overlord tank fleet and were much more reliable and powerful than the fossil fuel based turbine engine. In fact, further development made an even smaller engine that could be retrofitted to all other existing PLA tanks. The nuclear engines would be later mass produced as a kit to refurbish PLA tanks from the Type 99 main battle tank to the Type-124 “Hopper� tankette.

An additional improvement to the baseline Overlord was personally commissioned by General Kwai for his troops. Dubbed the ZTZ-200G Emperor, the Emperor was an advanced model with additional armor, improved higher velocity 140mm cannons and a redesigned turret that had a loudspeaker installed by default at the cost of the ability to install a bunker. Though extremely effective, the tactical inflexibility and additional cost of the ZTZ-200G made it infeasible as a complete successor to the Overlord. Regardless, the improved cannons and fire control systems and applique armor made it to the ZTZ-200H upgrade to the existing Overlord fleet.

This post has been edited by DerKrieger: 3 Mar 2014, 16:28

[Svea Rike]

Hmm, MARS and DerKriger, would it be okay if we used some of these descriptions for the wiki?

[Cobretti]

You have my permission to use any of the descriptions I use here for the wiki.

[Rohan]

Going to switch gears here for a moment and do something that's not an aircraft. I have further plans for other future updates in the same vein, but I'm still taking requests in case any of y'all want to read about your favorite RotR/Generals units.

Awesome Thread.

And I would like information on these units :-

Sentinel Tank.
Kodiak Tank.
Twin Fang.
Microwave Tank.

[Cobretti]

Due to request, I've decided to do something on the Kodiak and Sentinel Tanks next.

T-90M2 Kad'jak “Kodiak�: Following the reorganization of the over-budget and constantly delayed T-99 Armata program in 2017 due to the newly elected President's desire to focus on other priorities, the Russian Army searched for an affordable replacement for their aging T-72 fleet. Uralvagonzavod's ultimately successful entry was an upgraded version of their T-90A tank, currently in service with the Russian Army. Costing only a fraction of the cost of the Armata program, the T-90M2 Kodiak was a fairly conservative design featuring a 6-roller chassis, an improved 1300 hp diesel engine, & a remotely controlled turret with a 2A46M-5 125mm smoothbore maingun capable of firing the Refleks ATGM, Kord heavy machine gun, and separated turret bustle for ammunition storage. The advanced integrated tactical system, Catherine-FC thermal imaging sensor, and GLONASS navigation system on the Kodiak in addition to Relikt ERA and composite armor give it more combat effectiveness than the earlier generation of T-90 tanks.

Reports have shown lately that the Russian Army has pulled a number of T-80 tanks out of storage and given them similar upgrades to the T-90M2, as well as at least one example with its 125mm cannon replaced with a railgun, dubbed the T-80R. It is likely that the T-80 was chosen as a test bed for the railgun due to its powerful turbine engine. This tank is likely a test bed for a tank mounted electromagnetic cannon, a possibility compounded by recent reports of T-90M2s armed with experimental electromagnetic cannons and even man-portable railguns. The CIA and DIA suggest that Russian development in lightweight super-conducting materials as well as compact reactors have allowed them to miniaturize electromagnetic weapons to such an extent; previously railguns were reserved for warships such as the Zumwalt Flight II destroyers and Gangut class cruisers due to the energy requirement and scale of the weapons themselves. With the recent development of the conventionally armed T-100 Ogre and T-279 Golem, however, it seems unlikely that railguns will be standard issue on any future Russian tanks at this time.

Micro capacitors and fusion reactors have made smaller railguns as well as the practical development of directed energy weapons possible; DARPA briefly considered developing armored vehicles armed with railguns, albeit the downscaling of the railguns in order to mount them on tanks and IFVs lowered their power and range to scarcely above that of conventional chemical-powered munitions. DARPA therefore decided that it was a better plan to invest in the more effective laser weaponry for infantry and vehicles/aircraft.

NT-28M3 Ochrannik “Sentinel�: The development of the ZTZ-200 Overlord led to the development of similar super-heavy breakthrough tanks in several other nations. Two of the more notable designs coming out of Russia and Eastern Europe were Uralvagonzavod's NT-28 Ochrannik and the T-88 Bastion assault tank designed by the Charkiv Morozov Design Bureau. The original NT-28, first seen at the 2014 Victory Day parade, was generally seen by the Russian Army as a white elephant made solely to poorly counter the Chinese Overlord tank, and only saw a very limited rate production run. It was equipped with dual proprietary 160mm cannons that were seen as a logistic burden, and its turbines were at least as malfunction prone as those found on the Overlord.

Its closest rival aside from the Overlord was the T-88 Bastion, designed and built shortly before the Russian integration of the eastern Ukraine. The T-88 was also heavily based on the Overlord but was in many cases seen as a more practical improvement; featuring twin 135mm main guns derived from naval guns, dual turret mounted 30mm AA autocannons, Warden anti-aircraft missiles, and a full active defense and advanced ECM suite, the T-88 was nearly as fearsome as the ZTZ-200 Overlord in a smaller, lighter weight package. In addition, the Bastion featured a nuclear reactor as a power source by default, giving it more than enough power to run its defensive systems and engine. Regardless, the Bastion was not chosen as an successor to the first-generation Sentinel tank when the eastern Ukraine was absorbed into the Russian Federation due to the high per-unit cost of the Bastion and the Russian government's desire to support indigenous Russian designs. The T-88 Bastion would live on as a tank exported in small numbers to Russian allies in Eastern Europe such as Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria and it would end up influencing the design of the later models of the Sentinel tank.

Both Morozov and Uralvagonzavod were tasked with designing a new model of the NT-28 Sentinel from the ground up. First off was the main armament; the Overlord had originally been equipped with twin cannons as to simplify logistics, but the engineers in charge of the new Sentinel project postulated that a superheavy tank would be better served armed with a single high-calibre cannon instead of two normal tank guns. To this end a monstrous 220mm heavy gun, more akin to an artillery piece than a tank gun, was developed for the NT-28M1. A new drive train was created, based on prototype designs from the 20th century; the NT-28M1 would move on quad articulated treads that would better distribute the massive weight of the tank. As with the previous model,the NT-28M1 was powered by a miniature lead-bismuth-alloy-cooled fast-neutron reactor based on that designed for the next generation of Russian naval vessels. The Warden missile system and Arena active defense had been part of the Sentinel project since the beginning, but subsequent upgrades such as the M2 and M3 improved upon the systems. Like all Russian armored fighting vehicles it is fully compatible with Relikt ERA.

The revised Sentinel would prove its worth in conflicts in the Caucasus, Africa, and Europe. Many times ECA forces would find Sentinels a tough opponent to crack, especially in the later phases of the war as the ECA and US forces launched their counter attack. The Sentinel's slow speed was of little concern when on the defensive and when the tanks were covered by sufficient air support or SAM cover. Prior to the Russo-European War, India took interest in the Sentinel tank and purchased export models dubbed the “Vidhwansak.�

[Svea Rike]

Interesting backstories, there man. I was wondering what your take on the Jagdmammut Tank Destroyer is, and maybe the Leopard 3 or even the Manticore (basically any European tank)?

[MARS]

Very nice. It kinda branches off from canon, but I always enjoy the more grounded, technical and RL-inspired style of your writings. For those who've been wondering by the way, the multiple M-designations I mentioned in my official description for the Sentinel are a reference to the many iterations that the in-game model itself went through. As for the Kodiak, The_Hunter didn't want me to straight-up identify it as an upgraded T-80 or T-90 but I still snuck in a little reference to a 1.300hp gas engine, which makes it more of an upgrade to the T-80. I also wanted to differentiate it from other tanks which presumably run on some sort of (bio-)diesel, hybrid fuel, electricity or whatever else might fit the setting.

[Cobretti]

I intended for the Kodiak to be a T-90 variant but also implied that some T-80s were upgraded to rough parity with the existing T-90s. Additionally, I was going to mention a fictional T-80 variant made by Morozov armed with twin 125mm cannons, dubbed the Voevoda. The Voevoda was another design that went the same way as the Bastion, in that it gained some interest from export markets in east Asia but fell by the wayside to to a lack of interest from the Russian government after eastern Ukraine was incorporated into the federation. In case you haven't noticed, this is a reference to the APA's main battle tank from the (mercifully) cancelled Command & Conquer reboot, and the Bastion is a reference to a tank from the in-development indie RTS (and former C&C3 mod) Rogue Republic.

I'll likely do the Twin Fang and Microwave Tank next, then I'll get to work on some of the ECA ground vehicles suggested.

[TornadoADV]

There is plenty of logical reasons for the F-117 to still be present in today's battlefield. The A was about to be upgraded to the C, the Grey Dragon. Which would of given the F-117 daylight operating capability through selective system upgrades from F-22 Raptor based technology. One would assume a full digital class cockpit, uprated turbines capable of supercruise (still no afterburner) and replacing the RAM coating with a more modern Mesh that's more effective and isn't as hazardous to the health of ground crews.

Anyway, the Nighthawk had a niche just like the Thunderbolt II, it was a deep interdiction airframe focused around C2-5 neutralizing missions, paralyzing the enemy by taking out vital nodes of command and logistics. So to replace it with the F-35 is more of an insult then anything.

[8igDaddy8lake]

There is plenty of logical reasons for the F-117 to still be present in today's battlefield. The A was about to be upgraded to the C, the Grey Dragon. Which would of given the F-117 daylight operating capability through selective system upgrades from F-22 Raptor based technology. One would assume a full digital class cockpit, uprated turbines capable of supercruise (still no afterburner) and replacing the RAM coating with a more modern Mesh that's more effective and isn't as hazardous to the health of ground crews.

Anyway, the Nighthawk had a niche just like the Thunderbolt II, it was a deep interdiction airframe focused around C2-5 neutralizing missions, paralyzing the enemy by taking out vital nodes of command and logistics. So to replace it with the F-35 is more of an insult then anything.

But, the F-117 IS out of service. They are still in storage, yes, but the US has been focusing on other stealth aircraft, like the F-35. Them being in service again almost 50 years AFTER being taken out of service seems ridiculously improbable. However, this could be more feasible if the Nighthawk was never taken out of service in the RotR universe, and instead upgraded incrementally over the years.

I would like to see the F-35 somewhere in game...maybe as the delivery platform for the USA's tech airport airstrike?

[TornadoADV]

But, the F-117 IS out of service. They are still in storage, yes, but the US has been focusing on other stealth aircraft, like the F-35. Them being in service again almost 50 years AFTER being taken out of service seems ridiculously improbable. However, this could be more feasible if the Nighthawk was never taken out of service in the RotR universe, and instead upgraded incrementally over the years.

I would like to see the F-35 somewhere in game...maybe as the delivery platform for the USA's tech airport airstrike?

You just admitted you made a post out of context of the universe the game takes part in. What happened for us has nothing to do with what happened in the RotR universe. (Anyway, it'd be 33 years, not 50) The upgrade plan existed before the Nighthawk was retired obviously, so it's safe to assume for the purposes of the First GLA War in 2019, the Nighthawk inventory was already F-117C Grey Dragons.

[Cobretti]

Back when I first started this series, I was considering creating a fictional "Nighthawk II" aircraft which was spun off from the F-35 program. I decided to go with the F-35 as it was the closest equivalent to the obsolescent F-117 and the "dedicated tactical bomber" niche was already filled by the F/B-40. I'm also going to describe the Chinese MiG as a J-20 variant and I have an idea for the Russian Berkut...thinking of describing it as a variant of the Su-47 that won the Russian 5th generation light fighter program.

[TornadoADV]

Back when I first started this series, I was considering creating a fictional "Nighthawk II" aircraft which was spun off from the F-35 program. I decided to go with the F-35 as it was the closest equivalent to the obsolescent F-117 and the "dedicated tactical bomber" niche was already filled by the F/B-40. I'm also going to describe the Chinese MiG as a J-20 variant and I have an idea for the Russian Berkut...thinking of describing it as a variant of the Su-47 that won the Russian 5th generation light fighter program.

There'd be no reason to use the F-35 as a replacement with the Grey Dragons present, since in the context of their battlefield (gameplay) use they use extremely heavy laser guided bombs to take out hardened underground structures and defenses. (Which the F-35 cannot carry internally but the F-117 can) Plus they can super cruise with no A/B because of using the Raptor's F119s and maintain superior all angle/aspect stealth.

[8igDaddy8lake]

There'd be no reason to use the F-35 as a replacement with the Grey Dragons present, since in the context of their battlefield (gameplay) use they use extremely heavy laser guided bombs to take out hardened underground structures and defenses. (Which the F-35 cannot carry internally but the F-117 can) Plus they can super cruise with no A/B because of using the Raptor's F119s and maintain superior all angle/aspect stealth.

All variants of the F-35 can carry internally (although, the F-35B internal payload is relatively small comparatively to the other F-35s and F-117). The Nighthawks were withdrawn from service in 2008, although with the Raptors being so common in the game (far more than their ~200 production run), I don't take too much offense to that (also, when I said 50 years, I was more referring to the fact that in-game, it's still in use during the 2050s). The problem is, the Grey Dragons were not a cost-effective upgrade, and the F-117 was withdrawn because of the Raptor being introduced, which, in every respect, is far superior (albeit more expensive). Seriously, the F-22 can carry a larger payload at higher speeds (more than double!), with equivalent or better stealth. Even with the downgraded version in RotR (the F-22B), it would still be so far superior in so many aspects that the Nighthawk would be irrelevant. Same goes with the F-35 - same internal payload, better capabilities. The Nighthawk is a one-trick pony - fly in undetected, drop ordinance (which is at most two 2000lb bombs), fly back undetected. If that gig is up, then they are SCREWED. The F-35 and F-22 can jump to supersonic, fly low, or fight back with AA or AG missiles. Multirole is the game, and the Nighthawk...can't do that.

[TornadoADV]

All variants of the F-35 can carry internally (although, the F-35B internal payload is relatively small comparatively to the other F-35s and F-117). The Nighthawks were withdrawn from service in 2008, although with the Raptors being so common in the game (far more than their ~200 production run), I don't take too much offense to that (also, when I said 50 years, I was more referring to the fact that in-game, it's still in use during the 2050s). The problem is, the Grey Dragons were not a cost-effective upgrade, and the F-117 was withdrawn because of the Raptor being introduced, which, in every respect, is far superior (albeit more expensive). Seriously, the F-22 can carry a larger payload at higher speeds (more than double!), with equivalent or better stealth. Even with the downgraded version in RotR (the F-22B), it would still be so far superior in so many aspects that the Nighthawk would be irrelevant. Same goes with the F-35 - same internal payload, better capabilities. The Nighthawk is a one-trick pony - fly in undetected, drop ordinance (which is at most two 2000lb bombs), fly back undetected. If that gig is up, then they are SCREWED. The F-35 and F-22 can jump to supersonic, fly low, or fight back with AA or AG missiles. Multirole is the game, and the Nighthawk...can't do that.

The Grey Dragons exist because of the F-22, they werent competing designs for the same niche and neither is the F-35, which is more a F-16/AV-8 replacement. (FYI, the Grey Dragon upgrades were never completed in our timeline, SoD Gates stole that funding to buy more F-35s and then retired the now un overhauled Nighthawks). No other airframe in the US Inventory can carry the GBU-27 Have Void, the Nighthawks signature weapon. Also, as I stated before the Grey Dragon would have the Raptor's F119s, while it wouldn't be able to go A/B for obvious reasons, it could now super cruise (Mach 1+ without using A/B). The Raptor may be able to carry more internal payload, but it cannot carry 2,000 pounders, only 4 1,000 pounders and it cannot lase it's own target. The Lightning has the same problem with internal weapon size, but can laze it's own targets, but also suffers from inferior stealth design across all spectrums and bands compared to the Nighthawk/Grey Dragon.

[8igDaddy8lake]

The Grey Dragons exist because of the F-22, they werent competing designs for the same niche and neither is the F-35, which is more a F-16/AV-8 replacement. (FYI, the Grey Dragon upgrades were never completed in our timeline, SoD Gates stole that funding to buy more F-35s and then retired the now un overhauled Nighthawks). No other airframe in the US Inventory can carry the GBU-27 Have Void, the Nighthawks signature weapon. Also, as I stated before the Grey Dragon would have the Raptor's F119s, while it wouldn't be able to go A/B for obvious reasons, it could now super cruise (Mach 1+ without using A/B). The Raptor may be able to carry more internal payload, but it cannot carry 2,000 pounders, only 4 1,000 pounders and it cannot lase it's own target. The Lightning has the same problem with internal weapon size, but can laze it's own targets, but also suffers from inferior stealth design across all spectrums and bands compared to the Nighthawk/Grey Dragon.

I'm not saying that they competed for the same niche, I'm just saying that the Nighthawk is quite irrelevant with F-22s in service. If their only plus is being able to carry the GBU-27 (which actually can be carried by a plethora of other craft, just not internally), their battlefield role is limited compared to the F-22, making it more of a novelty than a commonality. I'm pretty sure laser-guidance could be added on to the F-22 if needed (hell, it happens in-game already). But...why should I bother...there's enough strangeness in RotR that this is basically nitpicking. I can believe it being possible, I just can't really see why it would be used over other aircraft unless there was a REALLY good driving reason - maybe it's significantly cheaper, somehow? Or has more efficient production?

[TornadoADV]

I'm not saying that they competed for the same niche, I'm just saying that the Nighthawk is quite irrelevant with F-22s in service. If their only plus is being able to carry the GBU-27 (which actually can be carried by a plethora of other craft, just not internally), their battlefield role is limited compared to the F-22, making it more of a novelty than a commonality. I'm pretty sure laser-guidance could be added on to the F-22 if needed (hell, it happens in-game already). But...why should I bother...there's enough strangeness in RotR that this is basically nitpicking. I can believe it being possible, I just can't really see why it would be used over other aircraft unless there was a REALLY good driving reason - maybe it's significantly cheaper, somehow? Or has more efficient production?

Nobody can carry the GBU-27 besides the Nighthawk, you're thinking of the GBU-24. As for the Raptors, I guess MARS and company would have to explain where the Lazing pod was mounted on the Raptor for it's LGMs (Since in RL, it has no lazing pod).

[Cobretti]

Allow me to step in. Recently I had the idea that the Nighthawk as of Generals/ZH was indeed a F-117B upgraded Nighthawk as during 2013-2016/7 the F-35 wouldn't be in wide service and the F/B-40 was very new. By RotR FQ-47s, F/B-40s, or F-35s would be used instead, however.

[Pepo]

the only logical explanation would be that the USA didn't want the russians to get advanced stealth jet and the nigthhawk was reintroduced.however they are also using f-22 that are far more advanced than the nigthhawk

[TornadoADV]

Allow me to step in. Recently I had the idea that the Nighthawk as of Generals/ZH was indeed a F-117B upgraded Nighthawk as during 2013-2016/7 the F-35 wouldn't be in wide service and the F/B-40 was very new. By RotR FQ-47s, F/B-40s, or F-35s would be used instead, however.

Something is better then nothing!

[MARS]

Just to add some insight from our perspective: The main reason we still use the Nighthawk is a.) the fact that it was an iconic unit in the original game and b.) because it still fits the most popular image of a stealth plane whereas both the F-22 and the F-35 just look like generic modern day jets on the surface. Visual variety is important because it adds character to a unit but also because every asset in the game has to be instantly recognisable at a quick glance. If we didn't have this whole continuity thing to worry about, we'd probably use a fictional design of our own that invokes a few elements of the F-117 but call it something else.

[Cobretti]

And here's the second request, the Chinese Twin Fang AAA!

Type 112 Twin Fang AAA: Somewhat unusually for a Chinese anti-aircraft weapons platform, the Type 112's chassis is heavily based on that of a South African mobile howitzer, the G6 Rhino. During the Chinese invasion of East Africa a Chinese government-owned shadow enterprise managed to covertly purchase a few G6 howitzers from Denel in the hopes of using them as a basis for a new artillery piece. The project would be canceled however, as an advancement over the existing PLZ-05 series of mobile howitzers was soon found to be uneconomical at this time. Even so, the robust mine-resistant chassis of the G6 Rhino was found to be an effective basis for armored fighting vehicles.

Around this time the People's Liberation Army was searching for a new medium-range anti-aircraft artillery. The HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system was highly effective at area denial but the threat of the GLA required a more mobile and economical platform to supplement the HQ-9. Most of the aging, if not obsolete, fixed-wing aircraft of the GLA didn't require the latest in anti-aircraft hardware to defeat. Furthermore, the heavy ECM use by the PLA had an unfortunate side effect. There were reports of even friendly guided missiles malfunctioning in areas of particularly heavy ECM interference. Though the Chinese quickly managed to deal with this issue, it was enough for the PLA to consider non-missile based AA weapons for this mobile heavy AA project.

The result, named the Type 112 Twin Fang, combined a new flak-based AA system combined with powerful search & targeting radar, all mounted on a copy of the robust G6 Rhino chassis and produced at a low cost. The Twin Fang's armament consists of two 57mm flak cannons, based on those used by the Cold War era Type 80 AAA vehicle (itself based on the ZSU-57-2). However, the calibre of the cannons and the feed system are where the similarity stops. The Twin Fang's cannons have much longer barrels than the obsolete Type 59 cannons used by the Type 80, and the 57mm cartridges are considerably longer, giving the Twin Fang's cannons a much higher muzzle velocity and effective range. These modernized 57mm cannons are married to a state-of-the-art fire control computer and are lethally effective against low-flying-aircraft. Ammunition for the cannons are loaded in 6 round clips that must be reloaded by hand, a notable defect in the weapon's design given the high fire rate of the Twin Fang's cannons. While the Type 59 cannons were targeted manually using the human eye, the Type 112 Twin Fang uses a powerful AESA search and targeting radar, nearly as powerful as those used on warships, to detect and engage aircraft. Crews report having to exercise caution when utilizing the radar in the field, as the radar is powerful enough to kill or injure any wildlife in front of the array when it is active. When in conjunction with the HT-233 search radar series, also used by the HQ-9, the Type 112 has a truly impressive detection and engagement range. The Type 112's mine-resistant chassis proved to be extremely useful in Africa when facing the GLA.

[MARS]

A very nice take on the decidedly non-Chinese visual appearance of the vehicle. I should also point out that the Twin Fang is getting all new custom voice overs in 1.85.

[Cobretti]

A little side item for the Twin Fang:

Type 23 Personal Flak Cannon: The establishment of the millions-strong Red Guard irregular force presented the People's Republic of China with a dire logistical problem. With so many volunteers, there was no way they could all be equipped with the latest gear issued the regular forces of the People's Liberation Army. To that end, many Red Guard during the Global War on Terror and the later campaigns in East Africa were armed with surplus Cold War gear such as Type 56 SKS rifles and Type 88G tanks.

Still, the extended logistical chain necessitated by the invasion of Africa proved to be a problem. Furthermore, weapons such as the PF-89/98 rocket launchers and the QW-2 MANPADS were often seen as overkill against the lightly armored vehicles and aging aircraft used by the GLA. Having troops carry both weapons systems through rugged terrain in pursuit of more mobile GLA fighters was burdensome. All these factors led to an alternate solution to these problems in the form of the Type 23 cannon.

The Type 23, a shoulder fired recoil-less rifle, used a short version of the 57mm cartridge used in the larger Twin Fang AA vehicle. Two shells were designed for it; a HEAT round designed to be used against armored vehicles, and a flak round designed to be used against low flying aircraft. The idea behind the Type 23 was simple; though the Type 23 was less effective against armor than the PF-98 and less effective against aircraft than the QW-2, it and its ammunition were considerably simpler to produce and could be used against multiple types of targets. Any lack of performance against more modern vehicles was a moot point against the weapons used by the GLA. As a result, the weapon was issued to Red Guard units and many examples ended up in the hands of PLA troops. Though the Type 23 was far less popular among the PLA due to its lack of effectiveness compared to the more specialized anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, it had its place when logistics were tight and when PLA troops were fighting lightly equipped irregular forces.

[TornadoADV]

No update for the Grey Dragon?

[teslashark]

And here's the second request, the Chinese Twin Fang AAA!

Type 112 Twin Fang AAA: Somewhat unusually for a Chinese anti-aircraft weapons platform, the Type 112's chassis is heavily based on that of a South African mobile howitzer, the G6 Rhino. During the Chinese invasion of East Africa a Chinese government-owned shadow enterprise managed to covertly purchase a few G6 howitzers from Denel in the hopes of using them as a basis for a new artillery piece. The project would be canceled however, as an advancement over the existing PLZ-05 series of mobile howitzers was soon found to be uneconomical at this time. Even so, the robust mine-resistant chassis of the G6 Rhino was found to be an effective basis for armored fighting vehicles.

Around this time the People's Liberation Army was searching for a new medium-range anti-aircraft artillery. The HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system was highly effective at area denial but the threat of the GLA required a more mobile and economical platform to supplement the HQ-9. Most of the aging, if not obsolete, fixed-wing aircraft of the GLA didn't require the latest in anti-aircraft hardware to defeat. Furthermore, the heavy ECM use by the PLA had an unfortunate side effect. There were reports of even friendly guided missiles malfunctioning in areas of particularly heavy ECM interference. Though the Chinese quickly managed to deal with this issue, it was enough for the PLA to consider non-missile based AA weapons for this mobile heavy AA project.

The result, named the Type 112 Twin Fang, combined a new flak-based AA system combined with powerful search & targeting radar, all mounted on a copy of the robust G6 Rhino chassis and produced at a low cost. The Twin Fang's armament consists of two 57mm flak cannons, based on those used by the Cold War era Type 80 AAA vehicle (itself based on the ZSU-57-2). However, the calibre of the cannons and the feed system are where the similarity stops. The Twin Fang's cannons have much longer barrels than the obsolete Type 59 cannons used by the Type 80, and the 57mm cartridges are considerably longer, giving the Twin Fang's cannons a much higher muzzle velocity and effective range. These modernized 57mm cannons are married to a state-of-the-art fire control computer and are lethally effective against low-flying-aircraft. Ammunition for the cannons are loaded in 6 round clips that must be reloaded by hand, a notable defect in the weapon's design given the high fire rate of the Twin Fang's cannons. While the Type 59 cannons were targeted manually using the human eye, the Type 112 Twin Fang uses a powerful AESA search and targeting radar, nearly as powerful as those used on warships, to detect and engage aircraft. Crews report having to exercise caution when utilizing the radar in the field, as the radar is powerful enough to kill or injure any wildlife in front of the array when it is active. When in conjunction with the HT-233 search radar series, also used by the HQ-9, the Type 112 has a truly impressive detection and engagement range. The Type 112's mine-resistant chassis proved to be extremely useful in Africa when facing the GLA.

Great story!
A minor nitpicking: all Chinese vehicles and firearms put into survice would have a 2-digit year desination, so it would be Type 12 just like the Type 05 SPG.

[Cobretti]

Ok, here's a quick one:

F-117B Nighthawk: During the Global War on Terror, the GLA saw many of their worst defeats at the direct hand of US/NATO combat aircraft. The GLA did in fact have access to combat aircraft of their own, looted from Cold War-era abandoned armories of Central Asian states, but the aging MiGs were of limited effectiveness against the more advanced aircraft and highly trained pilots the Americans and Chinese possessed. Finding or training skilled pilots and maintenance personnel was often difficult and expensive. The GLA found it more effective in many cases to rely on cheaper and easier to maintain surface-to-air missiles which were extremely easy to obtain on the black market. Extensive AA networks were set up around GLA strongholds, restricting the airspace to all but high-altitude aircraft.

Stealth aircraft were able to bypass the GLA's radar networks to deliver surgical strikes on targets. However, there was a lack of suitable stealth aircraft in the US military's inventory. The only stealth aircraft in sizable service numbers at that time was the F-22 Raptor, designed for air superiority. Though the F-22 was a passable tactical bomber when equipped with GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs, the GBU-39 and other standard JDAMs were of limited effectiveness against fortified GLA structures and could not clear out underground tunnels or fortified structures. The F-15E could carry bunker busting munitions, but its lack of stealth made it vulnerable to heavy anti-aircraft weaponry; the MQ-9 Reaper was stealthier than the F-15E but it too was unable to carry heavier munitions.

There were three new or in development combat aircraft that could carry out such missions; the F/B-40 Aurora, the F-35 Lighting II, and the FQ-47C Pegasus. However, the Aurora and Lighting II were both very new and there weren't quite enough at the onset of hostilities to fit the Air Force and Navy's demands. The US Navy's FQ-47C Pegasus program was early in development and was not complete until after the war. To this end, the US Air Force decided to refit a number of F-117 airframes with modern technology as a stopgap measure.

The F-117B Nighthawk was repainted a dark grey scheme to improve stealth in daylight conditions and was equipped with a glass cockpit, a modernized ECM suite with an AESA radar and GPS device, and a modified bomb bay, allowing it to carry missiles such as the AGM-88 HARM. The F-117Bs were forward deployed at Bagram Air Base, and aided in the counterattack in Afghanistan and Operation Stormbringer in Pakistan, operations in Yemen, and were instrumental in neutralizing enemy AA and fortifications during the Battle of Akmola.

After the war the F-117B Nighthawk was retired and placed in mothballs, its mission being performed today by the F/B-40 Aurora, F-35 Lighting II, and FQ-47C Pegasus.

[Svea Rike]

Very nice explanation there, but the US still use them during the Russo-European War, or is this a case of Gameplay and Story Segregration? Anyway, very nice indeed and I wonder with MARS, are some of these fit for the wiki?

Oh, and a sidenote I believe Operation Stormbringer took place in Kazakhstan not Pakistan.

[Cobretti]

Oh, as an addendum the F-117B's engines would be upgraded to non-afterburning General Electric F414 turbofans, forgot to add that in there.

The world map showed Kazakhstan, but the close-up showed the Pakistani coast I recall. Generals had a bunch of geography errors, placing cities and geographical features in the wrong country on the world map. Since Kazakhstan is landlocked save for the inland Caspian Sea, I was thinking that Operation Stormbringer would be the code name for the invasion of GLA-occupied Pakistan, if not the opening phases. I was thinking that the GLA led to some sort of coup/revolt in Pakistan in an attempt to grab the country's sizeable military assets and the US and Chinese were brought in to put it down. The US invaded via the coast and moved north into Afghanistan, Aldastan, and Kazakhstan, meeting up with the Chinese in the latter two, where they defeated the GLA in the region at Akmola. I'll likely write more about this late-war offensive later.

[8igDaddy8lake]

Nice addendum on the Nighthawk, makes much more sense when viewed from that angle. Their use in later years, though, is somewhat inexplicable...

[Neo3602]

Nice addendum on the Nighthawk, makes much more sense when viewed from that angle. Their use in later years, though, is somewhat inexplicable...

Well in the story it only talks about the nighthawk that was armed with missiles and not the one in ROTR armed with a single bomb, maybe there will be a part to where the nighthawk gets reactivated after the Aurora scandal as a replacement bomber..

This post has been edited by Neo3602: 3 Apr 2014, 21:40

[Cobretti]

The F-117B retained the ability to deploy Paveway bombs and JDAMs, I thought it was obvious so more detail on abilities the real life F-117A had wasn't included.

[Svea Rike]

A question: Will you cover small-arms weapons, such as the HKFN-22 or a fictional M16 variant?

[Cobretti]

A very good question! I do take requests for firearms, man-portable missile systems, and the like. Right now I've been busy with other stuff but I have been working on the Jagdmammut and will do more on other ECA tanks.

[Svea Rike]

Okay nice, 'cause I've always wondered the M16 is a pretty dated platform in the ROTR-timeline at least and it would be strange for Green Berets (or was it Deltas?) to use them A4 variant in the 2040s, right? Plus it would be interesting to hear your take on the fictional HKFN-22 and G22A1 rifles mentioned by MARS.

EDIT: And the Conscripts have an AK variant with no pistol grip?

This post has been edited by Svea Rike Soldier: 12 Apr 2014, 23:38

[Cobretti]

I've been thinking about it. I believe the US troops are still using the M16/M4 by the outbreak of WWIII but I was also kicking around an idea of production variants of the LSAT program. Maybe it'll be for Colonel Burton, at least.

I don't recall hearing about the G22A1, is it a fictional version of the G22 sniper rifle? (German designation of the AWM sniper rifle)

I'm pretty sure the Conscripts carry AK-12 assault rifles.

[TheD3rp]

I'm pretty sure the Conscripts carry AK-12 assault rifles.

Nope, they still use the reliable AK-74.

[MARS]

^ Seeing how they're literally Conscripts, these guys would be given AK74Ms by sheer virtue of availability whereas the regulars or more seasoned soldiers could use any of the newer AK models.

[TornadoADV]

Could use the 6.8mm Grendel CAR variant, the M-416, the M27 IAR, etc.

[Svea Rike]

I've been thinking about it. I believe the US troops are still using the M16/M4 by the outbreak of WWIII but I was also kicking around an idea of production variants of the LSAT program. Maybe it'll be for Colonel Burton, at least.

Yes, that seems interesting.

I don't recall hearing about the G22A1, is it a fictional version of the G22 sniper rifle? (German designation of the AWM sniper rifle)

I used the designation G22A1 in one of my fics because I thought I had heard about it sometime before. I might be deluding myself, but I'm pretty sure the HKFN-22 has been established as the primary armament for FELIN infantry.

I'm pretty sure the Conscripts carry AK-12 assault rifles.

The in-game model doesn't have a grip, so I was wondering. But that might yet be another case of gameplay and story segregration (or in this case, technical limits and story segregration).

[Cobretti]

Could use the 6.8mm Grendel CAR variant, the M-416, the M27 IAR, etc.

I was thinking that the H&K 416 could have been formally adopted, by SOCOM at least if not the US military as a whole. That said, the gas piston for the AR-15 is a solution looking for a problem, so I was also considering that the DI M4/M16 are still used. Same with the 6.8mm SPC cartridge. However, a 6.8mm cartridge could be a possibility for the telescoped polymer cased/caseless ammunition using LSAT weapons.

Yes, that seems interesting.


I used the designation G22A1 in one of my fics because I thought I had heard about it sometime before. I might be deluding myself, but I'm pretty sure the HKFN-22 has been established as the primary armament for FELIN infantry.


The in-game model doesn't have a grip, so I was wondering. But that might yet be another case of gameplay and story segregration (or in this case, technical limits and story segregration).

As far as I recall few of the other weapons in game have grips, mainly due to performance concerns and that the grips aren't visible.

[8igDaddy8lake]

I always thought it would be interesting to see the Germans employ an updated version of the G11. Technically, they still have a few in service (probably far less than 100) now, so I don't see it as completely unlikely. It would be an awesome weapon for some German special forces unit - or, an upscaled version for a German Venom? That could be freaking awesome - a super machine gunner Venom, that could also shoot aircraft...now I want to go write that fan-fic...

[Svea Rike]

I always thought it would be interesting to see the Germans employ an updated version of the G11. Technically, they still have a few in service (probably far less than 100) now, so I don't see it as completely unlikely. It would be an awesome weapon for some German special forces unit - or, an upscaled version for a German Venom? That could be freaking awesome - a super machine gunner Venom, that could also shoot aircraft...now I want to go write that fan-fic...

MARS has said the HKFN-22 is a H&K and Fabrique Nationale collaboration to modernize, update and mass produce the G11 rifle.

[Cobretti]

Here's an update on the Jagdmammut!

Rheinmetall/Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Jagdmammut: By the outbreak of the Global War on Terror, weapons manufacturers in the United States and China had developed means to deal with the missile-heavy arsenal of the Global Liberation Army. The United States had introduced the Raytheon Quick Kill active defense system on their armored vehicles, which was improved upon by Raytheon's advanced Perimeter And Local Area Defense Integrated Network (PALADIN) active laser defense system; originally designed for warships to replace the Phalanx radar targeted Vulcan cannon, miniaturized versions of the PALADIN and its AI suite were later installed on aircraft and the latest generation of the Abrams tank and Avenger AA vehicle. Meanwhile, the Chinese created advanced and effective ECM emitters that could be mounted on tank chassis as well as aircraft and warships.

Such advancements did not go unnoticed by the German military, which had heretofore relied on defense-in-depth by means of a wide array of anti-tank missiles and rockets. Not long after the establishment of the European Continental Army, funding was procured for the development of a heavy tank destroyer that would provide reliable anti-armor support in the case of heavy anti-missile weaponry. A design based on the prototype VT tank destroyer was proposed by Rheinmetall and KMW and was soon approved for production. The Jagdmammut was a controversial choice due to its lack of mobility and turreted guns, but its defenders cited its heavy armor and powerful dual Rheinmetall 140mm cannons as proof of its suitability for defensive actions in Central and Eastern Europe. The 140mm twin cannons are an ingenious gas operated auto-loading design that is capable of using specialized Jormund jet-assisted laser-guided graphene penetrator rounds. Originally developed for an upgrade program for the Leopard 2, the 140mm cannon was briefly resurrected for the Leopard 3 program before being rejected again due to logistical concerns and the large size and mass of the cannon and its projectiles. The extreme specialization of the 140mm cannon turned out to be perfect for a tank destroyer, however. Even without the combustion light gas shells later created for the Jagdmammut's cannons, the 140mm anti-tank gun was theoretically capable of knocking out even the Overlord tank at range. As with most ECA vehicles, the Jagdmammut is powered by a highly efficient multi-fuel engine fitted to an electrical transmission.

During the Russo-European War the Jagdmammut proved itself in combat. Its heavy armor and powerful, long-ranged guns were more than adequate against Russian armor, and there were many reports of the tungsten alloy penetrators destroying multiple tanks with one shot.

[Svea Rike]

Fascinating story, Krieger.

[TornadoADV]

Just as an aside, you don't want to use laser guided shells. Any decent MBT today, much less 60 years in the future has lazing detection equipment that will alert the crew when they are being painted. To which they pop filament laced smoke, deploy electro-optical jammers or simply find cover.

[8igDaddy8lake]

MARS has said the HKFN-22 is a H&K and Fabrique Nationale collaboration to modernize, update and mass produce the G11 rifle.

Really? Can you shoot me a link? I would like to read about that.

[MARS]

It's down in the Felin render description in this update.

Basically, I thought of the Felin rifle as a joint development of Heckler & Koch and Fabrique Nationale (hence the HKFN) which is pretty much a serial production G11 with modern features (hence the 22) that fires a stronger assault rifle version of the 5.7mm round used in the P90 and FiveseveN. This was partly done to emphasise the fact that the ECA is not merely a stand-in for NATO and more detached from the United States in that they're using new standardised equipment of their own. The ECA was established as a self-contained entity that exists alongside the national militaries. Within itself, the ECA would be standardised whereas the national armies would still use non-standard /ex-NATO gear, produce their own equipment or simply find themselves in the transition to ECA standard. For example, 5.7mm seems to be their new intermediate cartridge while the smaller, original RL version is also used for SMGs and PDWs like the MP57 used by Combat Pioneers, the new Leopard tanks use Rheinmetall-made 125mm cannon, etc. One of the fics also mentioned a G22A1 rifle which, as I would assume, would be the German designation of the HKFN-22 (we simply stick a G in front of it which stands for 'Gewehr' which means rifle). This does create confusion with the RL G22 sniper rifle which is our designation for the AWM, but we could simply operate under the assumption that it has been replaced or re-designated as the SG22 (=Scharfschützengewehr) which would have been a more reasonable thing to begin with, seeing how the pure G-designation generally denotes assault/battle rifles.

[teslashark]

Just posting the link to my plane story here for Krieger...
http://forums.swr-productions.com/index.php?showtopic=6229

From what I know, FN would prefer an acronym for their gun, it's a tradition that started with the HP and continued through the FNAC and EGLM. Germany, it seems, would be continuing their G- serial numbers over 28 (HK417/MR762) and they tend to start a new gun classification with an 1 (Beretta 49 as MP1, FN FAL as G1, etc).

[Cobretti]

Pretty cool, I was thinking about stating that the Hellfire was a J-7 converted into a UCAV.

And here's something about the HKFN-22:

The HKFN-22 assault rifle has its genesis in two late 20th century designs, Heckler & Koch's G11 assault rifle and Fabrique Nationale's P90 personal defense weapon. The creation of the ECA allowed Heckler and Koch to resurrect its stillborn G11 concept, as finally military budgets would cover the start-up costs and logistical hurdle of fielding the rifle. While the ECA adopted Beretta's ARX-160 and amounts of the G36A2 and L85A2 as medium-term rifles, HK considered their next move.

However, Heckler and Koch knew that the aging design needed improvement. The overly complicated loading and firing mechanism of the G11 was a troublesome issue in manufacturing and in combat, and the ECA was unimpressed with the range of the 4.7x33mm caseless cartridge. To that end, an unlikely alliance was forged between the two European firearms giants H&K and Fabrique Nationale. FN modified the G11's mechanism with one taking design cues from the P90; the magazine and gas-operated rotary breech were rotated to lie along the rifle's longitudinal axis, allowing for a larger 5.7x50mm caseless cartridge to be used. Ammunition was fed by a 45 round magazine (based on the P90 magazine) at the cost of a slightly longer rifle body and correspondingly higher weight. The integrated optical sight was replaced with a Picatinny rail mount, and a second rail mount was put on the lower for-end of the rifle allowing users to install foregrips, grenade launchers, and other attachments. Like the G11, the HKFN-22 had three fire modes; semi-auto, three-round burst, and a full auto mode at 460 RPM. A light machine gun variant was also produced.

The new rifle, dubbed the HKFN-22, entered service with ECA infantry shortly before the outbreak of war with Russia. Though the rifle itself was fairly heavy (around 4.75 kg when loaded), its light weight caseless ammunition allowed soldiers to carry large amounts of it, nearly twice as much as they would with the 5.56mm NATO chambered rifles heretofore used by the ECA and various European militaries. This would pay off in many instances where ECA troops had to hold territory in the face of intense Russian numbers.

This post has been edited by DerKrieger: 6 Jun 2014, 0:57

[8igDaddy8lake]

I see. Very interesting stuff, and makes a lot of sense. I'm pretty curious as to what the USA uses in their assault rifles then - 6.8 mm SPC? Also, anything on standard pistols for the various factions (not that it would matter in-game)? I feel like the USA would be using something like the FN45 Tactical, the ECA a burst pistol using FN5.7 rounds (the VP70 seems like a fit, maybe updated with a better trigger and sights), Russia some full-blown machine pistol using 7N31, China some sort of other armor-piercing pistol, and GLA whatever the hell they can find - maybe Lugers? Good for a chuckle.

[TheD3rp]

Can we have some info on the main US recon plane?(SR-72?)