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.

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

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

[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