Alternate Weapons of War thread...

[Hapsburg]

Kite class Assault Cruiser. Also called "Fast Cruisers" or "Medium Cruisers," these ships are the Central Galactic Navy's response to fast-moving destroyer wolfpacks. Capable of engaging with multiple smaller enemies, and even taking on equal-sized opponents, while thrusting along at high speed, the Kite class is a potent addition to the Fleet. At 1600 meters long, they are smaller than the powerful Heavy Cruisers but slightly larger than the Naval meat-and-potatoes Light Cruisers.
(Modified from an original drawing I did a year and a half ago)

[Angry_scottsman_1989]

OA-23 Navajo

Place of Origin: United States of America
In service: 2024-Present
Users: US Army, Us Marine Corp.
Operations: South Philippines War (2024)

Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman/Advanced Aviation Systems (AAS)
Unit Cost: $19,270,000
Numbers Built:200<

Weight: 9.8 tonnes (Empty) 22 tonnes (Max take off weight)
Length:16.1 m
Wingspan: 16.62m
Height: 3.46m
Crew: Two (Pilot, Observer/Weapons system operator)
Passengers: None

Armour: Titanium-Ceramic composite armour around cockpit and critical systems.
Armament: 40mm rotary cannon, capable of mounting most aircraft weapons in US military arsenal.
Engine: GE-236 UDF propfan, 40Kn thrust
Max Speed: 700 Km/hr at sea level
Service Ceiling: 14,000 meters
Ferry range: 4975 km
Combat Radius: 600 km with 2 hour loiter

In the mid 80's, rising fuel prices were a big concern to aircraft operators, as the high price of avgas forced many to ground thirsty aircraft built during the 50's and 60's. Many projects were started to find a way to overcome the high fuel prices by reducing fuel used by passenger aircraft. The most promising of these projects was the propfan. The idea of the propfan is to combine the the lower fuel consumption of a turboprop with the higher speeds of a turbofan. in effect, a propfan was a propeller engine capable of jet engine like thrust.

Experiments were positive, with experimental propfans shown to be capable of propelling an aircraft to jet engine like speeds while using 30% less fuel. Issues of noise and vibration were being worked on when the projects fell foul of a drop in gas prices. In a lack of foresight, funds were pulled from the propfan experiment, and the technology lay mostly forgotten, until the early 21st century, where once again rising fuel prices sent airlines and aircraft operators scrambling to find a way to reduce costs. and the propfan lived again.

By 2020, restarted propfan projects had solved the issues of noise and vibrations, and many aircraft corporations began to offer propfan equipped airliners. While the commercial propfan was taking off, several aerospace developers began to look into general and military aviation applications for the propfan. Soon, propfan powered executive aircraft and transports began to appear on the market.

While most development of propfan powered aircraft concentrated on larger transport aircraft, some were interested in the potential of propfans in combat aircraft. Advanced Aviation Systems (AAS) was founded by several former Boeing and Lockheed engineers who felt their former employers were too blinkered to fully take advantage of new technologies or consider unusual solutions. AAS was dedicated to pushing the boundary of aviation technology were-ever possible, and in the new propfan revolution saw a possible market for fuel efficient attack fighter for cash strapped air forces.

Started in 2019, Project Whistler was the AAS first major development program, and was funded entirely in house. Two designs were vetted, W-1, a lightweight attack aircraft with a single pusher propfan, and W-2, a larger, heavier twin propfan design. Using advanced computer design programs, 3d printer assisted rapid prototyping and scale modelling, a prototype of each aircraft was produced in Mid 2021. Test flights showed that the both the W-1 and W-2 were fast and manoeuvrable subsonic aircraft, however issues of vibrations causing instability in flight wer soon apparent. Another three months of rapid prototype development solved most of these issues.

During this time only minimal interest was shown in the propfan fighters, mostly curiosity, however an event in early 2022 would have bring great attention to the program. For years, the US army and US air force had been at loggerheads of aircraft requirements. Due to past agreements, the US army was reliant on the US air force for fixed wing CAS and light tactical transport aircraft. However, the US airforce had little interest in using its procurement dollars to purchase these types of aircraft, preferring instead to buy expensive supersonic stealth fighters and large strategic transports. A classic example of this was the retirement of the slow, dependable A-10, a Favourite in the CAS community, and replaced it with the F-35, a high speed stealth attack fighter. Combat in the Korean Reunification soon showed that while the F-35 was a superb tactical fighter-bomber, it was unsuited to the long loiter CAS role. Thus the US army was left without adequate CAS support.

The Havenbrook Commission into military procurement was a truing point. Although the army suffered embarrassment when the Secretary of the army was forced to retire due to corruption allegations, the commissions review of the Air Forces procurements plans left it feeling vindicated. the commission found the Air Force was flagrantly ignoring or suppressing these vital aircraft projects. This lead to the Tally Commission on the reorganising of military aviation, where, after a long protracted battle with the air force, forced a revision of the Pace-Finletter MOU 1952 and Johnson-McConnell agreement, allowing the Army to once again operate fixed wing aircraft. The air force managed a small victory, however, with the make take off weight limited to 30,000 kg, and the Army not allowed to operate jet aircraft.

The army immediately began a crash procurement program for the C-27 light tactical transport and a serch for a new CAS aircraft. Top on their list was an aircraft that could replace the A-10, a tough task since the Army could not purchase jet aircraft.

Enter the W-2. With the army looking for a new A-10 like CAS aircraft, AAS saw a potential market for their propfan fighters. The W-2 was in a similar size and weight class as the A-10, indeed the designers of the W-2 had used the A-10 as a reference. The W-2 was ready for flight testing, the only issue was that AAS lacked the industrial capacity for mass producing the fighter. The solution was to partner with one of the larger aircraft companies. Eventually, after some unsuccessful pitches to Boeing and Sikorsky, Northrop Grumman took up the offer and partnered with AAS, offering the the W-2 to the army as the W-2 "Navajo". In early 2023, the Army selected the "Navajo", and the type received the designation OA-23

The Navajo is a mid-weight subsonic Observation and attack fighter powered by two turboprop engines. These engines provide an ample amount of thrust while providing excellent fuel economy giving it impressive range and loiter ability. The design follows many of the survivability features set by its predecessor the A-10. the two engines are mounted above the fuselage, protected from ground fire. Its fuselage is an unusual shape, thin at the nose but widening and the rear, forming a dart shape. the wide rear fuselage provides additional lift, as well as protecting the engines. six weapons stations under the wings and two under the body provide great weapons carriage. as well as external weapons, the OA-23 is equipped with a powerful 40mm revolver cannon, in a centreline position. several different cannons were trialled, including an three barrel version of the famous 30mm GAU-8 and a 57mm cannon, before selecting the 40mm. Irt was selected for its decreased weight and higher lethality over other cannons, as well as ammunition commonality with other 40mm equipped army vehicles. IN service, the OA-23's cannons usually fire multi purpose 40mm APFI round, Armour-Piercing-Fragmentation-Incendiary.

As stated by its designation, the OA-23 is also an observation aircraft. Its large cockpit canopy offers great visibility for the crew, with the back seat usually filled by an observer. The OA-23 is equipped with a combined FLIR/Laser designator in a ball mount on the belly beneath the cockpit, allowing observation and targeting in all visibility and lighting conditions. As well as the the FLIR, the OA-23 has a modular radar system in the nose. Standard equipment is a terrain following radar, however this can be replaced with a large surveillance radar with multiple sideways and forward looking arrays.

The first 10 production model OA-23's came on-line in mid 2024, in time to participate in the South Philippines War. The OA-23 were tasked in observing and interdicting boat traffic between rebel held island, as well as supporting U.S. Army and Marine Corp. military operations. Since its induction, The Marine Corp. has also purchased the OA-23, and their has been some interest from overseas buyers, including Australia and South Africa.

[Color-Copycat]

Depicted is a detachment of the 7th Cruiser Squadron over Central Europe on its way to the Crimea. As the aerodreadnoughts themselves are quite vulnerable to enemy air attack, they are escorted by two to three standard zeppelins laden with numerous anti-air batteries and gun emplacements. The two flights of airship-launched light planes are used in an observation/look out role and can serve as an ersatz fighter screen if needed.

This particular aerodreadnought is of the Harmony-class, a lighter and more maneuverable variant of the more widely prevalent Armistice-class.

[Hapsburg]

Lewis class patrol craft.
Developed to condense orbital patrol ships down to a single, modular vessel, these craft are fast replacing older models of patrol craft. They are built with the purpose of interdicting and boarding transport vessels, destroying fleeing ships, intercepting hostile missiles or rogue objects, and reconnaissance of orbital, asteroidal, and circumstational space.
The Lewis class craft is armed with a modular weapons mount, houses a crew of 5, plus ten Naval Security personnel, and is powered by a cluster of five rearward-firing thermonuclear rockets as well as two manoeuvring aerospike rockets. Using its powerful suite of sensors, jammers, and electronics, it is more than capable of fulfilling its mission.

[Hapsburg]

Revised drawing of the Gawain class Destroyer.
Destroyers, in CGN parlance, refer to medium-sized combatants armed primarily with small quad-lasers with some light missile armament. They are designed to engage squadrons of light combat ships and drones, i.e. "fighters" en masse. They fight in small "wolfpack" task groups in order to provide mutual defence and give them the capability to fight larger combatants in pitched battle.

[NothingNow]

The F-20, since it took long enough.

NORTHROP F-20 TIGERSHARK SERIES


Role: Mutlirole Fighter and Interceptor
Designer: Northrop Corporation, Canadair (CF-200A/B, CT-201A/B) ST Aerospace (RF-20A/B/N)
Licensed Builders: Canadair, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Korea Aerospace Industries, AIDC, ST Aerospace.
Operators:
F-20A/B- US Air National Guard, Indian Air Force, ROCAF, Philippine Air Force, Mexican Air Force, Croatian Air Force (HRZ), Turkish Air Force (THK), Royal Moroccan Air Force, RBAF.
F-20N- US Navy (VFC-13, VFC-45), Republic of Singapore Air Force, Swiss Air Force
CF-200A/B- Royal Canadian Air Force
KF-20A/B- RoKAF
CT-201A/T-48 SuperTalon- RCAF, USAF, GAF
RF-20A/B- ROCAF, Philippine Air Force, Mexican Air Force.
RF-20N- Republic of Singapore Air Force
First Flight: 1982/08/30
Introduction: November 1987
Specifications (F-20A):
Crew: 1 (Pilot)
Length: 14.4 m (47’ 3” )
Wingspan: 8.13 m (26’ 8”) without wingtip missiles
Height: 4.20 m (13’ 10” ft)
Wing area: 18.6 m²(200 ft²)
Empty weight: 5,090 kg (13,150 lb)
Loaded weight: 6,830 kg (15,480 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × General Electric F404-210 Afterburning Turbofan
Maximum Thrust (Dry): 54kN (12,600 lbf) each
Maximum Thrust (Wet): 80.5kN (18,100 lbf) each
Maximum speed: Mach 2+
Combat radius (w/2x1250l drop tanks): 556km (345mi) on hi-lo-hi mission
Service ceiling: 16,800 m (55,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 255 m/s (52,800ft/min)
Wing loading:
640.86 kg/m² (137.5lb/ ft²) at MTOW
395 kg/m² (81lb/ ft²) Clean
Thrust/weight:
.658 at MTOW
1.169 clean.
Max takeoff weight: 11,920kg (27,500lb)

Armament:
Internal Gun: 1x20mm Pontiac M39A2 Cannon in nose, 400rds. (Export F-20A/B could also mount 2x20mm Pontiac M39A2 Cannon, with 280rds each.)
External Armaments: 5 hardpoints maximum capacity 3600kg (8000lbs), plus wing tip launch rails.
Missiles: AIM-7G Super Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-85 Harpoon, AGM-114 Hellfire and more.
External Fuel Tanks: usually MATRA JL100 or 1250L(330gal) drop tanks
Rockets: Hydra 70 (using LAU-61C/A 19 tube or LAU-68D/A 7 tube launcher,) CRV-7 or 68mm SNEB (in Type 116M or JL100 launcher) also compatible with Soviet rockets following software update.
Bombs: Any Mark 80 series, PAVEWAY I/II/III series LGB, JDAM, BLU-109, GBU-39 SDB, AGM-154 JSOW, MATRA Durandal and more.
Gunpods:GPU-5/A 30x173mm Gunpod, 353 rounds.

Example Loadouts (F-20A):
1)FL-ANG Ready Interception (319FIS): 2x AIM-9 Sidewinder, 4xAIM-7G Super Sparrows, 1x 1250L Drop tank.
2)FL-ANG Anti-Shipping Strike: 2x AIM-9, 2x JL100, 2x AGM-85 Harpoon.
3)Anti Armor: 2x AIM-9, 4x AGM-114, 1x GPU-5/A, 2x 1250L Drop tanks
4)Standard ANG Interception: 2x AIM-9, 2xAIM-7G, 2x 1250L Drop tanks.

Electronics Suite:
AN/APG-67 radar, AN/AAS-42 IRST, AN/APX-119 IFF interrogator, DASH II/III HMD, Onboard computer with Hughes MA-2 compatibility, SUU-42A/A flare and chaff dispenser pod, optional AN/AAQ-13 and AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN or alternative.

The product of a rather interesting design cycle, the F-20 owes much of it’s success to it’s predecessor the F-5E/F Tiger II, from which it was derived. Actual procurement of the self-funded F-20 became something of a political football in the US, until finally the F-20A/B was purchased by the Air National Guard (championed by the Floridian and Texan congressional delegations) over the objections of the USAF, in order to cover operational shortfalls caused by General Dynamics’ inability to provide enough F-16 Airframes in the necessary period thanks to a production hangups on the Pratt and Whitney F100, and procedures favoring the F-15 for engine deliveries. That the F-20 also had better corrosion proofing, might be more resistant to fatigue and was a superior performer in it’s role as an interceptor was important, but not the deciding factor. Following the Air National Guard’s order, Sales of the F-20N to the US Navy (as an Aggressor replacing their aging F-5E/Fs), the Royal Moroccan Air Force and Bahrain, with License agreements being reached for Local production in Canada (as the CF-200A/B to compliment the CF-188), India, South Korea and Taiwan.

Major improvements to the F-20 required for the sale to the Air National Guard and US navy included fitting an IRST system and the provision of a HOTAS control scheme and Helmet Mounted Display, to best emulate performance of known and projected Soviet fighters.

The first operational unit with the F-20A/B was Florida Air National Guard’s 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, based out of Homestead Air Force Base with forward deployments at Naval Air Station Key West and Outlying Field Marathon (Florida Keys Marathon Airport/KMTH) on November 3rd 1987, replacing their older F-106G/H Deflex Daggers. It’s companion group, the 402nd FIS, Based out of MacDill AFB, with deployments at OLF Sarasota (Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport/KSRQ) and OLF Naples (Naples Municipal Airport/KAPF)

The F-20N, which differed slightly in equipment fit, used more titanium and was overall significantly stronger and more corrosion resistant to accommodate the high-stresses experienced by aggressor aircraft (and per USN requests, fitted out for Arrested recovery like the CF-200,) would enter service with VFC-13 on January 9th 1988, and would completely replace the F-5E/F and F-21A by May 1994, although aggressor A-4s (upgraded by ST Aerospace to A-4SU standards in a horse trading deal to get Full Specification F-20Ns at F-20A/B prices,) would continue to soldier on to the end of the century before being replaced by leased SAAB Gripen C/D models (operating confusingly as the F-39A/B.)

Following it’s introduction, the F-20A/B/N would be involved in surprisingly few shooting wars given the chaos of the 90s and early 21st Century, although several aircraft from the Florida and Puerto Rican Air National Guard have been in encounters with the DAAFAR, and 135th Independent Aviation Division (VVS), aircraft but most would be after the disbanding of the 135th Independent Aviation Division (VVS) in 1994.
These Early encounters over the Strait of Florida (backed up by Indian Air Force testing) indicated that the F-20A/B/N had better avionics than the MiG-29B Fulcrum-B or MiG-23MLD Flogger-K and was about as maneuverable as the Flogger-K, with a slightly higher G-limit, but still leagues behind the Flanker in several areas, although this was expected.

RCAF CF-200s would be the first Tigersharks to see combat operations, flying in the Second Gulf War, with no.433 Squadron flying Air Superiority and Interdiction missions over the Persian Gulf along with the occasional anti-shipping mission, freeing up CF-188 Hornets for strike missions deeper into Iraq, alongside other coalition aircraft.

RCAF and USANG would again see combat in the Yugoslav Wars, mostly with the Florida and New Jersey Air National Guard providing squadrons to fly as point defense interceptors in Croatia, before the Croatian Air Force’s Squadron of F-20s became Operational in 1998, and the RCAF again using the CF-200 in a support role for the CF-188, leveraging it’s faster scramble time to protect essential locations and airbases from Serbian Attack.

The Indian Air Force, the only large-quantity purchaser of the F-20 outside North America (which purchased theirs to augment the MiG-27H upgrade program,) would provide it’s greatest test in combat, flying ground attack and interdiction missions over Kashmir during the 1998 war, managing to shoot down a Pakistani F-16A (using a Skyflash AAM,) and destroyed a number of tanks and other ground vehicles, using Hellfire missiles, the GPU-5/A gunpod and Soviet made S-13 and S-24 unguided rockets.

Most combat missions by F-20s and CF-200s since the end of the 1998 Kashmir War have been with the Royal Canadian Air Force, or Indian Air Force operating in support of UN Peacekeeping operations, as was the only Combat deployment of the F-20N, when RSAF F-20Ns from no.145 Squadron deployed to support UN Peacekeeping Operations during the Second Congolese war, starting in 2002, flying mostly photo reconnaissance missions with the Unit’s flight of RF-20Ns, although some combat missions did take place in retaliation for attacks on UN Peacekeepers and Civilians.

The Tigershark is particularly popular as an Aerobatics Demonstration aircraft, with RSAF Black Knights operating six F-20Ns, the RoKAF Black Eagles (which were replaced by T-50s for the 2010 season,) Philippine Air Force Blue Diamonds, HRZ Krila Oluje, THK Turkish Stars, Patrouille Suisse and RCAF Snowbirds all using variants of the Tigershark, making it the most popular Jet-powered Aerobatics plane the world over.

The late 90’s introduction of the indigenously developed MiG-23MLC Flogger-L and the MiG-29OVT Fulcrum-F into DAAFAR service again changed the operational picture, and made the F-20A/B obsolete quite rapidly, although the upgrade of the F-20’s onboard computer to the CC90 suite from the Gripen and F-15F, in preparation for the retirement of the MA-2 system, gave the F-20A/B/N a needed combat advantage, in the CS90 network, and it’s seamless ability to share combat data.

At about the same time as the CC90 upgrade program, while the US Navy was taking the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to Operational status and SAAB began investigating the idea of an F414-powered upgrade to the JAS 39 Gripen, Northrop finalized testing on it’s own F414 powered upgrade to the F-20, the F-20C/D, which will be discussed in it’s own section, but again set the Tigershark up as a viable combat aircraft over the modern battlefield.

Other variants of the F-20 included the CT-201A/T-48A SuperTalon, developed by Canadair under contract from Northrop and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The CT-201A and T-48A are both powered by the F412 non-afterburning Tubofan, and fitted out with a glass cockpit and controls similar to those of the F-20/CF-200, and the RF-20A/B/N Tigereye II, developed by ST Aerospace, which was pretty much just the nose of an RF-5E mated to an F-20A/B/N fuselage, and fitted with some more modern cameras and compact ELINT gear.

[Petike]

NothingNow, you rock ! Repost it in the aircraft thread as well.

[NothingNow]

Originally Posted by Petike

NothingNow, you rock ! Repost it in the aircraft thread as well.

I will. It's in the same universe as the F-106E/F, F-15F, and the upcoming F-20C/D, MiG-23MLC "Flogger-L", MiG-27FR "Flogger-M", and the MiG-29OVT "Fulcrum-F", along with a few other aircraft, including an F110-GE-132 engined variant of the Mitsubishi F-2, (which also powers the F-14D ITTL,) and the Mitsubishi produced F-22J (the only export customer of the F-22.)
But the Arrow was stillborn and instead the RCAF literally jammed an Orenda Iroquois up the ass of a Delta Dart, intending to turn said Delta Dart into a Mini Arrow. It went horribly right, and then they realized that the damn thing was absurdly expensive, and too thirsty to operate in parts of the great white north, hence the development of "economy model" Deflex Dart.

And this is a TL where everything considered modern has IRST and offboresight weapons starting in the late 80's even TTL's A-10C and the OA-10D have it and a helmet mounted display. For improved local Omnipotence. But TTL's A-10 was also developed into a CATOBAR/STOBAR capable version sold to the USMC, and is occasionally flown from Carriers and LPHs to provide CAS until forward basing is ready, which proved useful during parts of the Yugoslav wars, and the Persian Gulf wars.

[Hapsburg]

Based on Tounshi' templates from dA. The main variants in the Fox line of powered combat suits- light, medium, and heavy plating types. Considered part of the "uniform" for the average soldier, customizable in the field, and easily adapted to various environments, conditions, and combat situations.
In addition, this plate displays the PAS Dingo, a "fully-sealed" armoured suit constructed similarly to spacesuits, with a small boosting jetpack for low-level, brief flights.

[Color-Copycat]

Where da pockets?

[Hapsburg]

On the jackets they wear over the armour.

[The Kiat]

Originally Posted by Color-Copycat

Where da pockets?

They've evolved beyond the need of pockets.

[Beedok]

Originally Posted by The Kiat

They've evolved beyond the need of pockets.

Like Link!

[trekchu]

Originally Posted by The Kiat

They've evolved beyond the need of pockets.

There is no money!

[/Gene Roddenberry mode]

[Archangel Michael]

Originally Posted by The Kiat

They've evolved beyond the need of pockets.

Well, if Star Trek has taught us anything, that's certainly true.

[Color-Copycat]

[Docmagnus]

Originally Posted by Zor

[

Are you a Warlord, Dictator, Leader of a Crime syndicate or politician who wants to have an army, but does not want to have to deal with pesky uprisings of having to put up with soldier wages? Well, we have the solution for you! VULCAN Armaments Cybernetic Recon Assault and Patrol (C.R.A.P) infantry robot. These 1.8 meter tall robots are capable of carrying weapons and shooting them at targets, as well as being able to identify your men* and your foes. They are also capable of hand to hand combat having ten times the strength of the average human male. When humans would have fled for their lives or have given up in desperation, a C.R.A.P. bot will not give in. As far as upkeep goes, if you have a wall socket you can keep these badboys charged up and their construction is modular, allowing for easy repairs. Buy a hundred, get three for free! With hordes of these machines at your command you will be able to swiftly defeat your enemies. In addition to the base model you can oft to have your orders equipped with "Claw-o-doom" left hand modal and save 5% on orders over twenty.

*Having human forces be equiped with uniforms is strongly encouraged. VULCAN Armaments takes no responsibility for IFF failure.

LOL. You realize the, ah...implications of the acronym, right?

[Color-Copycat]

A Chinese warlord army halts its advance upon receiving word of a military exclusion zone enforced by a League Armada patrol squadron in Kansu Province (1928).

[Color-Copycat]

[NothingNow]

I'm surprised this fell back to page 4.
Anyway, I'm working on two Tomcat development lines, the MiG-23MLC, MiG-27FR, and a really absurd version of the Douglas Invader (it's got turboprops, armor, and a pair of NR-30s.)

Anyone think an F-14 powered by a pair of AL-37FUs and possessing Zaslon-M radar might be a bit much?

But to provide some content, here's a webfound shot of the VVS-TL's Mitsubishi F-2A, flying without the normal CFTs: