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Z.D.I. V-31 Tern Utility Tilt-Rotor System
Faster than the Choppers. More Functional than Fixed-Wing Aircraft. Vertical Lift of the Future.
Faster than the Choppers. More Functional than Fixed-Wing Aircraft. Vertical Lift of the Future.
UNIT COST: $45,000,000 (V-31A - Prices May Vary)
DPR (Combined): $48,000,000,000
DPR (Combined): $48,000,000,000
The Zeus Defense Industries V-31 Tern is a multi-mission, military third-generation tiltrotor aircraft with both a VTOL (vertical take off and landing) and STOL (short take off and landing) capability, built by Zeus Defense Industries and associated companies. As a tiltrotor aircraft, it is designed to combine the vertical lift functionality of a helicopter and the long-range, cruising, higher-speed capability of a fixed-wing aircraft. Its design has been considered similar to the Bell V-280 Valor.
A potential replacement to all existing utility rotorcraft in the Federal Eastern Union Defense Forces, the V-31 Tern was built as a vertical lift platform that can be produced into many variants. Though being smaller the V-22 Osprey, the V-31 Tern proves that it is a worthy replacement for most medium-sized helicopters widely on the market, such as the UH-60 Black Hawk. Combining greater speed and range with versatility and flexibility, the V-31 Tern is intended to become a highly capable vertical lift vehicle in modern warfare.
History
Development
As the disadvantages of the helicopter were revealed in the 1983 Celibraean Warzone Crisis, the Federal Eastern Union Defense Forces, though namely the Marine Corps, issued a demand for a "new type of aircraft, capable of retaining the vertical lift capabilities of the helicopter but with much greater speed and range". In order to answer this demand, the Advanced Vertical Lift (AVL) program was launched in 1985, with Zeus Defense Industries becoming its primary developer in November 1986. The products of the AVL program were to come in two variants - one was a heavy variant to replace larger attack helicopters; the other, a medium-sized variant, was to replace the vulnerable UH-1 Iroquois. However, the plans to build a heavy variant was cancelled in 1989; instead, the Federal Eastern Union Defense Forces were to procure V-22 Ospreys and CH-53K King Stallions.
Nevertheless, the medium-sized variant, which was to be a replacement for the Mi-8, continued development, and the first model, which design was considered very revolutionary at the time, first flew in September 4th, 1991. With seven years of extensive combat testing and further development, the V-31A Tern achieved Initial Operation Capability (IOC) in 1999, while other variants of the Tern came into service afterwards. Since then, the V-31 Tern stood as a major core of the Federal Eastern Union Defense Forces' vertical lift, though the Navy, due to space, has continued the line of helicopters.
Operational History
Design
The V-31 clearly declares itself different from previous medium-sized choppers by its tiltrotor configuration, V-tail design and so on. However, it also tends to distinguish itself from other tiltrotors, such as the V-22 Osprey, through its design: while the rotors and drive shafts tilt, the engines remain in its place, not moving along the rotors. This gives it an advantage of surviving it with one engine: in previous cases, such as the V-22 Osprey, one needed to have both engines to allow the rotors turn, meaning that an engine going down equals to the tiltrotor going down. Furthermore, the design of the V-31 is more focused on cruising efficiency and hovering, as it will have to assume the roles of both conventional helicopters and tiltrotors upon service: having a lower disk loading and large wings, the V-31 is suitable for both hovering and cruising.
Although this may vary by variant, the V-31 Tern is meant to have four passengers if not loaded - pilot, co-pilot and two soldiers that man the door guns. However, the V-31 Tern is capable of transporting up to fourteen fully-armed soldiers simultaneously - more than what medium-sized helicopters, such as the UH-60 Black Hawk, offered. Considering the troops, the doors on the side have been designed to be about 1.8 meters in width, enabling the troops to get in and out easier and the gunners to get a better line-of-fire from the chopper. In addition to troop transport, it is also a capable cargo hauler - with dual cargo hooks (left and right), it is capable of transporting considerably more cargo than its helicopter predecessors.
Variants
- V-31A - Standard Army Variant.
- V-31B - V-31 Tern for the Marine Corps. Slight changes from the V-31A, including capabilities for naval operation.
- EV-31C - Electronic warfare variant. Several electronic equipment added.
- MV-31D - Special Operations variant of the V-31. Derived from the V-31B.
- V-31M MEDEVAC - MEDEVAC variant of the V-31. Features a high rate of commonality with the V-31A.
- SV-31E Sea Tern - Anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare variant designed for the Navy. Capable of being armed with torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and such.
- V-31S Strike Tern - 'Armed Gunship' variant of the V-31 Tern, developed from the V-31A. Capable of holding more armaments than the other variants, while retaining its troop transport capability.
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Crew: 2 (Pilot, Co-Pilot) and 2 gunners
- Capacity: 2,300 kg of internal cargo (15 troops or 9 stretchers), or 5,800 kg of external cargo
- Length: 17.1 m
- Rotor Diameter: 10.6 m
- Wingspan: 12 m
- Height: 6.1 m with tacelles vertical/5.98 m on top of tailfins
- Empty Weight: 7,800 kg
- Max. Takeoff Weight: 18,000 kg
- Powerplant: 2 x ZeusTech T190-202 Turboshaft Engines, 3,600 kW each
Performance
- Maximum Speed: 560 km/h
- Cruise Speed: 520 km/h
- Stall Speed: 120 km/h during airplane mode
- Range: 1,800 km
- Combat Radius: 850 km
- Rate of Climb: 12.3 m/s
Armament (Utility Mode)
- Gun: 2 x 7.62 mm Machine Guns
- Internal Hardpoints: 8 x Hardpoints for up to 8 x guided missiles
- External Hardpoints: 2 x Hardpoints for up to 2 x rocket pods