Your Nation's Air Force Mark II:

[Oaledonia]

So liek bomber escorts? :3

They wouldn't have the range to escort anything.

No. I mean sneak a 747 into a bomber formation of B-52s, then swarm the living shit out of anything that tries to intercept*

*Assuming it isn't a nuclear missile.

[Gallia-]

They wouldn't have the range to escort anything.

No. I mean sneak a 747 into a bomber formation of B-52s, then swarm the living shit out of anything that tries to intercept*

*Assuming it isn't a nuclear missile.

you should just put missiles on the B-52s so they can shoot down interceptors and sams by themselves

[Oaledonia]

No. I mean sneak a 747 into a bomber formation of B-52s, then swarm the living shit out of anything that tries to intercept*

*Assuming it isn't a nuclear missile.

you should just put missiles on the B-52s so they can shoot down interceptors and sams by themselves

That's poopy and unflashy.

[Consortium of Manchukuo]

Also on the continued subject of drones, a while back I had drawn up my basic overview of reconnaissance drones. I was wondering if it looked like a good set up, there is still some stuff to add like statblocks and overview of the different variants, but the basic information for most of them and their usage is there.

Drones

UAR - Mod/USRR

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Unmanned Aerial Reconnaissance - Mod/Ultra Short Ranged Reconnaissance, or an equally lengthy and formiddable acronym, or whatever the current troop name in the field is for them. Akwardly named yes, but still a quite effective piece of equipment, the UAR - Mod/USSR is a very light reconnaissance drone intended to be launched by a single troop for gaining valuable and much needed intelligence around a general radius of slightly over ten kilometers. Small and light enough to equip every infantry platoon in the army, it is a miniscule piece of equipment designed to carry onboard cameras, and the equipment for autonomous operations. Despite being recently introduced, its low cost has meant that it has been proliferated across all land forces, providing unprecendented intelligence gather capability to every Platoon Commander in the military.

Development

After the decision to develop multiple different tiers of units of non-manned aerial reconnaissance, there remained the difficult task of actually putting this into use. Longer ranged drones under the program to develop an array of unarmed reconnaissance vehicles came into service relatively quickly. The MRR family was developed a few years after the creation of the goals, with SRR, IRR, and LRR taking only a short period longer. However, the longest ranged of drones, the SLRR, and the shortest ranged, the USRR, remained elusive. Managing to get the technology developed down to a small enough size, and actually get designs working, was far more difficult for the USRR drones intermediate-long range drones. Having a drone which, accorded to specifications, would weigh no more than half a kilogram with total support infrastructure of under ten kilograms, be equipped with two optical cameras and infrared capability, be man-portable, have range of communications of up to 10 kilometers and similar range, and endurance of up to 70 minutes was hard to achieve. Thus, the program to develop this part of the desired drone classifications didn't start until 3773, and would take the best part of a decade to be succesfully finished, until 3782. This wasn't entirely due to the complexitivities with the actual drone, but also due to some flaws and mis-allocations in the defensive manufacturing and industries. However, finished it eventually was, much to the delight of the armed services.

General Characteristics

The design of the UAR - Mod/USRR was designed for lightness, cheapness, and efficiency. Weighing in at 1.86 kilograms when fully loaded, the intent is for a single soldier to be able to carry and launch them. They're built with a single wing, mounted on top of the fueselage, with a rear taiplane, and a vertical stabilizer. The wings and other control surfaces are designed to fold down par usual, to reduce the space taken up by the drone. Mostly it is built from composite components, reducing weight and cost. Propulsion onboard is from its top mounted pusher propellor. It has a wingspan of 120cm, together with a length of 105cm. As with other UAVs produced by Manchukuo, it has a frontal mounted sensor, which is not rotating but still has a variable field of view, a centrally mounted communication and control system, and the rear propulsion system.

Power

Power is provided by its onboard lithium ion electronic power pack. The small motor is a 1/5 kW engine, that can propel the aircraft at up to 95 kilometers per hour, while its slowest speeds are around 45 kilometers an hour. It permits sustained flight times of 75 minutes, sufficient for the observation needs expected of troops, while it can operate in altitudes of up to 4,500 meters. This means that it can be used in all but the very highest mountain areas. Furthermore the lithium ion batteries can be recharged rapidly, enabling it to quickly be placed into service after its flights. As with all other Manchukuo drones it is re-usable in this fashion, although its low cost means that it can be easily built and if necessary abandoned. It can be launched by a single soldier simply throwing it into the air, or through a small catapult, while it lands through autopiloting to a pre-arranged point at a shallow angle, being light and strong enough to easily land in such a manner.

Sensors

Due to their light weight, these drones are not capable of carrying a very extensive sensor package. Instead, they are designed to use small, relatively cheap optical and FLIR sensors to detect enemies in visual range. It carries a CCD color camera, and a night vision infrared sensor. This provides around the clock ability for reconnaissance and observation, while ensuring that the sensors remained cheap and easy and effective to build. While not an exceedingly complex set of sensors, it still enables it to easily spot, conduct recnnaissance on, and enable targeting of, enemy formations or general situations. Unlike other drones there are no provisions for armament, this being viewed as too heavy and unnecessary to any mission.

Doctrine and Deployment

As a natural result of its building as a light drone, deployable by small bodies of troops in the field, the support infrastructure for the UAR - Mod/USRR needed to be very sparse. It can't be managed by entire platoons of specially trained troops, and instead needs to be accessed by general purpose soldiers. In Manchukuo's army and other land combatant forces, it is attached to the platoon level, with each platoon having six drones. These are deployed in small canisters at the command vehicle, and are launched by the Intelligence, Communications, and Reconnaissance Officer, and subsequently tracked and controlled by them. However, several other soldiers in a platoon typically receive some basic training in their operation to ensure appropriate redundancy. This control system for this is the DCS-Mle. 82 which was designed for this drone in particular.

Variants

Despite only being introduced a decade ago, a variety of different variants have emerged. With the wide scale production of the drone system, naturally there were attempts to improve it. The UAR - Mod/USRR-SP provided a variant which incorporates solar cells into the wings, which helps to extend range and endurance by up to 60 percent, and is replacing some of the standard UAR - Mod/USRRs as time goes by. It also has a slightly enlarged radio communication system, for communicating at the more extended ranges. An armed variant was also built, with an explosive charge slightly larger than a hand grenade for explosive attacks but the UAR - Mod/USRR-A hasn't been built in large numbers. To increase the ability for deployment in areas with large amounts of water, the UAR - Mod/USRR-WC was created, to offer amphibious landing capabiliites. A final version increases the radar detectibility, and removes much of superfluous equipment, in an intent to cut down on costs. Quite simply, the intent for this was to make a system so cheap that it would cost more to fire the average anti-air missile at it than it would to actually make the drone, for usage in simply wearing down enemy air defense. This was designated the UAR - Mod/USRR-AW.



UAR - Mod/SRR

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Overview

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Mod Short Ranged Reconnaissance are aerial reconnaissance drones that are deployed at the company level for general observation and reconnaissance. Over the past several decades there has been favored the development of a large number of drones capable of supporting the army in the vital task in providing information in the field, and UAR - Mod/SRR provide a vital component of this by serving to provide a small but highly capable drone system. They are the first drone system with a dedicated support unit, however small, and serve to provide company commanders with the information they need to make decisions and for artillery to be able to strike the enemy.

Development

As conceived, the UAR-Mod/### program intended to provide every level of the army from the company upwards a supporting unmanned aerial vehicle network to provide additional intelligence in the field that could be deployed cheaply and would still be effective. As the Consortium of Manchukuo lacks an air force capable of quickly winning undisputed dominance, and will be primarily deployed in a cautious manner under the doctrine of Sustained Battle, conventional aerial intelligence gathering missions by human pilots would not be capable of being carried out in war without excessive casualties. The development of drones, as described in other articles onthe UAR series, provided a way to get around this by simply deployed expendable assets that would be used to gather information without risk to human operators. This was realized as providing an easy way to quickly deploy an asset that could provide invaluable intelligence support to all levels of the ground force. In particular, lower level formations would benefit to a high degree, being able to have access to a system that would given them previously only dreamed about intelligence, enabling them to have much better intelligence on the enemy. Thus, the impetus for UAR - Mod/SRR, the Consortium of Manchukuo's company level reconnaissance system. Development began in the 3760s and it entered service in 3775, four years after the UAR - Mod/MRR, a design it took a large amount of notes from. This drone would be used for operations of extended time and short range of 40-200 kilometers at maximum.

General Characteristics

UAR - Mod/SRRs are intended to be light, capable of high endurance for their size, and of taking up minimal space to enable multiple oens to be carried and overall systems dedicated to their support to be minimized. They most resemble a miniturized UAR - Mod/MRR, with a cylindrical body, and straight wings capable of being folded, although they use a conventional vertical and horizontal stabilizer system instead of a V-tail. Principally they are made from modern composite components, which are significantly lighter and tougher, enabling it to be much less heavy than other models. The engine is mounted in the rear with a pusher prop propellor with three blades. It has an overall length of 1.8 meters, a wingspan of 2.6 meters, and a height of .45 meters. It weighs in the vicinity of 64 kilograms.

Power

As noted above, the UAR - Mod/SRR is intended for operations of an extended period and moderate range. Naturally, the power plant for this would be optimized to such a mission. In the case of the UAR - Mod/SRR, a pusher prop configuration is used, which is linked to a small electric motor producing approximately 5 kW. This engine is powerful enough for it to reach a maximum speed of 183 kilometers per hour, while it has an operational capacity of three hours, and a flight ceiling of 2.5 kilometers. Stabilization and control in flight is achieved through a gyroscope system, an orbital positioning device, and pressure sensor. It is launched by pneumatic air launchers which enable rapid acceleration and take off, while it is rechargable by the auxilary power packs maintained by almost all Consortium vehicles.

Sensors

Of course, it is a reconnaissance drone. if it was not a reconnaissance drone, then giving it the title of Unmanned Aerial Reconnaissance would be a slight strech of the imagination and an odd designation. As a result, it needs a capable sensor suite. The sensors provided to the vehicle are intended to provide capability for detection and operation in all weather and time conditions, against an array of targets in a number of different spectrum. Firstly it includes a panoramic video camera for wide area observation, which is its main sensor device in the majority of circumstances. However, it also has an infrared camera, and a small laser rangefinder/targeting laser. This means that not only can it detect enemies thermally, but it can also target enemies for laser guided munitions.

Doctrine and Deployment

UAR - Mod/SRR are deployed at the battalion level. Each company has a combined drone launch and command vehicle holding x8 UAR - Mod/SRR and also command them. If this is destroyed but drones are still operational, they can be shifted over to other friendly supporting assets, such as regular command vehicles, MBTs, and some forward reconnaissance assets. Forward reconnaissance assets like the Type 8 Armored Car, and MBTs like the Model 78 MBT are other units, that carry the drone, using them for reconnaissance against the enemy.

Variants




UAR - Mod/MRR

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Overview

The Unmanned Aerial Reconnaissance Mod Medium Range Reconnaissance, or the UAR - Mod/MRR as designated, is as the name implies a medium range observation drone. Intended to operate in artillery sighting and observation, battlefield reconnaissance, surveillance, damage assessment, and potentially light attack. Intended to be cheap to operate, expendable, and easy to use from deployed field isntallations, it is the primary aerial drone system used by the Consortium of Manchukuo's land military. Although there are other drones which are longer ranged, and others that are smaller, no other drone has the same widespread options of deployment and flexibility.

Development

In the later 3750s, the basic goals and doctrine of Manchukuo unmanned aerial forces were beginning to be laid down. Although Manchukuo had made some experimental usage of drones before this point, and with the relatively common technology of target drones, it wasn't until this point that the sophistication of drones began to mean that they could be used for a wide variety of tasks. It was decided that the main focus of drones in Manchukuo service would be reconnaissance, as they would offer a way to relatively cheaply get information on the enemy, and much faster than with traditional ground assets. Furthermore, it would be without the risk of losing pilots associated with manned aircraft, which always restricted observation in forward regions. After this part of the general basis for UAVs was decided, how this was to be effectively carried out was considered. It was evneutally decided that a number of different UAV classes would be created, each fulfilling a different range, endurance, and capability tier. At the lowest level would be small UAVs, which would eventually be deployed by singular troop companies in the field, for operations up to 10 kilometers. Then there would be short range UAVs, deployed at higher levels for scouting and reconnaissance at ranges of up to 40 kilometers, medium range UAVs for 40-200 kilometer operations for brigades, divisions, and artillery, intermediate range units for 200-400 kilometers for long range rocket units, long range UAVs for operations up to 500-1,200 kilometers, super-long range UAVs would be responsible for 1,200 to 3,000, and ultra long reconnaissance having responsibility beyond this range. With this organization created, the first actual design began, with one of the first tiers to be created being the MR (Medium range) type. This would eventually become the UAR - Mod/MRR, a medium range vehicle that needed to be capable of scouting up to 150 kilometers away, had to be cheap, expendable, easily launchable from the field, and capable of being upgraded and developed into a variety of variants. Design work was promptly undertaken by the newly created Unmanned Design Burea #4, which competed against various defense company organizations to eventually develop the design. It entered service in 3771.

General Characteristics

As created, UAR - Mod/MRRs are built to a design similar to the main light targeting drone in usage at the time (ATD-Mle. 52), with a cylindrical main body, folding straight wings wings, and a rear v-tail. It is powered by a rear pusher prop, and is built primarily from fiberglass and composite components, reducing weight and cost. The sensor package is located to the front of the unit, while it has its engine component located in the rear, and various other systems such as communications, controls, computers, in the central portion. Part of the wing is designed to fold up to reduce space so more can be carried on vehicles of transportation, while the tailfin has a similar folding mechanism to achieve much the same purpose. It is powered by a small 20 kW rotary engine, sufficient for its task, driving the twin bladed propellor. It has no landing gear, and is instead recovered via parachute. Overall length is 2.22 meters, height is .68 meters, and wingspan is 3.3 meters. Weight is 118 kilograms.

Propulsion

The UAV is push prop propelled, with a 15 kW rotary engine, which was designed to be used with a range of different fuels to increase flexibility and decrease cost. This is capable of enabling it to reach a top speed of up to 222 kilometers per hour, while it has autonomous operational capability for up to 4 hours. It can attain a service ceiling of 3,120 meters, although this is rarely needed. It is self guided by a digital computer using a gyroscope, orbital position device, and a pressure sensor. It is launched via catapult systems (Typically an electromagnetic launcher), and then recovered via parachute when it returns, although given its low cost it is common for them to be deployed longer than is sustainable if necessary. The launcher accelerates the vehicle to up to 140 kilometers in twelve meters, with the catapult deployed onboard a specialized launch vehicle which also carries the drones for the drone deployment platoon.

Sensors

Of course, the primary goal of the drone is to function as a reconnaissance unit, and no description of it would be complete without a brief listing of its capabilities in this regard. It is equipped with as a primary detection system a panoramic video camera, high resolution video camera, an infrared camera for operation at night, and a laser designator/rangefinder. This is mounted in the front of the small drone, on a gyro stabilized revolving sphere that enables it to quickly and efficiently oversee large areas, with a sensor radius of 3-5 kilometers capable. There were considerations for adopting a millimeter band radar system to the system in later upgrades, but this was rejected due to the increased cost, for what is after all designed to be a highly expendable UAV. Instead this was fitted to the UAR Mod/MRR-IS.

Armament
While designed principally for reconnaissance, it is possible for the UAR Mod/MRR to carry multi purpose missile systems, with two Model 81-12 Multi-Purpose Missile systems These permit a range of 7 kilometers with a warhead of 3 kilograms, and a speed of mach 1.5, and are used both in aerial units and in various ground forces. Their primary advantage, and the reason they were chosen, was their light weight and small size, permitting an aerial vehicle with such a small payload to carry them. However, generally they are not equipped, as the primary goal is merely reconnaissance and not attack. Still, they give added flexibility to Manchukuo commanders, enabling them to target enemy installations and troops with a rather cheap and inexpensive weapon system.

Doctrine and Deployment

These drones are deployed at the brigade level, and for artillery battalions. They are operated by platoon sized units, each of which is equipped with the capabilities to launch, receive data from, and recover the UAVs. First, there is a launching, and storage vehicle, which has 12 UAVs and an electromagnetic launching catapult. This is based off the chasis of the Model 71 APC. Meanwhile, there is also a control and communications vehicle, which is the MAV-UAVC, configured for unmanned aerial vehicle control, while there is also a secondary MAV which carries the appropriate systems required for support, maintenance, and the various sensor and weapons systems that can be fitted, designated the MAV-BWV. This results in a grand total of three vehicles, and an operating crew of 23. It is intended to be able to set up and operate the system in under five minutes, rapidly deploying the launch catapult, and transfering drones to launching systems, and operating the control systems. However, in general it can take substantially longer, upwards of half an hour, to plan out a mission, controls, reconnaissance targets, ect. ect.

Variants



UAR - Mod/MRR-ER
Extended range variant.

UAR - Mod/MRR-ES

UAR - Mod/MRR-US



UAR - Mod/IRR

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Overview

A widely deployed reconnaissance and scouting drone, the UAR - Mod/IRR is stationed in large numbers in military brigades and various artillery formations. Cheap, reasonably fast, with excellent range and capable sensors, they provide a stream of information to Manchukuo military commanders, keeping them up to date on progress at the front, and ensuring a constant flow of targeting information back to artillery units. Although sometimes overshadowed by the small drones below them, and the large jet propelled ones above, they play a vital role in ensuring efficient battlefield information capabilities.

Development

The development of the Mod/IRR as part of the UAR series was a component of the goals of the Consortium to develop a versatile and capable line of unmanned aerial vehicles that could be cheap, efficient, and brought into service quickly where necessary. IRR units were intended for the intermediate range role, covering distances up to between 200-400 kilometers. This was chosen as representing what was viewed as the upper edge of the area of interest to a brigade; their development happened during a period where there was still shifting doctrine concerning what the brigade of the future would be used for, as the Consortium of Manchukuo moved away from a divisional to a brigade level army for front line combat. Thus, since brigades would have much more importance placed on them, it was natural that they would need to gain access to a much more capable system of reconnaissance. This actually caused substantial changes to the UAR - Mod/### program as a whole, with a subsequent change to drones covering longer ranges. Instead of changing around the drone designs themselves, the lowest level they were deployed to was pushed down to the platoon level from the company level, meaning divisional drones became brigade drones, brigade drones became battalion drones, ect. ect. Thus the UAR - Mod/IRR, originally destined for utilization at the divisional level, was shifted to the brigade level.

General Characteristics

As a drone which is intended for long distance endurance of up to a better portion of 400 kilometers, while still being intended to be relatively light weight, UAR - Mod/IRRs naturally are economized for their role heavily. They are intended to fly at moderate speeds, conserving fuel, and enabling substantial loiter times if possible. Their construction is principally of composite materials to reduce weight, while they have a straight main wing, foldable, a cylindrical central fueselage, and a rear arrangement of a horizontal and vertical stabilizer. It has an overall length of 3.65 meters a width of 4.92 meters a height of 1.03 meters and a weight of 302 kilograms.

Power

UAR - Mod/IRR are the first in the line of the UAR series which incorporates a non-electric engine, instead shifting over to a turbine powered pusher prop engine. This provided superior efficiency for the vehicle at its larger size, with the utilization of an electric motor for it being somewhat less than desirable. This engine is capable of producing power of 70 horsepower, which equates to 55 kW, the equivalent the best portion of nearly four times the power of the UAR - Mod/MRR, providing a superior amount of propulsive ability for the drone and enabling it to reach higher speeds of 257 kilometers per hour at maximum. In addition it now has a service ceiling of up to 5,000 meters, and improved endurance to six hours. They are launched view electromagnetic catapults and recovered via parachute.

Sensors

Naturally, the most important part of the drone is the sensor suite it is fitted with. In the case of the UAR - Mod/IRR, it contains the various traditional sensors carried by other drones, including a wide area scanning panoramic camera, a high resolution camera, an infrared camera, and laser designator/rangefinder. This means it is capable of succesfully detecting targets in both the infrared and visual spectrum, as well as designating targets for attacks. However, although these are substantially improved over the UAR - Mod/MRR, it also incorporates a millimeter band radar system, which provides for the additional capability for it to detect enemies with its radar systems, significantly improving overall abilities.

Armament

Unlike other drones of the mid-echelons, there was no armament mounted on standard UAR - Mod/IRRs. They were viewed as being in the position of being too capable and large for utilization in small scale attacks, while not quite sophisticated enough to carry truly harmful heavy weaponry. Thus, they are they dedicated reconnaissance craft with no other capabilities, although this is certainly a very vital role.

Deployment and Doctrine

UAR - Mod/IRRs are deployed in numerous roles. They are used for reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and for operation in concert with other forces in the suppression of enemy air defense role. Their deployment primarily happens at the brigade level, although aviation units deploy them at times as well. At the brigade level they're deployed in drone companies, which are equipped with vehicles built from medium transportation trucks to carry the drones and their launch catapults, MAV-UAVCs for command, and workshop vehicles built with MAV-WVs. Each company has x3 transporter vehicles which have x8 drones each, for a total of 24 drones per each division. Typically each artillery unit at the divisional level has a similar supporting configuration, generally with two companies instead of one.

Variants

UAR -Mod/IRR-ES
Enhanced stealth variant, developed in minor numbers mostly for SEAD campaigns.

UAR - Mod/IRA/R

UAR - Mod/IRA/S



UAR - Mod/LRR

General Overview

Widely deployed across Corps and Army level formations in its various incarnations, the UAR - Mod/LRR is an important piece of unmanned reconnaissance technology. It is intended to offer a highly modular and variable system that can effectively conduct reconnaissance runs against the enemy, even in the presence of air defense. Fast, equipped with sophisticated sensors, reasonably cheap (As compared to other drones at higher levels), variable, autonomous and with the range required to efficiently conduct operations, UAR - Mod/LRR deliver vital intelligence back to Commanders, ensuring that enemy movements cna be discerned and pre-empted, that artillery can efficiently attack hostile formations, and that battlefield information is continually upgraded.

Development

LRR drones are Long Range Reconnaissance drones, designed to fill the 500-1,200 kilometer operational range. They are intended to function alongside long range artillery, corps, armies, and some naval units for the scouting role. It was widely believed that in the event of war with other nations it would be effectively possible for manned aircraft to penetrate enemy air defense, while SEAD operations would be extremely complicated, expensive, and risky. Thus, LRRs were intended to form a major element of reconnaissance systems, replacing conventional manned flights for operations to discern the enemy's status. They would be cheaper, both for resources and for lives, and with effectively greater capabilities - there would be no need to dedicate space to a pilot, while much greater risks would be allowable with a drone system. However, despite their sophistication, standard LRRs are still built upon the assumption that all Manchukuo drones have; that enemy air defense will be highly efficient, and that expensive drones with highy survivability should be, for the most part, avoided. Instead, emphasis should be placed on speed, range, operational capability, and cost. Drones are intended to penetrate enemy air defense yes; but it is not expected that the majority will ever survive this attempt. Such a risk is accepted, and thus reductions to the cost of the drone systems with as high of a usage of off the shelf materials and mass production needs to be developed to make their attacks cost-effective. However, while the LRR are built for this, they've also fostered an array of other drones in their category that focus on stealth, electronic warfare, and enhanced defensive capabilities. Although they aren't the majority of LRR drones built, they complement the standard UAR - Mod/LRRs, exploiting gaps that the standard drones have made and providing additional intelligence. Despite this, it is undeniable that in the event of war the majority of information will come from basis units, not equipped with stealth or anything particular useful for defensive purposes, but able to gather intelligence with can turn the tide of conflict with their sheer numbers.

General Characteristics

Thus, to fulfill such a design doctrine, the UAR - Mod/LRR is intended to be as small, fast, and well equipped with sensors as possible on the cheapest airframe that can be found. As a result of this, the drone is a swept wing, single engined aircraft built from synthetic components. The overall airframe was actually based off of the STD/57/Mod-1, a supersonic target drone. The advantages of basing it off the target drone was that the drone was already designed for high speed, low cost, and reliability. With appropriate modifications to fit in the new systems, and increase range, it naturally became quite efficient. It has a length of 11.5 meters, a width of 5.6 meters, and a height of 1.75 meters. It is built with a traditional layout, with mid-mounted wings slanted backward, a rear vertical stabilizer, and tailplanes. Thanks to its heavy usage of synthetic components and advanced materials it only has a weight of around 1230 kilograms, which was lighter than the drone it was based off of by several hundred kilograms.

Performance Characteristics and Power

Engine choice was a major decision which had to be made during the design process. There were two main competing elements, with a new turbofan engine or the drone's originally used turbojet engine. Most modern systems that are drones use turbofans, due to their advantages for operations at low altitude, and increased efficiency at lower speeds. However, a major advantage for a turbojet is that it is substantially cheaper and also efficient at high speed. Despite concerns over low altitude capabilities, this meant that a turbojet was used on the Mod/LRR. This preserved the original Mle. 55/V2-Turbojet used on the target drone. It is mounted in a removable mounting beneath the plane at the rear. This generates 18 kN of thrust, sufficient for it to reach speeds of Mach 2 at maximum speed, while it has a standard range of up to 1,200 kilometers.

Sensors

Being principally utilized for reconnaissance, a wide range of different sensor systems are fitted onboard. They are carried in modular mission bays, which provide for the ability to easily change in and out for whatever mission is to be undertaken. In typical operational capabilities though, it has onboard high sensitivity cameras for observation below and around the drone, infrared sensors, laser designator/rangefinder, and an onboard synthetic aperature radar system capable of providing 360 degree coverage against enemies. Information once developed is relayed back via secure communication systems, providing real time updated information on the battlefield. Other trade out systems include passive radar units for detecting enemy transmissions, and an NBC reconnaissance plane with various radiation, chemical, and biological agent detection sensors.

Armament
Since once of the primary means for the enemy to engage such a system is through the usage of radar detection, it was decided that it would be logical to give the LRR UAV a means to strike back and thus provide further justification for their expenditure. Thus, each one is fitted with 2 ARM-Mod/NMA-50s, which are adaptions of the 50kg secondary warheads found on the Navy's SS-IR-N-CM/ER anti-ship missiles. The advantages of this system is that it gives the UAV an easy way to strike back against enemy radar systems within its range, as if the enemy activates their radar then it can be promptly hit by short ranged high speed missiles. While it does add to the weight of the drone system, the indirect advantages to protection and direct advantages to combat effectiveness were viewed as being more than adequate to justify the addition.

Variants

A number of different variants have emerged as part of the UAR - Mod/LRR. Some of these are simply modifications, while others represent entirely new build versions of the project. UAR - Mod/LRR-TFs are turbofan equipped units, which are somewhat more capable at lower altitude while retainining similar overall perormance capabilities. UAR - Mod/LRR-ADs are attack drones, equipped with two weapon bays for up to 300 kilograms of weaponry. However, this is rarely if ever used or built, as there is simply little reason for it; land attack cruise missiles, artillery, and bombers do a much better job. The UAR - Mod/LRR-S is a stealth version, and is essentially an entirely different aircraft, with almost no parts in common and very dissimilar performance characteristics. It is subsonic, and designed in a flying wing type shape, with much more effort expended on defensive countermeasures. It is maintained in moderate numbers, providing stealth reconnaissance as compared to the high speed runs of the standard drone.

UAR - Mod/LRR-S

UAR - Mod/SLRR

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Overview

The largest and longest ranged commonly deployed drone in the Consortium's present arsenal of the UAR series, the UAR - Mod/SLRR is an unmanned platform intended principally for reconnaissance. Designed for extended flight times of days, and with models that serve a variety of missions from maritime patrol, to surveillance, to airborne warning and electronic warfare, they are operated by both the Oceanic and Ground forces. Although less often utilized in tactical roles thank other drones like the MRR and IRR series, its advantages of range and endurance means that it can fulfill directives that few other systems currently in service can. This has prompted its widespread development, and despite the development of longer ranged versions of the SLRR type, it has generally been the standard unit in service.

Development

At the time of the initation of the various classes of reconnaissance drones, the first categories covered were smaller, and medium range drones. For Manchukuo, they wasn't as much need for very long ranged drones as for other nations. Deployment for long range oversights against nations with modern air defense would be clearly useless, while for naval detection purposes satellites, long range over the horizon radar, and early warning radar would do quite adequately in most situations, while SLRR drones would have similar problems with penetrating air defense. It thus took a variety of time for development to continue before actual intiaition of any serious work on the UAR - Mod/SLRR began. Although with a reconnaissance bent like other drones, it placed greater emphasis on long term surveillance, maritime patrol, and electronic warfare, fulfilling roles that manned aircraft would be harder pressed to deal with, or would be less suited. It was also believed that as most other drones had limited speed, a faster unit was needed for long range roles. Thus, development began on the drone system, with an eye towards serving as the main long range drone of the Consortium except for the longest ranged ULRRs (Which are built in rather limited numbers). It proceeded at a moderate pace, and eventually resulted in the entrance into service in 3781.

General Characteristics

Relatively conventional in design and outlook, the SLRR is designed to operate at high speeds just slightly below supersonic in its basic incarnation, at high altitudes for the majority of operations, and for extended periods of time. This of course, has an effect on the sort of structure adopted, and in this case it created a swept wing aircraft, There were actually a number of different proposals, including a flying winged variant, two engined delta configuration, and two engined straight wing type, but these were either rejected due to being unnecessary, unsuitable, or being counter to the size, weight, and power restrictions. Overall the design developments resulted in a plane of around 8,000 kilograms, built mostly of synthetic and composite components to reduce weight and increase strength. It has a length of 15 meters, a width of 32 meters including the wingspan, and a height of 4.6 meters. It also has two vertical stabilizers, although no tailplanes. It has a total weight of 5,800 kilograms.

Characteristics of Performance and Power

Overall performance dictates were set at the beginning of the project. The maximum desired speed was in the vicinity of Mach .9, although the cruise speed was substantially lower, only around Mach .6. It was expected that there would be little significant need for high speed flight patterns, as the anticipated objective of the drone was to function as a moderate speed patrol drone for operations around oceanic regions. Still, the speeds that could be attained were significantly higher than the majority of other drones, which was intended to give it the capability to operate alongside army units, although the primary drone there would eventually be the UAR - Mod/SLRR-ES, designed to function at up to Mach 3 and at higher altitudes, with better stealth characteristics and a changed sensor system. However, the lower speed of thhe Mod/SLRR meant that its endurance could be substantially improved, reaching up to 30 hours, enough for sustainend operations. It can also attain an altitude of up to 18,200 meters.

For providing the appropriate power for this, a turbofan engine was used. The reason a turbofan engine was selected was due to the efficiency at the speed that operations were expected to be taking place, as well as its economical nature of procurement. It generates a thrust of 20 kN, sufficient for propelling it to the necessary speeds, and is powered with standard Manchukuo aviation fuel. The turbofan designed for the Mod/SLRR, the T/Mle75D/7 in particular was designed to optimize efficiency, reducing substantially fuel consumption as compared to previous variants. It is mounted above the plane, in a pod, which while increasing drag also makes it accessible for maintenance and provides for easier installation, as well as ease of cooling and thus less detection by infrared sensors at night.

Sensors

Concerning actual duties of detection and reconnaissance, there are options for a variety of different systems to be utilized. There are three main packages used though. One is a maritime surveillance package, another an active land observation package, and a final one a passive land observation unit. Maritime surveillance includes an electronically steered active radar system intended to monitor targets below the craft for dozens of kilometers around in a 360 degree circle, electrical/optical, infrared, Friend/Foe identification systems, and SIGNET (Signals intelligence systems). A similar package is intended for active land surveillance, but with signfiicantly more capable electrical/optical systems due to the more common utilization of such measures in the regions. The third package is designed to not produce any active emissions for increased stealth and resistance to enemy air defense. It does away with the active radar system and substitutes in its place passive radar systems and increased SIGNET capabilities. However, it hasn't been created in as large of numbers, as the SLRR is by its very nature, not a stealthy system. All of the sensor packages are designed to be emplaced in a forward bay in the fueselage, enabling them to be easily removed and modified. This is with the exception of signals intelligence systems, which go in pods on the wings.

Armament

As it is principally intended to be a reconnaissance platform, there were little plans for armament at the time of introduction. This holds true with most of the variants, with the only partial exception being those in oceanic patrol duties. These units are occasionally equipped with sonobuoys mounted in encapsulated aeredynamic systems under the wing roots. The idea for this is that they would thus have some ability to detect lurking submarines and thus provide additional capability for roles such as convoy protection. However, even for this theatre they are rarely deployed in this role, as it both decreases some of their performance capabilities, and its at odds with their deployment patterns at high altitude. Although one version was proposed to carry an anti-shipping missile or land attack missile, this was not entered into service, with the UAS Mle 83 being assigned this role.

Doctrine and Deployment

Variants

Although it may be lacking in aramemnt, this has not impeded the development of a range of different variants. Given the intention of making the drone a long range system deployable in a variety of theatres, with high modularity and reasonable cost, it was thus natural that a number of versions would be created. One common unit is the UAR -Mod/SLRR-AEW. This is an airborne early warning drone, equipped with a radar platform under the plane for detecting aerial targets. Although less capable than the larger fleet and land-based airborne warning systems, it has the advantage of being launchable from ships from catapult systems, being cheaper, and being usable in large numbers for short range coverage. There is also a dedicated electronic warfare plane under the designation UAR - Mod/SLRR-EW, which is equipped with ESM, jamming, and additional SIGNET systems. A communication and command variant, to assist in communications around an area of war was provided under the name of the UAR - Mod/SLRR-ACS. For civilian purposes the demilitarized UAR -Mod/SLRR/DM was created, for usage in various civilian scientific angencies and research instiutions.



UAR - Mod/ULRR

Stablock

General Overview

Substantially larger than even the UAR - Mod/SLRR, the UAR - Mod/ULRR is the longest ranged drone in the Consortium's UAR line up. Although not deployed often like the SLRR, it is able to fly for days at a time with a high degree of stealth at high altitude, providing continual reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. Like other drones it has also been deployed in a wide variety of roles, while its high altitude and stealthy natures makes it difficult to detect through conventional means. However, it is not often deployed, with only a few dozen of the UAR - Mod/ULRRs built, as compared to hundreds of smaller UAR - Mod/SLRR. Given its intent and design, this was for the most part adequate to the needs of the Navy for its utilization, although they continue to procure more at a slightly accelerated rate as time and budget allows.

Development

Like all other drones of the UAR series, the UAR - Mod/ULRR was designed to fit into a specific category of range and capabilities. In its instance, the goals called for a craft capable of being deployed for extended periods of times, up to several days without refueling, would have long range for theatre/global operational levels, and be able to carry a large payload with high modularity and adaptability. It was supposed to represent the top echelon of reconnaissance units, being the largest and longest ranged. Furthermore, it was supposed to incorporate more stealth and survivability features, as it was believed that its expense would mean these would be justified, and it was supposed to be deployed in much less combat-risky situations (Ie. not being on the front lines of a war zone in the midst of enemy air defense). This would represent one of the oddities of Manchukuo drone design; those designed to deploy in the most risky areas typically do not have as much stealth or protective countermeasures, as it is believed that against modern enemy air defense they will simply be rapidly destroyed unless if they adopt unreasonably protective and cautious measures. Instead, goals are for them to have the cheapest possible cost while still having their capabilities intact. The UAR - Mod/ULRR by contrast, comes from a different design school. The enemies it is supposed to be encountering are supposed to be more scattered, with less in the way of massive detection and engagement systems, and thus it would be able to incorporate survivability that would enable it to perform its role better, getting closer to the enemy and potentially surviving the attempt to keep up reconnaissance against them. It is thus built on the principles of a stealth aircraft, which did require a certain amount of sacrifice for the main airframe to correctly achieve such measures, but appropriately resulted in reduced radar and thermal signatures. It was designed through the 3770s, and eventually entered service in 3779, ironically somewhat before the more commonly used SLRR.

General Characteristics

As a subsonic, high altitude, long endurance plane, the UAR is tailored by its specifications and goals. It is one of a relative few of designs in the Consortium's aerial units that are built according to a flying wing layout. Generally this is not adopted, as Manchukuo's aviation forces rely more on speed than stealth, utilizing long range stand off weapons with the intent of engaging the target from beyond its effective range of response and outrunning any counters However, as the UAR - Mod/ULRR was intended to operate prinipally at subsonic speeds, having a design which focused much more heavily on stealth would be a logical development. Thus, it has a flying wing around a main body. Such a central area holds the majority of onboard systems, while it has two turbofan engines grouped to the sides of it in separate housings, specially tooled to provide a design that would offer minimal radar signature while also reducing thermal footprint. It incorporated extensive usage of modern synthetic and composite components to reduce weight and increase strength, while the exterior is coated in radar absorbent materials. This aids the natural stealthy properties of the design. An overall weight of 25,000 kilograms when empty, combined with a length of 13 meters, a wingspan of 28 meters, and a height of 2.2 meters.

Power

Given its role for operations for periods of time that are highly extended in nature, and at high altitude, but at moderate speeds, turbofans were the most efficient choice for the plane. It has 2 68 kW non afterburning turbofan engines, designed specifically for the UAV. The intent of their specific design was to achieve the highest possibly efficiency for them, with less of a focus on speed. This resulted in savings in mass and power that were substantial as compared to other units, although of course the speed limitations restricted its overall capabilities in that regard. Still, it was not designed or intended to be a high speed reconnaissance plane, so this was of little loss. It also has a refueling probe, which can further extend missions. Without this refueling probe it has a range of 15,000 kilometers, while its operational ceiling is 16,000 meters. A maximum speed of Mach .9 can be attained, although its cruise speed is lower, around Mach .8.

Sensors

For its mission capabilities, a large and varied sensor load is carried onboard. It carries in general equipment for active radar systems, passive radar systems, optical sensors, infrared, and ELINT. Given its emphasis on being rather stealthy the active radar systems, which are designed to cover a wide range of angles away from the plane in a 360 degree direction. Instead, it is much more focused on other systems, with superbly advanced electronic detection systems for picking up enemy communications and radar, paired with the very good visual and infrared systems. Never the less, its AESA arrays are capable enough that it can if necessary act as an AEW plane, although this is more commonly given to the notably cheaper AEW-Mle. 80 which is specifically designed for the role. The systems for the majority of the sensors are mounted in the under-plane bays, although there are various active and passive radar systems distribute throughout the fueselage to provide for maximum detection capabilities.

Protection

One of the main initial goals for the design was to produce a stealth drone. This was achieved through reductions to radar, infrared, and electronic signatures, with the intent of providing for the ability of the aircraft to operate in conditions where enemy air defense was intact, if not up to the standards of their homeland. Of the three main goals, the one that received the most attention was radar signature. Given that it was expected that enemy air defense would be searching most intensively with radar, it was thus natural that there would be the greatest goal to reduce such a visibility. Its flying wing design plays an important role in reducing radar signature, as the shape was specifically tailored to ensure that the aircraft had a smaller radar visibility due to it. It is also coated in radar absorbent paint, which deals with further elements of what the shape itself cannot conceal. All of this helps to reduce its radar profile to a very small size. Furthermore, it does its best to prevent thermal output that could alert enemy infrared detection systems.

Armament

While not designed principally as a weapons platform, one variant, the UAR - Mod/ULRR-ASMC was introduced to provide an anti-ship missile carrier. Although the drone isn't a supersonic high speed unit like most other attack planes, it has the advantage of substantially increased stealth. This means that it has the potential of being able to close to substantially closer ranges before detection as compared to other aircraft. This significantly reduces the time the enemy has to respond, and the missiles it is generally tasked with carrying missiles in the 2,000 kilogram class are designed to have high stealth levels of their own. It has two weapons bays to carry these, although it can also several thousand kilograms of bombs or various stand off weapons. These stand off weapons can include other surface to surface missiles ranging from the 450-2,000 kilogram class, and bombs ranging in size from 200 kilograms to 1,000 kilograms. However, despite this wide ranging variety of systems that can be delivered, it mostly is intended to function as its primary role, that of an anti-ship missile carrier. To achieve the space necessary for fitting the weaponry it removes its heavy under-plane sensor loads, but still maintains large portions of its radar and ELINT capabilities.

Doctrine and Deployment

Variants

[The Akasha Colony]

The way I see it the command and control fighter wouldn't be controlling the UCAVs, not in a literal sense anyway. Trying to control one aircraft while maneuvering in another would probably cause many a lunch to be lost. It would be more finding target and telling the UCAV to engage. All defensive measures would be automatic I assume. You are right though, that information could just as easily be sent back to base and they could give the order. The main drawback of UCAVs is they cant react like a human, having that guy watching over them from another aircraft can help negate that problem.

The role you want to use them in (ground attack) doesn't require human-like reactions. That's why it's a bit puzzling; you want these UCAVs to have human-like reactions so much as to put additional humans in harms way to control them, but then say that all these operators will be doing is something that could be done from a simulator on a distant airbase anyway. So why do you need them around?

[Britinthia]

The way I see it the command and control fighter wouldn't be controlling the UCAVs, not in a literal sense anyway. Trying to control one aircraft while maneuvering in another would probably cause many a lunch to be lost. It would be more finding target and telling the UCAV to engage. All defensive measures would be automatic I assume. You are right though, that information could just as easily be sent back to base and they could give the order. The main drawback of UCAVs is they cant react like a human, having that guy watching over them from another aircraft can help negate that problem.

The role you want to use them in (ground attack) doesn't require human-like reactions. That's why it's a bit puzzling; you want these UCAVs to have human-like reactions so much as to put additional humans in harms way to control them, but then say that all these operators will be doing is something that could be done from a simulator on a distant airbase anyway. So why do you need them around?

If I didnt use UCAVs at all then dozens of pilots are at risk. If I use the UCAVs then only a few pilots are at risk. Using the F-22/35 style combination there will always be someone at risk, but it can be limited by using the UCAVs. The additional forward controller is just a bonus.

[The Akasha Colony]

If I didnt use UCAVs at all then dozens of pilots are at risk. If I use the UCAVs then only a few pilots are at risk. Using the F-22/35 style combination there will always be someone at risk, but it can be limited by using the UCAVs. The additional forward controller is just a bonus.

Most of your pilots are still at risk. Since you need a pilot for each manned aircraft and a WSO for every two UCAVs, you only save one person between three aircraft. So if you sent 8 fighters and 16 UCAVs, you'd still have 16 crew, rather than the 24 you'd have if you just sent single-seaters.

You've also made it easier for the enemy to engage and thwart your attack relative to the cost involved. Your UCAVs will cost as much if not more than your actual fighters based on what you mentioned (that they are fighters, just without a crew), yet all of their maneuverability will be wasted. Put pilots in them and the survivability of the formation as a whole increases; now rather than just 8 fighters capable of engaging in air-to-air combat escorting 16 that cannot, you have a full 24 fighters all capable of contributing to the formation's defense, and the loss of a fighter means the loss of only one crewman, rather than two.

[Britinthia]

If I didnt use UCAVs at all then dozens of pilots are at risk. If I use the UCAVs then only a few pilots are at risk. Using the F-22/35 style combination there will always be someone at risk, but it can be limited by using the UCAVs. The additional forward controller is just a bonus.

Most of your pilots are still at risk. Since you need a pilot for each manned aircraft and a WSO for every two UCAVs, you only save one person between three aircraft. So if you sent 8 fighters and 16 UCAVs, you'd still have 16 crew, rather than the 24 you'd have if you just sent single-seaters.

You've also made it easier for the enemy to engage and thwart your attack relative to the cost involved. Your UCAVs will cost as much if not more than your actual fighters based on what you mentioned (that they are fighters, just without a crew), yet all of their maneuverability will be wasted. Put pilots in them and the survivability of the formation as a whole increases; now rather than just 8 fighters capable of engaging in air-to-air combat escorting 16 that cannot, you have a full 24 fighters all capable of contributing to the formation's defense, and the loss of a fighter means the loss of only one crewman, rather than two.

You're correct of course. I guess by the time UCAV technology progresses to the point of matching a pilot, and therefore requireing a command and control aircraft, the bandwidth and timelag problem will be solved also. So really my future-proofed aircraft is not at all.

Not that I personally want UCAVs in that setting. Im happy with my future-eurofighters and supersonic harriers. XD

[Novorden]

Why not have the UCAVs acting as an 'extension' of the fighter? Sort of like an arsenal ship. The UCAV(s) are semi autonomous, and follow the piloted aircraft (not exactly hard). They receive targeting data from the jet, allowing the pilot access to far more ordinance whilst still only having 1/2 crew at risk. If the jet needs to dog fight or some other action the drones wouldn't be very good at they can be told to wait at a location or pilot themselves back to base.

[Britinthia]

Why not have the UCAVs acting as an 'extension' of the fighter? Sort of like an arsenal ship. The UCAV(s) are semi autonomous, and follow the piloted aircraft (not exactly hard). They receive targeting data from the jet, allowing the pilot access to far more ordinance whilst still only having 1/2 crew at risk. If the jet needs to dog fight or some other action the drones wouldn't be very good at they can be told to wait at a location or pilot themselves back to base.

I brought up a similar idea a little while ago. The only problem is defending the drone, maintaining stealth if you are using 5th gen manned aircraft and keeping the drone close enough to be effective when you need it.
To be effective it would have to be carried bombs while the mothership carries a2a weapons and then the same arguments that shot down my UCAVs.

[Purpelia]

And than someone tracks the radio signal and smokes both birds with one missile.

[Hurtful Thoughts]

you should just put missiles on the B-52s so they can shoot down interceptors and sams by themselves

That's poopy and unflashy.

Yeah, but it sure as heck kills a lot of Pudite flyboys.

Anyways...

I was thinking about having a 2-seat manned fighter, and have the WSO operate or link-into drones and patch with AWACS to coordinate missile-bus intercepts in an ECM heavy LOS-COMMS environment.

I mean... why not take an AIM-54... give it pylons... load it with AIM-9X Sidewinders... and fire it at an enemy bomber formation?

[Triplebaconation]

redesign

[Gallia-]

you should just put missiles on the B-52s so they can shoot down interceptors and sams by themselves

That's poopy and unflashy.

Wrongdonia.

It's only cool if you stack the missiles like vinyls tho.

[Britinthia]

Im not the first and I probably wont be the last to bring this idea up, a 'Super-Harrier'.

Larger 'big wing SHAR' type wing,
Larger tail,
More powerful engine, Pegasus 16 based with PCB. Hopefully 35,000lbs of thrust with PCB.
Lengthened forward and rear fuselage,
New intakes to allow supersonic performance, something like a cross between an F-4 and F-35 in appearance,
All brand new avionics, AESA radar,
Large use of composites,
Tricycle landing gear with the rear centre landing gear removed.

I would like to sell it for less than the F-35 and market it to nations who want to replace Harriers or just want a cheaper alternative to the F-35. On this note could a Harrier be catapult launched? This would allow it to compete in nations who already have conventional carriers. If not I may have a problem selling it to my own Navy.

[Gallia-]

http://iiwiki.com/wiki/Saab_Sea_Fox

Surely it's in there somewhere.

[Britinthia]

http://iiwiki.com/wiki/Saab_Sea_Fox

Surely it's in there somewhere.

Surely whats in there? A similar concept with vaguely similar aims.

[Gallia-]

http://iiwiki.com/wiki/Saab_Sea_Fox

Surely it's in there somewhere.

Surely whats in there? A similar concept with vaguely similar aims.

Everything you asked except for the redundant, pointless, silly, or expensive.

[Vassenor]

Royal Vassenor Air Force.

Roundel

Training Fleet

Basic Trainer - Pilatus PC-9
Advanced Fast Jet Trainer - BAE Hawk 65
Multi-Engine Trainer - Beechcraft Super King Air 200
Helicopter Trainer - Eurocopter AS350

Front-Line Aircraft

Fast Jet: Dassault Mirage 2000E
Combat Helicopter: Bell AH-1J International
Utility Helicopter: Eurocopter AS555 Fennec
Cargo Helicopter: Boeing CH-47 Chinook

Support Aircraft

Tanker: Airbus KC-30A Voyager (Australian / French spec w/ Boom and drogue pods)
Transporter: Lockheed C-130H Hercules
AEW&C: Boeing 737 AEW&C
Maritime Patrol: CASA/IPTN CN-235
VIP Transport: Airbus A340

Royal Vassenor Navy

Utility Helicopter: Eurocopter AS555 Fennec
(Heavier cargo lifts provided by RVAF Chinooks as required)

Vassenor Coast Guard:
Long Range Patrol: CASA/IPTN CN-235
SAR / Interdiction Helicopter: Eurocopter AS565 Panther

[Organized States]

Royal Vassenor Air Force.

Roundel

Training Fleet

Basic Trainer - Pilatus PC-9
Advanced Fast Jet Trainer - BAE Hawk 65
Multi-Engine Trainer - Beechcraft Super King Air 200
Helicopter Trainer - Eurocopter AS350

Front-Line Aircraft

Fast Jet: General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon
Combat Helicopter: Bell AH-1J International
Utility Helicopter: Eurocopter AS550 Fennec
Cargo Helicopter: Boeing CH-47 Chinook

Support Aircraft

Tanker: Airbus A310 MRTT (w/ Boom conversion)
Transporter: Lockheed C-130H Hercules
AEW&C: Boeing 737 AEW&C
Maritime Patrol: CASA/IPTN CN-235

Royal Vassenor Navy

Utility Helicopter: Eurocopter AS550 Fennec
(Heavier cargo lifts provided by RVAF Chinooks as required)

Vassenor Coast Guard:
Long Range Patrol: CASA/IPTN CN-235
SAR / Interdiction Helicopter: Eurocopter AS565 Panther

I would list future aircraft acquisitions as well. The F-16A is getting old, you know.

[Voltrovia]

Royal Vassenor Air Force.

Roundel

Training Fleet

Basic Trainer - Pilatus PC-9
Advanced Fast Jet Trainer - BAE Hawk 65
Multi-Engine Trainer - Beechcraft Super King Air 200
Helicopter Trainer - Eurocopter AS350

Front-Line Aircraft

Fast Jet: General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon
Combat Helicopter: Bell AH-1J International
Utility Helicopter: Eurocopter AS550 Fennec
Cargo Helicopter: Boeing CH-47 Chinook

Support Aircraft

Tanker: Airbus A310 MRTT (w/ Boom conversion)
Transporter: Lockheed C-130H Hercules
AEW&C: Boeing 737 AEW&C
Maritime Patrol: CASA/IPTN CN-235

Royal Vassenor Navy

Utility Helicopter: Eurocopter AS550 Fennec
(Heavier cargo lifts provided by RVAF Chinooks as required)

Vassenor Coast Guard:
Long Range Patrol: CASA/IPTN CN-235
SAR / Interdiction Helicopter: Eurocopter AS565 Panther

I would list future aircraft acquisitions as well. The F-16A is getting old, you know.

Nice roundel. I would recommend making a low-visibility one as well though.

[Voltrovia]

Also, why use F-16A/Bs when you could use Block 52s?

[Ontorisa]

Is this good for an Airforce?

Jets in service:
O-35b 'Scavenger'(Multi-Role Fighter, all the works of the current F-35C model except with added speed, agility, weapons and protection.)
O-26c 'Warrior' (Air Interceptor, easy to fly and well armed and extremely agile.)
O-72e 'Poison' (Air Superiority Fighter, agile and superior to most aircraft fielded today. Well built, easy to fly and cheap.)
O-90h 'Midnight' (Night Multi-Role Fighter, agile and can easily detect and attack hostile targets at night. Can also be used during the day.)
C-130 (All variants)
U-60 (Ground Attack Jet, upgraded version of the A-10 with both anti-vehicle (it can take on ships) and anti-infantry weapons)

Bombers:
ISD-53 Strategic Bomber (Well built and fast bomber for long range missions.)
IER-60 Multi-Use Bombers (Fast and Agile bombers that are used alongside O-35bs.)
B-2 Stealth Bomber
B-52 Support Bomber
HYU-22 Heavy Bomber (Modern-ized version of the B-52, basically almost unstoppable).

Helicopters in service:
UH-1X 'Sabre' (An Ontorisan built gunship modeled off of the UH-1Y. Increased agility and aerodynamics while adding on more armour.)
CH-47 'Chinook'
SDD-43 'Clover' (The Ontorisan version of the UH-60 'Blackhawk'. Armed with four MG36s, two in the front door gunners, two in the back and the basic rotors, the SDD-43 can run both transport missions and combat support missions.)
SDD-45 'Fever' (The Ontorisan version of the AH-6/MH-6 'Littlebird'. The Attack version has two 7.62mm Miniguns, 2 JS3 50 calibre machine guns on the front and two 82mm Rocketpods. The Transport version can seat 10 passengers and three pilots; the pilot, co-pilot and coordinator.)
SDD-46 'Faithful' (The Ontorisan Attack Helicopter. Equipped with 1 7.62mm Minigun, 52 82mm Rockets fired from 2 rocketpods, 4 AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and 6 AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, it is a highly upgraded and well armed and armoured helicopter.)
SDD-47 'Viking' (Another Ontorisan Attack Helicopter. Equipped with 1 50 calibre JS3 Machine Gun, 48 82mm Rockets fired from 2 rocketpods, 6 AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, 8 AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles. It is extremely manoeuvrable, more than the SDD-46 however offers less protection to compensate for the speed, agility and weapons.)

EDIT:

Also, why use F-16A/Bs when you could use Block 52s?

Because F-16s are an excellent Multi-role fighter and has been proven in combat over and over again while the Block 52s are just a Polish variant.

[Organized States]

Also, why use F-16A/Bs when you could use Block 52s?

Possibly cost, or he's into light fighters.

[Vassenor]

Also, why use F-16A/Bs when you could use Block 52s?

Because I'm trying to keep things on the lower budget / keep older things running end of things. It's why the infantry section I posted elsewhere still has FNCs and Woodland BDUs and is only just starting to get SCARs.