Multirole Fighter Aircraft Acquisition [RFI]

[Thalis]

For General Release
13/01/14, Monday
[Angelask|Englanti]

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MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, THALISENE UNION

The Ministry of Defence hereby issues an invitation for initial information towards the potential future acquisition of a fleet of multirole fighters up to a sum total of 150 (one-hundred and fifty) aircraft, with an option for the additional acquisition of up to 100 (one-hundred) additional aircraft.

Specific capability parameters and requirements have not been set by the Air Defence Component for this stage of the acquisition process, with general requirements and desired characteristics as follows.

1. Current generation beyond and within visual range air-to-air engagement capabilities
2. Current generation ground and sea strike capabilities
3. Impeccable long-endurance engine reliability
4. Full adaptability to the use of externally procured munitions
5. Compatibility, with or without external assists, with take-off and landing from and on runways as short as 800m
6. Ease of maintenance and inter-sortie servicing
7. Reliable operation in cold weather conditions

Responses to this Request for Information should be submitted by the 16th of January, 2014. Any further queries will be received via telegram.

[Lamoni]

From: Lyran Arms-Lamoni

In response to your RFI for a multi-role fighter aircraft, Lyran Arms would like to present the LY909 Sparrowhawk.

The premier multi-role fighter sold by Lyran Arms, the Sparrowhawk is already used by many nations around the world, protecting their skies, and inducing fear in the enemy. The unique Quadplane construction of the LY909 allows it impressive STOL performance, while being able to carry the full range of modern munitions.

Maintenance was simplified as much as possible, and the Sparrowhawk also enjoys high reliability rates in even the most trying of conditions, from the driest and dustiest of deserts, to the most frozen of wastelands, and everything in between.

We believe that the LY909 Sparrowhawk will be a perfect fit for your air force.

Lyran Arms thanks you for your time, and we look forward to doing business with you in the future. Please place any orders in the Lyran Arms thread.

[Riysa]

The Fascistic Autocracy of Riysa
الجمهورية العربي ألفاشية الريسي
!أمة عربية واحدة، ذات رسالة خالدة
"One Unified Nation, For Eternity!"
To: Ministry of Defense, Thalisene Union
From: Riysian High Command, Riysa

Greetings,

It has come to our attention that you are looking for advanced multirole fighter aircraft for your air force. As such, we would like to offer our entry: the TaH-29 Shrike.

It can take on a wide variety of munitions, and without modification can be used for short take-off conditions such as those found on STOBAR carriers - although a naval variant is offered for dedicated naval aviation. As a multirole, it can engage both land, sea, and air targets, and by design it is more optimized for air superiority missions than other multirole aircraft. Different variants offer different capability; the TaH-29T variant, for example, offers the R-19 X/L-band AESA radar, giving it anti-stealth capability and an edge over most of its opponents, while the TaH-29A operates a more convetional PESA radar for lowered flyaway and operating costs.

The TaH-29, while it can not be considered a true stealth craft, has a reduced radar cross section of only 0.5m2, allowing it to remain hidden for much of the way from enemy radar sets, while not incuring the same costs as, say, a true stealth jet such as the F-22 Raptor. Steps have also been taken to reduce its infrared and EM signature, to make it all around less observable.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Riysian High Command (QAR). The arms industry in this nation is completely nationalized and under the control of our equivalent of a Ministry of Defense, so profits are never placed ahead of capability and reliability.

Best of luck,
Za'im Tawfiq al-Hiwari

[Virana]

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Sender(s): Melinda Mushaf, Director of Global Solutions

To the esteemed and honorable representatives of the Thalisene Union Ministry of Defence,

United Aerospace Defense Systems, or UNADS, is a global aerospace and security company headquartered in the United Republic of Emmeria. We provide advanced solutions to our customers through our employees' innovation, performance, and unmatched integrity. As a global security, aerospace, and information technology company, UNADS serves the United Republic Department of Defense, federal executive agencies, and international government and some commercial customers by providing cutting edge products, services, and platforms.

We received notice of your request for information for maritime-capable multirole fighter jets with advanced capabilities for use with the Thalisene military to replace the previous generation aircraft in a combat capacity. We believe the UNADS F-29 Super Viper Joint Dominance Fighter, a 5th generation stealth multirole fighter, fits your requirements fairly well. Allow me to address each requirement individually.

• Current generation beyond and within visual range air-to-air engagement capabilities
  The F-29's sophisticated sensory array provides it with advanced situational awareness in both the within and beyond visual range regimes to expedite the pilot's OODA loop process and enhance the aircraft's overall air-to-air engagement capability. The principle sensor for beyond visual range combat, the Rayzero AN/APG-90 SCAN active electronically scanned array, can perform precision detection and tracking of numerous targets at extended ranges. For close-range purposes, the aircraft's AN/AAQ-144 EODAS system doubles as a situational awareness/all aspect infrared search and track system as well as a passive infrared threat detection/tracking and night vision system. Combined with other passive sensors (including radar and laser warning receivers), this two-pronged sensory approach and sophisticated sensor fusion capability optimizes the F-29 for advanced capability at all ranges.
  
  In transonic maneuvers, the F-29 exhibits exceptional maneuverability, a vital aspect of the aerial combat mission profile. Using a combination of flight control surfaces, fluidic thrust vectoring control (F-29A/C only), and an advanced integrated flight control system, the F-29 is an extremely agile fighter jet providing versatile capabilities for aerial combat. Combined with current generation weaponry—including actively guided radar missiles and high off-boresight thrust-vectoring equipped infrared missiles—the F-29 provides a deadly combination of onboard aerial performance and versatility of weapon systems.

• Current generation ground and sea strike capabilities
  The F-29's design was optimized from the start to fit a flexible multirole profile with a focus on versatile strike capacity. Its airframe is built to enhance cruise and maneuver capabilities in the transonic regime, a flight envelope ideal for this role. The F-29's APG-90 SCAN low-probability of intercept AESA array contains numerous functions to perform long-range aerial combat and multiple ground attack roles, utilizing agile beam steering, synthetic aperture mapping, ground moving target identification, and a host of other methods to excel in these missions. The aircraft features a highly sophisticated sensor suite, including advanced electro-optical sensors providing situational awareness infrared search-and-track, that boost its capability to perform in any role.
  
  With six external hardpoints and expansive internal bays that can fit weapons as large as 2,000 lb class bombs (with room to spare), the F-29 can carry a large variety of versatile strike packages optimized for sea or ground precision strike. Guided and unguided bombs, air to ground missiles (including shortened, folding-fin versions of modern anti-radiation missiles), and a host of other types of weapons can be loaded into the F-29, and when combined with advanced sensors and datalinks, provide the capability to engage virtually any ground or sea target with appropriate weaponry. Due to its stealth capability, the F-29 is capable of getting closer to enemies than ever before, vastly expanding the available options for striking particular targets.

• Impeccable long-endurance engine reliability
  The F-29's twin Bahar & Carter F151 (even number blocks), Defense Dynamics F154 (odd number blocks) multi-axis fluidic thrust vectoring turbofans, and Bahar & Carter F152 turbofans with a vertical lift fan/turboshaft (F-29B only) are sophisticated fifth-generation fighter engines with numerous improvements that enhance efficiency and reliability while reducing moving parts. The objective of all three engine systems is primarily to enhance simplicity, boost available thrust, and take advantage of current generation signature reduction technology.
  
  With 40% fewer moving parts than fourth-generation fighter engines, the F151/152/154 cut the support and maintenance requirements in half. This improves strategic mobility, because far less support equipment is required to effectively operate the engines on deployment. In most stages of the engines, the disks and blades are constructed as a single piece to improve efficiency and reduce leakage. Unlike engines in fourth generation fighter aircraft, the fan blades in the engines are stronger, wider, and shroudless to further maximize efficiency. A unique burn-resistant titanium alloy is used to construct the compressor stators, boosting engine heat tolerance and increasing available thrust. The same alloy is used in the engine nozzles and augmentor to provide advanced heat resistance. Because of these materials, the engine nozzles have a reduced infrared signature as compared to conventional nozzles, making the aircraft more difficult to detect using thermal imaging systems.
  
  All engine components are controlled electronically to maximize efficient use of both engines. They do not produce visible smoke, making it more difficult to detect and track the aircraft. Additionally, all line-replaceable units are "one-deep", meaning components are not stacked on top of each other. This eases maintenance requirements for the engine.
  
  Combining almost a century of aircraft propulsion innovation and experience, Bahar & Carter and Defense Dynamics produced their most reliable and durable engine systems yet. With stringent engine reliability restrictions for the F-29 and a challenging engine testing environment, the United Republic and its international partners actively receive one of the most reliable engines used in the history of fighter jets.

• Full adaptability to the use of externally procured munitions
  The F-29 has the capability to adapt to virtually any weapon system light enough for its pylons (and small enough if the weapon is to be fitted into the internal bays of the aircraft) through a relatively simple programming procedure under the oversight of UNADS. Because the entire code of the aircraft is written in common commercial/international programming languages, the programming process is simpler and takes less time than that of previous generation aircraft. This provides end users the capacity to rapidly optimize the aircraft to their domestic weapons, while retaining compatibility with more common Emmerian and international weapon systems. This inherent versatility allows the aircraft to integrate with virtually any military force.

• Compatibility, with or without external assists, with take-off and landing from and on runways as short as 800 m
  The F-29A, the conventional takeoff variant, cant take off from runways as short as 800 m without assist assuming standard loaded weight. Higher weights would naturally require longer runways. However, the F-29B short takeoff/vertical landing variant can take off from runways as short as 170 m without assist (including a lack of a ski jump ramp) due to their vectored thrust engine and lift fan. While vertical takeoffs would require too much fuel for operational use, the option to do so is available.
  
  The F-29C version, optimized for catapult assisted aircraft carrier takeoffs, has an enlarged wingspan for increased lift and lower wing loading. It is capable of taking off from runways as short as 800 m without assist at maximum takeoff weight, but it is generally used with far shorter aircraft carrier runways utilizing catapult-assisted launch schemes.

• Ease of maintenance and inter-sortie servicing
  One of the F-29's most important requirements, as proposed by both the United Republic military and international customers, was a highly reliable and easily maintained design. 91% of all parts are "one-deep", allowing maintenance and engineer crews to access a majority of systems without first removing other systems or parts. The extensive parts commonality between variants allows for forces operating multiple variants or cooperating with international partners operating different variants to interchange a significant number of parts; this was, from the first incorporation of international development partners, one of the primary objectives of the program as multinational joint operations became increasingly important in the modern threat environment.
  
  Networked global parts lifespan tracking allows for spare parts to be delivered by manufacturers quicker and more effectively than ever before as part of an integrated performance-based logistics service, allowing militaries to reduce existing parts stockpiles without compromising sustainability. Each aircraft has an advanced maintenance software that allows for computerized assessment of maintenance and repair requirements as well as an automatic detection of malfunctions. Due to an extensive use of composites and advanced materials in the airframe, including stealth material "baked in" to the aircraft's composite (rather than maintenance-intensive radar-absorbing paint in conventional stealth aircraft) combine to reduce support requirements.
  
  Overall, the improved and networked maintenance systems, integrated pilot and maintenance training, the use of open-source software and programming, and parts commonality between services, are intended to reduce the aircraft's overall operating costs by 54%, as well as reducing the required maintenance to a mere 60 man hours per flight hour.

• Reliable operation in cold weather conditions
  The F-29 was created to fit the requirements and specifications of three Emmerian armed services and six international development partners. Of these six development partners, two are located in regions with cold weather conditions being a commonality. As a result, all-weather reliability (including in extremely cold temperatures) formed an integral portion of the F-29's design phase. The F-29 performs effectively in virtually all weather conditions.
  
  Each of the three primary variants of the F-29 can be retrofitted with a drag chute in a stealthy carriage for use with icy runways. Additionally, a more specialized version of the F-29, the FF-29 (available in FF-29A, B, and C configurations) features an integrated drag chute that has a smaller overall effect on the aircraft's stealth and aerodynamics. This version is often purchased by countries requiring drag chutes due to cold temperatures and the threat of ice on runways.

The F-29 is a multirole fighter that serves an imperative role in Emmerian air defense strategy, combined with a number of legacy 4th and 4.5 generation fighters as well as the air superiority-focused F-31 Wyvern. Over 60,000 F-29s have been built for almost 50 countries worldwide, who utilize the F-29's advanced capabilities to provide themselves a decisive advantage in aerial warfare.

The individual flyaway cost for an F-29 is around $85 million Universal Standard dollars, a price accomplished through the economies of scale principle. However, nations purchasing the F-29 also pay for an export license, pilot and maintenance technician training, maintenance equipment, logistics, and a performance-based logistics plan. As such, the cost of purchasing the F-29 for export can be found here.

The federal government of the United Republic of Emmeria can authorize defense contractors to compete in international defense acquisition programs, providing sophisticated products to nations with similar objectives and defense goals. After a review, the United Republic Defense Security Assistance Agency (DSAA) has issued an arms export license to UNADS and other defense contractors responsible for the F-29 to allow us to participate in this competition.

Please contact us if you have any requests, inquiries, or comments. Thank you for your consideration. I have attached the F-29's official specifications for your review.

Sincerely,
Melinda Mushaf
Director of Global Solutions
United Aerospace Defense Systems

1 Attachment: F-29 specifications

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1 (1 pilot)
• Length: 15.65 m (51.35 ft)
• Wingspan: 10.7 m (35.1 ft) (F-29A/B); 13.12 m (43.04 ft) (F-29C unfolded); 10.5 m (34.45 ft) (F-29C folded wingtips)
• Height: 4.3 m (14.11 ft)
• Wing area: 47.7 m² (513.44 sq ft²) (F-29A/B); 69.4 m² (747.02 ft²) (F-29C)
• Empty weight: 14,502 kg (31,972 lbs) (F-29A); 15,588 kg (34,366 lbs) (F-29B); 15,547 kg (34,275 lbs) (F-29C)
• Loaded weight: 23,470 kg (51,743 lbs) (F-29A); 24,556 kg (54,137 lbs) (F-29B); 24,515 kg (54,046 lbs) (F-29C)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 31,800 kg (70,107 lbs)
• Powerplant: 2× Bahar & Carter F151 multi-axis fluidic thrust vectoring turbofans (F-29A/C); 2× Bahar & Carter F152 multi-axis fluidic/conventional thrust vectoring turbofans with turboshaft
  • Dry thrust: 71 kN (15,961 lbf) each
  • Thrust with afterburner: 97.5 kN (21,918 lbf) each

Performance

• Maximum speed:
  • At altitude: Mach 1.61 (1,970 km/h; 1,230 mph) (tested to Mach 1.7)
  • Supercruise: Mach 1.02 (1,240 km/h; 770 mph)
• Ferry range: 4,200 km (2,270 nmi) with two external fuel tanks or conformal drop tanks
• Combat radius: 1,000 km (650 nmi) on internal fuel
• Wing loading: 377.12 kg/m² (77.24 lb/ft²) (F-29A)
• Thrust/weight: 0.85 (F-29A) (1.17 with loaded weight and 50% fuel)
• Maximum design g-load: -3.0/+9.0 g (F-29A); -3.0/+7.0 g (F-29B); -3.0/+9.0 g (F-29C)

Armament

• Guns (one of the following; none on F-29B STOVL, must be installed externally):
  • M61A2 Vulcan 20 mm 6-barreled rotary cannon
  • GAU-22/A Equalizer 25 mm 4-barreled rotary cannon
  • GAU-8/C Avenger 30 mm 4-barreled rotary cannon
• Hardpoints:
  • 4× under-wing hardpoints (2 per wing)
    • 2× AA/AS hardpoints (wet; 1 per wing) rated for 2300 kg
    • 2× AA/AS hardpoints (1 per wing) rated for 1150 kg
  • 2× near-wingtip single-load hardpoints (1 per wing) rated for 150 kg (A2A ordnance only)
  • 2× ordnance bays
    • 1× roof-mounted hardpoint per bay, rated for 1150 kg
    • 1× roof-mounted hardpoint per bay, rated for 300 kg (A2A ordnance only)
    • 1× door-mounted hardpoint per bay, rated for 300 kg (A2A ordnance only)
• Missiles
  • Air-to-air missiles
    • AIM-120 AMRAAM
    • MBDA Meteor
    • AIM-9X Sidewinder
    • IRIS-T
    • AIM-132 ASRAAM
    • Joint Weapons Program - AAMs
      • AIM-11X Python XSRM
      • AIM-145C Medusa XMRM
      • AIM-160 Golden Eagle XLRM
      • ASM-140 XASM
  • Air-to-surface missiles
    • AGM-158 JASSM
    • AGM-154 JSOW
    • Brimstone/MBDA SPEAR
    • Joint Air-to-ground Missile
    • Storm Shadow
    • SOM
    • Joint Strike Missile

Avionics

• Rayzero AN/APG-90 SCAN AESA radar and RWR (175 km against 1 m² targets for radar; 350 km for RWR)
• UAE Systems AN/ASQ-144 STRIKE remote operated targeting unit
  • LANTIRN low-altitude night operations subsystem
• AN/AAQ-38 electro-optical Distributed Aperture System missile warning and situational awareness system
• Southard-Ackerman AN/ALQ-43 SPECTRA defensive aids system
  • Radar and laser warning receivers
  • Southard-Ackerman AN/ASQ-392 electronic warfare system

[/list]

[Pharthan]

Thalisene Union,

We at Halcyon Arms would like to invite you to survey our storefront for our many wares. Most of our products are pre-built, prior to orders, and as such we have a wide array of arms for you to select from that you can have on your doorstep within a matter of days.

We believe our F/A-33 Wolf will fit the billet best as to your needs, fitting them all and being a perfectly carrier-capable STOL fighter, or, pending on your desires, we can also offer the F/A-70 Panther II, which is more suited for an Interceptor, though will normally function quite well in multirole facets.


Current generation beyond and within visual range air-to-air engagement capabilities:

• The F/A-33 Wolf is fully capable of beyond-visible range engagements, and through the use of additional fighters - including other Wolves, can coordinate effective pack-strikes, allowing one fighter to act as a stealthed Reconnaissance bird with the others acting as missile-trucks well out of harm's way, guiding the missiles in. Each Wolf is capable of limited AWACS duties.

Current generation ground and sea strike capabilities

• The Wolf is a very capable multirole aircraft, adding Strike Fighter to it's long list of aircraft it can cover for effectively. With the ability to carry internal and external weapons, the F/A-33 is able to deliver ordnance as a fighter or strike aircraft.

Impeccable long-endurance engine reliability

• As with all of our equipment, the F/A-33 is rigorously tested and has experienced combat; it is well known that all current parts in the production line of the aircraft are as reliable as can be humanly expected of them. We sell only the best products. Unlike some of our competitors, like the F/A-22 Raptor and copycats, the airframe of the Wolf is designed to last and take the burden of the maneuvers it claims it can do, leading to an extended service life.

Full adaptability to the use of externally procured munitions

• The external and internal racks of the Wolf can take most armaments, and is fully capable of using adapters to fit those

Compatibility, with or without external assists, with take-off and landing from and on runways as short as 800m
Ease of maintenance and inter-sortie servicing

• As with all Halcyon Arms equipment, the Wolf was designed by former Air Force personnel, providing valuable input to ensure ease of maintenance and fighter-turn-around. Such considerations were taken into account frequently to ensure that the fighters could be turned around back into combat as quickly as possible, or to allow the maintenance crew much needed downtime.
• Structural problems are rarely an issue. All of our products have been produced a great many times, and long-standing products like the Wolf and the Panther II have been run through their paces many times over; such analysis has proven which parts will fail and which will not, allowing us to correct and ease maintenance further.

Reliable operation in cold weather conditions

• Cold weather operations provide little obstacle to the F/A-33 Wolf, and it has undergone extensive testing within artificially chilled wind-tunnels as well as actual cold-weather combat.

Very Respectfully,
Tyler Jacobs,
CEO of Halcyon Arms