Specifications: Type: Advanced Jet Trainer/Light Fighter Crew: 2: Pilot and WSO/Trainee and Instructor Length: 15.7 meters Wingspan: 11.2 meters Height: 4 meters Empty weight: 5,100kg Max take-off weight: 11,000 kg Powerplant: 1 NAI-404 afterburning turbofan Max thrust: 53.07 kN (11,930 lbf) dry, 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) with afterburner Performance: Top Speed: 990 Knots Stall Speed: 95 Knots G-ilimt: +8/-3.5 G Ferry Range: 1,500 kilometers Typical Combat Radius: 350 Kilometers Service ceiling: 50,000ft Rate of climb: 39,000 feet per minute Armament: *20mm 3 barrel rotary cannon/205 rounds *3,500Kg of munitions (5 hard-points) including air-to-air missiles, guided air-to-ground munitions, bombs, bombs, rockcets,etc. Avionics and Sensors: SPR 2050 AESA radar FLIR Countermeasures suite BASTION II Cost per unit: 20,000,000 USD Simulator unit cost: 2,500,000 USD DPR cost: 10,000,000,000 USD
Following on the success of the AT-21 Guru, Schwerpunkt Arms proactively set out to develop a lead in trainer to replace the current aging Nachmerian fleet of A-4 Skyhawks. Schwerpunkt decided to develop an aircraft that will be not only affordable, but maintain a respectable combat ability. The reason for this choice is that historically the RNAF saw it’s lead in fighter training squadrons as operational units. In addition Schwerpunkt sees a significant export market for affordable combat aircraft, as illustrated by the success of the AT-21. The extensive use of computerized design and simulated testing have allowed the aircraft to be developed quickly and at lower than ever costs.
The FT-21 is a compact, single engine aircraft with twin vertical stabilizers, tricycle landing gear, and a tandem two pilot cockpit. The large bubble shaped canopy offers excellent visibility, and the high thrust to weight ratio and aerodynamic design, coupled to advanced avionics and the tried and tested NAI-404 turbofan make the Merlin a reliable, forgiving aircraft. It is well suited not only to train pilots for heavier more capable jets, but to act in air-to-air, air-to-ground and close air support roles.
The FT-21 features an all glass cockpit with HMD (Helmet Mounted Display) for both crewmen. When in combat missions, the instructor position can be used for a weapons system operator. In this configuration, the pilot’s focus is flying the aircraft, while the weapons operator operates the sensors and weaponry. However, the controls are identical, so each post can fully operate all systems if needed.
The cockpit has 4 LCD screens coupled with a central control touch screen allowing the pilot to choose what information to display where. All warnings appear on a selected warnings screen and also announced by a voice system.All systems are controlled by the central touch screen except for engine power (controlled by throttle) and ailerons/elevators controlled by a side-stick. Flight control is a fully digital, artificial intelligence augmented system. The HMD or Helmet Mounted display shows all flight data, FLIR view(when a pod is smounted), navigation, threat warnings and weapons targeting. It allows the weapons operator and the pilot to direct weapons to the targets simply by looking in their direction and pressing a button on their side-stick.
Due to its role as a lead in trainer, Schwerpunkt has developed a ground training system (simulator) as an integral part of the project. The FT-21 simulator system offers both operational and weapon systems training on the ground, with nearly 100% fidelity to the actual FT-21 cockpit. These simulators are also capable of linking with actual FT-21s to simulate formation operations while saving valuable flight hours. The FT-21 has a fully integrated onboard training and debriefing system, including simulated sensor readings, weapons use and live, automated scenarios. The combination of onboard and ground based simulation solutions makes the FT-21 ideal for making pilots into fighter pilots.
To provide it with advanced combat and training capacity the FT-21 is equipped with state of the art systems:
SPR 2050 AESA radar: an advanced Fire Control Radar (FCR) designed for air-to-air superiority and strike missions, based on fully solid-state Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) technology, enabling the radar to achieve long detection ranges, high mission reliability and multi-target tracking capabilities.
The radar provides simultaneous modes of operation supporting multi-mission capabilities for air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-sea operation modes, and weapon deployment.
CEWS-1C: The “Countermeasures and Electronic Warfare System” combines several sub-systems:
* FRWR100C: This is a Radar Warning Receiver which identifies tracks and classifies Radar emissions from possible threats (up to 150 km). The FRWR100 coordinates with other elements of the CEWS-1 system, and the FAR150C to allow the crew to engage and engage or evade threats quickly. * Friend/Foe Identification system *Electronic Countermeasures System, which automatically jams radar threats detected by the FRWR100C and missile approach warning system. *Infra Red and Ultra Violet Missile Approach Warning System, which warns of approaching missiles and interacts with other systems to defeat them. *Automatic Flare and Chaff dispensers, cooperates with missile approach system and FRWR to defeat incoming missiles.
NINE: Night Integral Navigation and Engagement is an integral all weather/low visibility navigation and ground target engagement system. Using the Radar , a FLIR sensor and a laser range finder/designator, the NINE allows for ground attack operations with maximum accuracy. The NINE system is located under the wings (on both sides) and is integrated into the aircrafts aerodynamic design.
BASTION and GIN: The FT-21 is equipped with the BASTION II battle management system. The system allows the aircraft crew to send and receive sensory data, GPS locations, and more. GIN, or GPS and Inertial Navigation, is a system that combines data from GPS as well as an inertial Navigation system to give navigation information even when the GPS system fails or the satellite signal fails.
The Merlin’s internal armament is a 20mm 3 barrel rotating automatic cannon with 205 rounds in storage, using the automated fire control system it is usable for both air-to-air and air-to-ground engagements. The FT-21 is capable of carrying up to 3,500 kilograms of external ordnance on 1 centerline hardpoint and 4 under-wing hardpoints. The possible weapon load includes air-to-air missiles such as the Viper 5 laser and television guided munitions, GPS guided munitions, rocket and gun pods(including 12.7mm, 20mm, and 7.62mm guns), as well as targeting and sensory pods and fuel tanks (two wing tanks and a centerline tank).
All purchases and questions are to be conducted in on our main store
Last edited by Nachmere on Sat Oct 30, 2021 12:10 pm, edited 3 times in total.