View source for Vetrov and Kazakov VeK-41

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{{Infobox Aircraft
|name           = VeK-41 Okhot
|type           = {{wpl |Stealth aircraft|Stealth}}  {{wpl | Interceptor aircraft}} 
|manufacturer   = VeK Design Bureau
|image          = File:VeK-41 1.jpg
|caption        = A VeK-41A flying over northern Stasnov.
|national origin = {{flag|Stasnov}} 
|first flight   = 12 October 2011
|introduction   = 8 January 2015
|retired        = 
|status         = In service
|primary user   = Stasnovan Revolutionary Air Force 
|produced       = 2012-present
|number built   = 50+
|program cost   = 
|unit cost      = €100 million
}}

The '''Vetrov and Kazakov VeK-41 Okhot''' (Russian: Ветров-Казаков ВеК-41 Oхот) is a [[Stasnov|Stasnovan]] supersonic, stealth interceptor developed by the Vetrov-and-Kazakov Design Bureau during the 00s and entered service with the Stasnovan Revolutionary Air Force in early 2015. It is intended to replace older interceptors in service with the Revolutionary Air Force.

==Origins==

The development of Mach 3+ interceptor aircraft by the Vetrov and Kazakov Design Bureau started after the removal of the remaining Stasnovan MiG-25 intercepor fleet active from service, in the early 2000s. The project was dubbed "Project Ryzhaya Lisa", and was initiated on request by the [[Stasnovan Revolutionary Air Force]]. However, the develipement programme received less funding and attention than that of other aircraft like the [[Vetrov and Kazakov VeK-29|VeK-29]], as threats from Mach 3+ aircarft were virtually nonexistent in [[Atlas]].

However, with the first public reveal of the [[Confederacy of Bavaria|Bavarian]] [[FZ-202]] in 2008, a threat appeared in the horizon. The project saw a drastic increase in funding because of that, and because the development stage of the new VeK-29 was over, and more funds could be allocated to other aircraft developments. The first prototype model, the ES-41, was presented to the air force in 2011, and its first flight had very satisfying results. After five more prototypes, the first aircraft entered production as the VeK-41.

==Further Development==

The Stasnovan Revolutionary Navy has expressed its interest for the development of a carrier-borne variant for its Naval Aviation branch. The aircraft could provide fleet air defence with its hight speeds, intercepting threats before they are within firing range from the naval task force, and even intercepting and shooting down incoming anti-ship cruise missiles. The proposed carrier-based variant, the VeK-41K, would to be fitted with folding wings, high-lift devices, and arresting gear. The project is still in development, with one prototype rumoured to have been produced.

==Design==

===Airframe===

The VeK-41 is a large twin-engine aircraft, the design of which makes extended use of composite materials to increase structural strength and stability, as well as reduce its weight. The wings and airframe of the VeK-41 are stronger than older interceptors, thus, increasing its pefrormance while in supersonic flight at low altitudes. The VeK-41 is limited to only 6 g when travelling at supersonic speeds. While flying under combat weight, its wing loading is marginal and its thrust-to-weight ratio is favorable. 

===Stealth===

The nozzle's inner petals were lined with ceramic tiles to reduce infrared signature. Active cooling of the exhaust gas emitted emmitted by the VeK-41's Chernyy DT/SP-71 afterburning turbofan engines also significantly reduces the infared signature of the aircraft. The VeK-41 also features an internal weapons bay, and radar-absorbent materials. These features significanlty decrease the VeK-41s RCS.

===Electronics, countermeasurs and Avionics===

The radar mounted on the VeK-41 is the VVS/AFAR-SP.7 advanced active electronically scanned array radar, developed by Shivkov AEA Bureau. The radar has a range of 420 km against AWACS-size targets, and 320 against fighter-sized ones. It can track up to 24 targets and simultaneously can attack up to 6 targets, and alos has and stealth-detection capability.

An advanced passive infra-red airborne track system is mounted on the aircraft, istead of the regural, nosed-mounted IRST systems seen on other aicraft.

The VeK-41 is also fitted with the VVS/RSA-29 electro-optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS), also found on the [[Vetrov and Kazakov VeK-29|VeK-29]]. The VVS/RSA-29 is a multifunctional missile warning, ultraviolet and infra-red search-and-tracking, missile reporting and aircraft detection system, that consists of multiple, infra-red, ultraviolet and electro-optical sensors in such a way as to provide unobstructed spherical coverage and functions around the aircraft without any pilot input or aiming required.

The VeK-41A can act as a small AWACS airplane. Onboard equipment provides interaction with anti-aircraft missile defense complexes and the use of aircraft as an air command post to coordinate the actions of other types of fighters.

===Engines===

The VeK-41 makes use of the powerful Yegor TA/K-85 afterburning  turbojets engines. The TA/K-85 provides the aircraft with a maximum speed of Mach 3.6, thus making it the fastest combat aircraft in service in Atlas. Hhowever, flying at such speeds will cause a shortened engine life, and increases the risk of engine failure or permanent breakdown. The TA/K-85 also provides the ability to the Zherav to supercruise at Mach 2.7.

==Operational history==

==Variants==
*'''ES-41''': Prototype variant. Six were built.
*'''VeK-41A''': Standard production variant.
*'''VeK-41E''': Export version with slightly downgraded engines and radar.

==Operators==
*{{flag|Stasnov}}: The Stasnovan Revolutionary Air Force operates 44 VeK-41As.
==Accidents and losses==

==Specifications (VeK-41A)==
{{aircraft specifications
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|jet or prop?=jet
|plane or copter?=plane
<!-- Now, fill out the specs.  Please include units where appropriate (main comes first, alt in parentheses). If an item doesn't apply, like capacity, leave 
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1: pilot
|payload main=
|payload alt=
|length main=
|length alt=
|span main=13 m
|span alt=
|height main= 4.50 m 
|height alt=
|area main=
|area alt=
|airfoil=
|empty weight main= 21,200 kg
|empty weight alt=
|loaded weight main= 40,840 kg 
|loaded weight alt=
|max takeoff weight main= 21,400 kg
|max takeoff weight alt=
|more general=
<!-- Powerplant -->
|engine (jet)= Yegor TA/K-85
|type of jet=afterburning  turbojets
|number of jets=2
|thrust main=
|thrust alt=
<!-- Performance -->
|max speed main=Mach 3.6
|max speed alt=
|max speed more=
|range main= 3,400 km
|range alt=
|range more=
|combat radius main= 1,500 km at Mach 1 / 760 km  at Mach 2.4
|combat radius alt=
|combat radius more=
|ferry range main= 3,300 km 
|ferry range alt=
|ferry range more=
|ceiling main= Roughly 23,000 m
|ceiling alt=
|climb rate main= >301 m/s
|climb rate alt=
|loading main= 
|loading alt=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=*'''Maximum design ''g''-load:''' +6 g
<!-- Armament -->
|Armament=<!-- if you want to use the following specific parameters, do not use this line at all-->
|guns=  Provision for 1× 30 mm TPS-44 cannon 
|hardpoints= Total of 10: 4 × external (underwing) and 6 × internal
|hardpoint capacity=
|missiles=<br />
**Air-to-air missiles:
***K-77M
***K-74M2
***R-27ER
***R-27ET
***KS–172
***R-37
***R-77 variants
***R-73 variants 
**Air-to-surface missiles
***Kh-31AM/Kh-31PM
***Kh-58UShK
|bombs=<br />
**KAB-250
**KAB-500KR
**KAB-500L
|hardpoint other=TBA
<!-- Avionics -->
|avionics=TBA
}}