K.11 'Griffon'

K.11 'Griffon'
Role	Heavy Bomber
National origin	Imperial and Federal Union
Manufacturer	Plessner-Krupp Aerospace Industries
Primary user	Imperial & Federal Navy Imperial & Federal Aerospace Troops

The K.11 Griffon is a heavy bomber developed by Plessner-Krupp Aerospace Industries in service with the Imperial & Federal Navy and the Imperial & Federal Aerospace Troops. The K.11 Griffon is a second generation strategic bomber, meant for interstellar missions, capable of striking targets in star systems from a base in a home system. The K.11 is capable of multiple mission profiles, ranging from strikes against strategic void and planetary targets, operational strikes against hostile fleets and armies, to long range patrol, and anti-shipping missions. The K.11 can carry a heavy strike package, and is heavily defended by both armour, ravelins, and defensive weapons. The K.11 is the backbone of the Aerospace Troop's Bomber Command, providing the main strength for the Aerospace Troop's strategic striking power.

Operational History

Deep Space Patrols

K.11s of the Imperial & Federal Aerospace Troops made up a vital piece of the deep space patrols necessary to secure the Twin Eagles Trade Corridor and the Northwest Passage. Both R.u.B trade projects extended through relatively untamed space, with significant pirate activity, necessitating a series of active and continued patrols to prevent pirate groups from establishing themselves too close to the trade lanes. While extensive Imperial & Federal Navy patrols had already been launched, the vast lengths of space required more ships than the Navy was willing to spare, and--in some areas--merchant traffic was limited to closely escorted convoys. Deployment of K.11N craft provided a more constant set of patrols, enabling limited Navy assets to be vectored against identified pirate threats, while small groups of standard K.11 bombers were used to attack identified pirate installations with heavy ordnance, in conjunction with traditional naval actions. These operations played a significant role in ensuring the security of both the Twin Eagles and Northwest Passage trade routes.

Variants

K.11N

The K.11N is a naval patrol bomber variant of the K.11. The K.11N exchanges approximately half of its bomb bay capacity for a sophisticated sensor system, and the necessary crew facilities to operate them, while retaining a sizeable payload capacity for strikes against shipping. The K.11N is the main variant operated by the Imperial & Federal Navy, making up major portions of the Navy's Patrol Squadrons.

K.11R

The K.11R is a strategic reconnaissance and electronic warfare variant of the K.11. The K.11R exchanges all of its payload capacity for sophisticated sensors, eavesdropping, communication, jamming, and other systems.

K.11T

The K.11T is a transport variant of the K.11 heavy bomber, with the bomb bay replaced with a troop compartment and cargo bay. The K.11T's primary function is for the strategic deployment of Dragoons and other orbitally deployed troops, or for general supply missions in combat situations, when a more combat capable craft is needed for supply delivery.

Specifications

General Characteristics

• Crew: 20
• Length: 84.5 m
• Wingspan: 116.1 m
• Height: 29 m
• Powerplant: 6x K-f9c Kaur-Pena Reactor; 1x K-b3a Kaur-Pena Reactor
• STL Propulsion: 6x S-f4a Impellers
• FTL Propulsion: 2x Wa3 Warp Drive

Armaments & Features

• Defensive Armament: 8x Ikadan Heavy Industries Type 14 20 mm Quad-autocannons; 2x Reichmettal MGVII/50 Reinhold Quad-cannon
• Hardpoints: Internal bay with capacity for
  • 180x Imperial Ordnance Works Type 01K Universal Bomb
  • 36x Imperial Ordnance Works Type 01 Universal Bomb
  • 18x Takarada Munitions Type 45 Torpedo
  • 4x Takarada Munitions Type 50 Torpedo
  • 2x Imperial Ordnance Works A.7 Hund Strike Missile