Vetrov and Kazakov VeK-41

VeK-41 Okhot
File:VeK-41 1.jpg A VeK-41A flying over northern Stasnov.
General information
Type	Stealth Interceptor aircraft
Manufacturer	VeK Design Bureau
Status	In service
History
Manufactured	2012-present
Introduction date	8 January 2015

The Vetrov and Kazakov VeK-41 Okhot (Russian: Ветров-Казаков ВеК-41 Oхот) is a 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 VeK-29, as threats from Mach 3+ aircarft were virtually nonexistent in Atlas.

However, with the first public reveal of the 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 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.

Variants

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

Operators

• Stasnov: The Stasnovan Revolutionary Air Force operates 44 VeK-41As.

Specifications (VeK-41A)

General characteristics

• Crew: 1: pilot
• Length: ()
• Wingspan: 13 m ()
• Height: 4.50 m ()
• Empty weight: 21,200 kg ()
• Loaded weight: 40,840 kg ()
• Max. takeoff weight: 21,400 kg ()
• Powerplant: 2 × Yegor TA/K-85 afterburning turbojets

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 3.6
• Range: 3,400 km ()
• Combat radius: 1,500 km at Mach 1 / 760 km at Mach 2.4 ()
• Ferry range: 3,300 km ()
• Service ceiling: Roughly 23,000 m ()
• Rate of climb: >301 m/s ()
• Maximum design g-load: +6 g

Armament

• Guns: Provision for 1× 30 mm TPS-44 cannon
• Hardpoints: Total of 10: 4 × external (underwing) and 6 × internal  and provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Other: TBA
• Missiles:
  
  • 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:
  
  • KAB-250
  • KAB-500KR
  • KAB-500L

Avionics
TBA