AFHB-4 Balena Heavy Bomber: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "{{WIP}} {|{{Infobox aircraft begin |name = Vulcan AFHB-4 Balena |image = Image:AFHB4Balena.jpg |caption = A Cacertian Royal Air Fleet AFHB-...")
 
mNo edit summary
 
Line 27: Line 27:
|}
|}


The '''Vulcan AFHB-4 ''Balena''''' ('''Whale''') is a four-engine, turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform currently in service with the [[Cacertian Royal Air Fleet]]. Introduced in 1956 as part of the Royal Air Fleet’s Strategic Long-Range Aviation division, it served as the main strategic bomber of the Air Fleet until it was superseded by the [[AFSB-2 Spettro Strategic Bomber|Spettro]] but continues to serve as a maritime patrol craft and reserve missile platform. It is expected to remain a part of the Air Fleet’s arsenal well into 2040.
The '''Vulcan AFHB-4 ''Balena''''' ('''Whale''') is a four-engine, turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform currently in service with the [[Cacertian Royal Air Fleet]]. Introduced in 1956 as part of the Royal Air Fleet’s Strategic Long-Range Aviation division, it served as the main strategic bomber of the Air Fleet until it was superseded by the [[AFSB-2 Spettro Strategic Bomber|Spettro]] but continues to serve as a maritime patrol craft and reserve stand-off missile platform. It is expected to remain a part of the Air Fleet’s arsenal well into 2040.


==Development==
==Development==

Latest revision as of 20:38, 13 July 2021

Vulcan AFHB-4 Balena
AFHB4Balena.jpg
A Cacertian Royal Air Fleet AFHB-4 on a maritime patrol
Role Strategic heavy bomber
National origin  Cacerta
Manufacturer Vulcan Aeronautics
First flight 3 October 1952
Introduction 11 March 1956
Status In active service
Primary user CRAFFlag.png Cacertian Royal Air Fleet
Produced 1952—1993
Number built 100+

The Vulcan AFHB-4 Balena (Whale) is a four-engine, turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform currently in service with the Cacertian Royal Air Fleet. Introduced in 1956 as part of the Royal Air Fleet’s Strategic Long-Range Aviation division, it served as the main strategic bomber of the Air Fleet until it was superseded by the Spettro but continues to serve as a maritime patrol craft and reserve stand-off missile platform. It is expected to remain a part of the Air Fleet’s arsenal well into 2040.

Development

Design

Operational History

Variants

AFHB-4

Production variant of the original AFHB-4; it was the only variant not fitted with a refueling probe.

Operators

Specifications (AFSB-3)

General Characteristics

  • Crew: 6 - 7 (pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, communications systems operator, navigator, tail gunner, additional navigator)
  • Length: 46.2 m (151 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 50.1 m (164 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 12.12 m (39 ft 9 in)
  • Wing Area: 300 m² (3,300 ft²)
  • Empty Weight: 90,000 kg (198,416 lbs)
  • Gross Weight: 171,000 kg (376,990 lbs)
  • Max Takeoff Weight: 188,000 kg (414,469 lbs)
  • Powerplant: 4 × RKD-12 turboprop engines
  • Propellers: 8-bladed contra-rotating fully-feathering constant-speed propellers

Performance

  • Maximum Speed: Mach 0.8 (925 km/h, 575 mph) at altitude
  • Cruising Speed: Mach 0.6 (710 km/h, 440 mph)
  • Range: 15,000 km (9,300 mi, 8,100 nmi)
  • Service Ceiling: 13,716 m (45,000 ft)
  • Rate of Climb: 10 m/s (2,000 ft/min)
  • Wing Loading: 606 kg/m² (124 lb/ft²)

Armament

  • Payload: 45,000 kg (99,208 lb) within internal weapons bays
Retrieved from "https://iiwiki.us/mediawiki/index.php?title=AFHB-4_Balena_Heavy_Bomber&oldid=372523"