Gruening F5M Lynx

Gruening F5M Lynx
A pair of Meridonian Navy F5M7s of the High Spades conducting an overhead break at MNAS Marin Bay.
Role	Air superiority fighter Multirole fighter
National origin	Meridon
Manufacturer	Gruening Defense Aerospace
First flight	14 August 1970
Introduction	2 February 1974
Status	In active service
Primary user	Meridonian Navy
Produced	1969-present
Number built	924
Unit cost	86.2 million MD (F5M7)

The Gruening F5M Lynx is a Meridonian carrier-capable, supersonic, twin engine, two seat, twin tail, variable sweep jet fighter. Originally designed for the Meridonian Navy to supplement and eventually replace the F4M Spectre in an air superiority fighter and interceptor role, it has been significantly developed and upgraded since its initial introduction to compose a major part of the tactical aircraft of both the Navy and the Template:Meridonian Air Forces, where it has been made capable of multirole missions.

Originally designed and optimized for long-range air to air interception of cruise missiles, bombers, and fighter aircraft, a need for long-range strike capabilities on naval aircraft became apparent, which saw later variants upgraded to become capable of precision bombing and reconnaissance via the Tactical Aircraft Navigation and Designation Module (TANDEM) pod. Following the collapse of the Air Force's Air Supremacy Initiative in the 1980s, the F5M was introduced as an interim solution to fill a gap in the air superiority field. Collaboration with the Navy and Air Forces in the 90s saw the introduction of the "Super Lynx", an enhanced design featuring leading edge extensions, integrated targeting and navigation systems, enhanced avionics and airframe construction, and a substantial enhancement in its mission profile with the ability to launch standoff air-to-ground munitions.

Currently, it serves as one of the mainline fighter aircraft of both services alongside the F6M2 Wasp, where it remains ideally suited for air combat missions. Built around the Template:WPL long-range air-to-air missile as its primary armament, it remains one of the most potent long-range interceptors in service, though it has been upgraded to be able to field the Template:WPL alongside the Wasp.

Design

A Cacertian AFASF-12A inflight with engines on full afterburner.

The AFASF-12 has an all-metal semi-monocoque fuselage possessing broad aerodynamic similarities to the earlier NSF-12 Albatro. It has mid-mounted swept wings with blended leading-edge root extensions swept at approximately 40°. A pair of tailplanes and vertical fins are mounted on booms outboard of the engines. Automatic, five-segmented slates are mounted on the leading of the wings with maneuvering flaps and wingtip ailerons mounted on the trailing edges. The boron-composite skin used in the construction of the Drago gives the aircraft very high heat resistance as well as exceptionally thin wing edges.

It was originally powered by a pair of EDA-78 turbofan engines with afterburners which are widely in comparison to its contemporaries; the space between the engines generates lift, reducing wing loading and improving maneuverability. Since 2010, most Dragos in Cacertian service have been upgraded to newer and significantly more fuel-efficient EDA-2010 turbofan engines. Both engines are fed by rectangular inlets equipped with variable intake ramps and, as an adaptation for rough-field operations, these ramps can be closed completely to prevent ingestion of ground debris. When the main intake ramps are closed, louvers on the upper fuselage are automatically opened and allow the engines to receive air through their auxiliary inlets.

The cockpit of the Drago is high-mounted and equipped with a bubble canopy that gives it increased visibility in comparison to previous Cacertian-designed fighters. The avionics systems includes a heads-up display, advanced radar, inertial guidance system, flight instruments, ultra high frequency communications, an advanced air navigation system, and instrument landing receivers.

An integrated helmet mounted display projects all essential fight information gathered by the integrated avionics and is visible to the pilot in any light condition. This allows operators to track and destroy enemy aircraft without the necessity of looking down at cockpit instruments.

Gylian Air Self-Defense Force AFASF-12EA.

The Drago is equipped with an advanced pulse-doppler radar that allows the aircraft to look up at high-flying targets as well as look-down at low-flying targets without confusing ground clutter. Despite the fact the Drago was more purposefully designed as a low-to-mid altitude dogfighter, it is equipped with radars capable of tracking targets beyond visual range.

The armament for a Drago often varies depending on its mission profile. As a dedicated air superiority fighter, this primarily focused on medium range air-to-air missiles, but as newer variants of the Drago were developed, this would later expand to also include multi-mission munitions. The Drago is equipped with eight external pylons, four under each wing. A single 30mm cannon with a 150-round magazine is located in the port wing root.

Since their introduction in 1983, the Drago has undergone a number of upgrades to improve performance and expand its capabilities. As of 2008, the majority of Dragos in service with the Cacertian Royal Air Fleet have been overhauled with newer hardware and sensors, which greatly increased a pilot’s situational awareness, as well as a new radar capable of provided instantaneous updates and enhanced multitarget tracking.

Dragos in Ruvelkan service saw extensive modifications and upgrades during their action in the Zemplen War. Designated AFASF-12Ks, the domestically developed Ruvelkan Dragos possess precision-guided targeting and an enhanced optical locator system that allows Ruvelkan Dragos to operate independently of ground-control interception. Among other upgrades, several Ruvelkan Dragos were later equipped with low-drag conformal fuel tanks which greatly increased their operational range for increased aerodynamic drag.

Operational History

A Ruvelkan AFASF-12K during the Zemplen War.

Dragos have been involved in several modern conflicts since their introduction, first seeing action in Knichus during the FedCom Civil War primarily serving as combat escorts for Cacertian ground attack aircraft—they did not engage in direct air-to-air dogfights.

The first major deployment of Dragos in their intended combat role was during the short, six-day Imerti Conflict in which Ruvelkan Imperial Air Force Dragos fought several—though inconclusive—skirmishes against Syaran Zephyr fighters.

The Zemplen War saw Ruvelka’s air force pitted directly against the Commonality Air Force in the largest air-to-air conflict in modern history. As the main fighter aircraft of Ruvelka, the Drago's primary competition was the Syaran Zephyr.

While the Drago's maneuverability, especially within visual range, and higher speed gave it an edge in dog-fighting, early efforts at air-to-air combat were hampered by Ruvelkan reliance on pilot guidance by ground controllers. As Ruvelkan forces were forced to fall back throughout 2008, the loss of forward airbases and radar stations resulted in the Ruvelkan air force abandoning the ground guidance element and focusing on aerial command and control.

Taking advantage of their numerical superiority (although the CAF outnumbered the RIAF in total aircraft, the Ruvelkans fielded more fighters) Ruvelkan Drago Squadrons began employing a tactic called "kürt fészek" (hornet nest), avoiding one-on-one engagements with Syaran Zephyrs and forcing combat at close range to maximize their maneuverability. The Ruvelkans continuously refined and expanded their Drago fleet during the war, and their heavy usage of complex, rapid maneuvers earned the aircraft the nickname of "балерина" (ballerina) by Syaran pilots.

During the Arzell Crisis, the Imperial Shalumite Air Force placed their Dragos on standby although the resolution to the conflict came before they were sortied.

The Drago entered serialized production in Cacerta in 1983 and has remained in continuous production ever since. The original variant of the AFASF-12 ceased production in the mid-1990s, but the newer and upgraded variants for both Cacerta and its clients continues. With over 2,300 units produced between Cacerta and licensed nations, the Drago is one of the most produced air-superiority fighters in the region.

Variants

AFASF-12

The initial production version that entered service with the Royal Air Fleet in 1983. Following an upgrade and refit program (which resulted in the AFASF-12A) in the mid-1990s, only a handful of examples of the original version of the Drago currently exist, most of which are listed in the Air Fleet’s reserve or are preserved in museums.

AFASF-12E

The AFASF-12E (Esportazione) is the export variant of the original Drago. Many of the features remain the same between the original and the export, the only differences being a commercial variant, and not the Air Fleet standard, radar and electronic suite.

AFASF-12A

In 1993, Ersilia began a program designed to upgrade the systems of the Drago to modern standards and equipment; the final product was designated as the AFASF-12A (Aggiornamento). A number of flight control improvements provided better stability and controllability as well as an improved mechanical-hydraulic flight control system. The package also included a new radar and ECM system as well as the ability for the Drago to carry underwing and centerline drop tanks for increased range. The AFASF-12A was the first of the Drago family capable of engaging ground targets, although its overall focus was still air-to-air dominance.

AFASF-12EA

Ersilia offered a limited upgrade program to its export customers in 1998 following the success and release of the AFASF-12A designated as the AFASF-12EA (Esportazione Aggiornata). Many of the improvements that were installed on the As were included in the package, however the radar and electronic suits were once again commercial and not the Air Fleet’s standard.

AFASF-12NG

The lack of air-to-air engagements in the modern era resulted in the creation of the newer AFASF-12NG (Nuova Generazione). Originally, the NGs (later nicknamed Drago IIs) were simply further upgraded AFASF-12As with expanded ground attack capabilities. As of 2008, however, the AFASF-12NG entered its own serialized production and NGs that are now entering service are considered brand new aircraft.

AFASF-12K

The AFASF-12K (Korszerűsített) is a Ruvelkan-developed variant improving on the original AFASF-12EAs purchased from Cacerta. The aircrafts' performance during the Zemplen War affected further development of Ruvelka's air-superiority program and the native Ruvelkan design began deployment in late 2008. New precision-guided targeting capabilities and a uniquely designed optical locator system relieves the Ruvelkan AFASF-12EAs from their reliance on ground-control interception systems. These systems allow the AFASF-12K to conduct its missions independently.

Operators

Current Operators

• Meridon; Cacertian Royal Air Fleet—776 in service as of September 2018. The Drago and newer Drago IIs form the backbone of the Air Fleet’s fighter inventory.

Specifications (AFASF-12NG)

Ersilia AFASF-12 line drawing.

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 17.37 m (57 ft)
• Wingspan: 11.4 m (37 ft 5 in)
• Height: 4.73 m (15 ft 6 in)
• Wing Area: 38 m² (409 ft²)
• Empty Weight: 13,380 kg (29,500 lbs)
• Loaded Weight: 19,200 kg (42,330 lbs)
• Max Takeoff Weight: 26,500 kg (58,420 lbs)
• Powerplant: 2 × EDA-2010 afterburning turbofans
• Fuel Capacity: 6,400 kg (14,109 lbs)

Performance

• Maximum Speed: Mach 2.25 (2,100 km/h, 1,310 mph) at altitude
• Cruise Speed: 1,960 km/h (1,220 mph)
• Service Ceiling: 16,200 m (>53,000 ft)
• Rate of Climb: 330 m/s (65,000 ft/min)
• Wing Loading: 442 kg/m² (90.5 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/Weight: 1.02

Armament

• Guns: 1 × 30 mm cannon with 150 rounds
• Payload: 5,500 kg (12,100 lb) on 8 external hardpoints (8 underwing)