Ausaine F6M Wasp: Difference between revisions

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==Variants==
==Variants==
;F6M
;F6M
:Initial operational variant, first supplied to the Meridonian Navy in 1974. As initially supplied, it was almost purely an interceptor and air superiority aircraft, with marginal ground strike capability added through unguided bombs and rockets only. It was powered by Altern MG-410 afterburning turbofans, which proved unreliable and prone to compressor stalls especially at high AOAs. All F5M models were upgraded to F5M2 standard by 1983.
:Initial production and operational variant, entering service with the Meridonian Navy in 1986. All variants serving with the Meridonian Armed Forces were upgraded to F6M2 standard by December of 2022.
 


;F6M2
;F6M2
:Upgraded variant of the initial F5M2 variant addressing numerous concerns by the Navy and adding operational requirements for use by the Air Force. Wing vanes mounted in the glove box were permanently removed, and the addition of a second CRT display for navigation was included. Integration with civilian navigational sources including VOR and ILS were integrated for use, including a HUD approach mode. Automatic Carrier Landing System (ACLS) capability was added to this model. A total of 103 F5Ms were upgraded, and an additional 242 were produced to F5M2 standard.
:Upgraded variant of the F6M2 featuring an upgraded cockpit configuration and avionics,an active electronically scanned radar replacing the previous mechanically-steered radar, and an infrared search/track sensor (IRST).  


;E6M2 Backwave
;E6M2 Backwave
:Upgrade program conducted in the mid-late 1980s, its primary improvement was replacing the unreliable Altern MG-410 engines with Hollon FT80s, which themselves were a product of the failed Air Supremacy Initiative. Performance increases were substantial, allowing even a fully-loaded fighter to take off without the use of afterburner, a feat unmatched by any other model of naval fighter before or since. Integration was added for the TANDEM NAVLFIR system, including the employment of laser-guided bombs.  
:Dedicated electronic warfare variant designed in tandem with the F6M2 upgrade, produced as new built airframes.


==Operators==
==Operators==

Revision as of 16:59, 3 January 2025

Ausaine F6M Wasp
Wasp 1 view.png
F6M Wasp
Role Multirole fighter
National origin  Meridon
Manufacturer Ausaine Aerospace
First flight 14 August 1977
Introduction 3 September 1986
Status In active service
Primary user MNFlag.png Meridonian Navy
MAFFlag.png Meridonian Air Forces
Produced 1979-present
Number built 2,012
Unit cost
86.2 million MD (F5M7)

The Ausaine F6M Wasp is a Meridonian carrier-capable, supersonic, twin engine, two seat, twin tail, multirole jet fighter built by Ausaine Aerospace. Designed to fit the needs of the Meridonian Navy to replace a variety of legacy aircraft conducting strike and air combat roles, particularly the A6M Raider and A7M Cutlass, it was designed to reduce operating costs by combining a large variety of roles into one aircraft. Adopted by the Meridonian Navy and later by the Meridonian Air Forces, the Wasp comprises the 'low' end of the 'high-low' mix of fighter aircraft.

The Wasp is designed and marketed as a multirole fighter aircraft, however it was designed with ground attack missions in mind- a role in which it complements the air warfare-oriented Gruening F5M Lynx in service. Wasp is capable of effectively conducting any missionset expected of a fighter aircraft, and is commonly used as a carrier-based refueler by the Navy. It pioneered a number of advancements, particularly in avionics, which became standard in the Meridonian aircraft. Designed for rugged operations from both carrier and land short fields and ease of maintenance, its well-balanced aerodynamic characteristics and versatility have also made it a popular escort aircraft, forming the mainstay of a number of foreign militaries. Meridonian variants have been upgraded to the F6M2 variant, which includes advanced avionics and the introduction of an infrared search and track system.

Development

]

Design

Operational History

Variants

F6M
Initial production and operational variant, entering service with the Meridonian Navy in 1986. All variants serving with the Meridonian Armed Forces were upgraded to F6M2 standard by December of 2022.
F6M2
Upgraded variant of the F6M2 featuring an upgraded cockpit configuration and avionics,an active electronically scanned radar replacing the previous mechanically-steered radar, and an infrared search/track sensor (IRST).
E6M2 Backwave
Dedicated electronic warfare variant designed in tandem with the F6M2 upgrade, produced as new built airframes.

Operators

Current Operators


Specifications (F6M2)

Production F6M airframe

General Characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 50 ft 10 in (15.5m)
  • Wingspan: 39ft 6.6 in (12.05m)
  • Height: 13 ft 10 in (4.2 m)
  • Wing Area: 494 sq ft (45.9 m2)
  • Empty Weight: 26,700 lb (11,203 kg)
  • Max Takeoff Weight: 62,400lb (28,304 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Hollon FT94E afterburning turbofans, producing 13,500lbf (60 kN) each dry, 20,200lbf (90 kN) in afterburner
  • Fuel Capacity: 15,500lb internal, up to 5x optional 480gal (3,260lb/1,478kg each) external tanks

Performance

  • Maximum Speed: Mach 1.34 (1465 km/h, 909 mph) at altitude
  • Service Ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,240 m) +
  • Rate of Climb: 45,304 ft/min plus (230 m/s)+
  • Wing Loading: 126.2 lb/sq ft (617.6 kg/m2)
  • Thrust/Weight: 0.647 at MGTOW

Armament

  • Guns: 1 × Mark 40 25mm cannon with 520 rounds
  • Payload: 13 hardpoints total: 4 per wing, 5 fuselage stations with total capacity of 20,000lbs of payload

Avionics

  • TA-940C active electronically scanned array radar
  • AE-161B radar warning receiver
  • AI-50B infrared search/track
  • AI-20B missile approach warning system
  • AE-202C Electronic Warfare/ Defensive Electronic Countermeasures System


See Also