Vi-100

Viborn Vi-100
Vi-100 in flight
General information
Type	Figher Multirole
Manufacturer	Viborn Aeronautics
Status	In service
History
Manufactured	2017 - present
Introduction date	22nd of December 2017 with Libriran Military Air Service

Vi-100 'broadsword'

The Viborn Vi-100 'Broadsword' is the designation for a single seat, twin engined Libriran 5th generation stealth fighter/multirole aircraft, developed for Air superiority, interdiction, and attack duties. Designed in response to the Libriran FF-24 competition, a Design competition for future Libriran fighter aircraft to go widespread service by 2024. The Vi-100 is the first Libriran aircraft designed to have stealth technology.

The aircraft is designed to have supercruise, supermaneuverability, and advanced radar and avionics, to give the aircraft a substantial advantage over previous generation fighters, such as the Vi-84 and PA-554. It is intended to replace these aircraft by 2025. The Vi-100 is expected to have a service life of 40 years. It was first flown in early 2009, and officially entered service in late 2017. As of 2018 only 12 'first batch' aircraft have been completed. The 12 aircraft are currently all in service with the 2nd Guards Fighter Regiment, 18th guards fighter group, Libriran Military Air Service.

Development

Origins

The true beginning of the Vi-100s development goes back to the early 1980s. At the new generation aircraft such as the PA-262, PA-132 and stillborn Vi-61. boasted impressive performance; Capable of a high degree speed, and maneuverability. The Special Projects Committee began to put intensive research and funding into 'stealth' technology, in the hopes of creating an aircraft which would posses, the performance of then high performance fighters, with the ability to remain undetectable on radar.

This ability was considered particularly important for potential interdiction, interception, and infiltration missions, then being considered as the cornerstone of Libriran Air superiority strategy. Viborn Aeronautics took the reigns in the project when they developed the Vi-83 technology demonstrator, which in turn became the Vi-84 for the FF-94 competition. This craft became crucial in testing the propulsion, materials, and various avionics technology for the then nascent Vi-100. However due to the severe drop in defense spending, work on the project slowed considerably, with most resources being put towards Vi-84 and PA-260 Procurement.

In 2005 it was announced that Librira would begin considering designs for a 5th generation fighter, and would start the FF-24 competition. In 2006, initial designs were submitted, notably; the Vi-100 from Viborn, which promised to be able to use many components from other aircraft and thus save costs, and the PA-607 which was not stealth but was envisaged to be a 'super-interceptor' akin to the PA-132. The Vi-100 was given the lions share of funding as its initial design work was built upon proven aircraft technologies, blended with new. The Libriran government initially gave 3 Billion NSD to the project, though in the end it would cost much more.

Flight Testing

The Vi-100's first flight took place in February 2009, under heavy guard at Rekov Proving Grounds. At the time it was devoid of its weapons, advanced radar, and some avionics. It was essentially stripped of all but its bare systems. It's first flight lasted 20 minuets and occurred without incident. On its second flight the aircraft developed problems with its right engine developed problems and was shut down mid flight, the pilot was able to land the aircraft successfully. An investigation showed the the fuel pump had failed, due to being taken from the older Acerage-IV engine, from which the High-V of the Vi-100 was based on. Although the pumps were compatible, the failed pump had already seen a longer life than usual aboard a Vi-84 test aircraft, and had failed because it was used beyond its recommended service life.

On March 5th, 2011 the aircraft achieved super-sonic speeds for the first time. On march 15th, 2013 a fully 'fitted' plane complete with radar, avionics and other equipment, had a 1 hour flight at the proving grounds, after difficulties in developing/procuring the aircrat's advance AESA band radar. State testing began in 2014, and proceeded smoothly, recommending several changes to Viborn. These changes were carried out, and after another round of testing in late 2016, the aircraft was finally accepted into service in 2017. By this time the Military Air Service had already taken 8 aircraft for flight training and trials, Viborn delivered to the air force 2 ready built aircraft in 2017, with 2 more following closely in 2018.

Design

Overview

The Vi-100 is the first 5th generation and stealth aircraft to enter in to service with the Libriran military Air Service. Specific information on the aircraft is restricted, However, it has been stated by Viborn Aeronautics that the aircraft is stealthy, has supercruise, supermanurvability, advanced avionics, AESA radar, and overall will out preform any and all previous generation aircraft.

The Vi-100 features a Blended Wing body construction, and all moving stabilizers. The Vertical stabilizers, posses the ability to be used as an airbrake by being 'toed in'. The aircraft also has thrust vectoring and adjustable leading edge vortex controllers, these two features allow the Vi-100 a high degree of control in high angles of attack, or in stall situations. The Vi-100 also includes a highly advanced Flight control system, which when combined with the thrust vectoring, allow the aircraft to both be departure-resistant and allow it to have a high degree of maneuverability, in nearly all modes of flight. This allows it to preform such maneuvers as Pugachev's Cobra. Thanks to the aircraft efficient aerodynamics and powerful engines, it can achieve mach 2, and can maintain supersonic speed without the use of afterburners, or even supercruise, giving it high supersonic range compared to previous aircraft.

The Aircraft's construction is made up of a large amount of composite materials, like the Vi-84 before it. ~70% of the outer area is composite materials. Weapons are stored in two bays, between the engines, and smaller bays underneath the wing roots. Internal stores, allow for more efficient aerodynamics and a lower RCS. The Vi-100 also has a 30mm rotary cannon mounted just behind the cockpit, similar to other Libriran aircraft.

Stealth

The Vi-100 uses both design and materials to achieve 'stealth' or as in Libriran service 'Low Radar Visibility'. Though not completely purpose designed to have a Low RCS, it incorporates various design features to capitalize on performance and stealth aspects, for instance, the Vi-100's intake ramps are designed to have a low RCS. To further its low cross section, much investment as made into stealth coatings and materials. The composition of which and their benefit is still classified. However this combination of stealthy materials and design are believed to allow the Vi-100 to have a cross section of less than even small birds at some angles. It is not the most stealthy aircraft by any means, however Viborn Aeronautics designed it to be as stealthy as possible without impacting cost, serviceability or performance excessively.

Engines

The Vi-100 is equipped with the newest engine from Viborn. The advanced, Thrust-vectoring, afterburning, Turbofans are one of the most powerfu\vl. Allowing the aircraft to augment its maneuverability compared to aircraft without these type of nozzles. The engines also have Variable intake ramps, and deploy able debris screens, limiting the possibility of the engine ingesting foreign matter, debris, etc. The Engine is believed to have excellent reliability, due to being built on existing designs, and further improving them, its expected ground crews will find the Vi-100 very similar if not easier to servicing the Vi-84, However, this remains to be seen as the aircraft continues in service.

Armament

The Armament of the Vi-100 is housed primarily in two tandem weapons bays. Each bay is 4.7m long and 1m wide and is fitted with launchers for munitions. The Aircraft can be equipped with a variety of of Air to Air and Air to ground weapons. The internal stores increases the aircrafts stealth[; capabilites, and lessens drags compared to external stores. The Aircraft is also equipped with a SA-16 30mm Rotary cannon near the wing route, typically with 150 rounds of ammunition stowed.

Avionics

The Avionics of the Vi-100 are the most advanced mounted on any Libriran aircraft. Fitted with the Type 1921 MIRES and the type 230 Electro-optical system. These systems include the Aircrafts AESA band radar, its countermeasure system, IFF system and also the computer system to that assists in flying the aircraft among other functions. these systems had to have a large portion of their components imported, particularly from Esotana and Pantorrum due to the lack of sufficient systems manufactured in Librira. Viborn has announced plans to attempt to develop their own Avionics, by opening an Aviation Systems division, and the government has provided subisdies to several other companies in order to develop the Avionics industry of Librira. Its postulated that these native Avionics system won't come into service until 2025 at the earliest.

The Avionics system were first tested in 2016, with the IFF and counter measure system first. The AESA radar, codenamed 'Luna' was tested in early 2017. Its expected that the current system will remain in service for at least 5-10 years before upgrades are considered. The Special Projects Committee has reportedly already begun developing future systems, and requirements for foreign systems.

Operational Service

A sole fighter group is equipped with the Vi-100 18th Guards Fighter Group, 2nd Guards Fighter Regiment, which is part of the Central AMR. During the War Against Zilverenberg the 18th Guards was moved to AMR South to take part in air defense activites in that area. It was scrambled against a flight of enemy bombers, but a group of Vi-84s handled them just inside Libriran airspace.

Variants

Vi-100A Initial version; 12 in service
Vi-100B Proposed Carrier Variant
Vi-100C Proposed Exort version
Vi-100D Proposed upgrade package;

Specifications(Vi-100A)

Crew:1 Length:19.8m Wingspan:14m Height4.75m Empty/loaded/max weight: 18000kg/26000kg/36000kg Powerplant: 2x Viborn 'High-V' Afterburning thurst vectoring turbofans(110kn dry/170kn afterburning) Max speed: Mach 2.0 at altitude Range: 3500km Ceiling: 20000km Climb Rate: 300m/s wing load: 317-444kg/m^2 Armament: 1x 30mm SAC-70 cannon w/ 150rnds 2x Hardpoints per wing internal weapons bay can mount: SA-4 Viper II A2A missile SA-5B Mamba I A2A Missile SA-8 Mamba II A2A Missile Type 18/1 Lazer Guided Rocket Type 15/L lazer guided bombs In combinations of 8000kg or less