BM-44 Pythón
| BM-44 Pythón | |
|---|---|
 3D rendering of a BM-44A2 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Medium Bomber |
| Manufacturer | |
| Status | In service |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1984 |
The BM-44 Pythón (Bombadière Medían) is a supersonic bomber jointly developed between Inyursta and Nifon. This aircraft represents the first of such joint-ventures between the two countries.
Design
Designed with the intent for high-level bombing of targets with conventional weapons, the BM-44 was optimized for variably payload with attention to speed and survivability. Hardpoints in the bomb bay are arranged 3 x 3 on either side with two additional pylons in the middle, while four wing pylons are available for ordinance or external fuel tanks.
Dubbed by some as "the giant fighter jet", the Python uses a variable-swept-wing system with two vertical stabilizers for increased stability & maneuverability at supersonic speeds, at the cost of additional drag.
History
See also: Operation: Sunburn
Variants
BM-44A - First operational service model with a 4-man crew (including navigator). Also referred to as the "long-nosed" model, due to the more pointed and streamline horizontal nose used at the time. BM-44A1 - 2000 era upgrade including self-designating laser targeting pod and GPS navigation software plus nose-mounted internal navigation radar. This allowed the planes navigator to instead be replaced by a second weapons control officer; also the first of the "snub-nosed" Python models. BM/R-44E1: - A short-lived model designed for reconnaissance missions over North Guerroca. Removed from service due to political changes and proliferation of UAV technology. BM-44A2 Python Block II - Modern variant. Significant upgrades to features including lightweight SAR radar, software upgrades for longer radio command range of TV-guided munitions, missile warning nodes, DRFM jamming pods built into the underwings and two fuselage slots for towed radar decoys. BM-44X3 Block III+: - Also dubbed the "Pythón 2044", the X3/Block III+ is a prototype upgraded model undergoing research & development. Proposed features include increased speed and increased range due to improvements in thrust control, thrust vectoring, significant EW capabilities and the ability to coordinate drone swarms.
Specifications
Crew: 4 (x1 pilot, x1 copilot, x2 weapons control officers)
Speed: Mach 1.35
Range: Transcontinental
Service Ceiling: 18,000m/60,000ft
Payload: 22,000kg/48,500lbs
Hardpoints:
- x8 Internal
- x4 Under-wing
Armament:
Missiles:
- ASM-16 Cetán AShM
- ASM-18 Véda AL-QBM
- AGM-158 JASSM cruise missile
- SSM-5 Agítadairé Cruise Missile
- ASM-4 Leviathan AShM
Bombs:
- CB Bomb Family
- Up to 32 CBU-250 series (x3 per hardpoint)
- Up to 24 CBU-500 series
- Up to 12 CBU-1K & CBU-2K series
- RPBG-13K DTP
- GRBG-15 BRAGA
- AGM-154 JSOW