KLB-86 Ostwind

KLB-98 Ostwind
Luftstreitkräfte Ostwind (2015)
Role	Multirole aircraft, strike aircraft
National origin	Englean Kaiserreich
Manufacturer	Kaiserliche Flugzeugbau
First flight	1973
Introduction	1978
Status	In service
Primary user	Luftstreitkräfte
Produced	1973-1994
Number built	567

The KLB-86 Ostwind (East Wind) is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing multirole combat aircraft manufactured by Kaiserliche Flugzeugbau for the Englean Luftstreitkräfte. The Ostwind is primarily tasked with air-to-surface operations, acting as a attack aircraft, however there are multiple variants of the aircraft. These variants enable the aircraft to be capable of is capable of air-superiority, interceptor, and air-to-surface operations in any weather condition. The aircraft is planned to be replaced gradually, with the entirety of the Englean owned aircraft being retired by 2023.

Development and History

In the late 1960s, generals of the Luftstreitkräfte discovered a serious lack in the capabilities of the branch's airstrike capabilities. By 1965 the branch had been operating outdated aircraft designed in the early 1950s, which were quickly showing their age in comparison to aircraft being developed in Aznazia and Ventismarian nations. Because of this, the Imperial Ministry of Aviation (Reichsluftfahrtministerium) put out a request to the empire's largest aircraft manufacturers in order to develop a new attack aircraft. This aircraft was to be capable of multiple roles, but would primarily be used in an attack role in order to support ground troops.

4 designs were submitted to the design contest, with Kaiserliche Flugzeugbau winning the bid because of their aircraft's low projected production cost. After years in the testing phase, the aircraft was accepted into service as the "Ostwind" in 1978.

Operators

Englean Kaiserreich

• Luftstreitkräfte: 450 delivered, 270 operational.

Specifications

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 54 ft 10 in (16.72 m)
• Wingspan: 45 ft 8 in (13.91 m) at 25° sweep, 28 ft 3 in (8.6 m) at 67° sweep
• Height: 19 ft 6 in (5.95 m)
• Wing Area: 286 sq ft (26.6 m2)
• Empty Weight: 30,622 lbs (13,890 kg)
• Gross Weight: 44,662 lbs (20,240 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Merzedes-Benz MzB-455 Turbofans

Performance

• Maximum Speed: 1,491 mph (2,400 kmph, 1,296 kn) at 30,000 feet
• Range: 864 miles (1,390 km)
• Ferry Range: 2,417 miles (3,890 kmph, 2,100 kn)
• Service Ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,240 m)

Armament