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The Falcus Designs Me-550 is a single engine 4.5 generation Multirole combat aircraft produced by Falcus Designs of Orun Redisus. It features an overpass intake with a slender cropped delta wing, which makes it the only fighter of its kind to feature such a layout. The Me-550 has a Relaxed stability design and fly-by-wire controls. It is powered by a R270 low bypass after burning turbofan. The aircraft was also built with capability for aerial refueling. In 1979, Royal High Command began development studies for an aircraft capable of fighter, attack and reconnaissance missions to replace the aging Me-510 and Me-520. A new design from Falcus was selected and developed as the Me-550. Initial testing and development proved that a lighter, more maneuverable single engine design would function well for the role envisioned. With alterations to avionics and software, the aircraft entered production in 1998 and began to arrive at front line regiments in 2001. A further version, designated Me-560, is under development as of 2014, which is designated to allow the aircraft to be used well past its original service end date. The changes include the adoption of a new powerplant, an active electronically scanned array radar, and significantly increased internal fuel capacity. Other variants have been produced, including a navalised variant for carrier operations. (See more...)
