AB-2 "Tacocat" Stealth Bomber
| AB-2 Tacocat | |
|---|---|
 Two Block II Tacocats during a training exercise | |
| General information | |
| Type | Stealth strategic heavy bomber |
| National origin | Amador |
| Manufacturer | Irilyn Defense Solutions |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | The Imperial Air Force |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1989 - 2032 |
| Introduction date | April 1, 2000 |
| First flight | 13 June 1994 |
| Variants | Block I, Block II, Block III |
The AB-2 “Tacocat” Stealth bomber is an Amadorian heavy strategic bomber featuring extremely low-observable stealth technology, designed to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defenses, and partake in lengthy strike missions from across the globe without being seen. It is a subsonic flying wing with a crew of two developed by Irilyn Defense Solutions beginning in 1989 with initial developments, while the aircraft officially entered service in early 2000 with a production run from 1999 - 2032. The bombers can drop conventional and thermonuclear ordinance. It may also carry air-to-surface standoff weapons while still in its stealth configuration. The “Tacocat” derives its name from the national icon, King Tacocat, a popular animated figure in Amadorian media.
Development of the Tacocat began in 1989 following the establishment of the Advanced Technologies Bomber Project aimed at replacing the aging AB-1 “Callon”, Amador’s first attempt at a stealthy bomber aircraft. Production of the aircraft officially began in 1999, when the first “Tacocat” rolled off the assembly line. The “Tacocat” would stay in production until 2032, with 132 having been produced. 129 remain in active service, while two were lost to pilot malfunction and another sustaining heavy damage from a fire that proved too costly to repair. The AB-2 is expected to stay in service well into the 2050s. It will be succeeded by the AB-3 "Berren" which is in development.
The Tacocat was designed to be modular, allowing upgrades throughout its decades of service to cope with rapidly increasing technological gains of nations throughout the world. The Tacocat is separated into three distinct blocks, each fielding successive and more advanced avionics and configurations than the last: Block I, Block II, and Block III.
The AB-2 can perform missions at high altitudes up to 50,000 feet; it possesses an unrefueled range of 4,346 nautical miles and can fly more than 8,000 nautical miles with a singular midair refueling. It is the second aircraft to enter service with stealth technologies after the AB-1 "Callon" subsonic bomber.
The AB-2 has seen extensive combat operations since entering service; its first being bombing sorties on Hakulic forces during the War of the Leaves, where it performed above expected perimeters, decimating enemy positions and knocking out key military infrastructure, enabling Seclyai and Amadorian forces to gradually overwhelm the human supremacists. The AB-2 would also see service in the Laefold War, striking key military targets. The Blockade of Palmyrion once more saw the AB-2 used to strike Unitarist forces blockading Palmyrion with extreme prejudice. The Second Blood War in 2034 would see the Tacocat perform long-range missions against Hakulic forces in Scailand from Kva Norale, decimating naval and land infrastructure during the Amadorian Blockade of Scailand.