Hyperion-class airship

The Hyperion-class airship is a helium-filled, rigid airship (distinct from blimps)in service with the Blackhelm Confederate Air Fleet, and combines the capabilities of the AC-130 Spectre gunship, the KC-10/KC-130 Tankers, the E-2C Hawkeye, and the 747-400 ABL aircraft.

Description

Lift and Propulsion

The helium is contained in several self-sealing cells which are packed in a kevlar/polymer composite skin which is wrapped around a lightweight titanium alloy skeleton. There are 8 turboprops which provide forward flight propulsion, and gas turbines powering 4 rotating and one stationary fan provide additional power(one fan is located in the tail the other 4 help make speedy liftoffs with thrust vectoring).

Armament, Armor, and Electronics

The Hyperion carries an impressive amount of munitions and can saturate and orbit an area for many hours laying down cover fire. A massive radar is enclosed by the skin of the airship (allowing the airship to track multiple targets. If it tracks an ICBM, SCUD, or cruise missile, it has the ability to destroy it with its airborne laser (ABL). The ABL can also be used for defense, to destroy SAMs or AAMs. Each Hyperion also carries a large variety and quantity of counter measures to keep it protected from enemy fire. If a missile does get by all the complex systems, the airframe can take a heavy hit since it is heavily armored with boron carbide plates. and should the skin of the airship be punctured, up to golf ball sized holes can be self-sealed. It can also refuel helicopters, bombers, fighters, and even another Airship via 2 hose and drouge systems and 1 flying boom system. Finally, all on board batteries and fuel-cell systems are supplemented by solar panels which recharge all systems, in-flight, saving on fuel.

Specifications

Crew: 5 flight crew, 16 weapons/AWACS operators, 1 boom operator
Length: 360 feet
Power Plant: (8) Turboprops (5) Gas Turbines in vectorable/rotating ducts.
Service Celing: 50,000 feet
Cruising Speed: 280mph
Maximum Speed: 320mph

Weapons

(8) 56mm rapid fire cannons in 4 turrets
(4) 120mm mortars in 2 turrets
(4) AK-630 CIWS systems 2 turrets
(1) ABL/COIL High Energy Laser in turret
(7) GSh-6-23 rotary cannons

Counter Measures/Electronics

RR-129A/AL Chaff Countermeasures
MJU-53/B Infrared Decoy Flare
MJU-51/B Advanced Infrared Flare
AN/AAQ-24 DIRCM pod
AN/ALQ-178 ECM pods
ALR-56C Radar Warning Receiver
Air Search Radome (Same as the one on the E-2C)