UGF-35
| UGF-35 "Kingpin" | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | fighter |
| Manufacturer | United Imperial Aeronautics |
| Designer | |
| Status | Active Service |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 2006- |
| Introduction date | 2006 |
The UGF-35 Kingpin is a fighter which serves with the Huvakian Royal Imperial Airforce. Designed by Volgoluft, a division of the United Imperial Aeronautics Corporation. Marketed as a 4++ generation jet fighter, it is a further development of previous Volgoluft designs. The first prototype was a modification of the aircraft that previously served as a model demonstrator. UIA first officially presented the UFG-35 internationally during the 2007 Aero Eldrado air show.
The single-seat version is designated UGF-35S and the two-seat version UGF-35UB. The fighter has vastly improved avionics and weapon systems, notably new precision-guided targeting capability and the uniquely designed optical locator system, which relieves the aircraft from relying on ground-controlled interception systems and enables it to conduct independent multirole missions. There is also an option for AESA radar.
Development
In April 2008, pictures and additional information surfaced of two new UGF-35 demonstrators, the single-seat UGF-35 "961" and the two-seat UGF-35D "967". According to Huvakian media, they first flew in autumn of 2009, and subsequently took part in MMRCA trials in Eldrado in October 2009. Both have a very high commonality with the previous VGF-29K/KUB airframes, an immediate visible difference being the braking parachute installed in place of the hook, present on the naval aircraft. Subsequently, the UGF-35D "967" appears to have been equipped with a similar AESA radar as fitted to the older UGF-35 demonstrator "154", identifiable by the dark grey short nose radome.[28]
On 6 September 2016, according to the general designer of the United Imperial Aeronautics Corporation Sean Koratokov, the first UGF-35s were to be delivered in November 2015 to the Huvakian Air Force for flight testing to confirm the technical characteristics of the aircraft. The first of the two aircraft, the single-seat UGF-35 "702" made its first flight on 24 November 2016.
Design
The UGF-35/UGF-35D incorporate advancements of the VGF-29K/KUB and VGF-29M/M2 fighters in combat efficiency enhancement, universality and operational characteristics improvement.The main features of the new design are the fifth-generation information-sighting systems, compatibility with Huvakian and foreign weapons applications and an integrated variety of defensive systems to increase combat survivability. The new overall design overtakes the design concepts of the baseline model and enables the new aircraft to conduct full-scale multirole missions like their foreign counterparts.
New avionics are intended to help the UGF-35 gain air superiority as well as to perform all-weather precision ground strikes, aerial reconnaissance with opto-electronic and radar equipment and to conduct complex joint missions. This includes the ThorZhuk-AE active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the RD-33MK engines and the newly designed optical locator system. The number of weapon stations has increased to 10, flight range has increased by 50%, and radar visibility has been reduced. The final configuration of the UGF-35's onboard equipment has been left open intentionally.
Operational service
Huvakia The Imperial Ministry of Defense has placed an order for 40 initial aircraft with plans to replace the remainder of light aircraft with the UGF-35 over the next ten years. Eldrado Negotiations are underway to secure a Eldradan order for the new fighters. Details are currently unknown.
Variants
UGF-35 Single-Seat Variant UGF-35D Dual-Seat Variant UGF-35S Single Seat Serial Variant UGF-35UB Dual-Seat Serial Variant UGF-35DN Dual Seat Naval variant currently undergoing development.
Specifications (UGF-35S)
General Characteristics
- Crew: 1 (pilot)
- Length: 17.3 meters
- Wingspan: 12 meters
- Height: 4.73 meters
- Wing Area: 41 square meters
- Empty Weight: 11,000 kilograms
- Loaded Weight: 19,000 kilograms
- Powerplant: 2x Zaecon RDF-760 engines, 53 kN (12,000 lbf) thrust each dry, 88.3 kN (19,900 lbf) with afterburner
Performance
- Maximum Speed: 2,100 km/h
- Range: 2,400 kilometers
- Service Ceiling: 16,800 meters (52,000 feet)
- Rate of Climb: 490 meters per second
Armament
- Guns: 1x forward-firing 30mm autocannon
- Bombs: 9x Hardpoints with a capacity up to 6,500 KG of rockets, bombs, and missiles.