Altomare A.86 Ombra

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Athar A-3 Sombra
A3Sombra.jpg
An Athar A-3 strike aircraft of the 18th Fighter Wing
Role Stealth attack aircraft
National origin  Temuair
Manufacturer Athar Aviation
First flight July 11, 1980
Introduction December 19, 1984
Status Limited service
Primary user Imperial Air Force of Temuair
Number built A-3: 42
L/A-3: 36

The Athar A-3 Sombra (Shadow) is a single seat, stealth attack aircraft designed and developed by Athar Aviation for the Imperial Air Force of Temuair. The Athar A-3 was the first operational aircraft to be designed around stealth technology, with design having begun as early as 1975. The Athar A-3 was intended to penetrate an enemies airspace undetected and conduct strikes against point targets such as surface-to-air missile and early warning radar installations, command and control facilities, bridges, power plants and other infrastructure.

History and development

In the 1960's, scientists from several nations released works indicating that the size of an aircraft's radar cross-section or RCA, the measure of how detectable an object is by radar, was actually more closely related to the edge configuration of that aircraft, and the material used in the construction of the aircraft, than its sheer size, as previously believed. The Imperial Defense Research Agency conducted several experiments and determined that the radar cross-section of an aircraft could be determined by taking measurements across its wing surface and along its edge, thereby leading research agents to conclude that even a large aircraft could reduce its detectability by radar by exploiting this principle. The obvious flaw in this theory was that any aircraft built along these principals would have extremely unfavorable flight characteristics , being extremely aerodynamically unstable. The idea was shelved by the IDRA in 1966.

Advances in computer and microprocessing technology, including those included in the upgrades for the Parada-Vara B-4B Onza, allowed the IDRA to take a second look at the design. By utilizing flight computers which would make micro adjustments continuously to the aircraft's flight profile, it was believed that an aerodynamically unstable aircraft utilizing radar detection minimizing edge designs could be made to fly. In addition, computer technology would be required to produce the unique design required the faceted shape made from 2-dimensional flat surfaces that would be required to render the A-3 "invisible" to radar. As more powerful computers, and later super computers, became available, designs with curvsed shapes would be possible, as seen on the Athar L-9 Espirito air superiority fighter. In addition, the Imperial Air Force also saw a need for an aircraft to evade surface-to-air missile attacks, would had proven deadly against bomber formations and even more agile fighter aircraft during the <most recent war with Notreceau>.

The cockpit of an A-3 Sombra

In 1973, IDRA was given authorization by the Imperial government to initiate a project to construct two aircraft utilizing stealth technologies, code named Operación Lime de Bronce. Lime de Bronce was a black project, an ultra-secret program for much of its life: very few people knew the program even existed until a finished and operational L-3 Sombra was photographed by reporter Toribio Conejo in 1985 and published in the Villel Sentinela. IDRA contracted with Athar Aviation and commissioned them to construct two small scale strike aircraft models utilizing stealth principals. Athar responded by taking several pieces of already existing technology, including engines and environmental systems, and the fly-by-wire control system of the brand new Athar L-5 Víbora. The two models were completed by 1977 and delivered to IDRA. Both models were first flown on September 21, 1977, and both were lost during subsequent testing. However, those the models were destroyed, the data collected indicated that there was merit to the program, and the Imperial Air Force agreed to proceed.

Having produced successful models, Athar was awarded the contract for what would become the A-3 in January of 1978. That same year, Athar was allowed to take possession of Adrall Field, a former civilian airport that had been taken over by the Imperial Air Force in 1955 as a testing range. Adrall Field was located about 110 miles from Illora Air Force Base, which is located near the city of Villel in Pravat. Athar brought in a team of consultants, including several mathematicians and computer scientists, and charged them with creating a computer program to design an airplane with flat panels, called facets, which were arranged so as to scatter the majority of radar emissions which strike it. It took 22 months to complete the program, and an additional 7 months to built the first operational A-3 aircraft, which received no official designation, and was referred to in internal communications as Project 92177. The resulting unusual design surprised and puzzled experienced pilots. According to a 1990 interview with Tecnoloxía Hoxe a popular Aisling science magazine, Comandante Alejo Herron, one of the first Aisling aviators to pilot the aircraft, stated "They brought us all into a classified conference and informed us we'd be transitioning aircraft, moving away from the B-4, I didn't know about anything new, so I had no idea what we could be getting. Then they showed us this picture of the A-3 and I started laughing, because I assumed the entire thing was some kind of joke. There was no way that thing could fly, I thought."

The new design was also one of the first Aisling aircraft to utilize the Dachaidh satellite navigation system, as well as an improved version of the Hybrasil Seguir inertial navigation and nav/attack system first installed on the Parada-Vara B-4. As with the prototypes, parts for other aircraft were used as often as possible to save costs. These parts were often invoiced as spares for existing aircraft to hide their true destination and intended use. Missions are coordinated by an automated planning system that can automatically perform all aspects of an attack mission, including weapons release. The BGL-900/84 laser-guided bomb was specially developed for the A-3's internal weapons bays. It was developed from the older BGL-925/76 guided bombs already in service. To decrease detectable emissions, no radar set was included in the design of the A-3, instead targets are acquired by a thermal imaging infrared system which is slaved to a laser designator that finds the range and designates targets for BGL-910/82. To reduce the aircraft's heat signature, especially from its exhaust plume, and protect it from both air and ground launched infrared homing missiles,the design of the A-3s tail pipe is a non-circular shape, often described as a a slit shape, to minimize the exhaust cross-sectional volume and maximize the mixing of hot exhaust with cool ambient air. The A-3 was designed without any afterburners, because the hot exhaust would increase the infrared signature, and breaking the sound barrier would produce an obvious sonic boom, as well as surface heating of the aircraft skin which also increases the infrared footprint. An afterburner, and the obvious drawbacks inherent with the decision, was considered unimportant in the case of this aircraft since it was designed for strike missions. However, its lack of afterburner was considered a severe disadvantage on the proposed L/A-3, and was addressed by Athar.

A-3 Sombra fighters of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wingcirca 2007

In July of 1980, Project 92177 flew for the first time, taking off from Adrall Field on a cloudy after July 11th. The finished model was able to scatter nearly 99% of radar emissions that struck it, giving it an RCS of 0.003 m2, the approximate radar return of a hummingbird. The test flight was timed so that no known enemy reconnaissance satellites would be operating in the airspace over Adrall Field. One week before the test was scheduled, the Imperial Intelligence Service intentionally leaked information that a major naval operation was going to be undertaken, and three days before the test, a warning order was issued, ordering several vessels of the Imperial Navy's southern fleet, including the aircraft carrier Enric Barroso, her escorts, and two amphibious assault task groups to make emergency preparations to get underway. it was hoped that this information would draw off any possible surveillance assets that might be watching the airspace around Adrall Field.

The first production Athar A-3 was delivered to the 18th Bombardment Wing A total of 36 aircraft were built between 1985 and 1987. Following the declassification of the A-3's existence in 1987, the wing would be reclassified as the 18th Strike Fighter Wing. Prior to its declassification, the aircraft was not allowed to be flown during daylight hours, and were required to be kept in hardened shelters when not in operation. The images released by the reporter Toribio Conejo show one aircraft in its redoubt, and a second one taxiing along a taxiway in broad daylight. This photograph led to an investigation of the 18th Bombardment Wing's commander, Coronel Santos Degollado. He testified that the aircraft was being moved from one shelter to another after a small fire had erupted in the maintenance area in the former shelter, and that he felt it necessary to move the highly expensive aircraft away from the area before the fire or the fire fighting efforts could damage or destroy it. In 1987, he was charged with dereliction of duty and disobedience of orders, an offense he could have received a dishonorable discharge from Imperial service for. He was convicted on the charge of disobedience, but acquitted on the charge of dereliction. The court martial judge, Comandante Xeneral Fionnán Guajardo stated that the fire, deemed to be a danger to the aircraft, mitigated the circumstances of his disobedience to the point that a dishonorable discharge was uncalled for. Guajardo felt that Degollado had acted in the best way possible given the situation, and in a rare move, allowed that, while guilty of a crime, no sentence of punishment would be passed. It is widely believed that the Imperial Air Force's decision to declassify the existence of the A-3 Sombra in mid-1986 influence this decision.

In 1990, Athar Aviation approached the Imperial Air Force with upgraded version of the A-3 aircraft, utilizing newer engines which would give the aircraft afterburning capability, a new and improved ground-attack radar with air to air capability and a larger weapons bay capable of carrying air-to-air missiles, including the Areiva Dardo III, Dardo IV and Frecha missiles. Pilots from the 18th Fighter Wing had reported that the aircaft's handling was "extremely poor" especially at slow speeds, and had begun to refer to the aircraft as the Subibaja or "seesaw" due to its extremely wobbly handling characteristics. To this end, the new design included stabilators and a “double-slotted” trailing edge, granting the aircraft greater handling characteristics than the current production A-3, along with a redesigned cockpit and elevators, and a reduction in wing sweep from 50 degrees to 42 degrees.

This variant of the A-3 entered Imperial service as the LA-3, with the redesignation designed to indicate its change from a strictly attack aircraft to a multirole combat aircraft in 1994. Again, 36 aircraft were built, though initially 180 were planned. The remaining 144 aircraft were canceled when the far more capable Athar L-9 Espirito was proposed to the Imperial Air Force in 1996, with the L/A-3 serving in its place until the newer aircraft could reach operational status. However, delays in the development and production of the L-9 lead to the Imperial Air Force requesting funding for more L/A-3 aircraft on several occasions. None of these requests were granted, and the 18th Strike Fighter Wing, rebranded as the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing in 2003, continued to be the only operator of the L/A-3.

In 2018, the first twelve Athar L-9 aircraft were delivered to the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, and the first group of L/A-3 aircraft were retired, It is expected that the remaining L/A-3 aircraft will be retired by April of 2020. One aircraft was delivered to the Museum of Military Aviation in early 2019 and will be in display at the beginning of 2020. Another aircraft is currently being stripped of parts and classified materials to be placed on static display at Illora Air Force Base. The remaining aircraft, unlike other decommissioned air frames, are being stored in several purpose built climate controlled hangers at Adrall Field.

Operational history

The first images captured of the A-3 Sombra and released to the public in 1986. The image was illegally captured by reporter Toribio Conejo.

The existence of the A-3 Sombra was kept strictly classified even after it entered active duty service in 1984, with the Imperial Air Force not publicly acknowledging its existence until 1987. The 18th Bombardment Wing was officially assigned to Illora Air Force Base near the city of Villel in Pravat and equipped with Parada-Vara B-2B Onza aircraft. The unit was actually operating out of Adrall Field, a former civilian airport that had been taken over by the Imperial Air Force in 1955 as a testing range. Adrall Field was located about 110 miles from Illora Air Force Base, with most of the pilots from the 18th Fighter Wing living either on base or in the nearby Villel metropolitan area. Because of this, personnel assigned to the 18th Bombardment Wing had to be shuttled to and from the base, either by military transport aircraft or bus. In late 1985, the Imperial Air Force constructed a small barracks facility at the base and mandated that one of the three squadrons of the 18th Bombardment Wing must remain at the base at all times, serving as an alert squadron.

Noting this strange activity, as well as decrease of activity of the 18th Bombardment Squadron at Illora Air Force Base, a reporter for the Villel Sentinela, Toribio Conejo, began inquiries. He was told by the 18th Bombardment Wings public relations office that members of the wing had been give a temporary duty assignment away from the base for advanced training. Conejo determined this was false, however, after inquiring with friends and family of service members of the 18th Bombardment Wing, as well as asking around in entertainment establishments frequented by service members. During his investigation, Conejo noted that he would often see several members of the unit in these establishment, who would this vanish for some time, only reappearing on weekends infrequently. However, he noted many of the units commanding officers were often frequently present within the city. Conejo decided to follow one of the transport buses as it traversed between Illora and Adrall Field, and followed up to to a manned guard post proclaiming the area beyond was restricted to civilian traffic. Approaching the gate, he was ordered to turn away and return down the road he'd approached on by several members of the Imperial Air Force's security forces. Further, Conejo noted a marked Imperial Air Force security forces vehicle tailed him back to the main highway. Conejo elected to travel on foot into the area, and was able to penetrate the bases perimeter fence without raising an alarm. Moving up a small raise, he was able to get a clear view of the distant flight line. He took several pictures of the distant aircraft before retreating and returning to Villel.

He published his story the following week, depicting the secret base and unknown aircraft he had seen operating at Adrall Field, describing them as "strange triangle shaped fighter jets". Conejo was taken into custody by the Imperial Marshals Service the day after the story was released, and was handed over to the Imperial Air Force's Office of Criminal Investigation. He was charged with espionage and held at Sgàth Prison in Soumi. Further, there was no notification sent to his family or friends that he had been arrested. However, after a through investigation of Conejo, his family and associates, the formal espionage charges were dropped in favor of charges of trespassing on government property and gathering, transmitting or losing defense information. He was tried under these charges in military court in July of 1986, and found guilty on both counts. He was sentenced to ten years and 6 months in prison, the maximum allowable sentence, and fined 150,000 Leones. In addition, the Imperial Convention on Military Authority and Justice requires that all information and monetary assets gained by the transfer or publication of classified materials be forfeit to the government. As such, all of the photographs taken by Conejo at Adrall Field were confiscated by the Imperial Air Force, and all pay accrued during his incarceration were incorporated into the fine imposed by the court. Conejo was released from prison in 1991 after serving only 3 years, by order of Emperador Avila VI, who stated that, though Conejo's actions were ill-conceived and damaging to the national security of Temuair, he did not act with malice or ill-intent. Though he was released from prison, Conejo was still required to pay the 150,000 Leone fine.

The A-3 was first deployed operationally in 1980-something during <a conflict with Notreceau> where they were highly successful in penetrating air defense zones and eliminating point targets, including surface to air missile sites, communications centers and infrastructure. Several A-3 Sombra aircraft provided close air support encircled Aisling ground forces from the 5th Imperial Dragón Brigade during the Battle of Annoix, in which an Aisling parachute brigade was encircled by Notreceauen forces and besieged for nearly 90 hours before units of the 51st Coraceros Brigade were able to breakthrough and relieve the embattled force. Several aircraft were lost to both gun armed self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon and man-portable air-defense systems, neither of which required radar to acquire and track targets, thereby removing the A-3's primary combat advantage.

Variants

  • A-3: Initial production version
  • A-3N: Proposed carrier-based strike craft. Deemed to be infeasible and never developed.
  • A-3A/L/A-3: Multirole combat aircraft based on the A-3 design with larger internal weapons bays and air to air mission capability.

Operators

Specifications (A-3)

Schematic diagram and size comparison of Athar A-3 Sombra

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 65 ft 11 in (20.09 m)
  • Wingspan: 43 ft 4 in (13.21 m)
  • Height: 12 ft 9.5 in (3.90 m)
  • Wing area: 780 ft² (72.5 m²)
  • Empty weight: 29,500 lb (13,380 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 52,500 lb (23,800 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Areiva AE-4010 turbofans, 10,600 lbf (48.0 kN) each

Performance

Armament

Specifications (L/A-3)

LA3.jpg

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 65 ft 11 in (20.09 m)
  • Wingspan: 43 ft 4 in (13.21 m)
  • Height: 12 ft 9.5 in (3.90 m)
  • Wing area: 780 ft² (72.5 m²)
  • Empty weight: 29,500 lb (13,380 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 52,500 lb (23,800 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Areiva AE-4010-2 turbofans, 12,600 lbf (56.0 kN) each

Performance

Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

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