IAC/Graea Spectre
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| Ilmatar Aerospace Type 15 / Graea Aerospace K-31 | |
|---|---|
 A RAF Type 15A and a AAF K-31B | |
| General information | |
| Type | Stealth, multirole fighter |
| Manufacturer | Ilmatar Aerospace Corporation |
| Status | In service |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 2010 |
| Introduction date | 1 February 2015 (Rannimaa) |
The IAC/Graea Spectre, known as the Type 15 Varjo in Rannian service and as the K-31 Shade in the Aetolian Air Force, is a two-engine, fifth-generation multirole fighter jointly developed by the Rannian Ilmatar Aerospace Corporation and the Aetolian Graea Aerospace. The aircraft's developement started in 2004, with the mock-up of the finalised design being unveiled to the public in 2009, and the first working prototype produced by IAC in 2010, and performed its maiden flight that year. The type entered service with the Rannian Air Force on February 1st 2015 and later that year it also entered service with the Aetolians. The Spectre features a V-tail design unusual among contemporary types and is a highly agile fighter, while it also sports an advanced radar and avionics suite as well as the latest in stealth technology.
Origins and development
Design
Airframe
Engines
Electronics and Avionics
Operational history
Potential Operators
Niemikylä
IAC has offered the Spectre to the Niemi Airforce as a replacement for the 48 Edenic F-15Cs in Niemi service which are due to be replaced by 2025. IAC believes that the multirole capacity of the Spectre and lower price will allow the Spectre to also replace the F-16C/Ds in Niemi service, allowing the NAF to standardise onto a single type of combat aircraft. However, the Niemi airforce has already expressed greater interest in the more advanced Huntress aircraft as the replacement for the F-16. The Spectre is ahead of the Banshee fighter to replace the F-15 due to the high costs estimated out of the Banshee program. Whilst the Niemi Airforce might be able to operate both the Huntress and the Spectre, the Banshee would likely be too expensive for Niemi to operate alongside another 5th generation aircraft.
Variants
- Type 15A: Rannimaan single-seat variant
- Type 15B: Rannimaan two-seat variant
- K-31A: Aetolian single-seat variant
- K-31B: Aetolian two-seat variant
Operators
Aetolia: The Aetolian Air Force operates 20 K-31A and 16 K-31Bs. A total of 75 are planned for the initial order.
Rannimaa: The Rannian Air Force operates 80 out of a planned total of 320.
Specifications (K-31/Type 15)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1: pilot
- Length: 21.22 metres (69 feet 7 inches)
- Wingspan: 14.1 m metres (46 ft 3 in)
- Height: 4.74 metres (15 ft 7 in)
- Empty weight: 19,000 kg (41,887 lbs)
- Max. takeoff weight: 35,000 kg (77,161)
- Powerplant: 2 × Alexandrou AS-60M afterburning turbofans
Performance
- Maximum speed: 2,120 km/h (Mach 2) 1,320 mph
- Range: 3,500 km (2,200 mi) 1,900 nmi
- Service ceiling: 20,000 m (66,000 ft)
- Maximum design g-load: +9
Armament
- Guns: Provision for 1× 27 mm AM-27/1 cannon
- Hardpoints: Total of 12: 6 × internal, 6 × external
- Missiles:
- Air-to-air missiles:
- A/A-12 Gorgon variants
- A/A-17 Echidna variants
- Air-to-surface missiles
- A/E-45 Sphinx variants
- Air-to-air missiles:
- Bombs:
- Several
Avionics
TBA