Masaoka Group Type 81
| Masaoka Group Type 81 | |
|---|---|
| |
| A preliminary sketch of the Type 81 | |
| Role | Supersonic strategic heavy bomber |
| National origin | Dayashina |
| Manufacturer | Masaoka Group |
| Designer | Kazuo Rokuda Noboru Eto |
| First flight | 1976 |
| Introduction | 3 December 1981 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Republic of Dayashina Air Force |
| Produced | 1981-1997 |
| Number built | TBD |
| Unit cost |
>$281 million (1997)
|
The Masaoka Group Type 81 is a supersonic variable sweep wing heavy bomber in service with the Republic of Dayashina Air Force. It is the sole strategic bomber in service with Dayashina as of 2020.
The Type 81 was envisioned as a solution to Dayashina's need to replace aging fleet of strategic bombers and to surpass the next generation of threats proposed by Menghean air defence units and surface vessels. Furthermore, it filled a desire for Dayashina to develop advanced domestic strategic bombing capacity, breaking reliance on old or foreign strategic bombers for parts of possible retaliatory strikes. Masaoka Group won the bid to develop the Type 81, drawing preliminary design and dimensional elements from the ongoing Hallian B-1 programme, following decades of domestic study of strategic bombing aircraft as means of retaliation for a possible Menghean nuclear strike. MkG would enter its Type 81 concept into Hallia's strategic bomber bid unsuccessfully.
Dayashina halted production of the Type 81 in 1997 as a part of its steady detente with Menghe. Since its introduction in 1981, the Type 81 has undergone a grueling number of upgrades for its electronics, survivability, and weapons carrying capacity. It has only seen combat once in history, during the 2019 Invasion of Vyzhva (?). As of 2020, the Republic of Dayashina Air Force had TBD Type 81's in service.