Aero Stežery AS-90

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AS-90
Сухой Су-27-30-32-34-35-37, Петрозаводск - Бесовец RP100044.jpg
AS-90B of the Royal Holyn Air Force
Role Multirole fighter, air superiority fighter
National origin Holyn Socialist States / Holynia
Manufacturer Aero Stežery
First flight 10 February 1978; 46 years ago (1978-02-10)
Introduction 22 June 1982
Status In service
Primary users Royal Holyn Air Force
Saha Air Force
Avchensk Air Defense Force
Tengbur Air Force
See Operators section for others
Produced 1980–present
Number built 1,200
Unit cost
UD$30 million (June 2020)
Variants Aero Stežery AS-91
Aero Stežery AS-95
Aero Stežery AS-94

The Aero Stežery AS-90 (SDI reporting name: Flanker) is a Holyn twin-engine supermaneuverable fighter aircraft designed by Aero Stežery. It was intended to directly counter the heavy Cuscan built Martinez-Degollado F-15 Águila. It was developed through the Tactical Fighter Program (Program taktických stíhaček) of the 1970s, to replace a myriad of older 3rd generation fighters with two modern airframes with upgrade potential. The PTS program resulted in both the heavy Aero Stežery AS-90 and the lighter SOKO So-30.

The AS-90 first took flight as the T-10 testbed aircraft in 1978. The airframe was given the moniker "Flanker" by the Spero Defence Initiative following its reported test flights. The aircraft was further improved and entered serial production in 1981. The aircraft formally entered service in 1985 with the Holyn Air Force. The fleet was inherited by the Royal Holyn Air Force in 2001, apart from 22 unairworthy aircraft that were abandoned at the conclusion of the Bogoria War.

The AS-90 grew into a family of aircraft including the AS-95 twin-seat multirole fighter, AS-94 side-by-side twin-seat strike fighter, and AS-91 carrier-capable fleet defence fighter. An advanced variant of the AS-90 is currently in production, dubbed AS-95M, built with composite materials, upgraded avionics and capable of carrying modern missiles.

Development

AS-90

In the early 1970s, the Holyn Air Force had learned of both Cuscan and SDI 4th generation fighter aircraft development. Of specific concern to the Holyn military was the Martinez-Degollado project which would result in the F-15 Águila. This aircraft was superior in all terms to the then mainstray Holyn fighter, the Aero Stežery AS-76.

This realization resulted in the rapid development of a 4th generation fighter program for the Holyn Air Force. The program was issued to designers under the name Program taktických stíhaček or Tactical Fighter Program. The PTS program called for a heavy and advanced fighter aircraft, capable of going head to head with an F-15. A smaller aircraft was also called for to carry out the bulk of combat with smaller SDI 4th generation fighters. Aero Stežery's design bureau partnered with the Central Aviation Institute in Cizekporok to develop prototypes for the heavier aircraft program.

The first airworthy prototype waws completed in 1977 and after a series of high-speed ground runs, conducted its first flight in February 1978. The aircraft suffered from instability and poor handling. During the testing phase, crashes were common, with a total of five fatal crashes between 1978 and 1980.

The production variant of the T-10, the refined T-10I, entered serial production in 1981. The production aircraft received the designation AS-90. The Holyn Air Force received its first AS-90 Flankers in 1984, however, this was is very small batches. Production began to ramp up in 1988, after production difficulties were worked out. The aircraft was widely exported to Holynia's allies in the Communist bloc.

AS-91, AS-94 and AS-95

Other branches of the Holyn military began to take notice of the AS-90s capabilities. After the initial AS-90 variant was introduced, the Holyn Navy tasked Aero Stežery with developing a fighter capable of carrier operations. The heavy weight of the AS-90 was a major hinderance, however, Aero Stežery would have spare production capabilities by 1990. The other major fighter manufacturer, SOKO, had no extra capacity for development or production.

Initital prototypes underwent mock carrier takeoff and landing trials at a specialized airfield in Castramnik. Naval officials were impressed and ordered further development of this aircraft. In 1989, the AS-90F (F for fleet in Holyn (flota)), undertook its first carrier landings on the then under construction Slatnik (now HMS King Mikuláš I).

An order of 70 AS-90F was placed in 1990, with additional aircraft possible depending on the development of further Holyn aircraft carriers.

A tandem-seat AS-90, the AS-94, with forward canards and additional sensors, entered service in 1993. The aircraft serves as a multi-role strike aircraft. It maintains air-to-air capability, however, is intended for all-weather, day and night, ground and naval strike missions.

A two-seat, long-range, multi-role fighter, the AS-95, entered service in 1992. This aircraft featurs 2 dimensional thrust vectoring and upgraded avionics.

Modernized variants

Operational History

Holynia

The Holyn Air Force began receiving AS-90s in June 1984. It underwent acceptance trials between 1984 and 1986. The aircraft officially entered service in May 1986.

A Holyn AS-90 were routinely used for intercept missions by 1988. On 14 November 1989, a Vembek Navy frigate, HMS Gustav IX was intercepted by the Holyn corvette Admiral Maxmilián Fišer and a pair of AS-90 fighters operated by the Holyn Air Force. The fighters conducted several very low passes over the Vembek warship. On the 5th pass, one of the AS-90s, Blue 43, collided with Gustav IX. The left wing collided with the radar mast and the aircraft crashed into the Great Spero Sea. Both the Vembek and Holyn warships attempted to rescue the pilot of the AS-90. The Gustav IX launched a helicopter to assist with rescue and recovery. These attempts were unsuccesful as the majority of the airframe sunk into the sea and the pilot was declared dead. The other AS-90 returned to Holynia.

In March 1995, a Holyn AS-90 shot down a weather balloon from Elmad which drifted into Holyn airspace.

In June 1995, Holyn AS-90s provided escort for AS-84s and SOKO So-21 conducting bombing raids on Stesopol coup forces during the 1995 Stesopol coup attempt. One AS-90 was damaged by anti-aircraft fire. The damaged aircraft managed to return to base.

During the 1996 Stesopol revolution, AS-90s provided escort to Holyn AS-84s and So-21 strike aircraft. Coup forces managed to seize Stesopol SOKO So-30s and conducted intercepts of Holyn aircraft. Holyn AS-90s shot down three Stesopoli So-30s.

Holyn AS-90s particpated intermitently in the Bogoria War. 30 AS-90s were captured at Słupsk by Bogorian rebels. Bogor AS-90s shot down a Holyn AS-84 in March 1998. Holyn AS-90s soon fought against captured Bogor AS-90s during the spring of 1998. The expansion of anti-aircraft coverage led to AS-90s, and combat aviation taking a backseat role in the conflict. The Holyn Air Force were unable to conduct SEAD operations because of the lack of anti-radiation missiles.

On 8 October 2002, two Holyn AS-90s shot down a pair of Bogor So-30 fighters which overflew the Antonia islands. A third Bogor So-30 was shot down on 10 October attempting to shadow a Holyn Coast Guard vessel in the East Holyn Sea.

A Holyn AS-90 crashed conducting a routine flight over the Great Spero Sea on 17 May 2004. The pilot was never found.

In April 2007, a Holyn AS-90 crashed during landing at Hnilčík Air Base in southern Holynia. The pilot survived.

In May 2015, the Holyn AS-90 intercepted a Corvia intelligence aircraft. The AS-90 collided with the Corvic aircraft. Both aircraft were damaged but managed to return to base.

During the 2022 Holyn invasion of Kifathe, Holyn AS-90s have operated extensively throughout the conflict. The AS-90 has operated in an air-superiority role. Holyn AS-90s have scored kills on Kifathe Mirage 2000C and So-30 fighters. Four AS-90s have been lost during the conflict, two shot down by Kifathe aerial defences, one shot down by friendly fire, and one crashed during an operation.

AS-90 variants also operated extensively during the Kifathe invasion. AS-94s have been one of the principle strike aircraft for the Holyn military. AS-95s have also operated both strike missions and air superiority missions. Holyn Navy AS-91s have been seen operating in northern Kifathe, supporting amphibious operations.

Saha

Tengbur

Bogoria

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 21.9 m (71 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 5.92 m (19 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 62 m2 (670 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 16,380 kg (36,112 lb)
  • Gross weight: 23,430 kg (51,654 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 30,450 kg (67,131 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 9,400 kg (20,723.5 lb) internal
  • Powerplant: 2 × Bílek A-75K afterburning turbofan engines, 75.22 kN (16,910 lbf) thrust each dry, 122.6 kN (27,600 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 2,500 km/h (1,553 mph; 1,350 kn) / M2.35 at altitude
1,400 km/h (870 mph; 760 kn) / M1.13 at sea level
  • Range: 3,530 km (2,193 mi; 1,906 nmi) At altitude
1,340 km (830 mi; 720 nmi) at sea level
  • Service ceiling: 19,000 m (62,000 ft)
  • g limits: +9
  • Rate of climb: 300 m/s (59,000 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 377.9 kg/m2 (77.4 lb/sq ft) With 56% fuel
444.61 kg/m2 (91.1 lb/sq ft)

Armament

Avionics

Operators

Variants

  • T-10: Initial prototype variant of the AS-90. Conducted flight testing from 1977 to 1981.
  • T-10I (Flanker-A): Final prototype which was basis for the AS-90 production.
  • AS-90A ("Flanker-B): Initial production variant able to operate in air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.
  • AS-90B ("Flanker-B"): Air superiority designated variant, lacking the air-to-ground capability.
  • AS-90C ("Flanker-B"): AS-90A equipped with an inflight refueling probe.
  • AS-90U ("Flanker-C"): Twin-seat AS-90 conversion trainer.
  • AS-90F (AS-91 / "Flanker-N"): Carrier based AS-90 with forward canards, folding wings, high-lift devices (flaps), and arresting gear.
  • AS-90S (AS-94 / "Fullback"): Tandem seat strike fighter with day and night combat capabilities.
  • AS-90D ("Flanker-D"): AS-90A with reinforced landing gear, R877A radar with additional functions, and inflight refueling probe. This allowed a larger MTOW at 33 tonnes.
  • AS-90M ("Flanker-E"): Advanced improvement of the AS-90 family, includes Flanker-D upgrades along with new R9001 AESA radar, reduced radar cross-section, new avionics, and the thrust vectoring Bílek A-80F engine.

Operators

Current operators

Flag of Samara Oblast.svg Avchensk
Avchensk Air Defence Force – 85 AS-90 in service as of 2020.
 Bogoria
Bogoria Air Force – 15 AS-90A in inventory as of 2022. All former Holyn Air Force aircraft that were abandoned in 2000.
 Holynia
Royal Holyn Air Force – 354 AS-90 in service as of Dec. 2022, with additional 40 to be delivered by 2025. 78 AS-90C, 127 AS-90D, 133 AS-90M, and 16 AS-90U. Fleet has undergone numerous modernizations since the 2000s.
  • First Air Force
    • 1st Aviation Wing – Záhorce Air Base
      • 459th Fighter Aviation Squadron (20x AS-90D)
      • 460th Fighter Aviation Squadron (20x AS-90D)
      • 461st Fighter Aviation Squadron (20x AS-90D)
    • 12th Aviation Wing – Nový Majer Airport
      • 122nd Fighter Aviation Squadron (18x AS-90C)
      • 123rd Fighter Aviation Squadron (20x AS-90M)
      • 125th Fighter Aviation Squadron (20x AS-90M)
    • 17th Aviation Wing – Čižatice Air Base
      • 76th Fighter Aviation Squadron (17x AS-90M)
      • 77th Fighter Aviation Squadron (18x AS-90M)
      • 78th Fighter Aviation Squadron (18x AS-90M)
      • 79th Fighter Aviation Squadron (18x AS-90M)
    • 81st Aviation Wing – Studnitz Airport
      • 171st Fighter Aviation Squadron (17x AS-90C)
    • 256th Test Wing – Dargovík Air Base
      • 385th Test Squadron (10x AS-90M)
      • 400th Test Squadron (8x AS-90C)
      • 401st Research Squadron (12x AS-90M)
    • 103rd Training Wing
      • 402nd Fighter Conversion Squadron (16x AS-90U)
  • 4th Air Force (Reserve)
    • 177th Aviation Wing – Nekyje Airport
      • 256th Fighter Aviation Squadron (15x AS-90D)
    • 367th Aviation Wing – Nemcovo Airport
      • 356th Fighter Aviation Squadron (18x AS-90C)
    • 394th Aviation Wing – Lovča Airport
      • 135th Fighter Aviation Squadron (17x AS-90C)
    • 488th Aviation Wing – Cejkov Airport
      • 671st Fighter Aviation Squadron (20x AS-90D)
    • 501st Aviation Wing – Rohovce Airport
      • 202nd Fighter Aviation Squadron (16x AS-90D)
Royal Holyn Navy – 56 AS-90 in service as of 2022.
    • 2nd Naval Aviation Wing
      • 43rd Aviation Squadron (16x AS-90D)
      • 44th Aviation Squadron (14x AS-90D)
    • 3rd Naval Aviation Wing
      • 207th Aviation Squadron (14x AS-90D)
      • 208th Aviation Squadron (12x AS-90D)
Iceland Reyland
Reyland Air Force – 40 AS-90VR in service as of 2022. 40 AS-90MVR on order.
Flag of Yemen.svg Saha
Saha Air Force – 78 AS-90 in inventory as of 2022.
 Stesopol
Stespol Air Force – 45 AS-90 in inventory as of 2022.
Philippines Tengbur
Tengbur Air Force – 18 AS-90 in inventory as of 2022.

Former operators

Holynia Holyn Socialist Union
Holyn Air Force – Operated 783 AS-90 in 1999, all passed onto succesor states.
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