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Kai-07 Raiden

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Kai-07 Raiden
Kai-07 Raiden.png
A Kai-07C Raiden in flight
Role Carrier-based Multirole Fighter
National origin
Manufacturer Kiyohana Aerospace Industries
Mach Aerospace
First flight 1992
Introduction Kai-07A - 2000
Kai-07C - 2015
Status In production and in service
Primary user Republic of Tsurushima Air Force
Republic of Tsurushima Navy
Daoan Air Force
Produced Tsurushima 1999 – present
Daobac 2012 – present
Number built TBD
Developed from Kai-79 Hayabusa
Kai-79ko Umiwashi
MV-25 Eagle

The Kai-07 Raiden (Tsurushiman: 雷電, Translates to: Lightning Bolt) is an all weather, twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole combat aircraft designed and developed by Tsurushima. The program was initiated and led by the Tsurushiman government in 1987, until Daobac petitioned to join the program in 2006 to co-develop new variants of the Raiden. Since then Tsurushima held 75% of the program shares whereas Daobac held the remaining 25%. Tsurushima required a fighter that was lighter and smaller than the Kai-79 Hayabusa and Kai-79ko but also possess advanced characteristics that would make it as a competitive alternative to the heavier and more expensive Kai-79 and quicker to scramble. The original version of the Raiden, the Kai-07A was categorized as a 4.5 generation fighter however its most recent incarnation, the Kai-07C (Raiden-C) is considered as a 4.5+ generation due to the number of quality of life improvements and low-observable features implemented into it. The Raiden was intended to be capable to fulfill a number of roles ranging from combat, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses, air interdiction and reconnaisance missions. Its versatility is largely owed to its ability to carry a wide variety of ordnances and equipment, advanced avionics and various other characteristics of its design. Development of the first generation of Raidens began in 1987 and was focused largely on carrier-based fighter to fulfill the needs of the Tsurushiman Navy. To reduce cost and development time the Raiden incorporated some technologies and features from the Kai-79 and Kai-79ko fighters and in later Raiden variants, the Daoan MV-25 Eagle fighter. Rather than developing new features from zero, the inclusion of existing technologies allowed the designers to create a reliable aircraft based on tested and battle proven technologies while at the same time adding on enhancements and improvements to it. Development of the first Kai-07 began in 1987 and its first flight test was conducted in XX <MONTH> 1992. There are currently two main variants of the Raiden, the first being designated the Kai-07A as a carrier-based fighter jet and was introduced into service in 2000. The Kai-07A also became the standard airframe and model from which all future Raidens are based on. The next major variant, the Kai-07C, is the CTOL and improved version the Kai-07A designed for both the Daoan and Tsurushiman Air Forces introduced in 2015. In Daobac the Kai-07 is designated as the MV-26 Falcon, the successor of the MV-25 Eagle.

Development

Initiation by Tsurushima

Daoan Participation

In 2003 the Daoan Air Force commissioned a study to determine the effectiveness of its squadron of MV-25 Eagle fighters. While the fighters performed well against its regional competitors, leadership elements within the Daoan Air force anticipated that unless a replacement or major improvement was initiated then the Daoan Air Force would find itself outmatched by other air forces in the region. As a result the Daoan Air Force initiated a procurement program to improve the capabilities of the MV-25 Eagles or, failing to do so, replace it with a superior fighter. Proposals to enchance the Eagle's capabilities were ultimately rejected as the substantial cost of developing new technologies and implementing the improvements would only prolong the Eagle's effectiveness for only four years which resulted in an overall net loss for any improvements. The Daoan Air Force then turned its attention to Tsurushima's fleet of Kai-07A Raidens. The multirole fighter was a perfect candidate and fit to many of the Daoan Air Force's requirements and it would reduce Daobac's need to research and develop new technologies and features. The Daoan Government approached its Tsurushiman counterparts to negotiate Daoan participation in their Raiden project. After two years of negotiations, in 2006 Daobac was officially permitted to participate in the Raiden program to develop new variants of the Raiden. The first major variant to be co-developed alongside was designated as the Kai-07C, a CTOL and improved variant of the Kai-07A. Daobac offered both funds and its expertise in the field of aerospace engineering to the Tsurushimans as part of its participation in the program. In return Daobac was permitted to locally produce and export the Raiden to new customers as well. Daobac was also able to secure new aerospace and weapon technologies that it previously had difficulty to develop by itself. While there were many similarities in the requirements that the Daoan Air Force had for the Raiden, it greatly differed in one key feature: Daobac required only a CTOL version whereas Tsurushima originally developed the Raiden as a carrier-borne fighter compatible with the CATOBAR technology onboard its aircraft carriers. As the CTOL variant was developed nearly half a decade after the program began in 1987, the Daoans and Tsurushimans were able to provide not just improvements but also innovative new technologies to the Raiden. These included a new suite of avionics and some modifications to the airframe to improve the Raiden's overall performance. Mach Aerospace, a major Daoan aerospace and defense company, was appointed by the Daoan Government as the coordinating entity for the Raiden project and was assisted by various other Daoan companies such as Daobac Space Corporation and Tran Industries were either consulted for their expertise, or contracted to develop key components of the Kai-07C. A prototype of the Kai-07C successfully made its first flight in 2012 and was introduced into active service in 2015.

Kai-07Shin+

The Kai-07Shin+, or simply referred to as the Raiden+, is the name for a newer variant of the Raiden which includes significantly improved stealth capability in order to both supplement and compete with typical 5th-generation fighter forces at a fraction of the cost in operating resources. Due to the sensitive nature of the Raiden Shin+ variant, the examples currently in service in limited numbers with the Republic of Tsurushima Air Force and Republic of Tsurushima Navy are closely guarded and not yet exhibited in detail to the general public. One of its key features is expected to be the inclusion of an internal weapons bay which would greatly reduce its radar profile, and the utilization of more radar absorbent and low-observable materials in its airframe. It has been suggested that this new variant would be categorized as a "quasi-5th" or 4.75+ generation fighter. A step above the Raiden-C but just below that of a true 5th generation fighter.

Design

Overview

The Raiden is first and foremost a multirole fighter aircraft designed as a lightweight and agile weapons platform that can fulfill a variety of roles and mission profiles. It is categorized as a 4.5 generation fighter as its airframe was designed to be stealthier than other fourth-generation fighters but it does not feature internal weapon bays like a fifth-generation fighters. In the absence of vertical rear stabilizers the Raiden is equipped with two canards near the cockpit of the aircraft to improve lift and control of the aircraft at all speeds. Its delta wing design provides additional lift to compensate negative lift that is produced from the rear vertical stabilizer. The Raiden was designed to be intentionally unstable to improve its manoeuvrability and also utilizes a digital fly-by-wire flight control system to control and compensate for the inherint instability of the aircraft. The Raiden has an attack angle of 70-80 degrees. Tsurushima requires the Raiden to be operated from aircraft carriers, hence the Raiden was first designed as a carrier-borne that is compatible for use with the CATOBAR systems generally found on Tsurushima's aircraft carriers. Daobac required its Raidens to be able to perform short takeoffs and landings, hence the Kai-07C's mainframe was strengthened to withstand the stresses off short landings. The Raiden was intended to have a long service life as a part of its key element, as a result it was designed to low maintenance requirements which reduces its downtime compared to its more heavier counterparts. To reduce operating costs and increase reliability, some elements of the Raiden's core systems such as its avionics and engines are modular in nature.

Cockpit of a Kai-07C equipped with a wide screen multi-function display.

Avionics & Sensors

The Raiden first entered service with a Tsurushiman designed all-weather Pulse-Doppler radar system that was capable of identification & detection of targets up to 150km (93.2 miles) away and track both air and ground targets, and is equipped with a infrared search and track (IRST) system. This was replaced in the Kai-70E with a Type V AESA radar which offers increased a higher degree of resistance against radar jamming, low probability of intercept by an enemy radar warning receiver, increased reliability due to the AESA's systems that operate independently and in general more capabilities compared to the older doppler radars. Additionally it is equipped with a Mach-D IRST system, an improved version of the older IRST equipped on the Kai-70A. The Kai-70C version the Raiden has been marketed as a "programmable" aircraft that is equipped with advanced avionics and a comprehensive programing language. This permits software updates to be regularly patched to the Raiden's software which can increase its overall performance and introduce new or adjusted parameters allowing the Raiden continuously have updated parameters adjusted for new or changed roles or mission profiles. The cockpit of the Kai-70 is equipped with a cockpit display system designed to reduce a pilot's workload through a combination of smart information management software, and increase their situational awareness. The Raiden is also equipped with a sensor fusion capability which allows the aircraft's onboard computers to process, analyze and provide information to the pilots about their aircraft, targets, objective and mission parameters. This information is fed to the pilots via their heads up displays which is comprised of three multi-function displays (MFDs), or via a helmet mounted display system. In the original Kai-70A the MFDs were separated but in the Kai-70E the three MFDs were merged into a single wide screen display for better user experience for the pilots.

Engines

The Raiden is equipped with two Tsurushiman designed Mugen-I afterburning turbofan engines that provides 40 kN of dry thrust and 65.1 kN with its afterburners. The Kai-07C variant is equipped with an improved version of the same engine, the Nagai-Kiyohana Mugen-II, providing 65 kN of dry thrust and 95 kN with the afterburners. The Raiden's engines are fed by variable intake ramps, which were taken from the design of the Kai-99 Silent Hayabusa, and mounted on both sides of the aircraft.

Ordnance

The Raiden is capable to carry up to 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) of variuous armament and equipment. It is equipped with a single 20mm 6-barrel rotarry cannon though the Kai-07DEW electronic warfare sub-variant of the Raiden ommits this feature to accomodate the placement of various detection & jamming pod suited for its role. The aircraft is capable of operating both air-to-air (AAM) and air-to-ground (AGM) missiles of various types. These include standard infrared homing (heat seeking) missiles, beyond-visual range missiles (BVRAAM) and anti-radiation missiles (ARM). Having extensive experience in the field of rocketry, Daobac contributed heavily to the development of new missile systems for the Raiden-C variant of the Kai-07. Daobac helped provide the new TA-119 Archer short-range AAM, TA-203 Javelin BVRAAM, AS-15 medium-range ASM and MX-27 air-to-surface ARM. This allows the Raiden to engage both air and surface targets as well as those that are beyond visual range. A variety of bombs is also available to be used by the Raiden including the L-9 Breaker laser-guided bomb, S-5 Penetrator satellite-guided bomb and B200 general purpose unguided bomb. Non-lethal equipment that it carries include targeting pods to assist with target designation, a reconnaissance pod for reconnaissance missions and an Infrared countermeasure (IRCM) pod designed to protect the Raiden from infrared homing missiles. The Kai-07DEW electronic warfare sub-variant of the Raiden is equipped with an integrated electronic warfare suite which includes two types of pods: the SD-311 electronic warfare pod and SD-312 Electronic countermeasure (ECM) pods. Equipped with an air-to-air refuelling probe and an onboard oxygen generation system, the Raiden-C is capable of performing long range missions without the need to land to resupply.

Variants

Existing

Kai-07A
Original single seat naval version of the Raiden. Entered service into the Tsurushiman Navy in 2000
Kai-07B
Two seater version of the Raiden-A.
Kai-07C
Introduced in 2015, the Raiden-C is a significantly improved single-seat version of the Raiden with CTOL capability that was co-developed with Daobac and introduces various quality of life improvements. The C version includes significant upgrades in the aircraft's avionics and capabilities such as the inclusion of the advanced AESA radar, an improved IRST system and its "programmable" capability which allows engineers to install patches and update the Raiden's onboard systems.
Kai-07CN
Naval version of the Raiden-C.
Kai-07D
Two-seater version of the Raiden-C
Kai-07DEW
electronic warfare sub-variant of the Raiden-D. Equipped with detection & jammer pods
Kai-07DN
Naval version of the Raiden-D
Kai-07DNE
Naval version of the Raiden-DEW

Proposed

Kai-07Shin+
TBD

Operators

Current

 Daobac
  • The Daoan Air Force introduced the C-variant of the Raiden in 2015 as the successor of its ageing squadrons of MV-25 Eagle fighters that has been in service for more than 20 years since 1994. By 2019, all of Daobac's inventory of MV-25 Eagles has been phased out and replaced by the Raiden-C whose Daoan designation is the MV-26 Falcon, marking it as the successor of the Eagle. Daobac locally manufactures the C-variant as part of its agreement with Tsurushima to develop variants of the Raiden. The Daoan Air Force operates the Kai-07C, Kai-07D and Kai-07DEW variants of the Raiden.
 Ostrozava
 Tsurushima
  • Tsurushima is the first operator of the Kai-07, using the Raiden-A variant onboard its aircraft carriers to maximize its airwing capacity and numbers. With the introduction of the Raiden-C the Republic of Tsurushima Air Force has also adopted the aircraft, meanwhile the Republic of Tsurushima Navy is at a crossroads to either upgrade its Kai-07A to Kai-07CN specification, or to phase the older Raiden-A and replace them with the Raiden-CN entirely.

Potential

Specifications (Kai-07C)

General Characteristics

Kai-07C 3-view drawing
  • Crew: 1 (Kai-07C) / 2 (Kai-07D)
  • Length: 15 m (49.21 ft)
  • Wingspan: 9 m (29.52 ft)
  • Height: 4.6 m (15.09 ft)
  • Wing span: 8.8 m (28.87 ft)
  • Empty weight: 7,950 kg (17,526 lbs)
  • Max takeoff weight: 16,600 kg (36,596 lbs)
  • Fuel capacity: 4,250 L (1,110 Gallons)
  • Payload: 9,500 kg (20,943 lbs)
  • Powerplant: 2x Nagai-Kiyohana Mugen-II afterburning turbofan, 62 kN thrust dry, 95 kN with afterburner.

Performance

  • Maximum speed:
    • Mach 2 (2,100 km/h; 1,309 mph; 1,100 kn) at 40,000 ft.
    • Mach 1.2 (1,470 km/h; 913 mph; 794 kn) at sea level
  • Combat range: 1,800 km (1,118 mi, 972 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 3,300 km (2,050 mi, 1,782 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 16,500 m (54,134 ft)
  • g limits: +9/-2

Armament

Avionics

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