AFSB-3 Fenice Strategic Bomber

Vulcan AFSB-3 Fenice
A Cacertian Royal Air Fleet AFSB-3 flying over Sarissita.
Role	Strategic bomber
National origin	Cacerta
Manufacturer	Vulcan Aeronautics
First flight	9 September 1974
Introduction	22 June 1980
Status	In active service
Primary user	Cacertian Royal Air Fleet
Produced	1980—Present
Number built	40+
Unit cost	ɫ290,000,000
Variants	AFSB-3v1 AFSB-3v2 AFSB-3v3

The Vulcan AFSB-3 Fenice (Phoenix) is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing, heavy strategic bomber designed by the Vulcan Aeronautics Design Bureau for the Cacertian Royal Air Fleet. It is one of the largest, fastest, and heaviest supersonic military aircraft in the region and is capable of Mach 2+ flight. The Fenice entered service in 1980 after six years of development as part of the Royal Air Fleet’s Long Range Aviation Branch.

The Fenice was first envisioned following the success of the Spettro, combining Mach 2 speed with a heavier payload. A long series of studies culminated in the development of the Fenice which has a top speed of Mach 2.05 at high altitude and the ability of flying very long distances at Mach 0.9 at low altitudes. The very high cost of the Fenice, however, has limited its production in comparison to its predecessor.

During the FedCom Civil War, flights of Fenices were involved in the opening moves of the Cacertian Intervention by performing high-altitude strikes on Optikhalee positions. AFSB-3s are known to be forward-deployed at bases in Solaris and Andria.

Variants

AFSB-3

The production version of the AFSB-3 that entered service in 1980.

AFSB-3v1

The 3v1 is the modern and upgraded version of the Fenice which features new weaponry, improved electronics and avionics.

AFSB-3v2

Making its first flight in 2005, the AFSB-3v2 is an electronic warfare version of the Fenice that carries stand-off jamming and ECM equipment.

AFSB-3v3

Unveiled in 2015, the AFSB-3v3 features low observable technology and more powerful and efficient engines. As a result, it possesses greater operational range, electronics, a glass cockpit, advanced communications and control systems, and a new array of weaponry.

Operators

• Cacerta; Cacertian Royal Air Fleet—36 AFSB-3s of differing variations in service with the Royal Air Fleet.
• Quenmin; Imperial and Royal Quenminese Aerial Force—8 models purchased, majority v2.
• Ruvelka; Ruvelkan Imperial Air Force—6 AFSB-3v1s and 2 AFSB-3v2s purchased as part of the Ruvelkan military’s rearmament after the Zemplen War.

Specifications (AFSB-3)

General Characteristics

• Crew: 4 (pilot, co-pilot, weapon systems officer, defensive systems officer)
• Length: 54.1 m (177 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 55.7 m (182 ft 9 in) spread (20° sweep); 35.6 m (117 ft) swept (65° sweep)
• Height: 13.1 m (43 ft)
• Wing Area: 400 m² (4,300 ft²) spread (20° sweep); 360 m² (3,875 ft²) swept (65° sweep)
• Empty Weight: 110,000 kg (242,508 lbs)
• Gross Weight: 267,600 kg (589,957 lbs)
• Max Takeoff Weight: 275,000 kg (606,271 lbs)
• Powerplant: 4 × EDA-Fenice Afterburning Turbofans

Performance

• Maximum Speed: Mach 2.05 (2,220 km/h, 1,380 mph) at altitude
• Cruising Speed: Mach 0.9 (960 km/h, 600 mph)
• Range: 12,300 km (7,600 mi, 6,600 nmi)
• Combat Range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi) maintaining Mach 1.5
• Service Ceiling: 16,000 m (51,000 ft)
• Rate of Climb: 70 m/s (14,000 ft/min)
• Wing Loading: 742 kg/m² (152 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/Weight: 0.37

Armament

• Payload: 45,000 kg (99,208 lb) within internal weapons bays

See Also

Aircraft of Comparable Role, Configuration, and Era

• AFSB-2 Spettro
• B-19 Taibhse