Valkean Aerospace V-71
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| V-71 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Multirole fighter |
| National origin | Valkea |
| Manufacturer | Valkean Aerospace |
| First flight | 20 November 1988 |
| Introduction | 7 March 1999 |
| Status | in service |
| Primary user | Valkean Air Force |
| Produced | 1999-present |
The Valkean Aerospace V-71 is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by Valkean aircraft manufacturer Valkean Aerospace. The V-71 features a delta wing and canard configuration, relaxed stability, and fly-by-wire controls.
Development of the V-71 began in 1977 at the behest of the Valkean Air Force, who wanted a replacement for their V-68 and V-69 fighter aircraft. It took its first flight on 20 November 1988 and was set to enter operational service in 1995; however, the subsequent bankruptcy of Valteo and the reorganization of its aerospace division as Valkean Aerospace delayed its introduction. The V-71 eventually entered service with the Valkean Air Force in 1999. It has also been marketed for export to other countries.
Several variants of the V-71 have been developed since 2004, featuring more advanced avionics, upgraded armaments, and adaptations for different mission lengths and roles. A major redesign of the V-71, called the V-71E/F, entered service in 2018.
Operators
Valkea- Valkean Air Force – 144 aircraft delivered as of October 2023, with another 62 on order.
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2
- Length: 15.2 m (49 ft 10 in)
- Wingspan: 9.1 m (29 ft 10 in)
- Height: 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 36.7 m2 (395 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 8,200 kg (18,078 lb)
- Gross weight: 9,300 kg (20,503 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 16,500 kg (36,376 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 4,400 kg (9,700 lb) (internal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Valkean Aerospace T171-10 afterburning turbofan, 60 kN (13,000 lbf) thrust dry, 96 kN (22,000 lbf) with afterburner
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.1
- Combat range: 1,750 km (1,087 mi; 945 nmi)
- Ferry range: 4,000 km (2,485 mi; 2,160 nmi) with 3 × drop tanks
- Service ceiling: 16,000 m (52,000 ft)
- g limits: +9/−3
- Wing loading: 316 kg/m2 (65 lb/sq ft)
- Thrust/weight: 1.05
Armament
- Guns: 1 × 30mm revolver cannon with 150 rounds
- Hardpoints: 10 (4 × fuselage stations, 4 × under-wing stations, 2 × wingtip rails) with a capacity of 7,200 kg (15,900 lb),with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Missiles:
- Air-to-air missiles
- Air-to-surface missiles
- Anti-ship missiles
- Bombs:
- General purpose bombs
- Laser-guided bombs
- Small diameter glide bombs
- Missiles: