T-3WH Vofesip
| T-3WH Vofesip | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | multirole aircraft, attack aircraft, tactical bomber, reconnaissance aircraft |
| National origin | Kyras |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Kyrasi Air Force Kyrasi Navy |
| Number built | 132 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 2020–present |
| Developed from | T-2WH Vofesip |
| Variants | T-3WHB Vofesip T-3WHA Vofesip T-3WHC Vofesip |
The Vofesip is a Kyrasi family of supersonic twin-engine, variable-sweep wing, multi-role combat aircraft designed for air superiority, strike missions, tactical bombing, and reconnaissance. It also has electronic warfare, intelligence, and surveillance capabilities. Vivi Aerospace is the prime Vofesip contractor with principal partners Abarc-Abdallah and KAE Systems. The aircraft has three main variants: the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) T-3WHA, the short take-off and vertical-landing (STOVL) T-3WHB, and the carrier-based (CV/CATOBAR) T-3WHC.
The aircraft descends from the T-2WH Vofesip, which descends from the T-WH Vofesip which descends from the ZT-WH Vofesip. In 1972, the ZT-WH Vofesip beat the Abarc-Abdallah Z-32 to win the Join Strike Fighter program (JSF) intended to replace several strike fighters. The ZT-HW Vofesip was developed and built by Vivi Aerospace in 1970 and first flew on 14 August 1974 and was introduced into service in 1979 until developing into the T-3WH. Due to its multirole design, it was able to replace several different types of aircraft in the adopting air forces. A training and evaluation unit operating from RAF Alcabyo, the Regional Vofesip Training Establishment, maintained a level of international co-operation beyond the production stage.
The T-3WH first flew in 2016 and entered service with the Kyrasi Navy as the T-3WHB in July 2025, followed by the Kyrasi Air Force as the T-3WHA in August 2026 and the Kyrasi Navy as the T-3WHC in February 2029. The aircraft was first used in combat in 1983 by the Kyrasi Air Force in the Sansanut Insurgency. The Commonwealth plans to purchase 300 T-3WHs through 2064, which will represent the bulk of the crewed tactical aviation of the Kyrasi Air Force and Navy for several decades; the aircraft is planned to be a cornerstone of AGA, Maham, and Kyras-allied air power and to operate to 2070.
Design
Overview
The T-3WH Vofesip is a next-generation multirole aircraft. Shaped by the demand of today's battlefields, it increases versatility and operational effectiveness in air-to-ground strike missions, air superiority, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. With its advanced aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and state-of-the-art avionics, the Vofesip constitutes a valuable asset for any air force.
Slightly larger than its predecessor the T-2WH, the T-3WH Vofesip is 18.0 meters (59.1 feet) in length with a variable wingspan between 9.2 meters (30.2 feet) forward-swept and 14.5 meters (47.6 feet) fully extended. The wings have an area of 52 square meters (559 square feet) to provide better lift and economy on low-altitude sorties. The aircraft stands 5.6 meters (18.4 feet) tall and features a streamlined, stealth-enhanced planform, balancing size against performance. Its increased dimensions also provide for more internal fuel capacity and a bigger payload, while lightweight composite materials keep the empty weight at 22,000 kg (48,501 lbs) and the maximum takeoff weight at 41,000 kg (90,390 lbs).