A-4 Dominator

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A-4 Dominator
File:CASaircraft.jpg
A-4 Dominator firing missiles at a testing ground for the benefit of the camera crew
Role Close air support and ground attack aircraft
National origin Template:Country data Allied Connurist States
Manufacturer Flynn Defence Systems
First flight 10 May 1982
Introduction 20 February 1986
Status In service
Primary user Imperial Castarcian Air Force
Produced 1986-present
Number built 566
Unit cost
$22 million
Developed from A-3 Taurus

The Flynn Defence Systems A-4 Dominator, sometimes referred to as simply the Dominator or the Battlepig, is a Castarcian single-engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Flynn Defence Systems in the early-mid 1980s. It is the only Imperial Castarcian Air Force production aircraft designed solely for close air support, including attacking tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, and other ground targets such as infantry with limited air defenses.

The A-4 Dominator originated out of a requirement put forth by Castarcian High Command for a jet-powered replacement of the A-3 Taurus, which could not compete with designs such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II. The A-4 was built around the Imperial Ordnance "Vengeance" 30mm cannon, which fires depleted uranium armour-pirercing rounds at targets and it has been proved useful against mobile targets due to its high rate of fire (4,200 rpm). The Dominator is also equipped with six underwing hardpoints for missiles or rockets, and the high wing makes for easier and more natural aiming, as it is closer to the eye level of the pilot and allows for small and precise corrections.

As a dedicated close air support and ground attack aircraft, the A-4 Dominator prioritises firepower, resilience and low speed manoeuvrability over speed, acceleration and rate of climb. The main wing is built around internal reinforcing spars that run straight between the tips and the twin booms help strengthen the tailplane. The long and narrow air intakes are encased in a wedge that shields them from ground fire and offers further reinforcement. The heavily armoured fuselage contains the cockpit, engines, targeting systems, main gun and ammunition hopper. The A-4 has superior maneuverability at low speeds and altitude because of its large wing area, high wing aspect ratio, and large ailerons. The wing also allows short takeoffs and landings, permitting operations from primitive forward airfields near front lines. Furthermore, the semi-retractable undercarriage is built to take hard landings on these rougher frontline airfields that may be attacked themselves. The front wheel is beneath the cockpit and the main wheels are in the underwing booms. The raised air intakes are less likely to ingest ground debris and the high wings reduce the risk of weapons striking obstacles.

Additionally, a large heat suppressor helps mask jet exhaust; the twin booms and tailplane also shield it from some angles. The booms are armed with flares and chaff as a defence against missiles. These were built to counter advanced weapons and make the A-4 Dominator almost immune to the cruder substitutes more often carried by insurgents.

Dominator aircraft have advanced electronics suites, including a dedicated targeting pod and the capacity for digital reconnaisance pods in the hardpoints. They also boast Friend-or-Foe identification abilities, FLIR, ACM, and more.

The A-4 Dominator is technically carrier capable. It has been documented to have landed on and took off from a Conquest-class aircraft carrier successfully, without use of an arrestor hook or a catapult takeoff. However, due to the fact that it does not have folding wings, and was not designed to land on carriers, such practice is not recommended and is not commonplace.

Variants

Revelator

The Revelator is a V/STOL variant of the A-4 Dominator operated by Brytene. It is slower than the standard model and has a much-reduced range, but it can be launched from light carriers as a result. With only two missile hardpoints, it utilises a 75mm cannon underneath the fuselage, manufactured by Imperial Ordnance. The 75mm cannon has a low rate of fire, but possesses long range and hard hitting power, making it more effective against well defended static emplacements. The Revelator is designed with aerial bombardment, reconnaisance, and overwatch duties in mind.

Operators

Specifications (A-4A)

General Characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 53 ft 4 in (16.26 m)
  • Wingspan: 57 ft 6 in (17.53 m)
  • Height: 14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
  • Wing area: 506 ft² (47.0 m²)
  • Empty weight: 24,959 lb (11,321 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 30,384 lb (13,782 kg)
  • Loaded weight (CAS mission): 47,094 lb (21,361 kg)
  • Loaded weight (Anti-armor mission): 42,071 lb (19,083 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 50,000 lb (23,000 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Flynn Havoc jet engine
  • Internal fuel capacity: 11,000 lb (4,990 kg)

Performance

  • Never exceed speed: 450 knots (518 mph, 833 km/h)
  • Maximum speed: 381 knots (439 mph, 706 km/h) at sea level, clean
  • Cruise speed: 300 knots (340 mph, 560 km/h)
  • Stall speed: 120 knots (138 mph, 220 km/h)
  • Combat radius:
  • CAS mission: 250 nmi (288 mi, 460 km) at 1.88 hour loiter at 5,000 ft (1,500 m), 10 min combat
  • Anti-armor mission: 252 nmi (290 mi, 467 km), 40 nmi (45 mi, 75 km)) sea-level penetration and exit, 30 min combat
  • Ferry range: 2,240 nmi (2,580 mi, 4,150 km) with 50 knot (55 mph, 90 km/h) headwinds, 20 minutes reserve
  • Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,700 m)
  • Rate of climb: 6,000 ft/min (30 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 99 lb/ft² (482 kg/m²)
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