F-31 Scimitar
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| F-31 Scimitar | |
|---|---|
| |
| RXAF F-31A during testing and evaluation (May 2011) | |
| Role | Stealth multi-role fighter |
| National origin | South Axiom |
| Manufacturer | Avalon Aerospace |
| First flight | 8 March 2006 (F-31A) |
| Introduction | 14 February 2012 (F-31A) |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Royal Axiomian Air Force German Air Force Japanese Air Self Defense Force Royal Canadian Air Force See Operators section for others |
| Produced | 2008–present |
| Number built | 171+ as of 20 January 2019 |
| Program cost | US$144.9 billion (through 2060 in then-year dollars), US$26.3B for RDT&E, $20.7B for procurement, $0.5B for MILCON, $97.4B for operations & sustainment (2018 estimate) |
| Unit cost |
F-31A: $114.2M
RF-31S Rapier: US$117.6M EF-31M Marauder: US$118.3M |
| Developed from | Avalon Aerospace XF-31 |
South Axiom's newest domestic fighter, the F-31 Scimitar is the third stealth fighter aircraft in the world to enter service, after the US F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning. Due to delays in the F-35 program, the Scimitar achieved initial operation capability four years earlier than the Lightning. This quick development is attributed to the Scimitar's extensive use of proven technology, and the fact that only an air force variant was produced.
The Scimitar was envisioned as a long-range penetration aircraft, able to attack well-defended targets with speed and stealth. As such it has one of the most extensive air-to-ground capabilities of any 5th generation jet fighter. While strike missions are its main purpose, the Scimitar is also the best air superiority fighter in the Royal Axiomian Air Force. Previous RED FLAG exercises have shown that the Scimitar is superior to any Western fighter aircraft except the F-22, although the F-35 comes a close third.
The Scimitar can deploy various weapons from both its three internal weapons bays (for stealth performance) or its six external hard-points (if stealth is not needed). One weapons bay is in the middle of the aircraft, and the two smaller weapons bays are located on the sides.
RXAF doctrine tasks the F-31 and F-35 to act as a high-low combination, penetrating and degrading enemy defenses (ground and air). After this is achieved the RXAF and RXN 4.5th and 4th generation aircraft, along with UCAV companions, conduct strikes against enemy forces.
Future upgrade plans for the F-31 include 3D thrust vectoring, improved electronics and UCAV integration (as conducted with the F-15X and F/A-18F).
Development
Design
Overview
Stealth Characteristics
Engine
Armament
Sensors and Avionics
Operational History
Procurement and Exports
Variants
F-31A
RF-31S Rapier
A specialized reconnaissance variant developed for the Royal Axiomian Air Force, using the F-31's fast speed, high service ceiling and stealth features to avoid enemy air defenses. None have been exported to other countries as of this time.
EF-31M Marauder
A specialized electronic warfare variant developed for the Royal Axiomian Air Force, as a stealthy version of the EA-18G Growler used by the US Navy and Royal Axiomian Navy. It further enhances the suppression of air defenses (SEAD) capabilities of the F-31, using stealth and advanced sensors to strike targets while avoiding enemy air defense systems. It is regarded as the best electronic warfare aircraft in service today.
Other Variants
F-31I
An F-31A modified for the Israeli Air Force, using Israeli electronics and integrated with Israeli munitions.
F-31J
An F-31A modified for the Japanese Air Self Defense Force, with final assembly at Mitsubishi plants in Japan. While certain types of air-to-ground munitions have been removed due to Article 9 of the Japanese constitution, Japanese avionics, missiles and parts are integrated into the fighter.
CF-31A
An F-31A modified to Canadian standards, with refueling probes and drogue parachutes, along with improved cold-weather capability.
F-31B
An early-stage design study by Avalon Aerospace and the Royal Axiomian Air Force to be fielded around 2025~2030, incorporating increased network warfare capability and other next-generation technologies.
Operators
F-31A
Australia
- Royal Australian Air Force - 12 currently delivered and operational, total of 32 planned
Canada
- Royal Canadian Air Force - 8 currently delivered and operational (CF-31A), total of 42 planned
Japan
- Japanese Air Self Defense Forces - 17 currently delivered and operational (F-31J), total of 44 planned
Germany
- German Air Force - 48 planned
Israel
- Israeli Air Force - 7 currently delivered and operational (F-35I), total of 16 planned
Italy
- Italian Air Force - 30 planned
Netherlands
- Royal Netherlands Air Force - 5 currently delivered and operational, total of 16 planned
South Axiom
- Royal Axiomian Air Force - 88 currently delivered and operational, total of 150 planned
South Korea
- Republic of Korea Air Force - 20 planned
United Kingdom
- Royal Air Force - 5 currently delivered and operational, total of 32 planned
RF-31S
South Axiom
- Royal Axiomian Air Force - 6 currently delivered and operational
EF-31M
South Axiom
- Royal Axiomian Air Force - 21 currently delivered and operational
Specifications (F-31A)
Characteristics
- Crew: 2 (Pilot and Weapon Systems Officer)
- Length: 19.1 m
- Wingspan: 13.76 m
- Height: 4.74 m
- Wing Area: 78.1 sq m
- Empty Weight: 18,600 kg
- Loaded Weight: 28,700 kg
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 38,500 kg
- Fuel Capacity: 10,100 kg internal, 14,000 kg with two external drop tanks
- Powerplant: 2 Tosar Industries F134-TI-150 Thrust-vectoring Turbofans (comparable to F119-PW-100)
- Dry Thrust 26,600 lbf each
- Thrust With Afterburner 38,800 lbf each
Performance
- Top Speed: Mach 2.25 (2,410 km/h)
- Super-cruise Speed: Mach 1.61 (1,700 km/h)
- Service Ceiling: 70,200 ft (21,400 m)
- Maximum Range: 2,850 km with internal fuel, 3,500 km with external drop tanks
- Combat Radius: 1,300~1,400 km (internal fuel, full stealth mode)
- Thrust-Weight Ratio:
- 50% Fuel, Air-to-Air Payload - 1.32
- 50% Fuel, Maximum Payload - 1.05
- Maximum Take-off Weight - 0.92
Armament
- Gun: 1 20 mm M61A2 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon in right wing root, 490 rounds
- Air-to-air Stealth Loadout:
- 6 AIM-120D AMRAAM, 2 AIM-9X Sidewinder
- Air-to-ground Stealth Loadout:
- 2 GBU-31 2000 lb JDAM or 16 250 lb GBU-39 SDB
- 2 AIM-120D AMRAAM, 2 AIM-9X Sidewinder
- Total Payload (if 6 external pylons are used): 10,400 kg
Avionics
- AN/APG-82 or AX/APG-98 AESA Radar
- AN/ALR-94 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)