Majestic Heracles
| Majestic Heracles | |
|---|---|
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| Role | utility, Medium-Lift, multi-role Helicopter |
| Designer | Majestic International |
| First flight | 13 November 1995 |
| Introduction | 28 March 2000 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Republic Air Force Republic Navy See Operators |
| Produced | 1995-present |
The Majestic Heracles is the primary medium-lift helicopter in service with the Republic Air Force and Republic Navy. The development of the Heracles began in 1989 with the demand for a modern medium-lift service helicopter for the Army. The helicopter was quickly picked up during development by the Republic Navy who desired to replace three different helicopters for a singular aircraft that can handle medium-size transportation, anti-submarine warfare, and ship-based utility operations.
The helicopter has gone through several upgrades in it's time and has been designed to present a very versatile and modifiable aircraft to users. Components allow it to be modified in the field for new roles and increased survivability options have allowed it to carry a life expectancy well into the 2040s. Further usage of the aircraft in the Belfrasian market have included the coast guard, where it is used in the air rescue role. Police services are also using the helicopter for extended aerial surveillance or for insertions of special teams.
Fitted with an expansive, rugged, and highly modifiable main hold, the Heracles has found itself being used in a wide range of roles within the Belfrasian Armed Forces. Capable of being modified in the field or in areas as confined as a ships hangar, the aircraft can be modified from a cargo/passenger carrying capacity to having dedicated anti-submarine/surface equipment or air rescue equipment. The Belfrasian Army have several Heracles helicopters modified to operate alongside special forces with specialist equipment aboard. Plans for upgrades to provide the helicopter with a new, stealthier hull have been in the works since early 2015 and test versions have been deployed for a potential upgrade as early as 2018. The highly modifiable nature of the helicopter has allowed it to become a very popular addition to the vehicle inventory of the Armed Forces, with pilots stating that the highly configurable nature of the cockpit allows them to get used to new controls incredibly easily.
The helicopter found its way into the international civilian market in 2010 with all classified or official equipment removed. Purchasers are required to purchase their own electrical systems, countermeasures if needed, and are equipped with a lesser model engine. Civilian versions of the Heracles, as of 2015, include passenger and VIP transports.
Design
Capable at operating from temperature differences from -45 to +50 centrigrade, the helicopter is equipped with small modification slots for enhanced de-icing systems or expanded coolant frames. At the highest temperature area the helicopter can operate at, it was recommended that the helicopter operate for 3-4 hours before being allowed to cool down for a minimum of thirty minutes. De-icing the helicopter can take a minimum of thirty minutes in the field. It's ability to operate in harsh environments also mean it is equipped with a sophisticated static hover unit, allowing the helicopter to remain within three feet of it's desired location in 45 mph winds.
A specialized vibration control system drastically reduces airframe vibration to improve crew comfort and reduce stress on the airframe. New models use a liquid crystal display system and a universal control mainframe to allow information to be displayed at any display in the cockpit. The displays are in full colour high definition for optional mission displays. This allows for camera turrets to be viewed from the displays natively with only minor software updates. For example, should a forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera be installed, the monitors can already display the data with only a three to five minute waiting time for data to be installed that will assist the onboard computer with rendering the information. Systems exist to allow information to be uploaded or downloaded to allow for information to be extracted and placed on the computers of the helicopter rapidly. This also allows for customization options, allowing pilots to adjust how controls respond to their own liking and to bring those options with them between aircraft.
Regardless of the variant utilized, all models of the Heracles is equipped with the same extensive self-defence systems. These include such items such as standard chaff and flare dispensers and a hyper-intelligent infrared countermeasure, ESM Jammers, and a detection system for identifying laser designators and a missile warning system. Armour has been installed along the bottom of the aircraft to prevent damage to the helicopter or injury to crew from small arms ground fire. The aircraft complies with Belfrasian air standards for crash survivability, with a reinforced frame to reduce crumple damage should the helicopter roll after a landing or from breaking apart on impact. The seating for both crew and passengers are armoured against gunfire and rated for crash protection. Escape hatches exist on the aircraft to compliment existing entryways into the aircraft to expedite escape of crew and passengers in the event of a water landing. Republic Naval variants utilize small pressure-stored lifeboats that can be jettisoned away from the aircraft should a water landing be occurring. This has been complimented in air rescue missions for additional payloads to be loaded and jettisoned to provide people in water with immediate access to life boats.
Helicopters can mount a wide array of avionics for defensive or offensive purposes. Chin mounted sensor suites or cameras are available along with a maritime surveillance radars and a new era active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The helicopter comes with two hardpoints opposite sides of the airframe from which the helicopter can mount up to four homing torpedoes, a series of depth charges, or short range anti-surface missiles. Further hardpoints are added with the addition of 'sub wings', offering a further two hardpoints per side. This enables the helicopter to carry a much larger array of armaments such as 'dumb-fire' missile pods, fuel pods, or arrays of short range missiles to further increase the weapons that the helicopter can bring with it to support ground or naval operations.
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The 'stub wings' that the helicopter can equip, with installation and support points coming standard with all models for greater usability, allow room for personnel to gain access to the helicopter whilst munitions or fuel pods are installed already. Five locations within the helicopter allow for pintle mounts to be installed so that crew-mounted machine guns may be aimed out of both door and window apertures. Tests proved that crew-members are fully capable of utilizing most of these points whilst the additional wing pylons are attached and loaded without risking accidentally shooting loaded ordnance.
The helicopter can be crewed, at minimum, by two pilots. Whilst the helicopter can be flown by a single person, the protocols insist that at least one observer is held on the helicopter to provide pilots with a larger field of view. Typically, however, helicopters in the Republic Air Force are crewed by three people; A pilot, an observer and copilot, and a crewman/operator to manage onboard electronic systems, manage any cargo aboard, and to assist in operations as necessary.
The expansive main compartment is highly modifiable, with Republic Air Force helicopters utilizing a very spartan interior. Seats are typically arranged along the sides that can be stored for palletized loads to be loaded. Hold-down locations and the floor itself can be changed with hand tools to allow the helicopter to change its role on the fly. A standard crew compartment can be changed over to a flying ambulance role within a day for a medical team and sixteen stretcher capacity. Air rescue versions allow for parts of the compartment to allow for rescue hoists and a hover trim controller to be installed at the side door for crew members to change the helicopters hover to assist personnel entering the water. The huge versatility of equipment that can be installed on the helicopter allow it to be classified as 'multi-role'.
Operational History
Belfras
Republic Air Force
The Republic Air Force began ordering the Heracles just after the aircraft entered full service with the Republic Navy in 2000. The first delivery happened in 2001 with extended-range fuel tanks and capable of fitting air-to-air refuelling nozzles as required.
Within the Air Force service, the Heracles is utilized for both the transportation of personnel and for the transportation of bulk goods either internally or underslung. Items usually under-slung include large base-building objects or supplies, artillery pieces or vehicles. The Air Force only use one version, relying on it's incredible versatility and ease of modification to adjust aircraft to mission requirements. Most attached units keep aircraft in a dedicated medevac role.
The Heracles' first order was with the Republic Navy and was also the subject of final flight tests. The fleet was grounded one month after the first deliveries were made after a helicopter experienced an engine malfunction that fortunately only caused minor injuries. After the malfunction was found to have been a maintenance error, the fleet continued to be added to by further orders.
Multiple variants are utilized by the Republic Navy. The HM.3A is the primary variant that operates primarily as a personnel and cargo transport with added abilities to operate as an anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopters. Helicopters deployed aboard warships often find themselves being deployed with sonar dipping, sonobouys, and homing torpedoes aboard to track down and eliminate hostile submarines as necessary. While the HM.3A is as easily modifiable as all other helicopters, the Republic Navy also uses the HAR.3, a version dedicated for sea-air rescue. The HAR.3 sports dedicated, heavy-duty winches and hover trim units along with a medical module at the rear for additional medical attention to be given to rescued personnel or civilians as needed. Finally, the Republic Navy uses the ASaC.5, a version modified directly toward the usage of radar equipment to act as an airborne early warning aircraft for carrier groups.
Variants
- Heracles HC.4 - Republic Air Force version for surveillance and utility purposes.
- Heracles HM.3A - Republic Navy version for maritime duties.
- Heracles ASaC.5 - Republic Naval version for carrier based airborne early warning.
- Heracles HAR.3 - Republic Naval version dedicated for sea-air rescue.
- Heracles HR.2 - Coast Guard version.
Operators
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots, 1-2 assistant crew members.
- Capacity:
- 26 fully equipped troops or 38 passengers and equipment or 5 tonnes of onboard payload (HM.3)
- 30 seated troops, 45 standing troops, or 3,000 kg of internal payload and 5,500 kg of underslung payload. Medical capacity for 16 stretchers and attending doctors (HC.3)
- Length: 19.50 m (64.0 ft) ()
- Rotor diameter: 18.60 m (61.0 ft) ()
- Height: 6.65 m (21.8 ft) ()
- Loaded weight: 14,600 kg (32,200 lb) ()
- Powerplant: 3 × Majestic MTX-5200 turboshafts, () each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 165 mph (266 km/h)
- Range: 520 mi (840 km) ()
Armament
- Hardpoints:
- Bombs: 4× air-dropped homing torpedoes and depth charges
- Others:
- Sonobouys