NkB-78
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| Narkeusten-Borzov NkB-78 "Miljnor" | |
|---|---|
| File:NkB.png The first production NkB-78, Number 101 Kristina upon delivery to the Dniguan Air Force. | |
| General information | |
| Type | Supersonic bomber/Reconnaissance aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Narkeusten Aviation Borzov propulsion |
| Designer | Sven Narkeusten |
| Status | Operational |
| History | |
| Introduction date | Spring 1978 |
The Narkeusten-Borzov NkB-78 "Miljnor" is a four-engine, variable geometry supersonic Strategic bomber/Reconnaissance aircraft built for the Dnieguan Airforce. Designed primarily for conventional and nuclear Deterrence, the NkB-78 was designed to fly at speeds in excess of mach 2.5 at altitudes as high as 24,000 meters; out of the theoretical range of interceptor aircraft and all but the most advanced surface to air missiles.
Powered by four Borzov company Kz 450D turbojets developing 20,000kgf each, the aircraft officially achieved a top air speed of 3,214 kilometers per hour at 15,000 meters, though pilot Tor Jorllvik, in his book Hammer of the Gods: Piloting the NkB-78 alleges the top speed of the aircraft as being 3,600 kilometers per hour if the engines are "red lined".
The NkB-78 utilizes a droop nose for enhanced viability upon launch and landing. Capable of carrying over 40,000 kilograms of ordinance, the NkB was purposed for striking key enemy targets in the event of open hostilities against the Skanderian Union. Though able to carry nuclear weapons, Dniegua never pursued large numbers; the NkB was to carry large amounts of conventional ordinance principally.
Design
The development of the NkB-78 is associated with over 600 patents for design elements.
The NkB has extremely large intake ramps, made largely from titanium and stainless steel. The aircraft features a quadruple redundant fly-by-wire control system and a mechanical system as a backup. A Droop-nose is lowered to provide visibility during takeoff and landing; periscope is used for forward viewing when the nose is retracted, and could be employed at speeds of up to 850km/h. Drogue parachutes are used in addition to conventional wheel brakes to assist in landing.
The interior cabin of the aircraft has room for up to five people, three crew and two reserve crew, who sleep in small bunks. The NkB-78 has a theoretical endurance period (with air-to-air refueling) of 48 hours of flight time, and as such utilizes a two-shift system on missions. The cabin has a small lavatory with a chemical toilet and sink, as well as a small galley. During much of the 1980s the average flight time of the NkB-78s was 18 hours, rarely necessitating crew changes; though most often an additional crewmen was kept on board as an in-flight mechanic in the early operational periods.
The body of the aircraft is composed of mostly overlapping aluminum-incronnel hybrid skin with a layer of compost ceramic. Due to the height and speed at which the NkB-78 is commonly flown to, heat and friction generated by the aircraft moving through the air naturally creates high temperatures on the body of the aircraft, resulting in expansion of the skin to provide a significantly tighter seal of the aircraft skin, which acts as a fuel tank. The temperature exchange means that pilots and crew are required to wear specialized flight suits, similar to those worn by cosmonauts. The crew cabin is heat-shielded, allowing pilots to remove their specialized suits
Operational History
The NkB-78s reached Initial Operating Capacity in Dniegua on March 2nd, 1977, and officially entered service in October of 1978.The fastest bomber to have entered service, the NkB-78 was a large and complex machine with a number of early teething issues. Pilots found the machine to be highly impressive to fly, though extremely complex. Experience of ground crews and pilots later rectified many issues with the aircraft.
The NkB-78 formed the first line of nuclear defense of much of the Skanderian Union. A formidable aircraft, the NkB could approach rapidly at altitude well out of range of all but the most advanced Surface to Air Missiles and Interceptors, fire nuclear cruse missiles or deliver large amounts of free-fall nuclear bombs, and depart hostile airspace without having ever been within range of enemy fire. The NkBs rapid approach speed and massive payload made it excellent for naval strike operations, for which it frequently patrolled for.
Routine patrols of NkBs were fairly common in the 1980s. In 1986 alone, the total flight hours of all NkBs totaled 459,170 hours. Though equipped to have two effective crews on board, this was rarely the case as the average flight time of an NkB patrol was 18-20 hours. However, during the Tulese Valentine's Day Crisis of 1989, six Dnieguan NkB-78D-1s from the 7th Sea strike Squadron remained airborne for a planned period of 32 hours, and continued to remain on-station for another 12 hours. The longest flight time of these bombers was 44 hours, 26 minutes, while the shortest was 44 hours, 8 minutes. The bombers underwent a total of 420 man hours of maintenance following this, and were able to fly again within less than 24 hours.
Throughout the 1990s, NkB patrols remained common, albeit less numerous. Increased effectiveness of individual bombers and weapons meant one aircraft had the capability of being as effective-if not moreso- than two. This, in effect, decreased the vulnerability of the Skanderian Continent and increased strike potential. While less aircraft were in the air, more aircraft on the ground were kept at a state of preparation to respond.
In 2015, four NkB-78s (Tail no. 189, 201, 247 and 312) provided air support for the Dnieguan Army during Operation: Coin Toss in Gratisavia, flying some 340 sorties.
Variants
- NkB Miljnor- Prototype version developed in the early 1970s. First flight in 1972, 3 total built.
- NkB-78- Production version originally for Dnieguan Airforce Strategic Bomber Command. Delivered between 1978 and 1986 to the air force of [[Dniegua]
- NkB-78-1-Service upgrade to existing NkB-7s undertaken in 1987. Includes upgraded weapon systems officer stations, enhanced pilot controls and upgrades to crew amenities.
- NkB-78A- Version delivered to Dnieguan Naval Aviation from 1982-1986. Equipped with a larger set of drogue parachutes and improved land arresting equipment to land on shorter runways. An emergency quick-start system was also added to reduce aircraft turnaround time; however, the use of this system requires extra caution from the pilot, as the engines are especially susceptible to damage in early minutes of flight.
- NkB-78A-1- Service upgrade to NkB-78A similar to that undertaken by the Dnieguan Airforce to the base model NkB-78.
- NkB-78D- Production variation with improved navigation systems and electronics. Smaller electronic systems allowed for the fitting of a newer rotary launcher, which deceased the time to rearm each bomber and increased the theoretical minimum time to launch cruse missiles. In addition, improved electronic warfare systems and electronic defense measures were added, as well as the larger drogue parachutes from the NkB-78 Produced 1990-1998.
- NkB-78M- Most modern NkB-78 version with highly improved electronic sensor suites and weapon stations. More modern engines are also being fitted to some aircraft, which bear the designation NkB-78M2. Upgrades currently in progress since 2010; so far, 124 NkB-78s have been upgraded.
Users
64 units, in service with 3rd Bombardment Group stationed in Vinnlund
48 units, in service with 7th Sea Strike squadron, 3rd Naval Aviation Wing stationed in Chavporkal
Template:Country data Gratislavia
- Gratislavian Air Force
- Specijalna Strateška Bombardovanje Grupa: 7 aircraft based at AFB Knežević.
- Sieuxerrian Air Force – 90
- 9e Escadre Stratégique à la Bombe
- Escadron de Bombardiers Stratégiques 09-19
- Escadron de Bombardiers Stratégiques 09-23
- Escadron de Bombardiers Stratégiques 09-02
- 11e Escadre Stratégique à la Bombe
- Escadron de Bombardiers Stratégiques 11-22
- Escadron de Bombardiers Stratégiques 11-26
- Escadron de Bombardiers Stratégiques 11-82
- 12e Escadre Stratégique à la Bombe
- Escadron de Bombardiers Stratégiques 12-54
- Escadron de Bombardiers Stratégiques 12-66
- Escadron de Bombardiers Stratégiques 12-42
- 9e Escadre Stratégique à la Bombe
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 3 pilot, Weapons Systems officer, Navigator
- Length: 44.5 meters ()
- Wingspan: 40.8 (Extended), 25 (Full sweep) ()
- Height: 10.6m (26,000m)
- Wing area: 506.8/482.3 m² ()
- Empty weight: 51,000kg ()
- Loaded weight: 123,000kg ()
- Max. takeoff weight: 170,450kg ()
Performance
- Maximum speed: 3,400 km/h+
- Combat radius: 9000 km ()
- Ferry range: 14,000km ()
- Service ceiling: 24,000m ()
- Rate of climb: 7.6m/s ()
Armament
- Guns: One tail-mounted 25mm radar gun with 1,100 rounds
- Hardpoints: Internal bomb bays with a capacity of Useful combat load of maximum 45,000 kilograms
A mix of:
- x86 500 kilogram freefall bombs
- x45 1,000 kilogram freefall bombs
- x20 2,000 kilogram freefall bombs
- x12 3,000 kilogram freefall bombs
- x4 9,000 kilogram freefall bombs
- Various Cluster bomb units
Guided bomb units
- Up to 112 250kg munitions
- Up to 36 BK90/24 1000kg Clusterbombs
- Missiles:
- x24 Rakeot Guiovottsu (RkG-15) Anti-shipping missiles
- x24 KEPD 350 Air-Launched Cruise Missiles
- x36 LUR-20 or x24 LUR-20D Air-Launched Cruise Missiles
- x6 LUR-9 Air-Launched Cruise Missiles
- x4 MASM ALCMs