User:Pixy/MI-1 Talon (Sandbox)
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| MI-1 Talon | |
|---|---|
| Role | Multirole combat aircraft |
| National origin |  Kayatman Security Association
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| Manufacturer |
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| First flight | 29 March 2023 |
| Introduction | 2025 (planned) |
| Primary user | |
| Number built | TBD |
The Mach MI-1 Talon is a family of lightweight, supersonic, multirole combat aircraft and advanced jet trainer developed as a joint venture by members of the Kayatman Security Association (KSA) and manufactured by defense contractors from Daobac, Kajera, Kainuinoa and Lusoña. The Talon was developed as a fourth-generation fighter to replace the ageing third generation aircraft used in the air forces of the KSA's member states, and was envisioned as an affordable and light multirole fighter. The development of the Talon began in 2018 and was spearheaded by the KSA as part of its Common Defense Framework (CDF) program. The Talon is designed Mach Aerospace, incorporating key lessons learned from its experience in developing the MV-26 and MV-25 fighter jets. Key components such as the fuselage, cockpit, ordnance and avionics are manufactured by Mach whereas smaller components such as aileron, vertical & horizontal stabilizers are manufactured by Kajeran, Kainuinoan and Lusonan subcontractors as part of the CDF's objective to improve its member states domestic military industrial complex. After completion these subcomponents are shipped to Mach Aerospace for final assembly. These subcontractors would gradually be given more complex components to manufacture until they are able to independently manufacture and assemble the Talon itself domestically by 2028. Its maiden flight occurred in 2022 and is expected to enter active service with the air forces of the KSA's member states on July 2024. The Talon comes in three primary variants, single seat (MI-1A), two seater (MI-1B) and an advanced jet trainer version (MI-1T) The primary goal of the CDF program was to increase its member states military industrial complex in order to reduce dependency on weapon imports. The Daoan Air Force is expected to receive up to XX Talons whereas the Kajeran, Kainuinoan and Lusonan air forces will receive XX, XX and XX respectively.
Development
The MI-1 was designed and developed to fulfill the KSA's member states requirement for an affordable and light multirole combat aircraft. KSA member states do not necessarily require the most high-end and sophisticated technologies such as those found in fifth generation fighters but it does require a combat aircraft that can be fielded en masse but also in a cost efficient manner. In 2015 the CDF committee commissioned a study to determine whether the aircraft should be developed domestically, or procured from a foreign nation. Opponents to domestic production of the fighter jet argued that it would be simpler and cheaper to purchase readily made fighter jets from friendly nations such as member states of the Kiso Pact. On the other hand supporters of domestic production argued that the initial extra cost to the program would be much better in the long run as being able to produce fighter jets domestically would is a key step in increasing the KSA's strategic autonomy, allowing the KSA to have its own voice and direction in the geopolitical stage of the world. Ultimately supporters of domestic production prevailed and a memorandum of understanding was signed between Daobac, Kajera, Kainuinoa & (after its accession) Lusona to jointly develop the fighter jet. Through an international tendering process Mach Aerospace, with its experience in developing the MV-25, MV-26 and Mach-100 series of transport airplanes won the tender process to lead and coordinate the design and manufacturing program of the KSA's first indigenous fighter jet designated as the MI-1. The MI-1 designation stood for Joint Fighter (Mpiady Iombonana in Nylele), with the '1' meant the Talon as the first fighter of the MI program. A transfer of technology agreement was also incorporated within the MoU to ensure that all components of the MI-1 such as its airframe and avionics would be equally shared with the program's participants. Computer-aided design software was used to help shorten the design phase of the MI-1, with avionics developed by Mach for both the MV-25 and MV-26 fighter jets either transposed directly or improved upon for the Talon to help further reduce development and production time. Model-based definition techniques are used in the production step to help reduce work load and lower manufacturing cost.
Project partners
The MI-1 program is coordinated by the Kayatman Security Association which involved all of its member states. Originally this included only Daobac, Kajera & Kainuinoa with Daobac provided 60% of the overall funding with the remining 40% divided equally between Kajera & Kainuinoa. Upon its accession in the KSA, the Lusonan government submitted a letter of intent to the KSA which expressed its interest and willingness to participate in the program, providing an additional XXX solidus to the program. While Mach Aerospace is the primary builder numerous other domestic & foreign companies were contracted to provide components for the Talon. Engineers from Kajeran, Kainuinoan and Lusonan were invited to visit Mach Aerospace assembly line to learn and participate in transfer of techonology programs in the hopes that their participation in the manufacturing process of the Talon would foster their domestic arms manufacturing capabilities. Project partners from the private sector includes <KAJERAN DEFENSE CONTRACTOR>, <KAINUINOAN DEFENSE CONTRACTOR>, Auza Aviation Industries, and Lusoñan Aerospace Development.
| Contractor | Origin | Component | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mach Aerospace |  Daobac
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| Aerospace Innovations | Daobac
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| Nguyen Industries | Daobac
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| Auza Aviation Industries |  Lusoña
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| Lusoñan Aerospace Development | Lusoña
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 Kajera
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 Kainuinoa
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Design
The MI-1 resembles the Kai-07 Raiden and is roughly 80% of its size. The Talon's design features a mid-mounted delta wing configuration towards the rear of the fuselage, and a pair canard are mounted towards the front of the fuselage just underneath and behind the cockpit. This provides the Talon with high agility even at low speeds and reduces stall speed which allows a lower air speed during instrument approaches. The MI-1 is equipped with a twin tail design on top of the rear fuselage alongside small ventral fins underneath the fuselage to help provide additional stability. To ensure a lower weight but maintain high strength, the Talon's airframe is constructed from both metal alloys and composite materials. A large two-piece bubble canopy cockpit is mounted high in the forward section of the fuselage which provides the pilot with a 360° field of view. The A verion of the Talon features a single seat a used primarily utlized for air-to-air and interception roles whereas the B and E versions features tandem-seats for a weapon systems officer. This allows the Talon to adopt a wider range of capabilities such as air-to-ground, reconnaissance and electronic warfare roles. A diamond-shaped intake ramp is located underneath the fuselage that provides air to the engines. The Talon is designed with longevity in mind and therefore critical components of its airframe and avionics are modular, allowing components to be improved and replaced with newer versions. Interested customers could also theoretically switch out certain components of the aircraft's avionics, engines and ordnance to help reduce costs, such as opting for a Pulse-dopler instead of an AESA radar.
- Avionics & Sensors: The avionics software of the Talon is based on the concept of open architecture where it is intended to make adding, upgrading and swapping components of the aircraft's avionics to be easy. This allows components to be upgraded as newer more advanced technologies become available, or it allows operators to keep down costs by opting for less advanced components. The software is also written with the C++ programming language with onboard health & usage monitoring systems and automatic testing equipment for maintenance purposes. Its primary defense systems is provided by the Defender V2 Suite manufactured by Aerospace Innovation, a subsidiary of Mach Aerospace. The Defender V2 helps provide defense against attacks by surface-to-air, air-to-air and guided anti-aircraft artillery. The Defender V2 is comprised of various integrated sub-systems such as the Mach-V19 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) which provides data such as the direction and proximity of enemy radars. A rear ECM/ESM antenna helps interfere with enemy radar. The ECM antenna is linked to the Mach P40 Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) to defend against radar-guided missiles. Data from these sub-systems are fed to the Defender V2 and helps it autonomously decide what countermeasures are appropriate and when they should be deployed. Standard countermeasures available for use includes decoy flares and chaff. A radar-jamming ECM pod can be carried externally on the aircraft's hardpoint which will enhance the Defender V2. Operators are able to select one of two radars to install on the Talon, the Joint Radar System (JRS) Mk.1 AESA Radar or the MA/PD/T/II Pulse-Doppler Radar.
- Engines:
- Ordnance:
Operational History
Variants
- MI-1A: Single-seat version.
- MI-1B: Tandem-seat version.
- MI-1E: Electronic warfare version with tandem-seats.
- MI-1T: Tandem-seat trainer version.
Operators
Specification
General Characteristics
- Crew: 1 (Mach MI-1A) / 2 (Mach MI-1B)
- Length: 14.2 m (46.6 ft)
- Wingspan: 9.1 m (29.9 ft)
- Height: 4.45 m (14.59 ft)
- Empty weight: 6,575 kg (14,495 lbs)
- Max takeoff weight: 13,200 kg (29,101 lbs)
- Fuel capacity: X L (X Gallons)
- Payload: X kg (X lbs)
- Powerplant: 2x TBD afterburning turbofan, X kN thrust dry, X kN with afterburner.
Performance
- Maximum speed:
- Mach X (X km/h; X mph; X kn) at X ft.
- Mach X (X km/h; X mph; X kn) at sea level
- Combat range: X km (X mi, X nmi)
- Ferry range: X km (X mi, X nmi)
- Service ceiling: X m (X ft)
- g limits: X
Armament
- Guns: 1 x 20 mm 6-barrel rotary cannon, 350 rounds.
- Hardpoints: X total, Xx wingtips, Xx under-wing, Xx under fuselage with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Missiles:
- TA-119 Archer short-range air-to-air missile
- TA-120 Javelin beyond-visual-range missile
- MX-27 Axe air-to-surface anti-radiation missile
- AS-14 Dart short-range air-to-ground missile
- AS-15 Dagger medium-range anti-ship missile
- AS-20 Sabre long-range standoff land attack missile
- AS-21 Rapier long-range supersonic anti-ship cruise missile
- Bombs:
- L-9 Breaker laser-guided bomb
- S-5 Penetrator satellite-guided bomb
- B200 unguided, general purpose bomb.
- Others:
- Protector II Infrared countermeasure pod
- Sense V tactical reconnaissance pod
- Eagle Eye VI targeting pod.
- SD-311 Electronic Warfare pod
- SD-312 Electronic countermeasure pod
- Missiles: