Valkean Aerospace V-71

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V-71
39823 Gripen SAF VBY.jpg
Role Multirole fighter
National origin Valkea
Manufacturer Valkean Aerospace
First flight 20 November 1988
Introduction 7 March 1999
Status in service
Primary users Valkean Air Force
Caledonian Air Force

New Pangus Air Force
Plätteisen Adler Air Force

Produced 1999-present

The Valkean Aerospace V-71 is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by Valkean aircraft manufacturer Valkean Aerospace. The V-71 features a delta wing and canard configuration, relaxed stability, and fly-by-wire controls.

Development of the V-71 began in 1977 at the behest of the Valkean Air Force, who wanted a replacement for their V-68 and V-69 fighter aircraft. It took its first flight on 20 November 1988 and was set to enter operational service in 1995; however, the subsequent bankruptcy of Valteo and the reorganization of its aerospace division as Valkean Aerospace delayed its introduction. The V-71 eventually entered service with the Valkean Air Force in 1999. It has also been marketed for export to other countries.

Several variants of the V-71 have been developed since 2004, featuring more advanced avionics, upgraded armaments, and adaptations for different mission lengths and roles. A major redesign of the V-71, called the V-71E, entered service in 2018.

Operators

 Caledonia
Caledonian Air Force – 72 in active service.
 New Pangus
New Pangus Air Force – 60 aircraft delivered as of June 2024, with another 60 on order.
Template:Country data Plätteisen Adler
Plätteisen Adler Air Force – 30 in active service.
 Valkea
Valkean Air Force – 144 aircraft delivered as of October 2023, with another 62 on order. 135 in active service.

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 or 2
  • Length: 15.2 m (49 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.1 m (29 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 36.7 m2 (395 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 8,200 kg (18,078 lb)
  • Gross weight: 9,300 kg (20,503 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 16,500 kg (36,376 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 4,400 kg (9,700 lb) (internal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Valkean Aerospace T171-10 afterburning turbofan, 60 kN (13,000 lbf) thrust dry, 98.5 kN (22,100 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 2,572 km/h (1,598 mph; 1,389 kn) / Mach 2.1 at high altitude
  • Combat range: 1,750 km (1,087 mi; 945 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 4,000 km (2,485 mi; 2,160 nmi) with 3 × drop tanks
  • Service ceiling: 16,000 m (52,000 ft)
  • g limits: +9/−3
  • Wing loading: 316 kg/m2 (65 lb/sq ft)
  • Thrust/weight: 1.08

Armament

  • Guns: 1 × 30mm revolver cannon with 150 rounds
  • Hardpoints: 10 (4 × fuselage stations, 4 × under-wing stations, 2 × wingtip rails) with a capacity of 7,200 kg (15,900 lb),with provisions to carry combinations of:
    • Missiles:
      • Air-to-air missiles
      • Air-to-surface missiles
      • Anti-ship missiles
    • Bombs:
      • General purpose bombs
      • Laser-guided bombs
      • Small diameter glide bombs
    • Other:
      • Up to 3 × drop tanks
      • multi-function targeting pod
      • laser targeting pod
      • reconnaissance pod

Avionics

  • RA-68 Kaleva AESA radar
  • RF-132 Tietäjä electronic warfare/countermeasures system
  • AVS-74 infrared search and track (IRST) system