Javelin F-22 Meridian
| Javelin F-22 Meridian multirole fighter prototype | |
| Type | Multirole fighter |
|---|---|
| Place of origin |
 Nouvelle Alexandrie |
| Designed | |
| Manufacturer | Javelin Industries |
| First flight | 8.IX.1751 AN |
| Number built | 4 (prototypes, as of 1752 AN) |
| Unit cost | NAX€48 million (F-22A, projected); NAX€54 million (F-22B, projected) |
| Status | Flight testing; IOC projected 1754 AN |
| Crew | 1 (F-22A); 2 (F-22B) |
| Length | 14.8 m (F-22A); 15.6 m (F-22B) |
| Wingspan | 10.2 m |
| Height | 4.5 m |
| Wing area | 28.5 m2 |
| Empty weight | 7,100 kg |
| Loaded weight | 10,400 kg |
| Fuel weight | 2,800 kg (internal) |
| Max takeoff weight | 14,200 kg |
| Powerplant | 1x Javelin J96 afterburning turbofan, 134 kN |
| Maximum speed |
|
| Combat radius |
|
| Ferry range | 3,200 km |
| Service ceiling | 15,500 m |
| Rate of climb | 254 m/s |
| Wing loading | 365 kg/m2 |
| Thrust/weight | 1.31 |
| Maximum G-loading | +9.0/-3.0 g |
| Armament |
Air-to-Air loadout:
Air-to-Ground loadout:
Gun:
Hardpoints:
|
| Avionics |
|
| Export status | Approved for Raspur Pact member nations |
The Javelin F-22 Meridian (Alexandrian: F-22 Méridien; Martino: F-22 Meridiano) is a single-engine multirole fighter under development by Javelin Industries for the Federal Air Force of Nouvelle Alexandrie and export to Raspur Pact allies. Conceived in direct response to operational lessons from the Fourth Euran War (1745 AN-1747 AN), the Meridian is designed as a cost-effective complement to high-end platforms such as the F-19 Greystrike, emphasizing reliability, maintainability, and affordability while retaining modern avionics and weapons integration. Four prototypes are currently undergoing flight testing at the Javelin Testing Range and Laboratory, with initial operational capability projected for 1754 AN.
Development
The Fourth Euran War (1745 AN-1747 AN) exposed several limitations in the Federal Air Force's fighter inventory. While the F-19 Greystrike and F-18 Cyclone performed effectively in their designed roles, after-action reviews identified three recurring challenges. First, the high operating costs of fifth-generation aircraft constrained sortie generation rates during sustained combat operations. Second, the complexity of front-line fighters created maintenance bottlenecks at forward operating locations with limited support infrastructure. Third, Zeed at that time lacked sufficient modern combat aircraft and was forced to rely on aging platforms and abstain from air operations entirely after an initial engagement.
The Department of Defense after-action report, completed in IV.1748 AN, recommended development of a "high-low mix" fighter that could supplement premium platforms in secondary roles, sustain high sortie rates with reduced logistical demands, and provide an exportable solution for allied nations seeking to modernize their air forces following the war. Javelin Industries submitted its Meridian proposal in VII.1748 AN, receiving a development contract the following month.
Development & production timeline
- IV.1748 AN: Department of Defense after-action report recommends development of cost-effective "high-low mix" fighter.
- VII.1748 AN: Javelin Industries submits Meridian proposal.
- VIII.1748 AN: Development contract awarded.
- II.1750 AN: Construction of first prototype (aircraft 001) begins.
- 22.VI.1751 AN: Rollout of aircraft 001.
- 8.IX.1751 AN: First flight of aircraft 001 (F-22A configuration).
- 3.XI.1751 AN: First flight of aircraft 002 (F-22B configuration).
- 19.I.1752 AN: First flight of aircraft 003 (F-22A configuration).
- 7.III.1752 AN: First flight of aircraft 004 (F-22B configuration).
- VIII.1752 AN: Weapons integration testing begins.
- 1753 AN: Low-rate initial production authorized (pending weapons testing completion).
- 1754 AN: Initial operational capability projected.
Design philosophy
The Meridian's design addresses each deficiency identified during the Fourth Euran War through deliberate engineering trade-offs. The aircraft uses a single Javelin J96 turbofan rather than twin-engine configurations, reducing both acquisition cost and fuel consumption while accepting slightly reduced thrust-to-weight ratio. The airframe incorporates battle damage tolerance features derived from the A-7 Trueno heavy attack aircraft, including redundant flight control systems and self-sealing fuel tanks, enabling operations from austere airfields with limited repair capabilities.
The avionics architecture uses modular, line-replaceable units that field technicians can swap in under 30 minutes, dramatically reducing aircraft downtime compared to integrated systems requiring depot-level maintenance. While EGuard-compatible, the mission computer can operate in a degraded mode if network connectivity is unavailable, a feature specifically requested after communications disruptions during urban combat over Oportia.
Projected unit cost of NAX€48 million represents approximately 35% savings compared to the F-19 Greystrike. Maintenance requirements are projected at 6.8 hours per flight hour, compared to 12.3 hours for the F-19, reflecting the emphasis on supportability in expeditionary conditions.
Prototypes and testing
Construction of the first prototype began in II.1750 AN, with rollout occurring on 22.VI.1751 AN. The aircraft completed its maiden flight on 8.IX.1751 AN at the Javelin Testing Range and Laboratory, piloted by test pilot Commander Elena Vásquez. Three additional prototypes joined the flight test program by early 1752 AN.
As of late 1752 AN, the four prototypes have accumulated approximately 620 flight hours across 412 sorties. Testing has validated the aircraft's basic flight envelope, with maximum speed trials confirming Mach 2.0 capability at altitude. Weapons integration testing began in VIII.1752 AN, focusing initially on air-to-air missiles and precision-guided munitions already qualified on other Javelin platforms.
The test program has identified minor issues requiring design refinement, including airframe buffeting at high angles of attack and higher-than-expected engine bay temperatures during sustained afterburner use. Javelin Industries has implemented modifications on prototypes three and four that appear to resolve both concerns, pending confirmation through additional flight testing.
Planned variants
- F-22A Meridian
- Single-seat multirole variant. Standard production configuration with full air-to-air and air-to-ground capability. Two prototypes (aircraft 001 and 003) are testing this configuration.
- F-22B Meridian
- Two-seat fighter-bomber and operational conversion trainer. The rear cockpit accommodates a weapons systems officer for complex strike missions and provides a training platform for pilots transitioning from legacy aircraft. The extended fuselage reduces internal fuel capacity, with combat radius projected at approximately 470 km. Two prototypes (aircraft 002 and 004) are testing this configuration.
Production and procurement
The Department of Defense has authorized low-rate initial production to begin in 1753 AN, pending successful completion of weapons integration testing. The Federal Air Force requirement calls for 96 aircraft (72 F-22A and 24 F-22B) to equip reserve squadrons, provide advanced training capacity, and maintain a combat-capable force for homeland defense operations while front-line units deploy overseas.
Several Raspur Pact nations have expressed preliminary interest in the Meridian. Zeed has submitted a letter of intent for 36 aircraft. Constancia and Hurmu have requested technical briefings, though no formal procurement decisions have been announced.
Current status
| Aircraft | Variant | First flight | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | F-22A | 8.IX.1751 AN | Active testing | Flight envelope expansion; 187 flight hours |
| 002 | F-22B | 3.XI.1751 AN | Active testing | Two-seat configuration validation; 168 flight hours |
| 003 | F-22A | 19.I.1752 AN | Active testing | Weapons integration; modified engine bay cooling; 142 flight hours |
| 004 | F-22B | 7.III.1752 AN | Active testing | Avionics and sensor testing; modified leading edge; 123 flight hours |
