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F-17 Axarana

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F-17 Axarana
F-17 Axarana.png
Design image of the F-17 Axarana
Type Sixth generation air superiority fighter
Place of origin Sanama Sanama / Raspur Pact
Introduced 1697 AN
Designed 1688–1697 AN
Manufacturer Brightworks Mistra and various others
Length 16.5 m
Wingspan 12.5 m
Empty weight 13,500 kg
Loaded weight 23,000 kg
Powerplant 2 × AIC afterburning variable cycle jet engines with thrust vectoring
Maximum speed Classified, minimum 4,500 km/h
Combat range 1,400 km
Ferry range 3,200 km
Service ceiling 18,000 m + (rumored 24,000 m)
Rate of climb 400 m/s
Armaments
  • 2 x Eclipse Starshot directed energy weapons
  • 6 x internal hardpoints (4,000 kgs)
  • 8 external hardpoints including wingtips (8,000 kgs)
  • Rated for use of AAM-2 Sonderbotschaft
Avionics Classified
Electronics Classified
Other
  • Drone swarm capability
  • Launched from the ground
  • Launched from CF-380 Atlas

The F-17 Axarana (meaning shadow in Sanaman) is a sixth generation fighter jointly developed by Brightworks Mistra, Neridia Defense Industries, Simines, Gaelen Technologies Corporation, Eclipse, Dingo Enterprises, ESB, Farrar International and Javelin Industries for the Raspur Pact. Development began in 1688 and the aircraft made its first operational flight in 1697. Deployment was expected from 1698 and onwards. The aircraft is described as a "fighter that, manned or unmanned, can perform air-to-air and air-to-surface operations in a friendly or hostile environment, while also having the ability to conduct reconnaissance, EW and C&C missions." The aircraft can use swarming drones, both armed for offensive operations or outfitted for surveillance and reconnaissance. The computer features adaptive artificial intelligence and the aircraft is also designed with a Network Combat System, allowing the fighter to share sensor data and information to coordinate offensive and defensive actions. The F-17 Axarana also features a variable cycle engine that maximises engine performance at every altitude and situation, as well as thrust vectoring, allowing the aircraft a relatively short takeoff and landing, as well as unprecedented agility in the air.

By 1730, Sanama had cut all ties with the previous development consortium and the wider Raspur Pact. From that point forward, Sanama discontinued all knowledge-sharing in all military projects with members of the Raspur Pact, and would instead continue fully independent development with selected strategic partners. The Axarana project was considered a partial failure by the Toshaist government in Sanama, due to ballooning costs for development, maintenance, production and operation. A complete reevaluation of air force doctrine was required according to military commanders.

Versions

F-17N Axarana: In 1705 Brightworks Mistra began a program to adapt the F-17 to the Rhodondra-class amphibious assault ship. A solution akin to the one used on the F-9N was the main initial proposal.

Production

Raspur Pact

By 1699 AN the political situation in Sanama had obliged Brightworks Mistra to step back from its position as primary lead for airframe assembly, with these responsibilities being taken on by Dingo Engineering Aerospace Division and Neridia Defense Industries at the former's Cape Newport site. As of that same year twelve initial production models of the Axarana had been assembled and certified air-worthy. These had been distributed as follows:

Production Cycle "A"
Recipient Air Force Quantity Evaluation Focus
Floria Confederate States Armed Forces 2 Interoperability
Natopia Natopian Defense Force 4 High altitude operations
Nouvelle Alexandrie Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie 2 Radar cross-section
Sanama Sanaman Armed Forces 2 Air-to-air engagements (short to medium range)
Unified Governorates Black Legions 2 Air-to-air engagements (beyond visual range)
Production Cycle "B" (1700 AN1705 AN) Raspur Pact Type B1 ( Multi-Role Strike), Type B2 (Air Superiority)
Recipient Air Force Quantity Variant Type
Benacian Union Benacian Union Defence Force 20 Air Superiority
Floria Confederate States Armed Forces 20 Multi-Role Strike
Natopia Natopian Defense Force 20 Multi-Role Strike
Nouvelle Alexandrie Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie 20 Air Superiority

The next production run for Pact member states would see Constancia, Shireroth and Ransenar added.

Production Cycle "C" (1706 AN1711 AN) Raspur Pact Type B1 ( Multi-Role Strike), Type B2 (Air Superiority)
Recipient Air Force Quantity Variant Type
Benacian Union Benacian Union Defence Force 20 Air Superiority
Constancia Imperial Constancian Armed Forces 20 Multi-Role Strike
Floria Confederate States Armed Forces 20 Multi-Role Strike
Natopia Natopian Defense Force 20 Multi-Role Strike
Nouvelle Alexandrie Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie 20 Air Superiority
Ransenar Grand Army of Ransenar 20 Air Superiority
Shireroth Imperial Forces 20 Multi-Role Strike

Sanama

The political situation after the Sanaman Civil War saw the divergence of production cycles further entrenched as Sanama departed from the Raspur Pact and evacuated the Mistra aviation works at Brightown, which returned to Shirerithian sovereignty.

Sanaman Domestic Production (1700 AN1704 AN) Type S (Sanama)
Recipient Air Force Quantity Variant Type
Sanama People's Air Force 20 Multi-Role Strike
Sanaman Domestic Production (1705 AN1710 AN) Type S (Sanama)
Recipient Air Force Quantity Variant Type
Sanama People's Air Force 44 Multi-Role Strike

Operational history

On 10.XI.1706 the Axarana made its first operational deployment in the service of a Raspur Pact air force, with four Florian examples of the type joining an air policing mission over the Norfolk Isles during the Port Balaine conflict.