F-17 Axarana
Design image of the F-17 Axarana | |
Type | Sixth generation air superiority fighter |
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Place of origin | 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 |
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Avionics | Classified |
Electronics | Classified |
Other |
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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:
Recipient Air Force | Quantity | Evaluation Focus |
---|---|---|
Confederate States Armed Forces | 2 | Interoperability |
Natopian Defense Force | 4 | High altitude operations |
Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie | 2 | Radar cross-section |
Sanaman Armed Forces | 2 | Air-to-air engagements (short to medium range) |
Black Legions | 2 | Air-to-air engagements (beyond visual range) |
Recipient Air Force | Quantity | Variant Type |
---|---|---|
Benacian Union Defence Force | 20 | Air Superiority |
Confederate States Armed Forces | 20 | Multi-Role Strike |
Natopian Defense Force | 20 | Multi-Role Strike |
Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie | 20 | Air Superiority |
The next production run for Pact member states would see Constancia, Shireroth and Ransenar added.
Recipient Air Force | Quantity | Variant Type |
---|---|---|
Benacian Union Defence Force | 20 | Air Superiority |
Imperial Constancian Armed Forces | 20 | Multi-Role Strike |
Confederate States Armed Forces | 20 | Multi-Role Strike |
Natopian Defense Force | 20 | Multi-Role Strike |
Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie | 20 | Air Superiority |
Grand Army of Ransenar | 20 | Air Superiority |
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.
Recipient Air Force | Quantity | Variant Type |
---|---|---|
People's Air Force | 20 | Multi-Role Strike |
Recipient Air Force | Quantity | Variant Type |
---|---|---|
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.