KDF80 Vuurhaag Interceptor

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The KF80 Vuurhaag Interceptor (click to enlarge).

The KF80 ‘Vuurhaag’ Interceptor is an interceptor aircraft in the service of the Luchtmacht of the Knootian Defence Force, designed specifically to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft, particularly bombers, in the North Sea theatre.

The aircraft sacrifices 'dogfighting' performance in the air superiority fighter role for its ability to defend a large area of territory from attack. The design emphasis is on range, missile carrying capacity and radar quality rather than on acceleration and climb rate. The Vuurhaag carries long-range and medium-range air-to-air missiles, and has no bomb carrying capability.

Development and Deployment

The KF80 ‘Vuurhaag’ Interceptor entered emergency development directly after the Shadow War when the Knootian ability to prevent enemy airforce penetration over its home territory had proven to be insufficient. Specifically, the unopposed landings around The Hague represented a solid tactical defeat as modified versions of the Eurofighter Air Superiority Fighters had proven ineffective in holding back the huge numbers of aircraft involved at sufficient range.

The Ministry of Defence called for an aircraft that could fly at extreme altitudes at a speed of Mach 2 and above with a range of at least 1,000 km. It was to have a two-man crew, at least two engines, and powerful radar. The 'Vuurhaag' or "Hague of Fire" related directly to this role. The resulting design went through considerable evolution, both owing to its cutting-edge technology and continual redefinition of the Luchtmacht requirements. Owing to this, development was finished 15 years after the Shadow War, and it has since entered service in the defence of Knootoss proper and the protectorate of Ale-Yarok. It has since been produced in considerable numbers and a refit is scheduled in the next decade.

The KDF 80 design that Euro Corp ultimately produced was a large delta-winged aircraft powered by a pair of afterburning Euro Corp K32-XT-9BT turbojets fed by variable inlets mounted underneath the wing roots. The KDF 80 aircraft was designed for a maximum speed of 2180 mph at 75,550 feet and for a 1320-mile combat radius. The pilot and radar operator sit in tandem individual ejector capsules in the forward cockpit. The aircraft is equipped with an extremely sophisticated avionics system, directed by the Caesar_SuperComputer_Inc IC/ICT32 search and tracking radar which has a range of over 320 miles.

The KDF 80 is armed with six advanced KSA-12 Spreeuw missiles housed in an internal weapons bay. The KSA-12 missile is powered by a Euro Corp storable liquid-propellant rocket motor which is capable of driving the missile to hypersonic speeds of up to Mach 6 and achieving ranges of up to 145 miles. The KDF 80 missile uses semiactive radar homing for midcourse guidance, with passive infrared homing being used for the final run-in to the target.

The KDF 80 uses a phenomenon called compression lift, which is caused from the shock wave generated by the airplane flying supersonically supporting part of the aircraft's weight. The KDF 80 has also undergone trials with medium and long range counter shipping missiles, but has as of yet not been deployed in this role.

Specification of KDF80 Vuurhaag

Two Euro Corp K32-XT-9BT turbojets, 24,900 lb.s.t. dry, 38,000 lb.s.t. with afterburner.

Maximum speed: 2180 mph at 76,550 feet.

Service ceiling 80,100 feet, combat ceiling 76,550 feet.

Initial climb rate 19,300 feet per minute.

Climb to 54,000 feet in 5.4 minutes.

Combat radius 1320 miles with six missiles. 2788 miles ferry range.


Dimensions:

Wingspan: 1,902.46 centimetres

Length: 2,870.2 centimeters

Height: 7.3406 meters

Wing area 598.93200 Square Meters

Armed with six KSA-12 Spreeuw air-to-air missiles.