WF-33 Avenger
- Production cost: $45 million (USD)
- Price: $71 million (USD)
Specifications
Primary Function
- Carrier-based tactical fighter
Builder
- Wingarde Aerospace Corporation
Power Plant
- 2 x Norton Power G-SF-91C turbofan engines with afterburners
Thrust
- 22,645 kgf (each engine)
- 45,290 kgf (net thrust)
- 1.04 (thrust-to-weight ratio)
Length
- 16.1 metres
Wingspan
- 11.2 metres
Height
- 5.1 metres
Speed
- Mach 1.5 (1,978 km/h, cruise) at sea level
- Mach 1.8 (2,293 km/h, max cruise) at altitude
- Mach 2.5 (3,120 km/h, maximum) at high altitude
Ceiling
- 18,110 metres (operational)
- 20,860 metres (maximum)
Range
- 1,995 km (combat)
- 5,385 km (ferry)
Weight
- 18,920 kg (empty)
- 43,570 kg (normal combat)
- 47,290 kg (max take-off)
Crew
- One (Pilot) or two (Pilot, Radar Intercept Officer)
Ordnance Mounts
- 10 mounts (12,000 kg maximum payload)
- 4 pylons on each wing (1,000 kg each)
- 2 pylons on the fuselage (2,500 kg each)
Armament
- Internally-mounted 30mm gun.
- Advanced medium range air-to-air missiles.
- Next-generation short range air-to-air missiles.
- High precision smart bombs.
- Conventional bombs.
- Active/passive Electronic Warfare (EW) systems.
- Internal and external reconnaissance systems.
- One optional external fuel tank.
Following the success of the WF-27 Firebolt, Wingarde Aerospace was given the job to design a heavier fighter craft to aid it in the defense of the nation. The WX-33 rolled out of the assembly line in 2000, and a lengthy period of testing and fine-tunning began. Two fatal accidents almost doom the project, but the malfunctioning parts were quickly redesigned and future test flights restored faith on the fighter. The WF-33 was named Avenger, and entered service in 2003.
The Avenger proved extremely useful in complementing the Firebolt in missions of any kind, and provided heavy support in precision ground strikes all over the world. Being carrier-based, the deployment range was increased exponentially, allowing missions all over the world. The fighter craft is revered by Wingardian pilots all over the nation. Even though the cutting-edge WF-39 Retaliator is currently entering service, the WF-33 will certainly remain on duty at least for the next 25 years.
