Q-103 Swift
| Q-103 Swift | |
|---|---|
| |
| Top view outline of a Q-103A | |
| Role | Multirole Fighter |
| National origin | Axdel |
| Manufacturer | Sentinel Co-Operative Industries |
| Designer | Aerial Warfare Division of Axdel |
| First flight | March 4th 1971 |
| Introduction | February 10th 1973 |
| Status | In active service |
| Primary users | Axdelian Aerospace Force see Operators |
| Produced | 1973-1999 |
| Number built | 1500+ |
| Unit cost |
♅5 Million
|
The Q-107 Swift is a single-engine multirole fighter jet designed during the Auroran Imperial War by the Aerial Warfare Division of Axdel. Originally built to serve primarily as an air superiority fighter, the Q-103 evolved over subsequent variants into a capable multirole aircraft. The aircraft was produced in large numbers, and post-War it was exported to several countries as was the heavily modified Q-103S and its modernised Q-103SE variant, of which both versions remain in service in the present in many countries. In Axdelian service the Q-103SE will be replaced with Q-107A Grackle stealth fighters by 2026
Development
In the years immediately following its assertion of independence Axdel instituted a war economy, investing heavily in its military, refining its inventory, building capability and expanding research and development efforts for the expected conflicts with Morstaybishlia in the coming years. Much of the new equipment acquired during this time came in the form of license built foreign designs that were often modified and improved upon for Axdelian use. Among these was the Cerdani DF-21, which was fitted with a newer engine, a redesigned intake to make room for a larger radar and additional canards control surfaces to allow the heavier fighter to manoeuvre. This aircraft would be put into production in late 1967 as the Q-101 Sparrow fighter-interceptor. However, due to its hasty development the Sparrow would have numerous shortcomings and was in many ways it was considered inferior to its contemporaries, and would suffer from a high accident rate during its career. Additionally there were concerning reports that Morstaybishlia was starting to develop fighters with both high-manoeuvrability and advanced avionics that would render all of the aircraft Axdel had at its disposal obsolete. These fears precipitated in a 1968 requirement given to the newly formed Aerial Warfare Division of Axdel research group demanding a lightweight fighter capable of Mach 2+ speed, adept at dogfighting, and the ability to fire modern radar guided beyond-visual-range missiles.
Design work was aided significantly by agreements forged with the Federation of the Southern Coast, Ethalria and Quariin, which among other things provided the AWDoA with access to cutting edge research on electronics, materials and weapon systems in exchange for anything Axdel developed. Axdelian assets embedded in Morstaybishlia are also known to have provided some information on competing technology being developed by Morstaybishlian defence companies. Despite this assistance, the increasing complexity of the project meant early progress was slow until its priority was ramped up significantly in early 1970 with the outbreak of the Auroran Imperial war. The Prototype Q-103 without radar and fire control achieved its first flight just over a year later in 1971. In mock dogfights it handily outperformed the Q-101 in every aspect but straight line speed, the requirement for which was subsequently pared back as the Yk138 engine could not achieve the expected Mach 2 safely. Despite the successes, the all-electronic flight control was plagued with issues that resulted in several crashes due to loss of control, requiring all new domestically developed systems to address. This issue combined with delays in the digital flight computer meant the fighter took almost two years of further development to reach combat readiness, however it finally reached full production in January 1973.
The Q-103A was well received by pilots transferring from Q-101, and its combat performance of it and its later variants for the remaining duration of the war was very good. Issues with the Q-103A's flight control system persisted into production however, and despite having a lower accident rate its reputation was hampered by reports of both sudden loss of control or excessive pitching up during routine manoeuvres, an issue compounded by the lack of a mechanical backup. This quickly earned the planes nickname of 'Filly' as it bucked like a young horse.
Design
The Swift is an extremely agile aircraft entirely reliant on its fly-by-wire system and integrated circuit based digital flight computer to regulate the flight envelope of its low wing-loading three-surface design and fitting the powerful Yk138 Koriba-3HI turbofan. Its bubble cockpit allowed pilots a much large field of view than previous generation fighters, and it could carry a large payload of IR and radar-homing missiles guided by its look-down shoot-down capable radar, as well as bombs and air-to-surface missiles for ground targets. The B/C variants onwards gained additional features to improve the fighters flexibility. Chief amongst these were mountings on the lower front fuselage that could fit targeting and ECM pods for use with a wider variety of guided munitions, enhanced its ground-attack abilities. Tandem Seater variants such as the Q-103C provided space for a weapons systems officer who could provide navigation as well as support with detecting targeting and engaging targets.
Variants
Q-103A
(Single seater, sometimes crashes if you pull up too hard, sometimes the wings fall off. Not too good at ground attack for other reasons)
Q-103B/C
(Q-103B = single seater, Q-103C = two seater, has mountings for additional sensors)
Q-103D
(Electronic warfare version with semi-permanently mated EW modules and external fuel tanks)
Q-103S Super Swift
The Q-103S Super Swift is a heavily modified redesign of the original Swift. Only two seater cockpits were produced to support multirole operations. The fuselage was strengthened with composite materials and enlarged in order to fit improved avionics, larger fuel tanks and increased payload weight. Additionally the wings have been slightly reshaped in order give the aircraft relaxed stability, improving responsiveness and reducing energy loss during manoeuvres. The latter change also allows for supermanoeuvrability, meaning high-AoA post-stall manoeuvres can be performed if necessary.
In 2010 as part of a 2025 life extension programme enacted due to delays in the development of the Q-107 Grackle, a series of upgrades were installed on 52 aircraft to be designated as the Q-103SE Enhanced Super Swift. This included an AESA radar system and diverterless supersonic inlets to reduce mechanical complexity, as well as an updated cockpit with touchscreen interfaces with a vastly upgraded mission computer and communications suite. These saw combat in the Auroran-Cerenerian War, primarily performing ground attack missions.
Operators
Current
- Axdelian Aerospace Force - at its peak the AAeF operated over 1000 Q-103's of all variants. 500 Q-103S Super Swifts were procured in 1992, of which 52 were upgraded to Q-103SE specification in 2010
Former
- Quarii Air Force - Ordered 96 Q-103B and C's during the AIW. The full order was not delivered in time before the end of the war and was reduced to 70 planes in total. In 1994 the QAF ordered 65 Q-103S's, however they weren't delivered until 1998 due to the Axdelian civil war disrupting production. Upgrading their fleet to Q-103SE standard was considered instead of purchasing Q-107A Grackles but was rejected.
Specifications (Q-103A)
General Characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 15.9 m
- Wingspan: 9.6 m
- Height: 4.6 m
- Wing area: 34 m2
- Empty weight: 7966 kg
- Gross weight: 13,000 kg
- Max takeoff weight: 19,000 kg
- Fuel capacity: 4000 kg internal
- Powerplant: 1 × Yk138 Koriba-3HI low-bypass turbofan (75kN dry thrust 138kN with afterburner)
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 1.8 (1920 km/h) at high altitude
- Mach 1.12 (1,372 km/h) at sea level
- Combat range: 800 km full combat load
- Ferry range: 3000 km with 2x drop tanks
- Service ceiling: 18,500 m
- g limits: +9 / -3
- Wing loading: 353 kg/m2
- Thrust/weight: 1.1 (full fuel and combat load)
Armament
- Guns: 1 × 20 mm NBS Aekon-220 Gast autocannon with 360 rounds
- Hardpoints: 10 x Hardpoints (2 x wingtip, 6 x underwing, and 2 x on fuselage)