Q-107 Grackle: Difference between revisions

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The Q-107 Grackle is a single-engine, multirole fighter jet developed by the Axdelian defence company ARMS. It was the first all-new combat aircraft developed domestically since the fall of the Noroist government, entering development in 1998. The aircraft had a troubled development, going far over it's initial budget due to several delays in development and allegations of embezzlement. Despite this, the plane is considered highly successful in what it aimed to be capable of, and has seen success in the export market. Since merging with Sentinel in 2017, the planes are now produced by Sentinel-ARMS. There are two variants, with the Q-107A taking off conventionally and the Q-107B having vectored thrust enabled V/STOL capability. A conventionally landing carrier variant with larger wings, tentatively named Q-107C, was cancelled in 2007 due to the aformentioned budgetary overruns.
The Q-107 Grackle is a single-engine, multirole fighter jet developed by the Axdelian defence company ARMS. It was the first all-new combat aircraft developed domestically since the fall of the Noroist government, entering development in 1998. The aircraft had a troubled development, going far over it's initial budget due to several delays in development and allegations of embezzlement. Despite this, the plane is considered highly successful in what it aimed to be capable of, and has seen success in the export market. Since merging with Sentinel in 2017, the planes are now produced by Sentinel-ARMS. There are two variants, with the Q-107A taking off conventionally and the Q-107B having vectored thrust enabled V/STOL capability. A conventionally landing carrier variant, tentatively named Q-107C, was cancelled in 2007 due to the aforementioned budgetary overruns.


The Q-107 was named the Grackle in 2010, however it have since been given several nicknames by air forces fielding it, such as "Fat Pigeon" and "Smiler" based on its appearance, and "Gracc attacc" [''sic''] on social media.
The Q-107 was named the Grackle in 2010, however it have since been given several nicknames by air forces fielding it, such as "Fat Pigeon" and "Smiler" based on its appearance, and "Gracc attacc" [''sic''] on social media.

Revision as of 14:02, 30 May 2024

Q-107 Grackle
A pair of Q-107A's
Role Multirole fighter
National origin Axdel
Manufacturer Sentinel-ARMS (since 2017)
Designer ARMS
First flight November 19th 2003
Introduction January 28th 2013
Status In active service
Primary users Axdelian Aerospace Force
see Operators
Produced 2012-present
Number built ~500+

The Q-107 Grackle is a single-engine, multirole fighter jet developed by the Axdelian defence company ARMS. It was the first all-new combat aircraft developed domestically since the fall of the Noroist government, entering development in 1998. The aircraft had a troubled development, going far over it's initial budget due to several delays in development and allegations of embezzlement. Despite this, the plane is considered highly successful in what it aimed to be capable of, and has seen success in the export market. Since merging with Sentinel in 2017, the planes are now produced by Sentinel-ARMS. There are two variants, with the Q-107A taking off conventionally and the Q-107B having vectored thrust enabled V/STOL capability. A conventionally landing carrier variant, tentatively named Q-107C, was cancelled in 2007 due to the aforementioned budgetary overruns.

The Q-107 was named the Grackle in 2010, however it have since been given several nicknames by air forces fielding it, such as "Fat Pigeon" and "Smiler" based on its appearance, and "Gracc attacc" [sic] on social media.

Development

(ARMS, an independent union-run arms company, runs out of money developing this thing and has to get bailed out by the even bigger Sentinel with a fat cheque from the government for good luck)

(This is partially because they were corrupt as hell and banking on being bailed out as an important supplier of military materiel, and thus blatantly overspent)

(The need to design for the export market also raised costs, mostly due to requiring thrust vectored V/STOL for smaller carriers and species accommodations for the augmented reality headset)

(Probably had a bunch of capitalist incentives from the post 1999 financial reforms hidden in the woodwork)

(Despite this it still got to market just before its main competitor, the Joint SH-NCEF-Federation developed HK-45)

Design

(Stealthy, blended fuselage largely made of composites and fully coated in radar absorbent materials. Relaxed stability, large control surfaces and vectored thrust allow for great responsiveness and high angle of attack performance)

(Sensor fusion and network centric warfare are keystone capabilities of the Q-107. A complex mission computer processes data from the wide array of sensors in order to present information in a ergonomic, customisable fashion to the pilot. The fully glass cockpit lacks a HUD, with all relevant information being provided through the Situational Awareness and Targeting augmented reality headset)

(Engine mounted centrally for better VTOL performance in the B variant, necessitating the large frontal intake. Despite not having an s-duct, variable baffles in the intake prevent radar waves from bouncing of the compressor blades)

(Carries almost twice as much fuel as the Q-103S/SE, giving it a much larger operational range)

(Weapons can be stored in two large internal bays or on up to four removable pylons that can be jettisoned in flight to reduce RCS. The Q-107A has a 25mm cannon below the intake that can be radar controlled in order to take out tarkets with only a few rounds. The Q-107B lacks a built in cannon however, and must carry a low-observability gun pod if it is required)

Operators

 Axdel

  • Axdelian Aerospace Force - 250 Q-107A originally delivered from 2012, with an additional block of 57 contracted to replace the Q-103SE after 2026. 5 more were ordered in 2017 to replace ACW losses
  • Axdelian Navy - 72 Q-107B's to operate on the Khalanitas class carriers alongside the Q-104EQS

Cryria

  • Royal Cryrian Air Force - 20 Q-107A's delivered from 2018

 Oscrelia

  • Oscrelian Air Force - 50 Q-107A's delivered from 2014

Qayam

  • Qayami Air Force - [] Q-107A's delivered from 2015

 Tavaris

  • Royal Tavari Air Force - 34 Q-107A delivered from 2017
  • Rotal Tavari Navy - 16 Q-107B's to operate on their Blade of Storm class carriers.

Potential Operators

Quariin

  • Quarii Air Force - Planned order of 48 Q-107A's to replace its Q-103SE fleet in two blocks of 24 from 2025

Specifications (Q-107A)

General Characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 15.3 m
  • Wingspan: 11 m
  • Height: 5.5 m
  • Wing area: 54.8 m2
  • Empty weight: 12,500 kg
  • Gross weight: 22,500 kg
  • Max takeoff weight: 31,500 kg
  • Fuel capacity: 8,000 kg internal
  • Powerplant: 1 × Yf190 Triakhe turbofan (120kN dry thrust 190kN with afterburner)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: Mach 1.6 at high altitude
    • Mach 1.06 (1,296 km/h) at sea level
  • Combat range: 1,400 km full combat load on internal fuel
  • Ferry range: 2,800 km with 2x drop tanks
  • Service ceiling: 15,000 m
  • g limits: +9
  • Wing loading: 416 kg/m2
  • Thrust/weight: 0.9 (with full fuel and combat load)

Armament

  • Guns: 1 × 25 mm NBS Aekon-425 revolving autocannon with 200 rounds
  • Hardpoints: 8 x Stations (4x internal and 4 x detachable underwing)