S-1 Broadweaver
| S-1 "Broadweaver" Bomber | |
|---|---|
 An S-1A cruising along the Staynish coastline during the Triple Campaign in 1972 | |
| Type | Strategic bomber |
| Place of origin | Noroist Axdel |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1970- |
| Used by | Axdelian Air Force(historic) Ethalrian Air Force(historic) Oscrelian Air Force(historic) Nilovian Air Force Axdel Air Force(historic) |
| Wars | Auroran Imperial War Lyrevale Continuation War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Hartley Aerospace |
| Designed | 1964 |
| Manufacturer | Aerial Warfare Division of Axdel |
| Unit cost | 10.5 million Kiribs (1975) |
| Produced | 1970-1984 |
| Number built | ~1000+ |
| Variants | 10 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 24.8 tonnes |
| Length | 27.13 m |
| Width | 11.32 m |
| Height | 7.25 m |
| Crew | 2 |
Main armament | 4x 2000lb / 6x 1000lb Bombs in internal bay (S-1A) |
Secondary armament | 4x heavy underwing pylons (S-1A & deriv.) 6x heavy underwing pylons (S-1B & deriv.) |
| Engine | 2x Kersivius Turbojets 100KN each (dry thrust) 140KN each (full afterburner) |
Operational range | 4,750 km (S-1A) |
| Speed | mach 2.7 at 40000ft/12000m mach 1.4 at sea level (S-1A) |
The S-1 Broadweaver is a supersonic strike bomber designed in 1964 by Hartley Aerospace for use by the Morstaybishlian Royal Air Force as a tactical nuclear strike craft, but the project was cancelled late in development due to several technical issues causing delays and a change in doctrine moving away from the battlefield use of nuclear warheads. in 1966, socialist defectors from Hartley aerospace brought design documents to the Noroist Axdelian Defence Force, which saw potential in the design for use as a strike bomber and began production of the plane in 1968. After declaring independence, the bomber saw its first use during the Auroran Imperial War, and remained in service into the 21st century. It was one of the fastest bombers ever put into production, its incredible speed at all altitudes allowing it to outrun contemporary fighters and penetrate deep into enemy territory whilst flying at low altitudes to reduce the chance of being detected by radar. It proved instrumental in the success of many allied military operations. The plane did suffer from a low payload capacity compared to its contemporaries, an artefact of the original intention of the bomber as a tactical nuclear delivery system. Despite this it remained invaluable in SEAD missions armed with anti-radiation missiles, and later models did successfully increase the maximum payload.
S-1B and S-1C Broadweavers were exported to Ethalria, Oscrelia and Nilovia during the AIW, and post war multiple variants were tested and purchased by several other nations with close relations to Noroist Axdel. Several were captured by the Morstaybishlian Empire and her allies during the AIW and were maintained for training purposes up until 2009.
Variants
S-1A
Standard version, which had a relatively meagre payload capacity of 5000kg with its four heavy underwing hardpoints and internal bay. Saw production during the early AIW, though was quickly made redundant in favour of more specialised variants. Operational range was frequently extended with the use of drop tanks on the underwing hardpoints.
S-1AR
Aerial reconnaissance version of the S-1A.
S-1B
Heavy attack version and the most widely produced, with a greater wingspan boasting two additional heavy underwing hardpoints, hardpoints on the fuselage, and a larger internal bay. It possessed a larger operational range and far greater payload capacity than the S-1A at the cost of a lower maximum speed of mach 2.1 when unloaded, and was optimised for operations where the threat of enemy high-speed interceptors was lower.
S-1C
High performance strike version. Featured high airflow intakes and newly developed low drag features which gave it improved fuel efficiency, exceptional operational range and allowing for a Mach 2.9+ maximum speed in level flight. A more powerful radar system gave it additional ability in using air-to-surface missiles and even some air-to-air capability. Suffered from excessive wear at high speeds.
S-1CR
Aerial reconnaissance version of the S-1C.
S-1CX
Highly modified ultrafast experimental prototype developed in the 1980's using rocket motors instead of turbojets and composite heat shielding as part of early research in an Axdelian spaceplane project. Three airframes produced, however one disintegrated mid-air at the undisclosed maximum speed in 1984, killing the pilot and ultimately leading to the suspension of the project.
S-1D
A version of the S-1B optimised for use as a cruise missile launch platform, featuring strengthened underwing pylons and larger internal fuel tanks.
S-1E
Long-range version with a much larger fuel tank slung below the fuselage and large wings similar to the S-1B though considerably more aerodynamic.
S-1F
A modernised version introduced in 1990 fielding advanced digital combat suites intended to make up for relatively poor performance in the Lyrevale Continuation War.
S-1X
Experimental test platform for low-observability stealth features. Only airframe built used as target practice after testing and destroyed. Recovered blueprints suggest features similar to the conceptual S-2 Stormweaver and afterburning turbofan engines instead of turbojets.
S-2 Stormweaver
The conceptual successor to the S-1, the S-2 Stormweaver entered development in 1990 following the successful S-1X prototype, and was to feature an abnormal enclosed cockpit as well as experimental stealth features for long-range penetration roles like the S-1. The strategic bomber design was scrapped in 1994 after funding issues, though the design was later adapted and downsized for use as a single-engine fighter-bomber. However this project was put on indefinite developmental hold due to the outbreak of the Axdelian civil war before any prototype planes could be constructed.