Q-103 Swift: Difference between revisions

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 produced in large numbers and exported to several countries post-war. The heavily modified Q-103S variant produced in 1992 and the modernised Q-103SE remain in active service in many countries. In Axdelian service the Q-103SE will be replaced with [[Q-107 Grackle|Q-107A Grackle]] stealth fighters by 2026.

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 [[Great Morstaybishlia|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 frequently modified and improved upon for Axdelian use. Among thesethose modified was the [[East Cerdani|Cerdani]] [[Wikipedia:Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|DF-21]], which was fitted with a newer engine, a redesigned intake to make room for a larger radar, and the addition of foreplane control surfaces to allow the heavier fighter to manoeuvre well. This aircraft was put into production in late 1967 as the Q-101 Sparrow fighter-interceptor. However, due to its hasty development the Sparrow would have numerous design shortcomings and was considered inferior to its contemporaries in many ways, as well as suffering from a high accident rate during its career. Additionally there were concerning reports thatseveral foreign powers, chiefly [[Great Morstaybishlia|Morstaybishlia]], waswere starting to develop fighters with both high-manoeuvrability and advanced avionics that would render all of the combat 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, technologically advanced fighter capable of Mach 2+ speed, adept at dogfighting, and with the ability to fire modern radar guided beyond-visual-range missiles.

Design work was aided significantly by separate agreements forged with the [[Federation of the Southern Coast]], and [[Ethalria (Grand Matriarchy)|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 any novel technology they developed. Axdelian assets embedded in Morstaybishlia are also known to have provided some information on competing technologies being developed by the Morstaybishlian defence industry. 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, at this point without its 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 despite it's high thrust the Yk138 engine could not achieve 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 a further two years of intense development to reach combat readiness, finally reaching full production in January 1973.

The Q-103A was well received by pilots transferring from the Q-101, and the 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 plane athe nickname "Colt" among Axdelian pilots ofdue ''<nowiki/>'Colt'''to ashow it bucked like a young horse.

In 2010 Sentinel announced a modernising upgrade package to existing Q-103S's was releasedusers, designatingredesignating them as the Q-103SE Enhanced Super Swifts,Swift. This came as part of a life extension programme enacted due to strong interest from foreign users and delays in the final development and production schedule of the [[Q-107 Grackle]]. This package included an AESA radar system and diverterless supersonic inlets to reduce weight and mechanical complexity, as well as updated cockpit instruments with touchscreen interfaces and a vastly upgraded mission computer and communications equipment. 52 aircraftQ-103S's in Axdelian service were upgraded to the standard and was combat in the [[Auroran-Cerenerian War]], primarily performing ground attack missions, and several contracts to upgrade foreign aircraft were also secured.