Kimaco Spiteful
| Kimaco Spiteful | |
|---|---|
_departs_Naval_Air_Facility_Atsugi,_Japan.jpg) A Montesayettean Air and Space Force Spiteful FGR.1 taxiing on a highway strip during a military exercise near Nerfoy | |
| General information | |
| Role | Multirole strike fighter |
| National origin | Multinational |
| Manufacturer | Kimaco Group Aeronautics Systems |
| Service | |
| Number built | >300 |
| History | |
| First flight | 11 July 2010 |
| In service | 2014–present |
| Predecessors | Kimaco Spitfire |
The Kimaco Spiteful is an Ecrosian multinational all-weather, carrier-capable, variable-sweep wing, multirole strike fighter derived from the Kimaco Spitfire. Originally developed as the Super Spitfire 21 (SS-21) by engineers at Kimaco Group, the Spiteful represents a larger, more advanced, and versatile evolution of its predecessor. The Spiteful is currently in active service with the Montesayettean Air and Space Force and the Kivuian Air Force. It has received widespread admiration for its captivating design, often regarded as one of the most aesthetically pleasing aircraft ever created.
The Spiteful has an internal 25 mm GAU-22/A four-barrel rotary cannon, unlike the 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan installed on the Spitfire. With an upgrade of glass cockpit, an under-fuselage targeting pod, and digital flight control system, it can carry a wide range of munitions from air-to-air, including active radar guided beyond-visual-range kinds, unguided bombs, to stand-off munitions such as air-launched cruise missiles and anti-radiation missiles. With a strengthened airframe, the Spiteful can carry far more additional fuel than its predecessor did; wet wing pylons have been redesigned to handle 300-gallon external tanks, while nacelle hardpoints are developed to install the newly developed 425-gallon external tanks.
Contents
History
Design
Operational history
Variants
Production
Spiteful FGR.1
- Tandem-seat, all-weather multirole strike fighter. While its current operators may not have aircraft carriers, it features inherent carrier capability, enabling its deployment on allied aircraft carriers during times of conflict or when conventional runways are unavailable or limited in length.
Proposed
Attack Super Spitfire 21
- A proposal that emerged alongside the original design of the Spiteful. It aimed to create a more attack-oriented version of the Spitfire, potentially incorporating an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The concept envisioned the ability to rebuild existing Spitfire airframes into the ASS-21 configuration. However, the proposal did not progress beyond the conceptual stage and has been inactive since 2011.
Land-Based Spiteful
- Proposed variant specifically designed for land-based operations, intended for both export and use by its original operators. This variant aims to optimize the aircraft's performance and streamline maintenance processes by eliminating the carrier landing capability. By removing the equipment and systems necessary for carrier operations, the Land-Based Spiteful becomes a lighter and more simplified aircraft, tailored for enhanced operational efficiency and ease of maintenance in land-based environments.
Spiteful ECR
- Proposed variant specifically designed for electronic combat roles. It would feature two escort jammer pods mounted under the wings, along with two emitter location systems integrated into the wingtips. Additionally, the aircraft would be equipped with mission specialist stations, providing dedicated electronic warfare and mission control capabilities through specialized screens. The proposal for the Spiteful ECR has been rejected by the Montesayettean Air and Space Force, as the existing Tristar Vanguard ECM.3 already fulfills the electronic warfare role effectively.
Spiteful Global Strike
- Proposed variant aimed at enabling space strike capabilities by using the Spiteful platform. Designed for satellite attack missions, this variant is envisioned as an unmanned remotely-piloted aircraft. It would be equipped with a 3-stage-to-orbit solid rocket anti-satellite missile, positioned on its back between the twin-tails. Currently, the variant is under consideration and undergoing further studies to assess its feasibility and potential implementation.
Others
Spiteful STOL/MTD
- Test plane developed by Société Aéronautique Falcifère (SAFAL) in Montesayette. This aircraft serves as a technology demonstrator and test platform, specifically designed for conducting research and studying the effects of thrust vectoring and enhanced maneuverability. Additionally, it is equipped with a next-generation flight control system to explore advanced flight capabilities.
Operators
Current operators
- Monsilvan Air Force — 10
- Montesayettean Air and Space Force — ?
- Long Range Strategic Strike Group (LRSSG) — a specialized unit within the Montesayettean Air and Space Force that focuses on unconventional aerial warfare techniques. The LRSSG is dedicated to supporting the Montesayettean Airborne Force and conducting operations against strategic targets deep within enemy territory, often without external support. In various media portrayals, the LRSSG is depicted as operating modified versions of the Spitfire and the Spiteful aircraft.
- Paleocacherian Air Force — 300
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 (pilot and weapon systems officer)
- Length: 19.13 m (62.8 ft)
- Wingspan: 19.545 m (64.12 ft); 11.646 m (38.21 ft) swept
- Height: 4.9 m (16 ft)
- Wing area: 52.5 m2 (565 sq ft) wings only; 94 m2 (1,010 sq ft) effective area including fuselage
- Airfoil
- Root: Kimaco (1.74)(35)(9.6)-(1.1)(30)(1.1)
- Tip: Kimaco (1.27)(30)(9.0)-(1.1)(40)(1.1)
- Empty weight: 19,850 kg (43,760 lb)
- Gross weight: 28,670 kg (63,210 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 33,725 kg (74,351 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 8,350 kg (18,410 lb) internal; 4 × optional 300 US gal (250 imp gal; 1,100 l) and 425 US gal (354 imp gal; 1,610 l) external tanks
- Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F110-GE-429 augmented thrust vectoring turbofans, 17,155 lbf (76.31 kN) thrust each dry, 29,500 lbf (131 kN) with afterburner
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.34 (2,766 km/h; 1,719 mph) at altitude
- Mach 1.4 (1,660 km/h; 1,030 mph) supercruise at altitude
- Combat range: 687 nmi (791 mi; 1,272 km)
- Ferry range: 2,100 nmi (2,400 mi; 3,900 km) with four external fuel tanks
- Service ceiling: 16,000 m (52,000 ft)
- g limits: +9.0/−3.0
- Thrust/weight: 0.93
Armament
- Guns: 1 × 25 mm (0.98 in) GAU-22/A 4-barreled rotary cannon, with 540 rounds
- Hardpoints: 6× under-fuselage, 2× under nacelles and 2× on wing gloves with a capacity of 8,000 kg (18,000 lb) of ordnance and fuel tanks
Avionics
- Kimaco AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array fire-control radar system
- LITENING advanced targeting pod
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
