Tristar Valiance
| Tristar Valiance | |
|---|---|
| 300px | |
| General information | |
| Role | Strategic bomber |
| National origin | Multinational |
| Manufacturer | Tristar Aerotech |
| Service | |
| Number built | >199 |
| History | |
| First flight | 1959 |
| In service | 1969–present |
| Developed into | Tristar Valkyron Tristar Ventureliner |
The Tristar Valiance, formerly known as the H-6 (Monsilvan: 轰-6; pinyin: Hōng-6), is a Transkivuian twin-engined jet strategic bomber designed and developed through a collaboration between AVIC Monsilva and Banyan Aircraft Corporation. While AVIC Monsilva merged with other entities in 2000 to form Tristar Aerotech, Banyan remained independent despite its involvement in the development of the aircraft. Since its introduction in 1969, the Valiance has served as a versatile multi-purpose platform for the Monsilvan Air Force and the Baltanian Air Force, primarily specializing in strategic bombing missions. Over the years, the Valiance has demonstrated its reliability and versatility, leading to the development of updated variants and specialized derivatives that continue to be used to this day. Notably, the Valiance stands out as one of the few strategic bombers to be exported and widely used by various countries, extending beyond its original users to nations like Montesayette and Pavulturilor.
Contents
History
Design
Operational history
Variants
Production
Valiance B.1
- Originally known as the H-6. Served as a prototype conventional bomber for testing and development in Monsilva in 1959.
Valiance R.2
- Originally known as the H-6ZC. Dedicated reconnaissance aircraft derived from the B.1 bomber. Developed as a separate project. First flown in 1965.
Valiance B.3
- Originally known as the H-6G. Upgraded conventional variant with an improved countermeasure suite. Used by the Monsilvan Air Force and the Baltanian Air Force. First flown in 1968.
Valiance MRA.5
- Originally known as the H-6HD. Dedicated maritime strike aircraft introduced in 1982. Capable of carrying between two to four anti-ship missiles, depending on the missile's weight, with one mounted under each wing. The aircraft features a larger radome under the nose and incorporates various improved systems. The variant has gained popularity in the export market, being used by the Kivuian Air Force and Reykani Air Force. It fills a niche role as a maritime strike bomber, meeting the specific demands of naval warfare operations.
Valiance B(PR).6
- Originally known as the H-6G1. Developed as an upgrade package for the B.3 bombers, following a similar retrofitting program introduced for the Valkyron B(PR).2. This upgrade introduced optional photoreconnaissance capability through the integration of EO/IR pods. Additionally, all gun turrets were removed from the aircraft as they were deemed unnecessary. The integration of unguided countermeasure rockets and advancements in communication, electronic countermeasures, inertial navigation systems, doppler navigation radar, and satellite navigation systems were also part of this upgrade package. Although engine retrofitting was considered during the testing phase, it was not implemented as part of the variant. The first bombers received this upgrade starting in 1994.
Valiance E.7
- Originally known as the H-6D. Dedicated airborne command post and communications relay aircraft, often referred to by the public as the "doomsday plane." This variant is specifically designed without internal bomb bays, instead featuring underwing electronic countermeasures pods and equipment essential for providing targeting data to ground-launched cruise missiles. First flow in 1995.
Valiance S.8
- Originally known as the H-6ZL. Dedicated cruise-missile carrier variant designed for strategic deliveries. It is capable of carrying up to 2 long-range cruise missiles externally. Designed without internal bomb bays. First flow in 1995.
Valiance B(PR).9
- Major life-extension upgrade and the first variant to be manufactured by Tristar Aerotech. It includes two subvariants: the B(PR).9A for upgraded older airframes and the B(PR).9B for newly constructed bombers. The B(PR).9A features composite wingboxes and structural refurbishment, extending its service life until the mid- to late-2030s. The B(PR).9B is constructed entirely from composite materials and designed to serve beyond the 2050s. Both subvariants share common upgrades, including a glass cockpit, a more powerful radar, and redesigned underwing hardpoints for external weapons. Notably, the powerplant section has been redesigned to accommodate the efficient CFM International LEAP-1A24 engine, resulting in significant fuel efficiency improvements. The B(PR).9 variant was introduced in 2013.
Valiance MRA.11
- Upgrade package for the maritime strike bombers, following a similar approach to the B(PR).9. Likewise, it consists of two subvariants, distinguishing between newly produced airframes and upgraded older models. The MRA.11 incorporates the same re-engine program and delivers similar performance enhancements as the B(PR).9. The first MRA.11 aircraft were introduced in 2014.
Valiance S.12
- Upgrade package for the cruise-missile carriers, incorporating similar enhancements as the B(PR).9 variant. It includes a re-engine program, refurbishment, and is believed to feature near-identical upgrades. The S.12 variant is equipped with a terrain-following system and four under-wing hardpoints for weapons carriage. The first aircraft of this variant are estimated to have been flown in 2014.
Valiance E.13
- Upgrade for the airborne command post and communications relay aircraft, featuring similar enhancements as the B(PR).9 variant. It includes a solid nose and canoe fairing believed to house electronic countermeasures equipment. The first aircraft of this variant are estimated to have been flown in 2014.
Tankers
Valiance K.4
- Originally known as the H-6R. Aerial refueling aircraft. It features a probe-and-drogue refueling system and underwent a comprehensive redesign to accommodate kerosene fuel. The aircraft is equipped with additional electronic countermeasures and unguided countermeasure decoy rockets for self-defense. The K.4 variant can be divided into two subvariants: the K.4, which is a dedicated tanker aircraft without a fire-control system and radar, and the B(K).4, which retains the fire-control system and can also serve as a missile launcher.
Valiance K.10
- Upgrade package designed for the aerial refueling aircraft, featuring similar enhancements found in the B(PR).9 variant. Like its predecessor, it is divided into two subvariants: the K.10 and the B(K).10. The K.10 variant is a dedicated tanker aircraft, while the B(K).10 retains the fire-control system and can also serve as a missile launcher.
Exports
Valiance Mk 50
- Downgraded export version based on the Valiance B(PR).6. It is believed to have used commercial-off-the-shelf instruments and had most confidential or sensitive equipment removed. This variant was originally intended for export to Pavulturilor, but it also drew interest from the Montesayettean government due to its cost-effectiveness. However, the Montesayettean Military Command Council ultimately rejected the offers and opted to continue using the conventional variants of the Valiance.
Operators
Current operators
- Baltanian Air Force — 104
- Kivuian Air Force — 48
- Monsilvan Air Force — 18
