Banyan S-16

S-16
Role	Multirole strike fighter
National origin	Baltanla
Manufacturer	Banyan Aircraft Corporation
Introduction	2015
Status	In service
Primary user	Baltanian Air Force, Dansinian Air Force
Produced	2012–present
Number built	245+
Developed from	Banyan S-11

The Banyan S-16 is a Baltanian advanced fourth-generation, developed from the Banyan S-11 (itself derived from the Ar-85) and built by Banyan Aircraft Corporation. It is operated by the Baltanian Air Force (BAF).

Design and development

In the 1990s, Baltanla purchased AR-85 air superiority fighters from Akvarelusus, including those license-produced in Baltanla as the Banyan S-11A. The S-11A was further developed into the S-11B single seat and BS twin seat variant with indigenous technology. The S-16 is a strike fighter derived from the S-11BS model.

The S-16 is equipped with an AESA radar

The cockpit is fitted with helmet-mounted display (HMD) system to improve pilot’s situational awareness.

The electronic warfare version of the fighter, named S-16D, was developed in 2010s. The aircraft reportedly made its first flight in 2015. S-16D is designed to suppress enemy air defenses (SEAD), capable of housing internal jamming equipment and carrying various external electronic warfare pods. According to aviation researcher Justin Bronk of the Terraconserva Air Service, S-16 holds advantages over Akvarelian Ar-85 with its wide application of composite materials, longer range missiles, advanced sensors, and avionics. S-16 represents a transition by the Baltanian aviation industry away from a past dependence on Akvarelian technology towards developing modern derivatives that are superior to the Akvarelian originals in many aspects.

The Baltanian military is developing advanced autonomous capabilities for its combat aircraft. In March 2021, it was reported that a S-16 variant with the backseat co-pilot replaced by an artificial intelligence algorithm called "intelligence victory" was undergoing testing at Banyan Aircraft Corporation.