Schipol TF-32

TF-32 Foxtail
TF-32 Foxtail during runway tests at Schipol facilities in Shaucse on 17 March 2014
Role	Stealth multirole/air superiority fighter
National origin	Abersiania
Manufacturer	Schipol Aerospace
First flight	14 June 2014
Introduction	2016
Status	In Service
Primary user	Abersianian Air force
Developed from	Schipol TF-30

The TF-32 Foxtail (formerly known as TF-X) is a stealth, twin-engine, all-weather air superiority fighter designed and manufactured by Schipol Aerospace. The TF-32 is the successor of the TF-25 Maus and the backbone of the Abersianian Air Force, hoped to be exported to foreign states in Ecros. It was officially announced that the TF-X's prototype would be rolled out on the 24 September 2013, and make its first flight by the end of 2014. The taxiing and ground running tests of the prototype began two days before the scheduled roll-out, on September 22 2013.

History

The TF-32 was born out of a desire for a domestically produced fighter to compete with the likes of the F22, and other modern fighters produced by major companies. This was seen as a necessity as tensions with New Illyricum rose in 2006, and when the defense budget was raised later that year. The project was extended to Schipol, and was hoping it would replace the Schipol TF-30 as the nations main air superiority fighter. The concept was not a new thing however, as Schipol had manufactured air superiority fighters in the past. Inspiration can be seen from planes such as the Schipol TF-27 and Schipol TF-30. However, they had never properly addressed the idea of stealth and low radar observability, this was essentially new and foreign area to the company, the only records of them prototyping with stealth technology was a frankenstein [[Schipol TF-27]|TF-27], retrofitted with some redesigned engines and engine structures, to conceal heat signatures from below and above.

Requirements Published

In July 2010, the Abersianian Air Force announced its requirements for minimum capabilities of the TF-X program:

• Improved aerodynamics and propulsion
• The ability to super cruise
• Optimized combat radius of no less than 400 miles
• Advanced and internal multi-spectral sensors (EW and RF/IR)
• Low observability while maintaining a manoeuvrable and sturdy airframe
• Sensor fusion and autonomy
• Improved data-link capabilities for network-enabled electronic warfare
• Ability to carry a range of multi-purpose ordinance

These requirements were to be fully met without compromising manoeuvrability, structural integrity and speed to a reasonable level.

Development

After the requirements were officially published, Schipol set to work on prototyping and testing, and a little under a year later, came back with a response to the requirements.

Airframe

In 2011 3 design proposals were released in relation to the the TF-X program:

• TF-X-1 - A twin engine Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor like design.
• TF-X-2 - A single engine NG-F16 like design.
• TF-X-3 - A single engine delta wing fighter, similar to the SAAB 39 Griffin

The eventual decision was revealed in the project summary released later that year, with the twin engined configuration being selected as the most suitable for the requirements given. This airframe was to utilise composite materials and a relatively new technology, thrust vectoring, to keep the aircraft light and nimble in the air.

Avionics

The TF-32 utilises a fly-by-wire system to control the aircraft, which allows it to be unstable, increasing manoeuvrability. This requires an intricate array of sensors and computers to keep the aircraft in control. These computers also handle the data link capabilities, allowing the plane to quickly relay information between other aircraft and the ground. This was upgraded in the later Block 20 model, giving it a 'Bijenkorf' function, or Hivemind. This allows the plane to sync its computers with other manned aircraft, or even UAVs, allowing for greater situational awareness, communication and operation. The plane is equipped with the most powerful Abersianian produced radar, the R457-10. This radar has multi-track functionality, allowing it to simultaneously track over a hundred different targets as well as having a lock range of ~110 miles. This allows the plane to stretch it's B-Darter 2 radar guided missiles to their limits, utilising them the best way possible.

Engine

Initially the prototype aircraft utilised two TAI 110-30 powerplants, which lacked thrust vectoring, and the power required to super cruise. These engines were used to test the basic characteristics of the airframe, and were the engines used in the runway testing, and its maiden flight. It was later fitted with two TAI 120-30 engines, later renamed TAI 120-32 to match the naming of the aircraft. The newer engines gave the aircraft greater manoeuvrability, due to the thrust vectoring capability, and a higher top speed, allowing the aircraft to super cruise at around Mach 1.25. These engines have received a few upgrades over the service life of the aircraft, to make them easier and cheaper to service and maintain. Despite this, the aircraft remains notoriously expensive to maintain and fuel, due to the complexity of the engines, and high quality of fuel needed. The biggest upgrade came in the Block 15 variant, increasing fuel efficiency by a massive 11%, extending the range of the aircraft by ~75 miles.

Weapons Systems

It was decided early on what the basic requirements of the TF-32's payload should be. Being mostly designed for air to air combat, it was determined it should be able to carry at least 6 missiles, as well as a rotary cannon. The payload should be carried in a concealed weapons bay, to ensure radar cross section was kept low. This ended up creating the final configuration, a payload of 8 air to air missiles, or a payload of 1000kg of ordinance. Lter, in the Block 20 variant, it was fitted with detachable external pylons, capable of carrying air to ship missiles, which proved invaluable in the Aberso-Illyrian War. These were made to be completely detachable, so the aircraft could either go in more stealthy configuration, and a configuration with a higher payload capacity, utilising the external pylons for air to air missiles, bombs and guided munitions.

Specifacations

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot & two pilot variant
• Length: 21 m (68 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 14 m (45 ft 11 in)
• Height: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
• Wing area: 60 m2 (645 sq ft)
• Max takeoff weight: 27,215 kg (60,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × TAI 120-32 Turbofan, (20,155 lbf) thrust each dry, (33,000 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

• Maximum speed: 2,222 km/h (1,764 mph, 1,200 kn)
• Maximum speed: Mach 2.3
• Combat range: 1,100 km (690 mi, 600 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 17,000 m (55,000 ft)
• Maximum G limits: +9.0 g & -3.5 g

Armnament

• Guns: 1x 20mm M61A2 Vulcan Rotary cannon
• Air to Air Loadout
  • 6x B-Darter 2 Radar guided missile
  • 2x A-Darter IR guided missile

or

• Air to Ground Loadout
  • 4x B-Darter 2 Radar guided missile
  • 1x 1000kg dumb bomb/2x 500kg dumb bomb