US Aircraft of CSW

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US Aircraft of CSW

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US Aircraft of CSW

A comprehensive list of all USAF aircraft (that we've currently conceived of) developed in the 1960-2010 timeframe.

FIGHTERS

Convair F-106 Delta Dart Successor of the F-102 Delta Dagger. Primary all-weather interceptor aircraft for the United States Air Force from the 1960s through to 1988. Delta wing, first fighter to be fitted with the Hughes MA-1 integrated fire-control system, which could be linked to the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) network for ground control interception (GCI) missions, allowing the aircraft to be steered by controllers. Designed to be armed with nuclear anti-air ordnance. Top speed Mach 2.1. Gradually retired during the 1980s.

North American Aviation F-108 Rapier Revolutionary long range interceptor and escort fighter designed to successfully engage and defeat supersonic Soviet fighters and bombers at high speed. Powered by two General Electric YJ-93 engines, the same power plant as used by the B-70 Block I. Top speed Mach 3.1 Entered service in 1969, soon thereafter unfairly gained a bad reputation in Vietnam after flawed USAF ROE forced it into low-speed dog fights. Retired in the 1996 ‘aircraft abattoir’.

McDonnell F-110 Spectre USAF version of the Navy F4E Phantom. Two-seat, twin-engined, supersonic interceptor/fighter-bomber. Replaced the F-100 Super Sabre and F-105 Thunderchief in USAF service. A more conventional aircraft than the contemporary F-108, the Spectre was far more popular among American pilots and was highly successful during the Vietnam War mainly due to its much lower stall speed and greater agility. Top speed of Mach 2.2. Entered service in 1960, proved a very popular export aircraft. Upgraded versions of the Spectre/Phantom were used by various air forces until as late as the early 21st century.

Lockheed F-112 Blackbird Twin-engined supersonic high-altitude interceptor developed from the highly secret A-12 spyplane that also spawned the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft and the B-71 light bomber. Top speed of Mach 3.2 at 80,000 feet. Fitted with the powerful ASG-18 Doppler radar developed for the F-108, and armed with four Hughes AIM-47A Falcon air-to-air missiles housed internally in bays that had previously been used to carry the reconnaissance equipment. Entered service in 1966; retired by president Clinton during the 1996 ‘aircraft abattoir’.

Grumman F-114 Tomcat USAF version of the Navy F14A variable sweep wing heavy fighter, which in the USN replaced the F4 Phantom. Used as a tactical air superiority fighter and reconnaissance platform. Capable of carrying six AIM-54 Phoenix long-range air-to-air missiles for use against agile Soviet cruise missile/bomber threats. Entered service in 1974. Top speed of Mach 2.3. Narrowly avoided retirement in the 1996 ‘aircraft abattoir’; the F-114F Super Tomcat variant is still in use (if in small numbers) by the USAF.

Douglas Aircraft Company F-115 Skyknight II Successor of the F-106 Delta Dart as the primary USAF interceptor aircraft. Development was plagued by delays and difficulties and was almost cancelled several times during its development. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney J58 turboscramjet engines. Capable of carrying twelve AIM-54 missiles. Entered service in 1976, but didn’t see widespread deployment until ’83. Top speed of Mach 3.9, later versions capable of near-hypersonic sprint. Used for defence of CONUS. Also known as “Dryknight” due to its extreme fuel consumption rate.

Lockheed F-116 Pit Viper Lightweight multirole jet fighter aircraft, powered by a single YJ-95 variant engine. Entered service in 1978. Originally developed for the USAF, which procured only a limited number, the Pit Viper rapidly became (as the F-16 fighter-bomber) an extremely popular export aircraft which was exported to 25 nations. Top speed Mach 2.8. Capable of carrying a wide variety of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons.

Grumman F-118 Vixen Interceptor/escort fighter/fighter-bomber and successor to the F-108 Rapier. Revolutionary for its dual General Electric YJ-100 turboscramjet engines, making it the first aircraft of its size capable of hypersonic cruise at Mach 5.3. Entered service in 1985. F-118 pilots were elite, hand-picked from other interceptor squadrons. The F-118 was difficult to fly and its pilots were constantly busy, but the performance of the aircraft was exceptional, with superior high-altitude turn performance and overall manoeuvrability than the contemporary SKA-66, although pilots conceded the Firkin had better high speed/low-altitude maneuverability and better radar and missiles.

McDonnell F-120 Banshee Twin-engined fighter-bomber. Successor of the F-110 Spectre as the main-line tactical fighter-bomber. Dual Pratt & Whitney F65 turboscramjet engines. Entered service in 1989. Top speed of Mach 4.2. Used with great effect in the Second and Third Gulf Wars. Capable of carrying large amounts of a wide variety of munitions including state-of-the-art guided bombs and missiles as well as AGM-124 Wasp anti-armour and AGM-131 SRAM II nuclear air-to-surface missile in two internal weapon bays and 11 external hard points.

Grumman F-121 Hellion Advanced version the F-118, more commonly known as the Super Vixen. Outfitted with hybrid turboscramjet/rocket engines enabling it to reach suborbital velocities in excess of Mach 12 at 280,000 feet. Entered service in 2002.

Lockheed YF-122 Raptor Highly experimental ‘superfighter’ based on the C.I.A.’s YU-13 Wendigo deep penetration strike fighter. Optical stealth, laser weaponry, memory plastic features.


BOMBERS

Convair B-58 Hustler First operational supersonic jet bomber, and the first capable of Mach 2 flight. Delta-wing, four turbojet engines, three-man crew. Received a great deal of notoriety due to its sonic boom, which was often heard by the public as it passed overhead in supersonic flight. Entered service in 1960, retired as a bomber in 1970, several specialized variants (reconnaissance, electronic warfare) remained in service until the late 20th century.

Convair B-60 Pacifier Swept-wing and tail version of the B-36 Peacemaker bomber with all-jet propulsion. Beat Boeing’s YB-52 Stratofortress in a design competition as the Air Force’s new mainline bomb truck. Ten-man crew. Top speed of Mach 0.9. Powered by eight Pratt & Whitney J57-P-3 turbojets. Entered service in 1955. Primary USAF nuclear strike bomber until the B-70 and B-72 entered service in the 70’s. Retired during the 1980s, but many aircraft were retained for special purposes.

Douglas B-66 Destroyer Tactical Air Command light bomber based on the Navy A3 Skywarrior. Replaced the A-26 Invader and the B-47 Stratojet. Entered service in 1956, 145 aircraft were procured by the USAF, discounting variant such as weather reconnaissance or electronic countermeasures aircraft. Two J-71 engines. Three-man crew. Top speed just over Mach 1. Retired in 1973.

North American Aviation A3J Vigilante Powerful, highly advanced carrier-based supersonic bomber designed exclusively for the United States Navy. Entered service in 1961 and replaced the A3D Skywarrior in the heavy attack role. Served as both conventional bomber and in a nuclear strike role. Saw extensive action in Vietnam. Remained in service with the USN until the late-1980’s. Top speed of Mach 2.

North American Aviation B-70 Valkyrie Revolutionary supersonic strategic bomber, developed in tandem with the F-108 Rapier escort fighter. Six General Electric J-93 engines. Delta wing. Twin rudders. Top speed of Mach 3.2. Entered service in 1967. Widely feared by the Soviet Union until at least the late 1980’s, mainstay of SAC bomber groups until early 21st century. Later block versions of the B-70 were fitted with turboscramjet engines, greatly increasing performance.

Lockheed B-71 Blackbird Light strike variant of the F-112 and SR-71. Twin engines, top speed of Mach 3.2. Light bomb load made it unsuitable as a mainstay bomber; used as a strategic-level Wild Weasel and to take out mobile targets. Several B-71 aircraft were purchased and used by the C.I.A. for covert operations, primarily to take out enemy leadership deep in enemy territory. Received the nickname ‘airborne assassin’ because of this.

Convair B-72 Devastator Very large super long range conventional bomber, replaced the B-60 Pacifier. Powered by six General Electric X211 heavy nuclear-powered afterburning turbojets. Power provided by a P-1 air cycle reactor developed for a planned (but cancelled) nuclear version of the B-60. Bomb load in excess of 84,000 pounds. Entered service in 1975. Remained in active service until the 2010’s. Holds the distinction of being the largest bomber ever built.

Raytheon Aircraft Company B-78 Grizzly Ground-attack aircraft, ordered by Army Aviation due to perceived lack of effective USAF close-air support. Twin J79-GE-10B afterburning turbojets. Highly survivable. Armed with a 105mm M119 howitzer, twin 5-barrel GAU-12/U Equalizer 25mm Gatling guns, and twin internal weapons bays for AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinders, cluster- or laser-guided bombs or Hydra rocket pods.

Martin Marietta F-117 Nighthawk Light high-subsonic strike aircraft with suppressed radar and thermal signatures. Entering service in 1981, it was the first 'stealth' aircraft in US service. Primarily used by SOCOM for special operations.

Douglas Aircraft Company A15 Thunderwave USN medium carrier-based bomber with some ‘stealth’ features. Replacement for the A-5 Vigilante. Entered service in 1983, remained in service until 2121. With a maximum ‘sprint’ speed of Mach 8 it was marked as the aircraft that began the ‘Mach Jump’ to high-hypersonic speeds.

North American Aviation B-101 Aurora Strategic bomber equipped with turboscramrockets that give it sub-orbital attack capability. Ultimate evolution of the B-70, incorporating technology developed for the Space Shuttle and Venture Star programs. Entered squadron service in 1992.
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

Post by Ford Prefect »

I think I spotted some differences. Did you up the general mach numbers around? I don't recall the F122 being mach 8. I also see something new: the Thunderwave. That sounds ... exciting. :D
FEEL THESE GUNS ARCHWIND THESE ARE THE GUNS OF THE FLESHY MESSIAH THE TOOLS OF CREATION AND DESTRUCTION THAT WILL ENACT THE LAW OF MAN ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

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Yes, there have been some edits: some further reading about the J-93 engine lead to Mach numbers being changed around (some of the earlier aircraft are now faster, although some of the later ones - with the exception of the F-122 - are now slower... Because previously there was an insane leap from the Mach 5+ capable Valkyrie/Rapier almost straight to the Mach 15+ Aurora/Vixen).

Also, the "A-12 Cygnus" is now the "F/A-12 Blackbird" (it was a toss-up between that and making it the B-71, but I ultimately like this designation better), more details were added about the F-110, the F-114 and the F-116 (which I felt needed some explaining, particularly to avoid confusion between the F-116/F-16 designations), and the A-15 Thunderwave was added because I fell in love with the A-5 Vigilante and wanted a similar plane to field on contemporary USN carriers. And of course I added a reference to the 'Super Vixen' upgrade, mainly because I like the sound of that name a lot.
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

Post by Shroom Man 777 »

Yes! The 22 is faster! Fear it, Russia! We shall see if your Firebirds are a match for the Raptor X!
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

Post by Mobius 1 »

I really, really like this new airforce. It's comprehensive, still works in forms of OTL aircraft- like the previously lacking Tomcat and Viper- into true CSW 2.0 forms, as opposed to CSW 1.5. I also notice the dropping of speeds, but that's not that bad.

Can't wait to see the USSR rogues gallery.

EDIT: Martin Marietta? Can I get a hells yes? I'm extremely impressed, Siege. Would Lockheed, as a separate company, still be around in CSW earth?

EDIT2: The A-15 has a typo behind it- a retirement date of 2121? Must be an awesome plane.
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

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Mobius 1 wrote:EDIT: Martin Marietta? Can I get a hells yes? I'm extremely impressed, Siege. Would Lockheed, as a separate company, still be around in CSW earth?
You betcha (the XF-122 and similar projects is what they're into nowadays.) No end to the Cold War means no consolidation sweep of the US defence industry in the mid-1990's. So no LockMart, no McDonnel-Douglas, etc.
EDIT2: The A-15 has a typo behind it- a retirement date of 2121? Must be an awesome plane.
It is, although admittedly the retirement date does sound a bit off. It should probably be somewhere between 2010-2020.
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

Post by Peregrin »

I can't wait to see the TR-3A Black Manta make an appearance. :roll:
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

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I'm sorry - the what?
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

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"You could not step twice into the same river; for other waters are ever flowing on to you." - Heraclitus
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

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Hmm, I don't really like that aircraft. It doesn't add any extra capability to the USAF.
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

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What about the TR-3B, then?
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

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Siege wants are cool things that kill things good, not Overlords of the UFO :P

You would also be pleased to find out that phBB2's smileys differ to phBB1's in terms of headshape. Namely, phBB2's smileys have heads in the general formature of that of Grey Alienoids.
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

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Shroom Man 777 wrote:You would also be pleased to find out that phBB2's smileys differ to phBB1's in terms of headshape. Namely, phBB2's smileys have heads in the general formature of that of Grey Alienoids.
It's a CONSPIRACY! :shock:
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

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The USAF is all about 'fast movers': high-flying super fast aircraft. As a rule they are not big on stealth - that's more of a European thing. So, no triangles.
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

Post by Artemis »

Here's some images I've managed to find that we might put with the aircraft descriptions.

F-116

Image

I figure XL might fit that "recognizable but not quite the same" feel of CSW.

A-5
Image

B-70
Image

F-108
Image

This was sadly the best picture I could find. I'll be on the lookout for better ones, though.

More to come.
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

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Revised the fighter list. Added a few extra aircraft, revamped the F-118, removed the F-120 (for the time being) and changed the F-122 around (again). Also split fighters and bombers into their own separate categories; I intend to revise the bomber list as well.
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

Post by Shroom Man 777 »

I like how we see real-life old school aircraft, fighters and bombers, and how CSW gradually diverges from them and goes on its own evolutionary path of being totally killfuck. I also like how the USAF didn't go into this multirole bullshit and instead kept its goddamn interceptors while keeping alternate-reality versions of the Tomcat and the F-16(XL)!

And fuck the unified tri-service designation system!

The F-122 Raptor doesn't have to be a ridiculous hypersonic fighter, it can be their "tactical" fighter that can go in stealth at a relatively "slow" pace of Mach 3. With tactical fucking lasers, smart bombs, phased plasma phalanxes, and sonic-electronic ball breakers! Wild Weasel! Rogue Raptor!
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

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Memory plastic! Does this mean it has bendy wings instead of traditional control surfaces?
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

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Yes it does! The F-122 of CSW is a derivative from the YU-13 Wendigo, a really bizarre CIA spy plane whose design is most likely derived from scavenged alien technology. Because the CIA in this universe is the lynchpin around which pretty much every conspiracy revolves, and that includes those about alien cover-ups and flying saucers.
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Re: US Aircraft of CSW

Post by Ford Prefect »

Awesome. I've been fond of that sort of system ever since I saw it in Macross Plus, in the form of the YF-21 Advanced Variable Fighter. Though obviously the F-122 doesn't turn into a robot. :)

Speaking of, I think I've mentioned it before, but I like the touch of all the planes being F-1XX. It's only a small thing, but it feels really characterful.
FEEL THESE GUNS ARCHWIND THESE ARE THE GUNS OF THE FLESHY MESSIAH THE TOOLS OF CREATION AND DESTRUCTION THAT WILL ENACT THE LAW OF MAN ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
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