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Description

SHVT-24 ‘Condor’ as used by the Escean Military.

Designed and built by the KHA Aerospace Division for the Escean Army and Air Force, the Super Heavy VTOL Transport – 24 ‘Condor’ – one of the largest VTOL aircraft in existence – first entered service in 2106.

Although the HC-19 ‘Moa’ is the largest terrestrial Escean aircraft capable of vertical take-off, it is considered a conventional plane with VTOL capabilities, rather than a VTOL by design. The Condor is the biggest true VTOL and dwarves all other models in use by the Escean military.

The primary use of this massive, four-engine aircraft is as a heavy transporter akin to the large cargo aircraft of the late-20th and early-21st Centuries. Over 80m in length, the Condor can carry up to 400 personnel in palletised seating in addition to a crew of eight, while six additional passengers can ride in the command and control centre. Modified models come equipped with Pod Insertion Units, allowing teams to deploy from the belly of the aircraft while in flight.

Thanks to its ferociously powerful Magnus AB7 high-bypass turbofans, the Condor has the ability to carry a staggering 200 tonnes of cargo. The volume of its cargo compartment allows it to transport either twenty HLSV-33X vehicles, eight H-65X vehicles, eight MAV-66 ‘Mastiff’ assault vehicles or three HM-2A1 ‘Chasseur’ main battle tanks. It may even transport other VTOLs such as the HVTN-20 ‘Sealion’ or HVT/A-33 ‘Thundersnow II’ in a stowed configuration, or HVT/A-32 ‘Thundersnow’, HG-64/Z ‘Hellfire’ or HRT-28/B ‘Harrier’ VTOLs in operational condition. Eight ventral winches allow the Condor to sling loads of various sizes.

Despite being developed as a transporter, the Condor has a sizable weapons package that allows it to engage in assault operations. Dedicated attack models add even more weaponry to the design, but the stock variant is fitted with a chin-mounted dual 30mm Gatling turret, two flank turrets, a single dorsal turret and two tail barbettes. A pair of 200mm KAP cannons located in trainable ball turrets are positioned at the front of the aircraft. An additional pair of 11mm K-12 miniguns is located in flank doors behind the command and control centre. The Condor also carries 24, 14-round FFAR ‘Honeycomb’ rocket pods on stub wings for a total of 336 rockets, and 28 AGM-159 ‘Mohawk’ anti-tank missiles beneath the leading wings.

Despite its size, the Condor is relatively light thanks to the use of hyperalloys, composites and carbon nanotubing in its construction. Armour is provided through composites, with graphene armour applied around critical components. The structural strength of the Condor allows it to easily handle the power of its engines as well as considerable payloads. Crash survivability is high, with numerous redundancy systems for electrical and hydraulic controls, as well as emergency systems to assist in fire suppression. While the aircraft has considerable lift (operating off a lifting body principal to augment its smaller wings), it is incapable of a sustained glide in the event of total or multiple engine failure. To help alleviate catastrophic damage or destruction of the aircraft in this event, the Condor incorporates a ballistic recovery system, using multiple parachutes launched from the ventral surface to retard altitude loss.

SHVT-24s have an extensive and powerful ECM system, as well as multiple pyrotechnic countermeasure systems. They are equipped with a small rotodome containing a powerful pulse-Doppler L-Band radar system akin to those installed on ACAWS (Airborne Control and Warning System) aircraft. Blade antennae provide communication in the UHF, VHF and HF frequency ranges. The rotodome support fin contains a JTIDU (Joint Tactical Information Distribution Unit) that securely connects the aircraft to allied forces through Network Operations. The aircraft can also initiate jamming of enemy radar and communication systems, mask allied air units and create ghost contacts to confuse enemy systems.

Another aspect of the Condor is their ability to function as mobile command and control centres and provide battle management. Connected with the NetOps system, a Condor C2 can utilise satellite and drone surveillance data, and relay them to ground units. Its onboard MTI system allows real-time surveillance of mobile targets in the AO. Commanders utilising the Condor have access to a projection table that can accurately represent the terrain of an area, and apply electronic markers to the representation that are then transmitted to all command elements connected to the system. The projector also displays allied forces – ground and air – in real time, as well as any enemy targets tagged by allied units. MONA, the Military Operating Network – Army, assists in data accumulation, streamlining and in controlling this massive aircraft, thereby reducing crew requirements.

The Magnus AB7 Turbofans installed on the Condor are built into rotating nacelles to which the aircraft’s horizontal control surfaces are attached. The AB7, unlike other engine designs used in VTOL aircraft, have their own vertical lifting component, redirecting thrust through ventral exhausts. The ventral exhausts achieve vertical-takeoff under normal or light loads only, while heavy or full loads require rotation of the nacelles by 50˚, using the primary exhaust to aid in takeoff.

Unlike other Escean aircraft, the Condor positions its pilots in a bubble of aluminium oxynitride smart glass upon which all flight, mission and navigational data are projected. The glass can polarise against harsh sunlight or achieve full opacity for covert flying. The pilot seats themselves retract and rotate back from their operational position to allow easy access. Directly behind the pilots are the weapon control officer and electronic warfare operator. Crew chiefs double as doorgunners, while loadmasters oversee all cargo and personnel transported.

Specifications:

Crew: 8 (Pilot, Co-Pilot, FCO, EWO, 2x Crew Chief, 2x Loadmaster)

Capacity: 400 (Palletised Seating), 200 (Bulkhead Seating), 600 (Standing), 100 (Medical Litters), 200,000kg of cargo or vehicles

Length: 85m

Wingspan: 46m (Rear Span)

Height: 21m

Empty Weight: 194,000kg

Loaded Weight: 270,000kg

Max. Takeoff Weight: 475,000kg

Powerplant: 4x Magnus AB7 Turbofans w/ Vertical Thrust Vectoring

Maximum Speed: Mach 0.7

Range: 11,400nmi

Combat Radius: 5,600nmi

Ferry Range: 14,000nmi

Service Ceiling: 60,000ft

Rate of Climb: 22,000ft/min

Armament: 6x 30mm K-9 Dual-Gun Gatling Turrets (1x Chin, 2x Flanks, 1x Dorsal, 2x Tail), 2x K-450 200mm Kinetic, Accelerated Projectile Cannon, 2x 11mm K-1B Gatling Cannon.

Description

SHVT-24 ‘Condor’ as used by the Escean Military.

Designed and built by the KHA Aerospace Division for the Escean Army and Air Force, the Super Heavy VTOL Transport – 24 ‘Condor’ – one of the largest VTOL aircraft in existence – first entered service in 2106.

Although the HC-19 ‘Moa’ is the largest terrestrial Escean aircraft capable of vertical take-off, it is considered a conventional plane with VTOL capabilities, rather than a VTOL by design. The Condor is the biggest true VTOL and dwarves all other models in use by the Escean military.

The primary use of this massive, four-engine aircraft is as a heavy transporter akin to the large cargo aircraft of the late-20th and early-21st Centuries. Over 80m in length, the Condor can carry up to 400 personnel in palletised seating in addition to a crew of eight, while six additional passengers can ride in the command and control centre. Modified models come equipped with Pod Insertion Units, allowing teams to deploy from the belly of the aircraft while in flight.

Thanks to its ferociously powerful Magnus AB7 high-bypass turbofans, the Condor has the ability to carry a staggering 200 tonnes of cargo. The volume of its cargo compartment allows it to transport either twenty HLSV-33X vehicles, eight H-65X vehicles, eight MAV-66 ‘Mastiff’ assault vehicles or three HM-2A1 ‘Chasseur’ main battle tanks. It may even transport other VTOLs such as the HVTN-20 ‘Sealion’ or HVT/A-33 ‘Thundersnow II’ in a stowed configuration, or HVT/A-32 ‘Thundersnow’, HG-64/Z ‘Hellfire’ or HRT-28/B ‘Harrier’ VTOLs in operational condition. Eight ventral winches allow the Condor to sling loads of various sizes.

Despite being developed as a transporter, the Condor has a sizable weapons package that allows it to engage in assault operations. Dedicated attack models add even more weaponry to the design, but the stock variant is fitted with a chin-mounted dual 30mm Gatling turret, two flank turrets, a single dorsal turret and two tail barbettes. A pair of 200mm KAP cannons located in trainable ball turrets are positioned at the front of the aircraft. An additional pair of 11mm K-12 miniguns is located in flank doors behind the command and control centre. The Condor also carries 24, 14-round FFAR ‘Honeycomb’ rocket pods on stub wings for a total of 336 rockets, and 28 AGM-159 ‘Mohawk’ anti-tank missiles beneath the leading wings.

Despite its size, the Condor is relatively light thanks to the use of hyperalloys, composites and carbon nanotubing in its construction. Armour is provided through composites, with graphene armour applied around critical components. The structural strength of the Condor allows it to easily handle the power of its engines as well as considerable payloads. Crash survivability is high, with numerous redundancy systems for electrical and hydraulic controls, as well as emergency systems to assist in fire suppression. While the aircraft has considerable lift (operating off a lifting body principal to augment its smaller wings), it is incapable of a sustained glide in the event of total or multiple engine failure. To help alleviate catastrophic damage or destruction of the aircraft in this event, the Condor incorporates a ballistic recovery system, using multiple parachutes launched from the ventral surface to retard altitude loss.

SHVT-24s have an extensive and powerful ECM system, as well as multiple pyrotechnic countermeasure systems. They are equipped with a small rotodome containing a powerful pulse-Doppler L-Band radar system akin to those installed on ACAWS (Airborne Control and Warning System) aircraft. Blade antennae provide communication in the UHF, VHF and HF frequency ranges. The rotodome support fin contains a JTIDU (Joint Tactical Information Distribution Unit) that securely connects the aircraft to allied forces through Network Operations. The aircraft can also initiate jamming of enemy radar and communication systems, mask allied air units and create ghost contacts to confuse enemy systems.

Another aspect of the Condor is their ability to function as mobile command and control centres and provide battle management. Connected with the NetOps system, a Condor C2 can utilise satellite and drone surveillance data, and relay them to ground units. Its onboard MTI system allows real-time surveillance of mobile targets in the AO. Commanders utilising the Condor have access to a projection table that can accurately represent the terrain of an area, and apply electronic markers to the representation that are then transmitted to all command elements connected to the system. The projector also displays allied forces – ground and air – in real time, as well as any enemy targets tagged by allied units. MONA, the Military Operating Network – Army, assists in data accumulation, streamlining and in controlling this massive aircraft, thereby reducing crew requirements.

The Magnus AB7 Turbofans installed on the Condor are built into rotating nacelles to which the aircraft’s horizontal control surfaces are attached. The AB7, unlike other engine designs used in VTOL aircraft, have their own vertical lifting component, redirecting thrust through ventral exhausts. The ventral exhausts achieve vertical-takeoff under normal or light loads only, while heavy or full loads require rotation of the nacelles by 50˚, using the primary exhaust to aid in takeoff.

Unlike other Escean aircraft, the Condor positions its pilots in a bubble of aluminium oxynitride smart glass upon which all flight, mission and navigational data are projected. The glass can polarise against harsh sunlight or achieve full opacity for covert flying. The pilot seats themselves retract and rotate back from their operational position to allow easy access. Directly behind the pilots are the weapon control officer and electronic warfare operator. Crew chiefs double as doorgunners, while loadmasters oversee all cargo and personnel transported.

Specifications:

Crew: 8 (Pilot, Co-Pilot, FCO, EWO, 2x Crew Chief, 2x Loadmaster)

Capacity: 400 (Palletised Seating), 200 (Bulkhead Seating), 600 (Standing), 100 (Medical Litters), 200,000kg of cargo or vehicles

Length: 85m

Wingspan: 46m (Rear Span)

Height: 21m

Empty Weight: 194,000kg

Loaded Weight: 270,000kg

Max. Takeoff Weight: 475,000kg

Powerplant: 4x Magnus AB7 Turbofans w/ Vertical Thrust Vectoring

Maximum Speed: Mach 0.7

Range: 11,400nmi

Combat Radius: 5,600nmi

Ferry Range: 14,000nmi

Service Ceiling: 60,000ft

Rate of Climb: 22,000ft/min

Armament: 6x 30mm K-9 Dual-Gun Gatling Turrets (1x Chin, 2x Flanks, 1x Dorsal, 2x Tail), 2x K-450 200mm Kinetic, Accelerated Projectile Cannon, 2x 11mm K-1B Gatling Cannon.