HESA Aslan Interceptor

The nation of Iran spent much of the early 21st century developing its own military industry, refurbishing and expanding the production facilities it inherited in the 1980's. Through the use of industrial espionage and reverse engineering, Iran gained the ability to produce large modern fighters. When their well loved F-14A Tomcat fleet was retired due to excessive wear, a replacement fighter program was initiated. the winning design was an extensive update of the F-14 Tomcat. Visually the same, the fighter was redesigned to simplify construction and provide superior performance. using only about 2/3rds the components of the original Tomcat design, the new fighter could be produced in large numbers while reducing costs. The fighter is a mix of American and Russian derived technologies, all Iranian produced copies. The Persian Union inherited the Aslan (Persian for 'Lion') when it formed in the late 21st century. Like the Iranian Air Force, the Persian Union Air Force (PAF) employs the Aslan both as an interceptor and a 'mini-AWACS', employing it's powerful radar system and dedicated sensor operator to direct friendly aircraft. The type saw use until the great cataclysm hit, despite increasing obsolescence. regular updates to hardware and software kept the aircraft capable. The Persian union exported small numbers of Aslan fighters to several African countries, all older aircraft retired from PAF service and refurbished. Pre-Cataclysm caches of Aslan fighters and spare parts continue to be found, making them a popular but uncommon item on the Asian and European black markets.Model Type: HESA Aslan (nicknamed the "Alleycat" by pilots from the North American Alliance)

Class: Variable Wing Interceptor

Crew: Two. Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer (RIO)

M.D.C. by Location:

[1] Wings(2)- 25 each

[1] Wing glove missile pylons- 5 each

Reinforced Pilots Compartment- 20

[2] Vertical Tails (2)- 10 each

[2] Horizontal Stabilizers (2)- 15 each

[2] Engine Nacelles (2)- 30 each

[3] Main body- 90

[1] Destroying a wing will cause the plane to become dynamically unstable. The pilot must immediately return to base (RTB). Any serious maneuvers are at -50% to all piloting rolls. If the pilot fails, he must eject immediately because the plane will crash. Destroying both wings will cause the plane to crash. the wing glove missile pylons are small targets and require a called shot at -4 to strike.

[2] Destruction of one of the Tail planes or horizontal stabilizers will still allow the aircraft to be controlled by the varying of power levels of the engines and adjusting the control surfaces, but aircraft has a penalty of -5 to dodge and a -10% penalty to all piloting rolls. Destruction of two or more of the horizontal tails will force the pilot to reduce top speed by 30% and impose a -25% penalty on piloting rolls because of aerodynamic instability. Return to base is highly recommended if such damage is taken. Destruction of one of the engines will require an immediate piloting check to transfer power to the second engine (-30% penalty), reduce maximum and cruising speed by 50%, and impose a -35% penalty on all piloting rolls. Destruction of both will require an emergency ejection. the engines are small targets, requiring a called shot at -4 to strike to hit.

[3] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the aircraft down completely, rendering it useless, and causing it to crash if in flight.

Speed:Flying: Twin afterburner equipped super cruising Turbofan engines enable the fighter to achieve the velocity of Mach 2.3 (1515mph/2424kmh). Typical cruising speed is mach 1.2 (792mph/1267.2kmh). The minimum velocity required to stay aloft is 110 mph (176kmh), any lower and the plane will stall.Max flight Altitude: 56,000 feet (16,800 meters)Range: 2000 miles (3200km). external fuel tanks on the Nacelle mountings can extend this by 1000 miles/1600km (to 3000 miles/4800km)Statistics:Length: 18.6 m (61 ft 9 in)Wingspan: 64 ft unswept, 38 ft swept (19 m / 11.4 m)Height: 16 ft (4.8 m)Wing area: 565 ft² (54.5 m²)Empty weight: 19,000 kg (42,000 lb)Loaded weight: 28,000 kg (61,000 lb)Cargo: nonePower system: Dual Afterburner equipped AL-32Ir Turbofans. (a knock off of a Russian designed engine also used in the Su-37 Flanker.)Cost: Pre-rifts: 14 million credits, very rare outside military service. post-rifts 22 million credits on the black market, if any were to be found.Weapon Systems:1.) 20mm Gatling cannonPrimary Purpose: Anti-AircraftSecondary Purpose: Ground attackDamage: 1D6x10 M.D. (30 round burst.)Rate of Fire: Equal to the pilots Hand to Hand attacks per melee.Effective Range: 2 milesPayload: 600 rounds in an ammo drum behind the cockpit. this is sufficient for 20 bursts.Bonuses: the weapon is designed to 'scatter' the rounds in a shotgun like fashion, creating a cloud of lethal projectiles. this shotgun effect gives the weapon a +1 to strike.2.) Hard points(10 total): The Aslan's primary armament is air to air missiles mounted on it's hard points. The wing glove pylons have two hard points each. The side hard point is capable of carrying a single Medium range missile each, while the lower hard point can carry a single Medium Range Missiles or Long Range Missile. The lower hard points are also capable of carrying a single AIM-54E Phoenix Air to Air Missile, or MIM-23Ir Shahin Heavy Air to Air Missile. There are 6 hard points located between the engine nacelles, but only 4 of these hard points can be used at one time. 2 are capable of carrying a single long range missile, AIM-54E Phoenix, or MIM-23IR Shahin each, 2 are capable of carrying a single medium range missile each, and the 2 forward most hard points are capable of carrying either.

Equipment:

all standard robot systems, plus;

1.) AN/APG-9C Enhanced Radar System. can simultaneously identify and track up to 42 targets. 300 mile (480km) range with a 140 degree forward detection arc.

2.) Multi-trac Targeting system: this advanced targeting computer allows the aircraft to engage 6 targets simultaneously using missiles. for 2 melee attacks, a single volley may target 6 separate aircraft. (roll to strike separately for each target)

3.) Laser Range Finding Infra-Red Search and Track System: This system uses a Thermal Camera to located and identify objects warmer than their background, including aircraft, tanks, people, and buildings. It then uses a laser range finder to discover the distance to the target, feeding this information into the aircraft targeting system. The system has a range of 120 miles (192 km), and can identify and track up to 24 targets simultaneously. The system is mounted just ahead of the cockpit, and has a 45 degree viewing cone.

4.) Flare launchers. this system ejects a quartet of flares on either side of the aircraft, which has the advantage of confusing missile guidance systems. (this system can be activated as a free action. it provides the equivalent of a +2 'auto-dodge' against missiles. +3 if the missiles are employing only IR tracking methods.)

5.) Radar Jamming system: effects every enemy aircraft and missile within a 20 mile (32 km) radius of the fighter. While the jamming signal makes the aircraft easier to detect (+10% to read sensory instruments to detect), it makes it more difficult for enemy missiles to target and strike. (-20% to the enemies weapon systems skill for lock ons, and enemy missiles are -6 to strike.)