| The Construction of an all-weather, all-purpose fighter bomber that can complete air superiority, interdiction and close air support tasks. |
| The Firecat fighter was first developed by engineers of the Guwimithian Empire armed forces, in Luka. With the collapse of the Empire, many of those engineers, working alongside Utanian engineers, have continued their work on the fighter with the full backing of the Utanian Government. |
| The Firecat fighter is designed as an all-purpose fighter bomber, allowing it roles as diverse as air superiority and air interception and interdiction, escort, ground support, and bombing specific targets. The fighters will provide the backbone of defence of Utania's borders, her airspace and seas. |
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Latest News:
The Firecat was recently put through its paces over the seas 200km south-east of Utan Krysaror (the Utanian capital city). The tests were air-to-air combat tests with the Espectro II fighters, and launch and landing tests aboard Utania's Warbird-class aircraft carrier, the UDK Usyastae. |
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We are always in need of talented people, and UMAC is not only an equal opportunity employer, but is one of the better paying corporations in the country. Those without specific skills mentioned above are also encouraged to join the company that offers one of the best fast-tracked training and apprenticeship courses in the country. Contact us now: Email |
- Utanian-designed
- Zartanian aircraft design advisors
- Utanian construction
- A fighter built to rival the greatest airforces in the world
The fighters are designed to equal the best in the world's air fighting capability in order to provide Utania with the strongest possible air defences. Recent combat simulation tests against the Lendosan Espectro II fighters have determined that this faith in the Firecats is well-founded.
A fleet of 200-400 Firecat fighters are planned, with 40 specifically designed for use on the UDK Usyastae or "Knight" aircraft carrier, and the possibility of VTAL capability for use on the Caiman warships in the future. Thereafter, exports of the Firecats may be considered.
Utania's Firecat fighter will provide the backbone for Utanian air superiority and
defensive capabilities for the next twenty to twenty-five years. It will provide
an enormous measure of security for Utania's future.
The challenge for Utania's Air Force and Naval Air will now be to train the required fighter pilots, a minimum of four hundred required, and technical staff who will provide the maintenance and equipment expertise for the duration of the fighters. |
The Firecats project is already underway with construction targets allocated by President Okarvits as follows. The Utanian Armed Forces anticipate that they will be on target for full replacement of the Lendosan Espectro II fighters by mid-304ap.
| Year | Target | Compl. | Cost ea. |
| 301ap | 25 | 9 | Û38m |
| 302ap | 10 | 18 | Û43m |
| 303ap | 30 | 37 | Û38m |
| 304ap | 40 | 43 | est. Û32m |
| 305ap | 75 | - | Proj. Û30m |
| 306ap | 75 | - | Proj. Û30m |
| 307ap | 75 | - | Proj. Û30m |
| 308ap | 75 | - | Proj. Û30m |
| TOTAL | 405 | 107 | ~Û12.9 bn |
(Click diagram for full view)
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Dimensions:
Length: 19.1m Wingspan: 11.8m Height: 5m Maximum takeoff weight: 27.9 tonnes |
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Power and Speed:
Thrust: 9,000 kg (19,840 pounds) From: Two turbojet engines with afterburners Speed: 2500+ km/h Ceiling: 18.2 km Range: 2050 km |
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Crew and systems:
Crew: Pilot; Electronic warfare officer Radar systems: fire-control radar Armaments: one 20mm cannon 8 air-to-air missiles or other missile combinations incl. air-to-ground plus fuselage centerline bomb rack and four pylon bomb racks capable of carrying 5,600 kg of general purpose bombs Countermeasures: barrage jammer, noise/deception jammer, ECM pod, IR countermeasures system Mission radius: 700 to 930 km |
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Cost:
Considerable pressure has been applied to keep the cost of the Firecat project down. However, significant development-related cost blow-outs have been experienced in 302ap, pushing the per unit price of the fighters to Û45 million. While the President has since accepted that the target price of Û10 million per unit was unrealistic. UMAC is applying best practises to reduce the per unit cost to Û25 million, which it anticipates achieving in two years. |
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<Tech>
This design is entirely borrowed from the US F-4 Fighter, with a few minor modifications, in case anyone was thinking of poaching me to commence a career in aircraft design engineering. ;-) |