User:Subtank/F-3B Skyhawk

EF-35B Fighter (Thunder)

The EF-35B Fighter (Thunder), otherwise known as the Thunder Fighter is the newest member of the USNC Navy division, replacing the Skyhawk Fighter.

"Assessment! We have only only one method..."

- UNSC Pilot, Reach 2551

Overview
The EF-35B Fighter (Thunder) is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the EF-35B the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather.

Dimensions
The aircraft uses two crew members, a pilot and a weapon systems officer. Previous models of the EF-35B are assigned air-to-air roles; the "E" model is a dual-role fighter. It has the capability to fight its way to a target over long ranges, destroy enemy ground positions and fight its way out.

One of the most important additions to the EF-35B is the rear cockpit, and the weapons systems officer. On four screens, this officer can display information from the radar, electronic warfare or infrared sensors, monitor aircraft or weapons status and possible threats, select targets, and use an electronic "moving map" to navigate. Two hand controls are used to select new displays and to refine targeting information. Displays can be moved from one screen to another, chosen from a "menu" of display options.

In addition to three similar screens in the front seat, the pilot has a transparent glass heads up display at eye level that displays vital flight and tactical information. The pilot doesn't need to look down into the cockpit, for example, to check weapon status. At night, the screen is even more important because it displays a video picture nearly identical to a daylight view of the world generated by the forward-looking infrared sensor.

System Mods
The aircraft's navigation system uses a laser gyro and a Global Positioning System to continuously monitor the aircraft's position and provide information to the central computer and other systems, including a digital moving map in both cockpits.

The APG-70 radar system allows aircrews to detect ground targets from long ranges. One feature of this system is that after a sweep of a target area, the crew freezes the air-to-ground map then goes back into air-to-air mode to clear for air threats. During the air-to-surface weapon delivery, the pilot is capable of detecting, targeting and engaging air-to-air targets while the WSO designates the ground target.

The low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night (LANTIRN) system allows the aircraft to fly at low altitudes, at night and in any weather conditions, to attack ground targets with a variety of precision-guided and unguided weapons. The LANTIRN system gives the EF-35B unequaled accuracy in weapons delivery day or night and in poor weather, and consists of two pods attached to the exterior of the aircraft.

Armament
The navigation pod contains terrain-following radar which allows the pilot to safely fly at a very low altitude following cues displayed on a heads up display. This system also can be coupled to the aircraft's autopilot to provide "hands off" terrain-following capability.

The targeting pod contains a laser designator and a tracking system that mark an enemy for destruction at long ranges. Once tracking has been started, targeting information is automatically handed off to GPS or laser-guided bombs.

For air-to-ground missions, the EF-35B can carry most weapons in the Navy inventory. It also can be armed with AIM-27 Coldsnap and AIM-V3 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (IRIS-T/TVC) for the air-to-air role. The "E" model also has an internally mounted 20mm gun that can carry up to 500 rounds.

Propulsion
The EF-35B is powered by Edgen-V3 SCP (with VTOL capability) engines that incorporate advanced digital technology for improved performance. For example, with a digital electronic engine control system, EF-35B pilots can accelerate from idle power to maximum afterburner in less than four seconds, a 40 percent improvement over the previous engine control system. Faster engine acceleration means quicker takeoffs and crisper response while maneuvering.

Each of the low-drag conformal fuel tanks that hug the EF-35B's fuselage can carry 750 gallons of fuel. The tanks hold weapons on short pylons rather than conventional weapon racks, reducing drag and further extending the range of the Thunder Fighter.

The EF-35B's superior maneuverability and acceleration are achieved through its high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low-wing loading. Low-wing loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed. These models were equipped with production Eagle package improvements, including 2,000 pounds of additional internal fuel, provisions for carrying exterior conformal fuel tanks, and increased maximum takeoff weight of 68,000 pounds.