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Aeroco Kestrel: Difference between revisions
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== Design and Development == | == Design and Development == | ||
Arcerion as early as 1980 had identified that the aging fleet of Goshawk aircraft were having an increase in maintenance hours and service issues associated with mid-life aircraft. There was an effort to look to replace the Goshawk series by 1990, however procurement delays and the 1986 Telekonese Conflict caused significant delays as the government was focused on defending Arcerion’s sovereign territory. However with the end of the 1986 clash between Arcerion and Kelekona had identified that the Air Force required new jet aircraft to maintain a technological overmatch against its opponents. | Arcerion as early as 1980 had identified that the aging fleet of Goshawk aircraft were having an increase in maintenance hours and service issues associated with mid-life aircraft. There was an effort to look to replace the Goshawk series by 1990, however procurement delays and the 1986 Telekonese Conflict caused significant delays as the government was focused on defending Arcerion’s sovereign territory. However with the end of the 1986 clash between Arcerion and Kelekona had identified that the Air Force required new jet aircraft to maintain a technological overmatch against its opponents. | ||
[[File:Kestrel Prototype.jpg|thumb|An early FAMCA prototype taxiing to takeoff as part of engine testing in late 1991. ]] | |||
The Arcer General Staff in 1988 tendered a request for designs on a multirole fighter aircraft that could serve in a variety of roles, including interceptor, air superiority, and fighter bomber mission sets. Proposals by a variety of Occidental corporations were considered, however in an effort to help the fledgling Aeroco, which was the last to submit a proposal, the contract was awarded to Arcerion’s newest aerospace company. | The Arcer General Staff in 1988 tendered a request for designs on a multirole fighter aircraft that could serve in a variety of roles, including interceptor, air superiority, and fighter bomber mission sets. Proposals by a variety of Occidental corporations were considered, however in an effort to help the fledgling Aeroco, which was the last to submit a proposal, the contract was awarded to Arcerion’s newest aerospace company. | ||
Aeroco had only been established in 1989, and quickly worked on designing a prototype aircraft, under the name “Future Arcerion Multirole Combat Aircraft”, or more commonly referred to as FAMCA. A prototype was available three years later and took its maiden flight in 1992. It was the first modern combat jet aircraft produced in Crona, and the initial requirement of several hundred aircraft led to the creation of large aircraft manufacturing centres in Arcerion, notably in Easthampton and Craigfearn. Arcerion’s electronics industry had long been a leader in Crona and contributed heavily to the project, using modern avionics, as well as input from combat experienced pilots that flew missions in the 1986 and 1991 Telekonese Conflicts to assist with flight handling, munitions and weapons delivery, aerial systems integration, and sensor management. | Aeroco had only been established in 1989, and quickly worked on designing a prototype aircraft, under the name “Future Arcerion Multirole Combat Aircraft”, or more commonly referred to as FAMCA. A prototype was available three years later and took its maiden flight in 1992. It was the first modern combat jet aircraft produced in Crona, and the initial requirement of several hundred aircraft led to the creation of large aircraft manufacturing centres in Arcerion, notably in Easthampton and Craigfearn. Arcerion’s electronics industry had long been a leader in Crona and contributed heavily to the project, using modern avionics, as well as input from combat experienced pilots that flew missions in the 1986 and 1991 Telekonese Conflicts to assist with flight handling, munitions and weapons delivery, aerial systems integration, and sensor management. | ||
=== Upgrades === | === Upgrades === | ||
The system underwent its first major series of upgrades in 1999 with Block I modifications procured to include provisions for the integration of systems with existing Arcer Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) systems, as well as enhanced tracking and Identification of Friend and Foe (IFF) modules. After the 2007 Telekonese Conflict, the Arcer Ministry of Defense requested additional Block II upgrades that included better integrated heads-up display support for flight helmets, upgraded radar and communications systems, and additional provisions for the mounting of modern weapons systems such as cruise missiles and standoff munitions. In the late 2010s, in an effort to maintain the aircraft’s serviceability into the late 2030s, Block III upgrades further enhanced the Kestrel, with new electronic sensor suites, additional fuel efficiency measures, new computer systems, and engine life cycle upgrades to enhance performance. | The system underwent its first major series of upgrades in 1999 with Block I modifications procured to include provisions for the integration of systems with existing Arcer Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) systems, as well as enhanced tracking and Identification of Friend and Foe (IFF) modules. After the 2007 Telekonese Conflict, the Arcer Ministry of Defense requested additional Block II upgrades that included better integrated heads-up display support for flight helmets, upgraded radar and communications systems, and additional provisions for the mounting of modern weapons systems such as cruise missiles and standoff munitions. In the late 2010s, in an effort to maintain the aircraft’s serviceability into the late 2030s, Block III upgrades further enhanced the Kestrel, with new electronic sensor suites, additional fuel efficiency measures, new computer systems, and engine life cycle upgrades to enhance performance. | ||
== Operational History == | == Operational History == | ||
== Sales and Marketing == | == Sales and Marketing == | ||