Programme to Develop New "Super Fighter" Unveiled by GovernmentAmbitious Plans to Research, Develop, Test and Produce 'Sixth-Generation' Aircraft By The 4430s Shape of things to come... experts have produced a concept drawing of what they think the VX-44 fighter could look like.July 4394 - The Vanukean government has
unveiled plans for a 35-year, $2.5 trillion programme to develop a new generation, multi-purpose fighter aircraft. The new plane, given the initial project working name VX-44, will build on the success of the airforce's
S-10 Tanhri stealth fighter and the
Z-35 multi-role fighter, which have seen action around Terra.
The VX-44 is being called a "truly sixth generation fighter" by the Ministry of Defence, which will provide superiority in all areas of aerial combat throughout the next century and beyond. The single-seat craft will be developed in conjunction with Vanuku's leading aeronautical and military tech companies who have been carrying out preliminary studies into the costs, timeframe and feasibility of the project over the last year and a half. It is not known at this stage if the project will be broadened out to bring in international support and expertise.
Minister of Defence Colonel Eksandr
Anzlék told Vanuku's Grand Council members: "Vanuku is the pre-eminent military power on Terra - with the economic clout to back up that assertion. It is our intention to make sure that this remains the case. Over the last few decades we have seen major investment and procurement in the navy and the army and both now boast the most sophisticated weaponry, technology and best trained and equipped personnel.
"Now it is the airforce's turn. Therefore, we are announcing today our intention to deliver a new research and build programme to produce a truly sixth-generation, primary multi-role fighter, which will provide superiority in all areas of aerial combat through the next century and beyond.
"The programme is currently at the concept and initial planning stage and I can reveal that the Ministry of Defence has been working with Vanuku's leading defence and military tech companies over the last 18 months to look at design variants as well as general feasibility, costs and a realistic timeframe for the project.
"It is the Ministry's understanding that a 35-year programme with an overall investment of 2.5 trillion Vanukean Marks - based on an inflationary-adjusted 4420 figure - is required to research, test, deliver and procure this aircraft in sufficient numbers. This figure excludes ongoing operations and sustainment costs posterior to it entering service. This means the first aircraft could go into active service by the early 4430s."
Due to the military sensitivity and early stage of the project few specifics have been released about the planned new fighter. However, Defence Minister
Anzlék did provide some general details. He said: "It will include a host of features such as extended mission range; an advanced human-system interface, a sophisticated weapons payload systems and post-present-tech sensor and avionics arrays as well as advanced stealth technology. It will also feature the most advanced engine technology and design features - meaning it will fly faster and further than fifth generation fighters and be more manoeuvrable in any given situation."
The intention is to develop both a conventional take-off and landing version and a short take-off and vertical landing variant for use with Vanuku's world-leading
Támnr-class aircraft carrier.
Minister
Anzlék later told
Forwards Vanuku that the significant investment would be worth it. He said: "It is obvious that this will take up a significant portion of the 300 billion annual defence budget and require the unified willpower of subsequent governments to keep up this level of funding, however we are confident this will happen given the level of support it has already received.
"This aircraft will provide unprecedented aerial superiority projection for our armed forces and provide a major economic boost for our defence industries and associated tech companies over the forthcoming decades."
Only time will tell if the project can be delivered on budget and on time - or, even, if Defence Ministry ambitions for the plane will be matched by the levels of technology defence contractors can bring to the table. One thing is for certain, only a single-minded government approach over the course of the next three to four decades, with the budget to match, will certainly be needed for the VX-44 programme to bear fruit.