New from developer William Ortis is the futuristic Air Force F-136B orbital interceptor. The aircraft is capable of Hyper Mach speeds and even space flight. The model features full moving parts, custom panel, VC and more. For details, click on Read More.
New from the design studios of Lionheart Creations Ltd. is this wild concept for a futuristic Air Force orbital interceptor. This is an elaborate simulation model of a futuristic fighter that is packed with a long list of options, animations, and concepts that will take you into a flight into the world of 'what if' and open the doors of your mind to the capabilities of what mankind could do.
The concept of the F-136B is of a fighter that would feature 4 primary capabilities. The first is that it would be able to attain space flight on a daily basis, economically, and with minimal wear upon the airframe structure. The second capability is for the interceptor to fly at Hyper Mach, using technologies based on the past 'Aurora Borealis' project in which nozzles retract from the hull, bleeding off the potent fuel into the Mach sound cone, and with continuous controlled ignition of the fuel, a natural 'pulse jet' of immense magnitude is created that can push the sleek little fighter to speeds of Mach 12 and more. The term of 'Sling Shot' is derived of this 'effect' of flight where in the interceptor could 'fling' into low orbit. To deploy the Hyper Mach fuel nozzles, use the Tail Hook command. The third feature of the interceptor is a laser system package designed to target and destroy ICBM missiles from long range.
Lastly, the F-136B would include the first production military speck invisibility system called 'Viewpoint Smart Mirror Invisibility' which is something what you might find onboard a Klingon Bird of Prey. The concept of the system is based on a skin that projects a view of what is on the back side of the craft, where if it were turned on, the vehicle would seem to disappear, leaving only a shimmering edge around its perimeter. The only problem would be ground crew walking into them by mistake, or forgetting where you parked it. The reality of it, is that the landing gear and other such components that do not feature this 'cloaking system' would not be capable of invisibility. In Flight Simulator, one would use the Spoiler command to operate the cloak system.
The heart of this design is a new hybrid engine design that can run on air or in the vacuum of space. This is achieved through an 'iris' shutter system, located at the end of the turbine fan section that closes, creating a rocket bell combustor at the rear of the engine assembly, enabling the Interceptor to make the transition into orbit where in it can dock with space platforms, park in orbit and await a location to 'come about', as well as pure reconnaissance missions.
A neat little feature of this aircraft is a hatch that opens via sliding back along the top of the hull. Air Force pilots would be able to 'open the sunroof' at low flight speeds of around 140 knots or less without interference to the dynamic lift of the sleek hull. Mind you, the computer systems would keep that hatch closed at higher speeds, but the effect of flying such a modern bird with a sunroof opened would be an incredible experience.
The shape of the interceptor is based on projectile designs born from the magnetic tank cannon projects where an object is launched via a magnetic accelerator track to a speeds rumored to be to incredible to fathom. The shape of the F-136 however is designed for lift where in the top is raised a bit and the belly is formed into a beautiful slightly curved surface, thus creating a lifting body.
Such a sleek shape though would require moderate speed to maintain flight, and so a set of wings were designed into the theme in which when deployed, the vehicle could then slow to standard flight speeds required for landing at standard Air Force bases and public air ports. With the wings extended partially, speeds of 120 knots are capable. In this simulation demonstrator, one uses the Flaps command to operate the variable position wings. You will find that at the final two settings of Fin position that a large air brake panel deploys for added deceleration upon touch down.
The simulation model of the F-136 features functioning spoilerons, opening hatch, opening rear ordinance Bombay doors, the invisibility camouflage system, deploying air brake structure, wings that slide back and then outward in variable positions, a virtual cockpit with illuminated instrumentation, vectored thrust elevator structures that pivot, opening fuel and power coupling access wells, and even a tarmac 'park mode' where wheel chalks, pitot flags, engine covers, and an access ladder appear when the Wing Fold command is selected.
The amount of thrust on this bird is a bit moderate. One must use 6 'clicks' of F2 to lessen the amount of power for a proper taxi speed. An extra config file is supplied in the download for the simulation pilot to change out if the present performance seems a bit overwhelming. Even then, with the second config file in use, one would still use 5 clicks of F2 to enable the powerful girl to taxi like a calm little Cessna.
Note that you will not want to try out ultra Mach at lower altitudes, as the ship will try to convert you into a shake. Climb up a bit to where the air is thin and the ride is smooth. Unfortunately you will only be able to get to 100,000 feet altitude, but you will at least get to see some black sky up there and get a 'feel' of what space flight would be like. (Try a night flight for some real adventure).
So, if you are in need of something new in your flight simulation adventures, try out being a fighter pilot of the future and see what it would be like to request ATC for a descent to Flight Level 80,000 feet and slow to Mach 4, practice touch and goes with your sun roof open and your fully retractable wings deployed, sneak up on air traffic with your cloak system on, or just fly over to Hutches café' at Nantucket airport for a good cup of coffee.
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