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Description
After the toatal failure of the Lockheed F-35 JSF to meet the ADF's needs, and with tensions mounting between the EU and the Afro-Asian Federation, the Australian government was forced to look into the possibility of a locally developed fighter. The result was the Aurora Mk.1, a joint venture between Sentinel Arms and Boeing. The ADF currently has orders for 230 units, in both Air Force and Naval guises.

The Aurora is probably the best multirole warplane yet developed. Although it lacks stealth technology, it's small size and large use of composite materials give it a very low radar signature. Gratings over engine inlets, originally designed to protect agains FOD also aid in masking the turbine blades from radar. The Aurora is capable of unlimited Angle of Attack manuvering, thanks to it's large wing area, 2:1 power to weight ratio and the use of 3D thrust vectoring. On top of this an on-board ECM/EW suit, mounted in the hump behind the cockpit adds to the Aurora's already high surviveability. A conformal radar array mounted in the nose of the aircraft allows the Aurora to engage multiple threats with radar guided ordinance. It also allows a LLTV to be mounted in the nose for the Aurora's secondary roll as a ground attack aircraft.

The Aurora's armament consists of a single 20mm cannon mounted on the port side of the cockpit and 9 hardpoints. Two WVR missiles may be carried on the overwing hardpoints, with the underwings mounting a mixture of BVR missiles, bombs, unguided rockets or ferry tanks (on the inner harpoints only). The inner undewing points may only carry dropped ordinance, as launched ordinance is liable to blow the front canards off the aircraft. The centreline hardpoint can carry eiter a 2000lb bomb, or the more usual centreline fuel tank, boosting the aircraft's already impressive combat radius (900nm) to 1300nm. This range may be extended further by the addition of two smaller droptanks to the inner hardpoints or by use of Air-to-air refuelling via the retractable refuelling probe. The use of supercruise also boosts the aircraft's range. The Aurora is capable of Mach 2 at sea level in full afterburner.

Although a superb fighter, the Aurora is not for the faint hearted. It's extream manuverablility makes it a death-trap for in-experienced pilots. More than one aircraft has been lost after the pilot has pulled to hard and immediately blacked out or torn the wings off the aircraft. The aircraft's manuverability is slightly better than that of the latest Gen-4 fighters (Mig-31, F/A-22, SU-29, Eurofighter, Raphel), though these larger aircraft often outclass the Aurora for firepower and avionics technology.

After the initial run of aircraft war delivered to the RAAF, the Navy was quick to jump on the band wagon, developing the Sea Aurora for use on it's new "Tobruk" class carriers. For the Navalised Aurora the already strong undercarriage (developed for short field, un-prepared strip operations with the RAAF) was further reinforced. The Sea Aurora also gained folding wings and a recovery hook. modifications were also made to the aircraft to help resist the highly corrosive marine environment. These modifications came at a price however, most noticibly in the loss of the onboard APU found on the RAAF Aurora as well as a 300nm reduction in range due to the loss of internal tankage space. As such Sea Auroras almost always fly with the centerline tank fitted. For the wings to fold, the vertical stabilisers retract into the wing, which then folds over the plane for storage.

Auroras currently serve with 77SQN RAAF alongside the ageing F/A-18 at RAAF Tindal and aboard the HMAS Tobruk with the Naval air arm. Only a few aircraft are in service, with priority going to the production the the Navalised version.

....

Well, this is the aircraft I developed for the B.A.D comic for use by the RAN and RAAF. Well, the real reason I developed it was because I wanted a carrier scene This drawing is a bit rough, but you'll get the idea. Hope you like it, but feedback is alway welcomed.

The version shown is the Navalised Sea Aurora.

Have fun

Wraith 11

Description
After the toatal failure of the Lockheed F-35 JSF to meet the ADF's needs, and with tensions mounting between the EU and the Afro-Asian Federation, the Australian government was forced to look into the possibility of a locally developed fighter. The result was the Aurora Mk.1, a joint venture between Sentinel Arms and Boeing. The ADF currently has orders for 230 units, in both Air Force and Naval guises.

The Aurora is probably the best multirole warplane yet developed. Although it lacks stealth technology, it's small size and large use of composite materials give it a very low radar signature. Gratings over engine inlets, originally designed to protect agains FOD also aid in masking the turbine blades from radar. The Aurora is capable of unlimited Angle of Attack manuvering, thanks to it's large wing area, 2:1 power to weight ratio and the use of 3D thrust vectoring. On top of this an on-board ECM/EW suit, mounted in the hump behind the cockpit adds to the Aurora's already high surviveability. A conformal radar array mounted in the nose of the aircraft allows the Aurora to engage multiple threats with radar guided ordinance. It also allows a LLTV to be mounted in the nose for the Aurora's secondary roll as a ground attack aircraft.

The Aurora's armament consists of a single 20mm cannon mounted on the port side of the cockpit and 9 hardpoints. Two WVR missiles may be carried on the overwing hardpoints, with the underwings mounting a mixture of BVR missiles, bombs, unguided rockets or ferry tanks (on the inner harpoints only). The inner undewing points may only carry dropped ordinance, as launched ordinance is liable to blow the front canards off the aircraft. The centreline hardpoint can carry eiter a 2000lb bomb, or the more usual centreline fuel tank, boosting the aircraft's already impressive combat radius (900nm) to 1300nm. This range may be extended further by the addition of two smaller droptanks to the inner hardpoints or by use of Air-to-air refuelling via the retractable refuelling probe. The use of supercruise also boosts the aircraft's range. The Aurora is capable of Mach 2 at sea level in full afterburner.

Although a superb fighter, the Aurora is not for the faint hearted. It's extream manuverablility makes it a death-trap for in-experienced pilots. More than one aircraft has been lost after the pilot has pulled to hard and immediately blacked out or torn the wings off the aircraft. The aircraft's manuverability is slightly better than that of the latest Gen-4 fighters (Mig-31, F/A-22, SU-29, Eurofighter, Raphel), though these larger aircraft often outclass the Aurora for firepower and avionics technology.

After the initial run of aircraft war delivered to the RAAF, the Navy was quick to jump on the band wagon, developing the Sea Aurora for use on it's new "Tobruk" class carriers. For the Navalised Aurora the already strong undercarriage (developed for short field, un-prepared strip operations with the RAAF) was further reinforced. The Sea Aurora also gained folding wings and a recovery hook. modifications were also made to the aircraft to help resist the highly corrosive marine environment. These modifications came at a price however, most noticibly in the loss of the onboard APU found on the RAAF Aurora as well as a 300nm reduction in range due to the loss of internal tankage space. As such Sea Auroras almost always fly with the centerline tank fitted. For the wings to fold, the vertical stabilisers retract into the wing, which then folds over the plane for storage.

Auroras currently serve with 77SQN RAAF alongside the ageing F/A-18 at RAAF Tindal and aboard the HMAS Tobruk with the Naval air arm. Only a few aircraft are in service, with priority going to the production the the Navalised version.

....

Well, this is the aircraft I developed for the B.A.D comic for use by the RAN and RAAF. Well, the real reason I developed it was because I wanted a carrier scene This drawing is a bit rough, but you'll get the idea. Hope you like it, but feedback is alway welcomed.

The version shown is the Navalised Sea Aurora.

Have fun

Wraith 11