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TERRAN UNITED NATIONS.
Terran United Nations.
ES-101 Gullwing Surveillance Craft.
TERRAN UNITED NATIONS.
Terran United Nations.
ES-101 Gullwing Surveillance Craft:
(RG-8 Schweizer)
ES-101 GULLWING.
Product Information:
Manufacturer:Many, primarily Schweizer/Sikorsky.
Product Line:Militry and Law Enforcement.
Model:ES-101 Gullwing (RG-8 Schweizer).
Class:Aircraft.
Specifications:
Top Speed:165 mph.
Stall Speed:67 mph.
Service Ceiling:24,000 FT (7315 M).
Mission Speed:85 mph.
Best Climb Speed:85 fpm.
Take Off Distance:1,473 ft.
Endurance:Standard: Up to 7 hours.
Quiet Mode: Up to 12 hours.
Length:28.83 FT (8.79 M).
Wing Span:71.2 FT (21.7 M).
Wing Area:201.1 FT2 (18.68 M2).
Aspect Ration:21.8.
Weight:4,300 lbs (1950 KG).
Payload:710 lbs (322 KG).
PowerPlant:Lycoming TIO-540-AB1AD Six Cylinder, Direct Drive, Air Cooled, Turbo Charged.
Rated Horsepower:250hp@2,575 RPM.
Useable Fuel:99 Gallons (74.8 Liters).
Seating Capacity:2.
Usage:
Powered gliders have been used off and on as platforms for various purposes; Indeed, the first aircraft of any empire have been powered gliders (less the T'sentraedi whose technology was given to them by their Tiresian masters).
Powered gliders have MANY advantages that other craft inherently do not; As they are slower, they can loiter on any one given spot MUCH longer, and observe it much longer; They are more fuel efficient; Simpler to repair under most conditions; And are cheap enough that pilots can actually buy their own, if they so desired. (The first combat powered gliders were in fact privately owned planes.)
Although their direct combat usefulness is perhaps limited, their usefulness in combat support is not; As Forward Air Controller planes, they guide attack aircraft in "Mission Terminus" stage; In other words, the bullets coming from attack aircraft go where the FAC wants them.
The Schweizer RG-8A Condor SA2-37B was accepted into IPA service as the ES-101 Gullwing Surveillance Craft to meet unique requirements for a covert day/night Surveillance Platform. The Schweizer SA2-37B aircraft is engineered to perform covert surveillance missions in a manner not possible with any other aircraft. Its sophisticated suite of FLIR, EO, and Electronic Sensors enables activities on the land or sea to be detected and monitored without detection from below. The combination of its low acoustic signature, large payload capacity, long range and endurance, and low operating costs make the SA2-37B exceptionally effective.
The planes has been used for years in Terran American Empire Coast Guard ("USCG") for anti-drug operations for decades; Though technically a secret, it wasn't "much" of a secret, as anyone with internet or library access could read about "most" of the details (operational information remained classified, and does so to this day, as these planes are still flying on that same mission under the Terran Defense Authority's Coastal Guard). There was a joke of that era that the Coast Guard had something the Navy and Marines didn't, a stealth aircraft, and for many decades this was true. Exactly how many remain in service remains a generally held secret, though "about a dozen" is known.
The SA2-37B has outstanding range/endurance performance. On a maximum endurance mission, it can operate for up to twelve hours. Alternatively, it can fly a 200 nmi radius mission and still loiter on station for up to seven hours. With its 24,000 ft service ceiling, it can also perform missions requiring higher altitudes. Considering that Veritech and other fighter pilots are restricted to 6 hour missions and that bombers to 48 maximum hour missions, the Gullwing's 12 hour mission time capability is in and of itself impressive. The plane's seemingly unimpressive 510 pounds (231 kg) of sensors and related payload belies a fact that the Gullwing IS NOT a combat aircraft, nor was it even intended to be; It's a smuggling interdiction plane, and "very little" misses their attention when they're on station. (In a particularly amusing case, a rookie sensor operator mistook a Sagitaron vatrick [a marsupial about the size of a Terran rabbit] for a smuggler using thermos insulating materials, leading Sagitaron Secutitat to stand up 1,000 officers for 48 hours while the animal was being tracked.)
Careful matching of the aerodynamic design with the propeller, governor, engine, and mufflers, enables the SA2-37B to operate with engine RPMs between 1,100 to 1,300 during the quiet mission mode. Because the aircraft requires only about 65 horsepower (the Lycoming T10-540 engine is rated at 250 horsepower) to maintain altitude in the quiet mode, it is, under most circumstances, undetectable by an uncued observer when at an altitude of 2,000 ft (610 m) above the ground and 600 ft (183 m) above the water. ("Uncued"; In other words, the smuggler isn't already aware of the plane's presence.)
Neither is the Gullwing intrinsically restricted to smuggling; They can be called upon for search and rescue missions, environmental response, and as "high altitude relay" (emergency comms relay satellites), though their presence in these missions is not revealed (to maintain operational security), and in general surveillance, especially on Terra where for decades they were used in counter narcotics/narco-terror operations under Low Acoustic Noise Signature Airborne Surveillance (LANAS); In one notable event, a huge depot used for storage of precursor chemicals was located by the LANAS aircraft, and a subsequent raid by regional authorities on the area resulted in huge secondary explosions as these highly volatile chemicals were ignited. The LANAS ability to locate drug labs without alerting those on the ground resulted in destruction of those labs and capture of significant amounts of narcotics and bomb/chemical weapons. Frequently, the operators of these labs were surprised at their work and either captured or killed. LANAS became a prime example of how a dedicated team of government personnel (both host and supporting nations) working with committed and involved contractors can bring forth a successful program, lessons that the IPA and her successors too to heart as they give new members to the empire these planes for identical purposes; The Kobolese march in particular jokingly threatened to withdraw from the empire if the planes were taken away; Many of the Rakatan and Gould worlds weren't joking when they said it (especially those under threat from the Wraith).
The current breed is a twin-tail configuration with significantly greater loiter time that the original (they "can" technically remain on station for 24 hours, but pilot endurance doesn't quite meet that capability).
Name: ES-101 Gullwing
Model Type: Surveillance
Crew: One or two.
Passengers: None; The two-seater version still is not used for passengers, though it CAN be used for training.
MDC By Location:
* Fuselage-
** Cockpit-
*** Wings (2)-
*** Tailerons (2)-
*** Tail Rudder-
300
150
200 each
100 each
100
*** Grav Pods (3)-
Landing Gears (3)-
Auto Cannon-
Engine-

50 each
25 each
10
100

Notes:
* Depleting the MDC of the fuselage of the aircraft will destroy it. Pilot automatically ejects in his Patroller power armor which serves as his parachute.
** Depleting the MDC Cockpit will expose the pilot to high-velocity winds and further direct attacks. However, the pilot remains protected by his power armor. (Winds won't affect him if the face mask is in place.) -5 to strike.
*** Depleting the MDC of any of these objects will reduce the pilot's control (-10% to pilot skill each). They are also small and hard to hit (requires a called shot at-5 to strike). Destroying ALL 3 grav pods will force the pilot to pilot the craft on airfoil effect ONLY (-5% to pilot skill, but does not mean s/he will crash land).
Speed and Statistical Data:
Taxiing on the ground: 10 MPH
Range On Land: About 1 mile normally; 10 miles max.
Flying: 165 mph.
Service Ceiling : 24,000 FT (7315 M).
Range in the air:
Standard: Up to 7 hours.
Quiet Mode: Up to 12 hours.
Height: 6 ft
Wingspan: 71.2 FT (21.7 M).
Length: 28.83 FT (8.79 M).
Weight: 4,300 lbs (1950 KG).
Cargo: 710 lbs (322 KG) of payload plus pilot's emergency gear (all pilots must wear flight armor).
Powerplant: Twin Lycoming TIO-540-AB1AD 6-cylinder turbo charged hydro-cell engines; Output: 250hp@2,575 RPM.
Flight Systems:
Primary: Normal Aero-Foil effect and Hydro-Cell Jets.
Secondary: Grav Pods for emergency use ONLY
Cost and Availability: 20,000 credits each; 1 to 2 months to build.
Black Market Cost and Availability : Not available; It's available publicly and legally, and it's just not worth it.

Weapons Systems:
1. Smoke Mini-Missiles: Used by the pilots to specifically mark the targets for attack pilots to strike.
Purpose: Marker
MD: None; Marks target only.
Range: 5 miles.
Rate of Fire: Once per pilot's attacks per melee.
Payload: 20; Reloading takes 1 melee, and does NOT require tools.

2. Sensor Package: The sensor package is a slightly more advanced version of those carried on most warships, but without quite as much range.
Visible-Spectrum Imaging: Mainly consists of color filter, black and white, and basic color photography. Range: 2,500 miles; Magnification: 400 times
Invisible-Spectrum Light: Ultra violet, thermal, infrared, etc. photography. Range: 2,500 miles; Magnification: 400 times
X-Ray: Range: 2,200 miles; Magnification: 350 times
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A magnetic field aligns atoms in the target, then radio frequency field alter them, causing them to produce a magnetic field which is used to produce an image of the target. Whereas in the past vehicles and people could hide in dense jungle, the jungle now shows exactly where they are. Does not really work in developed areas (since hard object tend to hide each other). Range: 200 miles.
Ground Penetrating Radar: To ferret out underground bunkers. Range: Can 'see' up to 2 miles underground.


3. Wing Mounted Pods: The plane can carry up to 2 pods.
A) TM-12 Fuel Pod: Essentially a modified version of the M-11 Torpedo Pod. In this case, however, it is used as a fuel pod to double the normal range of the craft.
B) A-11/a Anti-Radiation Pod: A radar and other detection system jammer.
Effect: While active, enemy radar will have a "wash" effect, where a large, highly unstable cloud of radar paint will appear. An experienced (5ᵗʰ level and above) radar operator can SOMETIMES use the flow of the wash to narrow down the source of the jamming, but typically this does little good. NOTE: This IS a form of radar signal, and can therefore by tracked by some ESM systems (-10%).
C) A-11/v Radiation Detector Pod: This pod passively detects various types of Radiation, most importantly radio signals (for eavesdropping).
D) C-441 Canister Pod: Basically a hollowed out version of the M-7 pod, used to drop highly sensitive and extensive messages. A nose-mounted device using GPS or laser detection guides the pod to within 1/8 of an inch of the intended target.



E) A-11 Tracker Pod: This simple 63 ft pod is an expanded version of the XTNDR RADAR/Radio Antenna Extender used on almost all UGC Destroids; The A-11 is a 25 lb. pod, released to fly independently within a 100 ft area of the Gullwing. A laser communications system relays the data collected from the A-11 Pod to the parent craft or to an EC-66. Because it is so much larger than the XTNDR Pod it can have a grav pod without interfering with sensors.
MDC By Location:
Pod: 70
Full-Force Barrier Field: 100
Grav Pod: 50
Effect: Effectively serves as a second EC-66, giving a second viewing area, doubling or tripling sensor area 3 to 4 times (or defeats other penalties in a 5 mile area). The A-11 has all the same sensors as an EC-66, except MRI and radar; The radar is a combat grade radar, with a range of 20 miles and tracking ability of 50 targets and an 80% reliability (10% against unfriendly stealthed vehicles). This system also gives a second view angle, so unfriendly stealthed vehicles can't hide AS easily (roll against the plane AND any pods in the air at +10% each). Due to the proximity of grav pods, MRI could not be installed.
Features:
  • Radar: Combat grade radar. Range: 200 miles, can track up to 250 individual targets. 95% reliability (24% against unfriendly stealthed vehicles).
  • ESM: Radar Detector. Passively detects other radars being operated.
  • Full Range Sensory Suite: Infrared, ultra violet, Magnification, night sight, color filters, thermal imager. Range is about 2,000 miles for MOST sensors.
  • Optic Sensors Systems: The craft is equipped with sensors all the normal combat aircraft sensors. NOTE: that the sensors on this craft is nowhere near as extensive as those on spycraft.
    Optic Systems: Infrared: 20 miles, Magnification: 15 times Ultra Violet: 22 miles, Magnification: 25 times Night Vision: 24 miles, Magnification: 8 times Color Filters: 19 miles, Magnification: 200 times Thermal Imager: 10 miles, Magnification: 40 times
  • Motion Detector: Activates a loud wailing when an object is coming at the user fast, and a soft ringing if it's coming slowly. Activation ranges must be specified by the pilot.
  • FLIR/SLIR: Forward and Side Looking Infrared. Allows pilot and weapons officer to get visuals on targets at night.
  • Video Recorder: Records from sensors and the cockpit itself. 500 hours of recording available.
  • HUD: Displays maps, radar, targeting information, and any OTHER information the wearer wants directly in front of the user.
  • AJP: Active Jamming Pod. Causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/bases can detect that it is jamming, and some missiles will home in on jamming signals. Jamming also causes a-4 penalty to all radar guided weapons.
  • Anti-Jamming System: Reduces Electronics Countermeasure by 1/8 (decrease skill level appropriately).
  • Electronic Counter Measures (ECM): These systems disrupt enemy radar and tracking systems, making it difficult for them to lock onto the ship with weapons. The countermeasures give the Mecha a +3 to dodge, +2 to strike and +1 on initiative in combat.
  • AMC/FD (2): Anti-Missile Chaff/Flare Dispensers. Actually launches a glob of burning magnesium/aluminum alloy to confuse both radar AND heat sensory systems. Fires off 04 chaff/flares each time it is activated. The system is KNOWN to work on all KNOWN radar and infrared systems, but concerns continue that somewhere out there their MIGHT be a system that will be totally unaffected by the system. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (add +20% to rolls for smart missiles).
    Effect:
    01-50: Enemy missile or missile volley detonates in chaff cloud- Missiles are all destroyed 51-75: Enemy missile or missile volley loses track of real target and veers away in wrong direction (may lock onto another target).
    76-00: No effect, missile is still on target.
    Also note that the chaff cloud will also blind nearby heat sensors (and optically based sensors at night) for 1 melee. They will suffer the following penalties: Reduce melee attacks/actions, and combat bonuses by half.
    Duration: 1D4 melee rounds.
    Payload: 60 chaff/flares. Each time the system is engaged, the system fires off 04 chaff/flares.
  • MRA 6 Radios: Allows real time, continuous radio link up with friendly forces in the area via satellite relay over laser radio signals, preventing jamming, and automatically encrypts/decrypts same to prevent eavesdropping.
  • Type-11 wide band radios: Effective 10 mile range, auto encrypt/decrypt. Works on standard radio band wavelengths, so it can still be jammed (if the enemy knows the frequencies).
  • Smoke Dispensers (8): Throws out smoke flares capable of covering a 2503 ft area. Special chemicals in the smoke obscures IR and heat sensors, and defeats visual tracking of the vehicle. Note that it DOESN'T make the vehicle invisible, but simply negates ALL bonuses to strike.
  • Combat/Targeting Computer: Records all enemy and friendly activity over the course of time; Can replay that activity for the pilot, assign target designation numbers, and track likely damage based on mathematical formulas (i.e. "Right leg red" badly damaged/destroyed, "head green" not damaged, etc). Displays this information as a pop up in the HUD on request by the pilot.
  • Blue Force Tracker: Identifies Friend from Foe. Overlays the information on both the radar and HUD, ensuring that friendly forces are not accidentally targeted.
  • CBR Protection: Complete chemical, biohazard, and radiological protection.
  • Vacuum Seal: Permits the fighter to be used in hard vacuum (such as outer space), and other hostile environments.
  • Internal Temperature And Humidity Control: Automatically maintains users desired heat, humidity, and other personal comfort settings.
  • Heat And Radiation Shielding: Special shielding prevents the penetration of life threatening heat and radiation.
  • Variable Tint Cockpit Canopy: Adjusts tinting to light conditions, up to an including a black dot if the sun is directly on the pilots face (only covers eyes).
  • Survival Pack: A pack of simpler emergency survival supplies: Pup tent, Sleeping bag, Black light, GPS, first aid kit (bandages, gauze, bandage tape, pads, antiseptic/analgesic), Plasma torch (for small repairs and starting fires), Repair kit (with MDC Repair Spray), Sewing kit (a small spool of thread and 5 needles), 7 star flares (250 ft apogee), 7 white parachute flares (1,500 ft apogee), 100 ft of black or brown parachute cord (150 lbs tensile strength), 2-5 days rations, 2 gallons water, Water purification kit (good for about 10 gallons), Manual-inflating liferaft (for at-sea abandonment), Self-inflating lifevest (15# buoyancy). The liferaft can also double as a Pup Tent if so desired (though most pilots prefer to use a parachute for that, if anything, due to the fact that it is easier to hide).
  • Oxygen Rebreather System: Extends pilots air supply to 100 hours; Cartridge MUST be replaced after that period of time.
  • GPS: Standard tracking device.
  • Virtual Map: Displays a continuously-updating map of local terrain for the pilot. Effective land navigation of 85% as updates come. Good to 50 miles. Specific range can be adjusted in 1 mile increments.
  • LDP (4): Launched Decoy Pods. Located on the top of the port and starboard wingtips. The fighter can carry a special pod that carries four advanced decoy drones. These drones are launched to go where ever they want for 30 minutes. Each is a specially designed radar lure that creates a radar image to mimic the fighter. If decoys are not destroyed, they can be recovered and repaired. This system has been successfully deployed against SEVERAL alien radar-type sensors (including one that works off of sound).
    MDC: 5
    Effects: The decoy has a 98% chance of fooling ordinary non military radars and non smart guided missiles, and a 90% chance of fooling military grade radars and advanced smart missiles.
    Range: Towed to 328 ft (100 meters) from the Mecha or released to go wherever it wants. Can fly independently for about 30 minutes.
    Rate of fire: One can be tether deployed at a time and requires 15 seconds to deploy another decoy. Any non-loosed decoys can be reeled in again.
    Payload: 16 Decoys total.
    Combat Bonuses from ES-101 Gullwing Combat Elite:
  • 1 additional attacks per melee.
  • One additional Attack Per melee at levels 4, 8, 12, and 16 with any additional bonuses for the pilot.
  • +3 Initiative.
  • +3 Strike.
  • +4 Dodge.
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