Post by admin on Aug 2, 2005 11:41:34 GMT -5
With the briefing of 'Offence being the best defence',
the FIRM had begun a new branch, leaning heavily toward that exact ideal, whereas before it had been primarily focused on defensive weapons and support, as comissioned by the US Government.
By August 1978, the newly appointed Director of the FIRM,
'Zeus', had chosen (from the 4 prototype designs demonstrated) that the 'Airwolf' air/weapon system would be most suitable as a product that could be heavily funded to production model status.
Handing control of the project over to the FIRM's deputy director, Michael Coldsmith-Briggs III (Archangel), the project was given the full green light, and it's creator and designer, Charles Henry Moffet was given the go ahead to build the world's most advanced aircraft...
By 1983, the prototype had been built, and beginning it's final phase of initial testing of the airframe and weapons systems.
Satisfied that there were no problems and 'bugs', Moffet agreed to the hiring of Stringfellow Hawke for the position of lead test pilot. During this time however, one of Moffet's team was showing signs of disgruntlement. Claiming that he should be the test pilot, as he was part of Moffet's design team, Harlan Jenkins shortly afterwards quit the FIRM, saying that his name was always on 'that job'.
Hawke however, was a far superior pilot, and as such already had the committee's backing for the project.
Hawke settled into the job, and began putting the Airwolf through it's paces.
Airwolf is capable of speeds exceeding MACH 1.
Having a set of two jet engines, each one mounted on either side, on the wing stock, provides the thrust to propel the fuselage from any airspeed under 400 knots when using rotors, to MACH 1 in (just under) 9.6 seconds, at sea level to 65,000 ft.
To obtain these speeds, the main overhead rotor power is cut, thus having the effect of 'auto-rotation', thrust and forward movement being provided by the jets. As the forward velocity of the fuselage keeps the rotors rotating above stall speed, it continues to provide lift. Also, it should be noted that the entire fuselage design of Airwolf is one of an 'aerodynamic lifting body'. Loosely translated meaning that Airwolf's body provides a certain degree of lift and stability (though, not enough for the aircraft to remain in the air without rotors)
Another major feature of the wing stock (aside from housing the port and starboard landing gear), is the housing of the cannons, and chain guns. These weapons are concealed inside the fuselage for several purposes. Mainly though, for aerodynamic reasons, security, and also to 'fool' anyone who would see the Airwolf into thinking it was an 'expensive corporate jet helicopter', thus hiding it's true capabilities. Hence the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' logo on the patches as worn by crew.
In adition to the cannons, Airwolf also has a selection of missiles, both air-to-air and air-to-ground.
The missiles themselves are stored inside the fuselage, and upon activating the ADF pod (which deploys from the underside of aircraft), the pilot can select which weapon systems are currently needed. The main controls for all these weapons are housed in the engineer's compartment in the 'belly' of the aircraft, with duplicate weapon selection also at pilot/co-pilot's discretion.
Targeting of the weapons can be controlled via two methods;
A target can be selected from the computer, and readouts and information is viewed by means of either the screen in the thingypit, or at rear in engineer's console;
or, via helmet visor headup display (HUD).
The helmet visors also have other functions as standard.
Utilising a newly designed 'Starlight amplification system', the crew onboard can carry out any mission under the veil of total darkness.
Even 'knap of the earth' flying is not impossible, even in total black out conditions, as the sensors onboard convert all available spectrums of light to clearly visible displays, again either in visor or screens.
The visors will work oppositely aswell.
If the system is operative, any sudden bright light source, for example, an explosion, will activate the visor to polarize (if in down position) or engage and polarize (if visor wasn't active). This has the effect of diminishing bright light to a level suitable for the human eye, protecting the crews eyesight.
Another breakthrough for the Airwolf design was in the form of it's ability for mid-air refuelling.
Situated on starboard side of aircraft's nose is the connection nozzle.
The loaction of the nozzle gives the pilot clear view of the mating procedure of aircraft and fuel line.
the FIRM had begun a new branch, leaning heavily toward that exact ideal, whereas before it had been primarily focused on defensive weapons and support, as comissioned by the US Government.
By August 1978, the newly appointed Director of the FIRM,
'Zeus', had chosen (from the 4 prototype designs demonstrated) that the 'Airwolf' air/weapon system would be most suitable as a product that could be heavily funded to production model status.
Handing control of the project over to the FIRM's deputy director, Michael Coldsmith-Briggs III (Archangel), the project was given the full green light, and it's creator and designer, Charles Henry Moffet was given the go ahead to build the world's most advanced aircraft...
By 1983, the prototype had been built, and beginning it's final phase of initial testing of the airframe and weapons systems.
Satisfied that there were no problems and 'bugs', Moffet agreed to the hiring of Stringfellow Hawke for the position of lead test pilot. During this time however, one of Moffet's team was showing signs of disgruntlement. Claiming that he should be the test pilot, as he was part of Moffet's design team, Harlan Jenkins shortly afterwards quit the FIRM, saying that his name was always on 'that job'.
Hawke however, was a far superior pilot, and as such already had the committee's backing for the project.
Hawke settled into the job, and began putting the Airwolf through it's paces.
Airwolf is capable of speeds exceeding MACH 1.
Having a set of two jet engines, each one mounted on either side, on the wing stock, provides the thrust to propel the fuselage from any airspeed under 400 knots when using rotors, to MACH 1 in (just under) 9.6 seconds, at sea level to 65,000 ft.
To obtain these speeds, the main overhead rotor power is cut, thus having the effect of 'auto-rotation', thrust and forward movement being provided by the jets. As the forward velocity of the fuselage keeps the rotors rotating above stall speed, it continues to provide lift. Also, it should be noted that the entire fuselage design of Airwolf is one of an 'aerodynamic lifting body'. Loosely translated meaning that Airwolf's body provides a certain degree of lift and stability (though, not enough for the aircraft to remain in the air without rotors)
Another major feature of the wing stock (aside from housing the port and starboard landing gear), is the housing of the cannons, and chain guns. These weapons are concealed inside the fuselage for several purposes. Mainly though, for aerodynamic reasons, security, and also to 'fool' anyone who would see the Airwolf into thinking it was an 'expensive corporate jet helicopter', thus hiding it's true capabilities. Hence the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' logo on the patches as worn by crew.
In adition to the cannons, Airwolf also has a selection of missiles, both air-to-air and air-to-ground.
The missiles themselves are stored inside the fuselage, and upon activating the ADF pod (which deploys from the underside of aircraft), the pilot can select which weapon systems are currently needed. The main controls for all these weapons are housed in the engineer's compartment in the 'belly' of the aircraft, with duplicate weapon selection also at pilot/co-pilot's discretion.
Targeting of the weapons can be controlled via two methods;
A target can be selected from the computer, and readouts and information is viewed by means of either the screen in the thingypit, or at rear in engineer's console;
or, via helmet visor headup display (HUD).
The helmet visors also have other functions as standard.
Utilising a newly designed 'Starlight amplification system', the crew onboard can carry out any mission under the veil of total darkness.
Even 'knap of the earth' flying is not impossible, even in total black out conditions, as the sensors onboard convert all available spectrums of light to clearly visible displays, again either in visor or screens.
The visors will work oppositely aswell.
If the system is operative, any sudden bright light source, for example, an explosion, will activate the visor to polarize (if in down position) or engage and polarize (if visor wasn't active). This has the effect of diminishing bright light to a level suitable for the human eye, protecting the crews eyesight.
Another breakthrough for the Airwolf design was in the form of it's ability for mid-air refuelling.
Situated on starboard side of aircraft's nose is the connection nozzle.
The loaction of the nozzle gives the pilot clear view of the mating procedure of aircraft and fuel line.