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by The Republic of Port Ember. . 202 reads.

Aircraft: Blackstone Aviation EI-05 "Maelstrom" Interceptor

Blackstone Aviation EI-06 "Maelstrom" Jet Interceptor

The Blackstone Aviation EI-O6 "Maelstrom" is a Port Emberian single-seat, single engine, all-weather, rugged Jet Interceptor aircraft, which can be launched from land or aircraft carriers.

It was designed and manufactured to replace the previous EI-05 "Fish Eagle" Jet Interceptor aircraft, which saw service between 1960 - 2005.

The aircraft can achieve speeds of up to Mach 2 with a relatively low-powered afterburning turbojet.

The aircraft's simple controls, engine and high - tech weapons, and avionics is a large factor which lead to the success of the project.

Blackstone Aviation EI-O6 "Maelstrom"


EI-06 "Maelstrom" On Display

Role:

Jet Interceptor

Place of Origin:

Republic of Port Ember


Service History

In Service:

2005 - Current


Production History

Designer:

Blackstone Aviation Pty Ltd

Designed:

1995 - 2005

First Flight:

2000

Manufacturer:

Blackstone Aviation

Produced:

2005 - Current.

No. built:

Undisclosed.

Export Statistics

Unit Price:

$10 000 000.00 NSD

Users: (Excluding Port Ember)

- The Republic of San Rosito x 132
- The Grand Duchy of Glisandia x 40

The Blackstone Aviation EI-06 "Maelstrom", is a Port Emberian, fourth generation combat aircraft, utilized as the primary interceptor aircraft within the Port Ember Security Forces, both with the Air Force and Navy. The aircraft entered service in 2005, and it is suspected to remain in this role for the foreseeable future.

The aircraft has been designed specifically for use by Blackstone Aviation for the Port Ember Security Forces, and has been placed available for foreign export. It is currently being manufactured solely by Blackstone Aviation.

Various and continuous End User Assessments have been conducted over the aircraft's service years, and it has received very favorable reviews, and impressive combat statistics


NAMING CONVENTIONS

The "EI-06" part of the official designation comes from the Port Ember Security Forces Air Force naming convention of labeling all combat aircraft firstly with the letter "E", denoting the country of origin "Emberian". The second letter convention is the label afforded to all aircraft which serves within an Interceptor role, with an "I" designation, and 06 being the model number. This means that the EI-06 is the sixth interceptor to serve within the Port Emberian Air Force, since the force's establishment.

The "Maelstrom" part of the official designation is the aircraft's official nickname, and conforms to the Air Force's culture of naming all models of interceptor aircraft after a bird, flying creature or phenomenon (either fictional or real), which maintains a theme coupled to the element of water.


DEVELOPMENT HISTORY

Prior to the introduction of the EI-06 "Maelstrom", the Port Ember Security Forces were utilizing the EI-05 "Fish Eagle" interceptor aircraft as its main fighter - interceptor, which was also designed by Blackstone Aviation, which saw service from 1960.

This EI-05 "Fish Eagle" had proven its worth as a capable combat aircraft, seeing use in numerous conflicts, to great effect. However, as time and technology was advancing at a rapid pace, the EI-05 saw itself losing the massive superiority it held over its rivals during the numerous wars which Port Ember was engaged in.

Thus, in an attempt to modernize and meet the requirement of a superior aircraft, the PESF signed a contract with Blackstone Aviation in 1995, which would see the development of a new and improved, next generation combat aircraft.

Blackstone Aviation, as per the PESF guidelines, set out to design a aircraft to fill the Interceptor Role for the PESF - which is a defensive interception role against an attacking enemy aircraft, whether it is fighters, bombers or reconnaissance aircraft. A Port Emberian interceptor must be designed for high performance over short range, contested airspace and adverse meteorological conditions.

PESF doctrine dictates that two types of fighter aircraft are in service, which is the Mutli Role Fighter, for example the EF-16 "Phoenix" - which serves the roles of air superiority; strike missions; electronic warfare; with inherent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. These are the "cream of the top" aircraft, and whilst being the "best of the best" in the PESF arsenal - are extremely expensive to manufacture, maintain and operate, and are thus mostly used during large scale military operations.

The Interceptor aircraft is thus the cheapest option available for use by the PESF, best used in swarming numbers, allowing a cheap aircraft to dominate more expensive and technologically advanced aircraft. The main use for these aircraft is the patrol and air-space defense of the large Ember Archipelago on a daily basis. However, the PESF has used these aircraft for combat missions in foreign territory as well, for the same roles, especially after air superiority has been gained by the Multi Role Fighters.

The PESF set the following additional requirements which the new aircraft would have to meet:

- Must be relatively economical to produce and purchase, especially when compared to dedicated Multi Role Fighters/Air Dominance Aircraft (which a separate aircraft is employed within the PESF).

- Rapid Mass production must be possible.

- The aircraft is to be extremely reliable and robust, with simple maintenance procedures.

- The aircraft is to be easily maintained and repaired with limited support, for effective use on aircraft carriers far from home.

Blackstone Aviation decided to use the EI-05 "Fish Eagle" as the foundation of the new aircraft, in order to capitalize on tried and tested technology, significantly reducing development time and possible errors during early deployment, whilst employing modern engineering and technology to upgrade and significantly improve the craft into the future.

Blackstone Aviation hired an expansive team of leading aerospace engineers from across the globe to enhance their skilled engineers, in a bid to develop the very best aircraft with available technology. With a massive design team and impressive financial backing from the government of Port Ember, the EI-06 "Maelstrom" made its maiden flight in January 2000.

Blackstone Aviation, alongside the Port Ember Security Forces, then continued to subject the aircraft to a grueling testing phase, which lasted for five years, until 2005, exposing the aircraft to extreme conditions, climates and simulated combat scenarios. The manufacturers were provided an opportunity to improve upon their designs, guided by the scientific results of these tests, and inputs from the end users.

This infamously feared testing phase is known as the Military Viability Tests, which was first pioneered during the Second World War, and is considered as a vital step in the engineering process.

Immediately after the Military Viability Tests, the aircraft underwent constant updates and testing, and was awarded the contract to supply the PESF en masse in 2005. Mass production commenced at the main Blackstone Aviation plant in February 2005, and the first batch was handed over to the PESF in March 2005, under the designated name of EI-06 "Maelstrom".


DESIGN DETAILS

Overview:

The EI-06 "Maelstrom" is a single-seat, single engine, all-weather, day-night, fourth generation Jet Interceptor.

The aircraft can achieve speeds of up to Mach 2 with a relatively low-powered afterburning turbojet.

As Blackstone Aviation based their design off the old EI-05 "Fish Eagle", the design team discovered and resolved 249 major problems which were identified on the older plane. This included only engineering flaws, as the electronics of the EI-06 was completely new and designed from the ground up. Some of the engineering challenges solved included hydraulics systems, fuel storage, center of gravity, stability, cockpit design, ejection seat, pilot canopy, improved wings, improved maneuverability, and takeoff/landing performance to list only a fraction. The Turbojet engine was also built anew.

The aircraft's simple controls, engine, weapons, and avionics is a large factor leading to the success of the project. The use of a tail with the delta wing aids stability and control at the extremes of the flight envelope, enhancing safety for lower-skilled pilots. This also makes this aircraft a suitable Trainer Aircraft for the PESF.

The aircraft underwent yet another round of upgrades with the introduction of the Mk IV in 2020, specifically upgrading its electronics and weapon systems, after new technology was unlocked whilst designing the EF-16 "Phoenix".

Airframe:

The airframe is constructed mainly from lightweight and durable composites.

The aircraft has a delta wing. This allows the wing to be constructed stronger, stiffer and lighter than a swept wing of equivalent lifting capability. The shape also provides more space for internal fuel volume. The construction of the wing is also much easier and cheaper - a key factor in this design.

The air flow to the engine is regulated by an inlet cone in the air intake. The intake cone moves to a position based on the actual speed. The cone position for a given speed is calculated by an onboard electronic system, using air pressures from in front and behind the compressor of the engine. On both sides of the nose there are gills to supply the engine with more air while on the ground and during takeoff.

The aircraft has a wing-tail configuration with two dedicated vertical stabilizers. Flight control surfaces include leading-edge flaps, flaperons, rudders, and all-moving horizontal stabilizers.

Engines:

The Mk I version were fitted with a single BATJ-21 (Blackstone Aviation Turbojet - 21st Century) power plant. These plants have been refitted with the more modern and improved BATJ-21 MKII power plant from the Mk IV version.

The BATJ-21 is a turbojet engine, which has a total thrust of 16 000 pounds.

The aircraft has a top speed of Mach 2 (2100 km/ph).

Payload:

The EI-05 "Maelstrom" has five external hardpoints, with two under each wing, and one on the belly, specifically constructed for a fuel drop tank, with a total payload of 8000 Kg.

Furthermore, the EI-05 "Maelstrom" is armed with one x GRC-21 Rotary Cannon.

The Aircraft can carry a combination of the following weapon systems, excluding the mounted Rotary Cannon:

- Talon Air to Air Missile

- Claw Air to Surface Missile

- Justice Class Bomb

Avionics

The EI-05 "Maelstrom" is fitted with the following avionic systems, as from Mk IV, having replaced all original electronics after improvements in the field have been gained with the construction of the EF-16 "Phoenix":

BAA/AESA-12

The BA/AESA-12 is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar developed by Blackstone Aviation.

This radar has various capabilities, including, air-to-air mode, air-to-ground modes, high resolution mapping, target indication & tracking, combat identification, electronic warfare and communications.

BAA/EOTS-15

The BAA/EOTS-15 is an electro-optical targeting system developed by Blackstone Aviation.

This system is used to track and locate aerial targets, and uses a sophisticated system combining charge-coupled device TV cameras, a laser rangefinder and a laser designator.

BAA/DAS-1

BAA/DAS-1 is a Electro-optical Distributed Aperture System, which is effectively a sophisticated and multiroled sensor suite.

It serves the following functions:

- Missile detection and tracking, including launch point detection and countermeasure cueing;

- Aircraft detection and tracking and air-to-air weapons cueing;

- Imagery for cockpit displays and night vision.

BAA/EWS-18

The BAA/EWS-18 is an electronic warfare suite developed by Blackstone Aviation.

It is a combined Active/Passive system, which provides defensive and offensive capabilities.

In the Passive/Defensive role, this system protects its host aircraft and the larger area against electronic and electromagnetic jamming.

In the Active/Offensive role, this system jamms, blocks, scrambles or destroys enemy electronics and radio nets.

BAA/C&A-21

The BAA/C&A-21 is a Communication & General Aviation Systems suite developed by Blackstone Aviation.

It consists of the following packages:

- Encrypted Communication Suite;
- Tactical Data Link;
- Interrogator/Transponder System;
- Tactical Air Navigation System;
- Radar Altimeter;
- Instrument Landing System
- Instrument carrier landing system.

Please note that all quantum processors and key control chips of every avionic system mentioned above was constructed and supplied by Schwyz Defence Systems, based in Neu Engollon.


Technical Specifications

Specs of the Blackstone Aviation EI-05 "Maelstrom"

Technical Data:

Crew: 1

Length: 14.7 m

Wingspan: 7.2 m

Height: 4.1 m

Wing area: 23.7 m2

Empty weight: 8700 Kg

Max takeoff weight: 20 000 Kg

Powerplant: 1 × BATJ-21 (Blackstone Aviation Turbojet - 21st Century), with a thrust of 16 000 kg

Maximum speed: Mach 2

Range:

800 km
1000 km (With external drop tank)

Service ceiling: 15,000 m


Armament:

Guns: 1 × GRC-21 Rotary Cannon, with a total of 400 rounds.

Hardpoints: 5 x External hardpoints (1 x Hardpoint dedicated for a fuel drop tank), with a total payload of 8000 Kg. A combination of the following armaments can be loaded:

- Talon Air to Air Missile
- Claw Air to Surface Missile
- Justice Class Bomb

Avionics

- BAA/AESA-12 Radar
- BAA/EOTS-15 Targeting System
- BAA/DAS-1 Distributed Aperture System
- BAA/EWS-18 EW Suite
- BAA/C&A-21 Suite, consisting of:
Encrypted Communication Suite;
Tactical Data Link;
Interrogator/Transponder System;
Tactical Air Navigation System;
Radar Altimeter;
Instrument Landing System;
Instrument carrier landing system.


VARIANTS

The EI-05 "Maelstrom" has been manufactured as the following variants/versions over the course of its production period:

- EI-05 "Maelstrom" Mk I. This is the original version.
- EI-05 "Maelstrom" Mk II. This is the first upgraded version, introduced in 2010, which saw improved safety features.
- EI-05 "Maelstrom" Mk III. This is the second upgraded version, which saw the introduction of an improved power plant.
- EI-05 "Maelstrom" Mk IV. This is the third upgraded version, which saw the introduction of improved electronic systems.


USERS

The following Users have been declared to utilize the aircraft:

Republic of Port Ember.

- Port Ember Security Forces: Air Force
- Port Ember Security Forces: Navy

Republic of San Rosito.

- Fuerza Aérea de San Rosito (Air Force)
- La Armada de San Rosito (Navy)

Grand Duchy of Glisandia.

- Royal Glisandian Air Force


CONFLICTS

The EI-05 "Maelstrom" has been utilized during the following Armed Conflicts around the multiverse:

- The Port Emberian - Equinian War of 2000 - 2003
- The Hawklands Campaign: 2011 - 2012
- War on Terror: 2011 - Current
- The Ashmore Conflict: 2015;
- The Borzinian Civil War: 2016;
- The Port Arthurian Crises: 2017;
- The Iarann Grudaidh Invasion Attempt: 2019;
- The Iarann Grudaidh - Geonal War: 2020 - 2021.


OOC:

- The player behind Port Ember claims ownership over the write up and pictures used. Please do not steal my work, which I worked hours on.
- If your nation wants to buy this product for lore building/RP, drop me a TG!
- Please "Like" this Page if you enjoyed it!

The Republic of Port Ember

Edited:

RawReport