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DispatchFactbookMilitary

by The Federal Republic of Nu Alaska. . 23 reads.

Current Military Equipment and Research Projects (wip)

Research Projects

Army

Air Force

The Exofighter is a currently in-development two seat spaceplane fighter. Anticipated roles include satellite deployment, anti-satellite operations, reconnaissance, and combat with other spaceborne fighters should enemy nations develop their own. Work officially began in 2025, with smaller-scale research and development beginning in 2023. Many elements of the design can be traced back to the American 'Black Horse' concept of the 1990s. Completion is hopefully to be reached by 2035, but there have been numerous setbacks.
The current design of the AF-99 resembles that of a modern F-35 Lightning used by the Alaskan Air Force, though somewhat larger and with the addition of a second seat. The larger size is necessary for the fuel needed to reach space and a more robust engine and fuel system, both of which are still in development. Originally meant for suborbital operations, the AF-99 is now expected to be able to reach low-Earth orbit under certain conditions, a capability particularly important if variants are to be used to deploy satellites.
Progress on the Exofighter has been rather slow due to specification changes and disagreements over how to tackle certain issues. For several years there were two competing ideas for the takeoff system, with some believing it would be more achievable and practical to have it launch atop a rocket booster similarly to a conventional spacecraft and others pushing for the current system despite the longer development time involved and various unknowns. While the latter system will certainly lead to a more versatile and easily deployable spacecraft, it has proven immensely difficult to make work. There have also been changing requirements as to what role the spacecraft will serve, and the addition of satellite deployment and its requirement that the craft reach orbit threw a wrench in development. Despite these setbacks, however, the AF-99 remains the Air Force's, and perhaps the armed forces in general, highest-priority research project, and it is hoped that it will lead to the development of other types of spaceplanes. The high cost, long development, and questioned utility of the Exofighter Program has attracted criticism, but the government hopes to regain some of the money spent by selling AF-99s to the United States.

Navy

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Current Equipment

Army

Air Force

The Boltcaster is a tandem-seat, turboprop attack plane in service with the Federal Air Force.
The Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler is a four-seat electronic warfare aircraft. Based off the A-6 Intruder attack plane, the Prowler was designed to jam and confuse enemy radar and radio communications, and in its current configuration also has the ability to upload viruses to enemy computer systems, including the computer systems of enemy aircraft. Though effective in its role, the Prowler is somewhat limited by its subsonic speeds and its airframe design dating back to the 1960s. The Prowlers in Alaskan possession were purchased from the United States, where they were retired several years before Alaskan independence.
The Martin P6M-2 SeaMaster is an amphibious strategic bomber designed and tested in the United States in the late 1950s. Originally intended for nuclear weapon deployment and minelaying, it never entered active service. The one example in Alaska's possession - and the only example remaining - is currently used as the official presidential transport aircraft for current Alaskan president Gallagher Blair. Operating in a capacity similar to America's Air Force One, the aircraft has gained the unofficial name "Blair Force One".
Although visibly seeming almost identical to an original P6M-2 externally, internally the presidential plane is a very different aircraft, with the structural components of the airframe, the cockpit and flight controls, and other systems upgraded or completely replaced to meet modern safety standards. The aircraft also sports advanced defensive systems, including defensive turrets, homing missiles, and EMP protection. The layout of the interior is unsurprisingly modified, containing an office and sleeping quarters for the president and a control room for the defense systems. The aircraft is capable of reaching Mach 0.9.

Navy

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