Militech AVX-9C Viper

Militech AVX-9C Viper is an aerodyne introduced in Corporation Report 2020 Volume 2 and expanded on in Maximum Metal.

Background
Equipped with a 7.62 minigun and laser in the nose, a large storage space for explosive ordinances, and two dozen personnel and anti-attack systems and equipment, the Militech AVX Viper represents a divergence from the normal assault aerodyne, instead acting as a modern tilt-engine attack plane. In 2020, a second generation was produced for general sale and export as a ground attack vehicle, but able to deal with aerial vehicles, also being equipped for 24-hour, all-weather operations.

Corporation Report 2020 Volume 2 Description

 * ''This vehicle bears little visible relation  to  its non-combat cousins, the AV-4 and AV-7. It is similar to the AV-6, but represents  second  generation  design,  dumping  the  original configuration for the latest in hybrid lifting body technology for increased speed and range. It is designed for use in attack, ground support and crowd suppression  roles.  It uses  two  of the  powerful  International  Electric  MVB-Sidewinder Turbofans  to generate over  50,000lbs  of fuel-efficient thrust. Mounted on the ends of stubby wings, the Sidewinders  can  rotate  through  110° for  forward,  vertical and  reverse flight. The IEC MVB-Sidewinders replace the vectored  Rolls  Royce Pegasus IIs, now fading into  obsolescence.  The sinister-looking fuselage and stubby wings  act as a lifting body for forward flight. The hull is dotted with hardpoints  for  a variety of stores,  including  rockets,bombs,  gun  pods  and  external  fuel  tanks.  A crew of two operates the craft; the pilot flying by manual or cybernetic control  and operating the  nose-mounted  turret  minigun,and  the radar/weapons officer riding above and  behind the pilot, cybernetically operating the  main  stores.  The Viper  uses  the latest  in auto-tracking weapons and  cybernetic navigation and guidance for true all-weather offensive capabilities.  Six tons  of stores  may be carried. The Sony-Matsushita targeting computer  is capable of tracking 50 separate targets, and conducting offensive action against five of them through the use of fire and forget missiles. A laser guidance system can deliver bombs with pin-point accuracy. Zetatech International produced the night vision system which  allows high-speed flight at  low altitudes  in  darkness  and  heavy weather.  The Viper has  a top speed of 530mph, a ferry range of 1800 miles and an operational  combat  radius  of 750  miles.  Range  can  be increased  by external fuel tanks. The Viper uses advanced polymer  armors,  and  has  SP  75,  SDP  110.  The  exposed engines  are  the vulnerable  point  at  SP  50,  SDP  30. Although it has only weak glide characteristics, the Viper has ejection seats and an emergency parachute system which can  save the aircraft in  the event of catastrophic engine failure. The aircraft must be above 2500m altitude for the vehicular chute to work. Although fantastic by AV standards, the Viper is still no match for a true fighter air-craft.  However  for anti-armor and  troop support  it  is unequalled. [sic] It is often used to fill the gunship role whileAV-4s deposit  troops  in hot zones.  It  is  in  use by several national and corporate armies, and even some wealthy police forces. A naval variant is also in production. Cost:18,000,000.''

VIPER WEAPONS

 * Some of the stores that may be carried by the AVX Viper are:  1000,  500,  250  or  100lb  laser  guided  or  unguided bombs,  500  or  l00lb  cluster  bombs,  500lb  retarded bombs, 2000lb fuel-air bombs, 2 inch unguided rockets in  500lb/30 packs, Anvil-2 anti-tank missiles in  500lb/3packs,  1000lb  cannon or minigun  packs including  the30mm  rocket  gun,  chemical  bombs,  750lb  Lance  long-range  radar-guided  AAMs,  300lb  Falcon  cyber-assisted infrared  AAMs,  up  to  two  2000lb  (300gal.)  fuel  tanks, ECM   packages,   500   or    1000lb    programmed/radar-guided  fire  and  forget  air  to  ground  missiles,  and  of course, that old standard, napalm.  The AVX can  also  fire rockets  containing  the  "Porcupine"  and  other  advanced vehicle-killing  rounds.

Maximum Metal Description

 * Militech's new AVX-9C Viper isn't meant to replace the AV-8, but instead to act as more of an aerodyne version of a tilt-engine attack plane.
 * Special Equipment: Ejection seats, fire extinguisher, 12 man-hours life support, anti-laser aerosol linked to laser detector. chaff and flare dispensers, laser communicator, military radio, laser rangefinder, auto-pilot with navigation systems, cybernetic controls, ECM, ECCM, image enhancement, microwave detector, military radar with terrain-following, military radar detector, thermograph.
 * Weapons: 7.62mm Minigun and painting laser in nose turret. 10 spaces of internal ordnance stores (bombs or missiles), weapon wings for 10 spaces of weapon pods.