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.