A secondary pair of lightweight ESQ/AS-A-8 L-band AESA radars are also installed bellow the LERX allowing for enhanced detection of stealth targets and redundancy during high-EW situations. The ESQ/AS-7 is capable of tracking up to six individual 1m 2 targets at ranges of up to 200-400km, depending on beam width. Original models carried the ESQ/AS-1 Razor radar, an infant project giving the Taipan a radar range of roughly 100km against 3m 2 targets and without IRST systems however both features would later be improved upon with future models.įor its primary radar, Block II+ models of the AC-88 use the ESQ/AS-7 Yaraca, an impressive solid-state AESA X-Band radar.
#TAIPAN FIGHTER UPGRADE#
The AC-88E Taipan Block II was a significant upgrade over the A-model and B-model designs, including new radar, radar-warning receiver (RWR), IRST systems, helmet-mounted-display, and additional RWR/MLD antennae & nodes. Nihonese Kojima K50 variable-cycle engines power the Taipan with over 170kn thrust, giving it supercruise capability. It also features a forward air brake and thrust-vectoring engines all features which give it super-maneuverable capabilities.
At high angles of attack, both the canards and LERX are used to reduce the effect of the fuselage "blocking" the tail fin. A single all-movable tail is situated between the two engines, giving it less drag during straight-forward supersonic flight. Main design features of the Taipan include both the presence of forward canards and a Leading Edge Extension (LERX).
#TAIPAN FIGHTER SOFTWARE#
Incorporation of these upgrades, while long-coming, was made easier by the initial designers leaving "empty space" both physically and in terms of software code, with the intent of adding plug-and-play additions in the future.
Part of this was due to limited access to forthcoming technologies (AESA radar, IRST, etc.), and in part due to air-to-air lessons learned in the trial-by-fire crucible that was the Lolloh-Ruol Wars. However, even after the Taipan entered service, the program continued development. It was soon after ordered into production and adopted by the Inyurstan Air Force. In December of 1996, the original X-88 prototype made its maiden flight, performing several sonic booms, Herbst Maneuvers and Pugachev's Cobra. Designers and engineers also borrowed the same phrase "not a pound for air-to-ground" when describing the duties and expected roles of the Taipan. The Taipan program began as an indigenous effort to develop a 4th-Generation "pure" air-superiority fighter along the same lines as the original F-15.
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