Federation Air Force

[voxapocrypha]

The Federation Air Force

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The Federation Air Force is the dedicated aerospace combat branch of the Federation military, and is one of if not the most advanced air force in the world.
It operates the Federation's combat air craft, and as well handles and utilizes a wide array of craft designed for scouting missions, global transportation, in-air refueling assets, and as well cyberwarfare and support aircraft.
As well it operates its own special forces ground units to which are usually quick-action teams and forward observation units to coordinate with the other branches of the armed forces.

It's motto is:
"Fly High, Fight Hard, Win."

[voxapocrypha]

FEDERATION AIRCRAFT

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A catalog of all currently in-service federation military aircraft.

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Federation "Hummingbird" Helicopter

Small transport helicopter. 
While some are armed, typically the Hummingbird is used as a transport alone. It's purpose is to carry small loads of cargo, transport small squads or fireteams of special operatives, or as a quick on and off transport away from Amphibious assault ships for the Federation Marines, and as well as transport within a small area of territory. 

 

Federation Razorhawk Helicopter and Blackhawk

The Federation Razorhawk Helicopter is a newer model of military helicopter in service with the Federation Military. Slated to replace the Blackhawk, it can carry decent sized loads of equipment and cargo, and as well a full squad of infantry. Every branch makes use of it, but primarily it is utilized by the Federation Army and Marines. It has a greater range than any previous model of Blackhawk and a greater top speed. The vehicles are typically not heavily armed either, though they do have M34 Vulcan Miniguns in their side windows operated by door gunners. 

Blackhawks are similarly designed for this purpose but are older, have less stealth capability and are more electronically reliant than the Razorhawk is, and generally are being phased out or handed off to the Federation Police Forces or National Guard, or as well placed in reserve. Even so the vehicles are still in use by the Federation military and will see use until either the last Razorhawk is delivered or the federation decides on another upgrade package. 

Naval versions of both exist, though the naval variants of the Blackhawk are mostly geared towards cargo transport or the launching of Antiship missiles. 

Barghest Fast-Helicopter Gunship

The Barghest is a rapid response gunship in use by the Federation Army and Marines. The Helicopter is geared towards rapid movement and response, and is armed with a number of weapon systems to aid it in engaging vehicles and infantry. Primarily the vehicle uses four anti-tank missiles and then has two Cytokine-Storm rocket pods, and a 30mm minigun mounted under the nose. They can be armed with sidewinder and AMRAAM anti-aircraft missiles. It has a long range and is armored enough to effectively withstand small arms fire, and it has an electronic countermeasures system and some vehicles carry missile jammers. 

Federation Apache Heavy-Helicopter Gunship

Built on a similar platform to the Barghest, the Apache is a larger, older version helicopter gunship built to engage and destroy large forces of tanks and hostile armor. Various upgrade packages have made the relatively old but still reliable and formidable gunship into a modern day tank busting machine, and its armament of anti-tank guided missiles can range from merely eight to up to twenty with enough missile racks. It can hold rocket pods as well and has a mounted 30mm chain gun beneath the cockpit. It has as great a range as the Barghest under a full load and somewhat more reliable armor and defensive systems, but isn't as fast. The longbow system (large radar dish atop of the propeller) allows for it to lock onto and track up to 182 targets at once in a battlespace and to quickly individually target vehicles, structures and infantry. 

Mostly seen in the hands of the Army, but often found in Marine arsenals as well.

Kiowa Scout Helicopter

An unarmed, and a armed variant of this helicopter are in common service with the Federation military, in every branch.
The Federation military uses these as scout helicopters and light helicopter support, the primary purpose of these being however to perform quick and long range recon over a battlefield with their large camera systems and sensor suites and as well, their electronic warfare systems allow them to perform jamming. They have longer range than most other helicopters and speed but they are not designed to take hits, and primarily just serve as recon platforms. 

Cobra Helicopter Gunship

The Cobra is a light helicopter gunship armed with two sidewinders and up to eight ATGMs with rocket pods as well being possible, and a autocannon under the cockpit. 
A standalone platform the vehicle shares similarities to the Barghest, but is slightly larger though lighter as its made with lighter materials and as well lacks as much armor. It is quick and versatile and primarily used to assist in ground operations with the Marine Corps, though it does have a place in Coast Guard and Navy Arsenals and some rare few are present in Army formations. They are capable of operating at long range for prolonged periods of time but are known for having maintenance issues if performing tasks that require long endurance times such as continuous ground support or convoy escort. 

Hadok H43 Chinook

Federation Army and Marine forces commonly make use of the Chinook, a mainline cargo and transport aircraft that has been in service for decades and is slated to continue to remain in service. Chinooks are primarily used as cargo and troop transports, and some air cavalry units use them for their rapid assaults and for quick movement and positioning. Though usually, Chinooks see service as cargo transports and move large amounts of ammo and equipment, and sometimes one vehicle held under the craft by cargo lines. It has a long range and can take a hit or two, and is considered the workhorse of the Federation Army. 

Casin ATI -22 Dropship

The Federation Casin Dropship is a primarily Navy and Air Force VTOL Dropship that has recently entered production, under license from the Armed Technicians International production line. It is a jet powered VTOL dropship primarily used for moving troops and equipment quickly, and as well armed platforms exist. VTOL Gunships are primarily equipped with racks of guided missiles and a underside mounted 30mm Automatic Cannon, and their primarily tasked with supporting naval insertions and as well with providing ground support to ground forces. Casin dropships can take a hit, being well armored, and are able to reach supersonic speeds, though this is without a full load. The vehicles are primarily used for medium to long range transportation and as well to assist in ground invasions by Federation marines, as they carry marines to and from the shoreline. 

CH-130 Cargo Aircraft

The CH-130 is a cargo aircraft built for and operated by the US Air Force, US Army, and US Marines, of which is used to transport large amounts of equipment, vehicles and firearms to and from areas of operations and to abases and airports in the Federation or allied countries. It can carry two humvees or lighter vehicles within its frame, though at times it may also hold a Stryker. It has a near global range with in-flight refueling, but nominally it can cross from California to Spain if needed without refueling in flight. 

Federation Paratroopers use them in their Airborne Assault forces, the modified versions they use modified to increase their speed and as well their protective systems such as flares and electronic countermeasures to enable them to survive a combat insertion, so that they can get their troops into the field and their gear as well without as much risk. Primarily this is done with jamming and by popping flares before dropping troops and after. 

C-18 Globemaster Cargo Aircraft

Much larger than the CH-130, the Globemaster is a all weather air transport, of which can carry up to two M1a4 Abrams Main Battle Tanks within its frame, and as well it can carry four Humvees and lighter vehicles, maybe more if they're more compact. The Globemaster is used as a large cargo and equipment transport and it has a extreme range, that is extended by refueling. The aircraft can carry hundreds of soldiers and their equipment and vehicles from base to base, and may as well be used as troop carrier for paratrooper assault operations. It is however only operated by the Federation Air Force.

Federation Skylifter VTOL

The skylifter is a VTOL aircraft in use by the Federation Military and various other government agencies, a relatively old VTOL Model that was upgraded and put back into service when the need for another in the early 2100s had made it convenient to bring the airframes out of the dustyards and to make them flight worthy again. Their engines are now jet turbines, and the are now armed with rocket pods and missiles, to enable them better defensive and offensive capabilities. They can carry infantry aboard but are not meant to carry any large amount of cargo aside from crates of supplies. They are rather quick and agile, but are not very heavily armored. 

Federation Marcan Light Attack Plane

The Marcan is a light attacker aircraft, with the purpose of engaging enemy tanks and ground forces in several quick strafing runs with its rocket pods and its 20mm autogun. The aircraft is a rather shortrange airframe that isn't as complex as other attack aircraft, but it is rather fast and as well it does not require as many complex systems as other larger CAS planes might. Some versions of the fighter are able to mount and use Anti-tank guided missiles. It has a quick speed but is not very well armored. As well some versions can mount sidewinder missiles but they are fairly few and far between, that refit package not in common circulation as of yet. 

Gorgon CAS Attack Plane

The Gorgon is a relatively old design that's been in service for several decades now under the Federation Air Force. The Gorgon was made as a missile carrier with the purpose of carrying anti-tank and vehicle weapons, and as well with mounting some of the deadliest anti-ship weapons that could be put onto a CAS fighter. It has thick armor and while it not very maneuverable, it can still take on other aircraft with its sidewinder missiles. It is however, a prolific anti-tank aircraft, and the distinct sound of its engines and the firing of its massive 45mm Vulcan Autocannon are known worldwide. It can mount and use missiles and rocket pods, and as well carry the deadliest anti-ship missile systems in use today, the Huller Ship-killer. It has a decent range for a CAS aircraft and is rated for long-range flights and in-air refueling. 

Federation F/A-6 Phantom

The F/A-6 Phantom, or just Phantom, is a old fighter design originally designed in the 2060s that had its first production run in the 2070s. The aircraft was designed when the need for a more advanced and capable mainline air to air fighter and then multi-role fighter became increasingly clear to the Federation Airforce, which led to it becoming a prolific and widespread fighter in use by all branches of service, but primarily by the Navy and then Air Force. The fighter-bomber was used first to destroy the air power of the Mexican Socialist Republic, and then as well to then engage in strategic and tactical bombing. It proved itself quite effective against most adversaries, and even now despite its age its still in use by the Federation military, continuously refitted and armed with new weapons, engine upgrades, and more. New versions of it are in production with its wing profile and engines altered and changed to allow it to match up to even the modern 5th Gen fighters to a degree. 

They can mount most weapon systems, including gunpods, anti-ship and anti-tank missiles, and anti-aircraft and long-range anti-air missile systems. 

Federation F/A-14 Tomcat

The F/A-14 is a design that was produced in the 2080s, inspired by the success of the Federation's Phantom, and then upgraded to better fulfil the roles that the Federation Navy needed the aircraft for. It is not as prolific as the Phantom, but in the Federation Navy it is as well one of the most potent craft in service, acting as a powerful interceptor and naval attacker craft, able to mount and use anti-ship missiles, though primarily it used to launch long-range anti-aircraft missiles at hostile aircraft. It is quicker and more versatile than the phantom and its variable swept wing design allows it flexibility and agility. 

Federation F/A-15 Strike Eagle

The F/A-15 Strike Eagle is a multi-purpose fighter-bomber aircraft, in use by the Federation Air Force. Designed for long-range flights and attack power, the aircraft does not have any stealth coating or qualities, and the main purpose of the Strike Eagle is to fight and to win. When the Federation Air Force wants something destroyed and it does not require a commitment of heavy bombers, and there may be airborne resistance, they deploy typically a strike package of these versatile aircraft to directly strike enemy installations with bombs, and missiles. They are rather agile aircraft as well and can hold their own and even out-compete other fighters and aircraft in combat. 

F/M-16 Falcon Interdictor

The Falcon Interdictor is a long-range and high speed fighter craft. It is armed with missiles and as well, guided bombs - the primary purpose of these vehicles is to support other types of fighters and as well to engage in long range flights and attacks against hostile enemy ships and installations, of which it uses the bombs in its loadout to engage, though they can as well be replaced by missiles with a pylon/hardpoint change. They are as well sometimes used for supporting fights for air dominance, as they are quick and maneuverable fighters. They're mostly in use with the Federation navy. 

F-18 A/MF Super-hornet 

A federation multi-role, carrier-capable fighter in service primarily with the Federation navy. A relatively new aircraft, the Superhornet has been in operation for about 30 years, and while it does not make up a significant portion of the Federation's air power, it is growing in numbers as the F-14 begins to be phased out and otherwise used less and less. It is a maneuverable and agile fighter with the ability to attack both land and air targets, and as well to carry and use anti-ship missiles in combat. It is one of the fighters that can still make use of a lot of more advanced heavy ordinance and weapon systems without the need for extensive and expensive refits. 

B-19A Nighthawk Marauder 

The Nighthawk Marauder, or simply Nighthawk, is a stealth strike fighter, primarily designed with the focus of conducting direct attacks on high value targets. It can use and carry anti-aircraft missiles, but the primary weapon is makes use of is large bunker-buster missiles and bombs, as well as carrying cluster bombs into combat. While its stealth technology is considered old by the Federation, the vehicle is still considered a viable weapon against lower-tech nations and if properly supported is still slated for use against more equal foes. Cruise missile capable. 

Skyshock Tactical Bomber

The Skyshock is a tactical bomber, capable of carrying large bomb loads, of which can range from many 500lb bombs with contact fuses, dozens of cluster bombs, to several large conventional bombs with extreme destructive power, and as well it can be used to carry and launch anti-ship missiles. It isn't a fighter and it can't carry and reliable use anti-aircraft weapons, though some variants do have these systems so that they may be of use engaging airships. As well can carry and use cruise missiles. 

B-2 Spirit

A more modern stealth bomber, the B-2 Spirit is the current strike bomber in use by the Federation Air Force for engaging and attacking more advanced powers and as well. Few of them are in active service since the Federation has not bought a large fleet of them as of yet. The aircraft are able to carry large bomb loads, including the largest conventional bomb available to Federation forces, and as well it is cruise missile capable. Its stealth coating and systems allow for it to attack and destroy enemy targets at range and be able to withdraw quickly.

B-52 Stratofortress Strategic Bomber

The B-52 is an old warframe built by the United States Air Force in the mid-2000s, that has been continuously upgraded and built up for decades. The focus of the B-52 is to act as a airborne arsenal ship and as well as a carpet bomber, but it is as well one of the Federation's main bomber based nuclear delivery vehicles. It can carry a massive number of bombs and as well, it can carry a large amount of anti-ship missiles and cruise missiles. These vehicles are typically deployed alongside radar and scout aircraft as part of saturation attacks with other formations, though on their own if they are able to, they can be used to completely obliterate the heart of hostile cities and towns in bombing sorties. 

Hornet Drone Bomber

The Hornet is a drone bomber, built by Haylon Industries for the Federation Air Force and Navy, the primary purpose of which is engaging enemy ground targets and as well, saturation attacks. Often times they are used to drop supplies quickly to forces behind the lines as they have a high top-speed, and as well as they are quite maneuverable. They are able to carry and use cruise missiles and long-range munitions, as well as JDAMs and other bombs, though their size prohibits them from carrying particularly large weapons like the MOAB and so on. 

M-2 Predator Drone

The M-2 Predator Drone is a long-range surveillance and attack drone, armed with up to eight Maverick guided missiles. While its primary purpose now is surgical strikes against hostile HIVs and infrastructure, its main purpose overall was and still is to assist Federation forces with dealing with enemy tanks by carrying large payloads of anti-tank missiles to be used against enemy armored vehicles and Main battle tanks. The Federation Army has a large number of them at their disposal. They as well have dedicated surveillance variants of these aircraft.

S-2 Skywatch + Variants

The S-2 Skywatch and its variations are Federation spy aircraft and camera vehicles. Because of their extreme top-speeds they are as well able to achieve extreme heights and velocities, though these vehicles are seldom used by anyone but Festria pilots as Humans and smaller cannot handle the excessive g-forces quite as well. The vehicles are mainly geared towards surveillance and recon, and that is their main role. The aircraft have rarely been weaponized, though they are not able to deliver nuclear munitions. 

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AIRSHIPS

CL-1201 

The CL-1201 is the Federation's oldest airship type in service. Powered by two nuclear reactors the 1201 does not require a runway to take off, rather it has almost 50 jet engines for VTOL take off and landing. The Aircraft is able to stay up for almost 4 months with enough supplies to feed the crew and maintain the aircraft and its parasitic fighter escort. Generally it will take on fuel in-air and supplies via docking with other aircraft. It as well has parasitic fighters, up to 24 of which care carried on the airships wings.

Cetus Airship Battlecruiser

The Cetus is a battlecruiser in use by the Federation Air Force, a modern Airship design though not as widespread as the other airships currently in service with the Federation military. As well, weaker and lighter versions and smaller ones with lighter airframes are in use as well to fill other roles for the Federation military. The largest battlecruisers are able to use and mount railguns. The primary armament of these vehicles is SAM missiles, several CIWS systems and as well, Air to ground missiles. The main purpose of the airship is to fight other airships, and as well to support air forces. 

Anura Mark 1 and its variants

The Anura and its variations are frigates and destroyers, as well as fighter airships, of which primarily act as pickets and support craft for other ships and formations of Federation aircraft and vehicles. The Anura's are mainly built to fit the specifications of the Air Force and the Navy, but some are in Army control and geared towards ground support missions, being large gunships. Others in service with the air force and navy are more geared towards fighting other airships and attacking enemy warships and fighter formations with missiles. They as well have CIWS for defensive purposes. 

205-Class Battleship

A more recent design of airship, the 205-Class is the largest airship class in service with the Federation air force. The 205 is a brawler type ship, and its armament is meant to enable it to go toe-to-toe with most other types of airships and fighters, including large amounts of SAMs, lots of CIWS and as well, even flak guns and railguns to take on fighters and airships. The vehicle is powered by several nuclear reactors and bliothel fueled engines of which keep it aloft. It as well carries large numbers of cruise missiles and long-range anti-ship missiles in many cases, depending on the demands of their mission.