Empire Conquest-Chapter 936 - 137: Real-World Challenges

For the Empire’s Navy Generals, the astounding performance of the Air Force’s "Attack-11" in the Ceylon Kingdom’s rebellion suppression operation was nothing short of a resounding slap in the face.

That year, the Empire Navy redefined the performance indicators for the "Attack-X," directly abandoning the supersonic flight capability.

After the adjustment, stealth capabilities were prioritized, followed by a combat radius of 2000 kilometers, and a low detectability battlefield awareness and communication system. Since precision-guided ammunition represented by laser-guided bombs had matured, the Navy no longer emphasized payload capacity, reducing it from 12 tons to 4 tons in the internal bomb bay, with an additional 6 external heavy load points of 1500 kilograms each.

As for takeoff weight, the limit remained at 40 tons.

In fact, as long as there was no longer a requirement for supersonic flight capability, using new technology to develop a stealthy ship-borne attack aircraft under 40 tons was not difficult.

The following year, in the New Calendar year 145, three manufacturers presented their design proposals.

Interestingly, the three manufacturers coincidentally adopted a flying wing lift-body layout, which was considered very avant-garde at the time.

This was the only choice to meet the stealth performance and long-range indicators.

Because the design proposals of the three manufacturers were almost identical, by year’s end, the Empire Navy had the three manufacturers form a joint project team.

After that, the "Attack-X" project entered the fast lane.

In just 3 years, by the end of the New Calendar year 148, the first "Attack-X" prototype officially rolled off the line and received the military designation "Attack-12" after its maiden flight. Next, contractors successively delivered 7 prototype aircraft, marking the transition of the project into the design flight-testing phase.

According to the plan, design flight-testing work is expected to conclude by the New Calendar year 151.

As anticipated, the first batch of production models, specifically flight test prototypes improved to production standards, will be delivered to the Navy’s training squadron in the New Calendar year 151.

If all goes well, the first "Attack-12A" heavy attack aircraft squadron will be formed at the end of the New Calendar year 151, or early 152.

The Empire Navy will thus enter the stealth era.

However, still half a step behind the Air Force.

Of course, as long as the "Attack-12A" successfully enters service, the third round of the Empire Navy’s transformation will achieve a phase victory.

As for the value of this attack aircraft, there is no doubt.

Although during high-risk, high-intensity strike missions, the "Attack-12A" can only use two internal bomb bays, with a maximum payload of 4 tons, far below the "Attack-5F," the "Attack-12A" far surpasses the "Attack-5F" in combat efficiency due to its superior survivability.

For ground attack missions, the "Attack-12A" typically carries 4 1000-kilogram, or 8 500-kilogram, or 12 250-kilogram laser-guided bombs, or 2 long-range air-to-ground missiles, or 4 to 6 short-range air-to-ground missiles.

For sea strike missions, it usually carries 2 2000-kilogram heavy stealth anti-ship missiles.

The key is the sea strike capability.

Although the number of anti-ship missiles has decreased from 6 to 2 and can only fly at subsonic speeds, these anti-ship missiles, custom-designed for the "Attack-12A," possess the most outstanding penetration ability of their time, with a strike efficiency tens of times higher than the KD-12 used by "Attack-5F."

Additionally, it can also serve as an air-launched cruise missile.

As a result, the strike range of the Empire Navy will expand from the 2000-kilometer "tactical" level to the 3500-kilometer "strategic" level.

Unfortunately, the development progress of the XKD-30, nicknamed "Meiyu Arrow," is even slower than "Attack-12A"!

The key issue is that the performance indicators proposed by the Navy are simply too demanding.

To put it simply, it’s about achieving a maximum range of 600 kilometers, a cruising speed of Mach 0.95, and a sprint speed of no less than Mach 3 at a sea-level height for the last 60 kilometers, all within a missile body weighing 2000 kilograms, no longer than 4 meters, with a diameter not exceeding 0.5 meters, equipped with stealth capabilities and an RCS area of less than 0.01 square meters, and a warhead mass of no less than 500 kilograms.

As for the weight indicator, it’s relatively lenient.

The real problem is the dimensions.

Even after the Navy later abandoned the general requirement of being submarine-compatible, allowing for a missile body diameter increased to 0.8 meters, which is the maximum allowed by the "Attack-12A" bomb bay, the missile body space still struggles to meet the Navy’s tactical performance indicators.

Interestingly, the "cruise missile" version was the first to complete development work, finalized last year, and began mass production after the outbreak of the grand war, officially designated KD-30A. Because it does not require supersonic sprint capability, and the cruising speed was reduced to Mach 0.85, the KD-30A not only reduced its weight to 1650 kilograms but also achieved a range of 1500 kilometers while maintaining a 500-kilogram warhead.

Due to its excellent performance, the KD-30A also attracted the interest of the Air Force.

However, it’s not without flaws.

The most prominent issue is that it’s too expensive.

Even if, at the request of the Ministry of Defense, the Navy and Air Force jointly placed an order for the first batch of 15,000 units, the unit price was still five times that of the KD-20 and DD-20. According to the manufacturer’s quote, the stealth coating and electronic equipment alone account for 60% of the total price.

Of course, during wartime, this price is barely acceptable.

The Navy actually wants the anti-ship version.

According to the latest version, the Empire Navy has reduced the warhead weight to 250 kilograms.

By using a semi-armor-piercing warhead, and filling it with the high-energy explosives usually used in torpedo warheads, it still has sufficient destructive power against large battleships.

Of course, it would be even better if the speed performance could be appropriately reduced.