WB.7 Archangel

WB.7 Archangel
WB.7 Archangel, 2020
Role	High supersonic bomber
National origin	Wingarde
Manufacturer	Wingarde Aerospace
First flight	19 June 2008
Introduction	28 September 2010
Status	In service
Primary user	Wingarde Federal Air Force
Produced	2010-2024

The WB.7 Archangel (German: Erzengel) is a high supersonic bomber in service in the Wingardian Federal Air Force. A conceptual descendant of the retired WB.3 Phoenix, the Archangel was originally envisioned as a next-generation penetration bomber, able to quickly reach targets deep in enemy airspace, using its high speed and altitude to elude hostile air defence and combat patrols.

To achieve its impressive Mach 4 supercruise, the aircraft utilizes revolutionary turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engines, which compound a low-speed core consisting of high-performance, low-bypass afterburning turbofans, with a high-speed mode which activates dedicated ramjets. As the WB.7 approaches Mach 3, the internal geometry of the TBCC reconfigures to bypass the turbofan machinery and operate as a pure ramjet.

Beginning in 2005, its development was shrouded in secrecy, but was plagued by ballooning costs and overruns as planners and policymakers struggled to finalize a design suited to the realities of evolving air warfare. The WB.7 entered limited production and was introduced in 2010.

With advancing air defence technology threatening the Archangel's role and future, in 2020 the Ministry of Defence authorized the Phase II upgrade program, aiming to reconceptualize the aircraft as a quick reaction launch platform for hypersonic weapons. The convergent development of the Gungnir Hypersonic Strike Vehicle (HSV) complemented the new design, allowing upgrades to begin in 2023.

As of 2025, after the Phase II upgrade, the cost per airframe is estimated to be approximately $1.2 billion USD.

Only a very limited number of Archangel squadrons exist, officially under the Federal Air Force. Due to the stringent requirement for elite crews, however, available slots are hotly contested between Air Force and Sapphire Air Guard personnel.

• Phase I (2010): Original production model, rapid deployment high supersonic bomber.
• Phase II (2023): Hypersonic strike capability upgrade, making use of the Gungnir HSV platform.

• Crew: 2 (1 pilot, 1 systems officer)
• Length: 35.2 m (115 ft)
• Wingspan: 20.3 m (67 ft)
• Height: 8.1 m (27 ft)
• Empty weight: 55,073 kg (121,415 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 90,284 kg (199,042 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Norton Dynamics/Wingarde Aerospace GA-RP-200 turbine-based combined cycle engines, 190 kN (42,700 lbf) each with afterburner/ramjet engaged

• Maximum speed: Mach 4+ (4,989 km/h, 3,100 mph) at high altitude
• Range: 2,600 km (high dash, 1,600 mi), 3,700 km (standard combat, 2,300 mi), 7,400 km (ferry, 4,600 mi)
• Service ceiling: 30,000 m (100,000 ft)

Combined combat load of 10,000 kg (22,000 lb) in weapons bay.

• Bombs:
  • MB40-160P/A/G series of precision and glide bombs

• Missiles:
  • HSR-360 Gungnir hypersonic cruise missiles
  • LFK-180 Keule land attack cruise missiles
  • SFK-120 Dreizack anti-ship missiles
  • AR-L-168 Balliste extreme range air-to-air missiles

• Common loadouts:
  • Hypersonic strike (Phase II): 4 × HSR-360 Gungnir hypersonic cruise missiles, 2 × AR-L-168 Balliste extreme range air-to-air missiles
  • Precision bomber: 16 or 8 × MB40P/A/G (500 kg) or MB80P/A/G (1,000 kg) guided bombs with high speed release fairings, 2 × AR-L-168 Balliste extreme range air-to-air missiles
  • Strategic interceptor: 12 × AR-L-168 Balliste extreme range air-to-air missiles