WF.17 Falchion

WF.17 Falchion
XXXXX
Role	Carrier-based tactical fighter
National origin	Wingarde
Manufacturer	Aller-Hartmore FtG
First flight	16 November 1964
Introduction	2 May 1966
Retired	2004 (Wingarde)
Primary users	Wingarde Federal Air Force Wingarde Federal Navy Lucretian Republican Air Force
Produced	1965–1994
Major variants	• Supersonic interceptor • Multirole strike • SEAD

The WF.17 Falchion is a Wingardian twin-engine, two-seat, carrier-capable supersonic fighter featuring a distinctive compound delta wing and twin vertical stabilizers. The Falchion was Wingarde's mainstay heavyweight fighter for much of the second half of the 20th century. It evolved from an air and fleet defense interceptor to a multirole platform capable of air superiority, precision strike, and maritime operations.

The aircraft was retired from Wingardian service in 2004, but it remains operational as a key component of the Lucretian Republican Air Force's fighter force in the form of the WF.17L modernized variant.

TBX

• WF.17A (1966): Nicknamed “Alphonse”. Original production version with two Perryn-Löwe JT8-V3 80 kN (17,900 lbf) thrust turbojet engines. Air superiority and fleet defense interceptor. Analog avionics, mechanical flight controls and first-generation XXXXX HUNTER-64 air-to-air only radar.

• WF.17B (1969): Nicknamed “Bruno”. First pre-planned upgrade by Aller-Hartmore. Minor avionics and structural improvements geared towards carrier operations. Enhanced low-speed handling (better slats/flaps), refined folding wing mechanisms, improved engine reliability.

• WF.17C (1972): Nicknamed “Charlotte”. Second pre-planned upgrade by Aller-Hartmore. Solid-state electronics replacing tubes, digital fire control system, early ground attack capability with unguided bombs, INS addition, enhanced radar processing and range.

• WF.17D (1977): Nicknamed “Dietrich”. Major overhaul sporting new Perryn-Löwe JF9-V2 92 kN (20,700 lbf) thrust turbofan engines and early digital avionics. Introduction of multirole capabilities through a newer XXXXX ARCHER-75 multi-mode radar (air-to-air, air-to-ground), strengthened airframe and greater weapons compatibility, including maritime strike using the SFK-80 Barrakuda anti-ship missile.

• WF.17E (1984): Nicknamed “Eugen”. Originally envisioned as an electronic warfare platform, technological limitations acknowledged in the design stage led to pivot to a SEAD specialist role. The upgrade included enhanced radar warning receivers, anti-radiation missile integration (LBR-34 Spürhund) and limited self-protection jamming pods.

• WF.17F (1986): Nicknamed “Folkhard”. Second major upgrade, including Norton Power G-SF-84B 108 kN (24,300 lbf) thrust turbofans. A leap in avionics in the form of advanced digital mission computers, enhanced cockpit displays and a new Eckhardt XXXXX look-down/shoot-down radar with multiple target tracking. Hybrid mechanical and fly-by-wire flight controls and greatly expanded weapons compatibility, achieving true multirole capability and BVR missile integration (AR-L-112 Lanze).

• WF.17E2 (1990): Electronics modernization iteration of the parallel “Eugen” line, receiving F-series engine and avionics upgrades. Implementation of integrated GPS navigation, datalink capability and newer targeting pods served as a testbed for the later, more widespread G variant.

• WF.17G (1993): Nicknamed “Gustav”. The apex of the Falchion in Wingardian service. Final engine upgrade with the Norton Power G-SF-87C, boasting 122 kN (27,300 lbf) of thrust. Full digital fly-by-wire flight controls, glass cockpit with integrated sensor and multifunction displays, modern defensive countermeasures suite. The latest XXXXX multi-mode radar provides rapid switching between air-to-air, air-to-ground, and sea search modes.

• WF.17L (2015): Nicknamed “Leopold”. A cost-effective modernization package for the Lucretian Republic. Focus on affordable, high-impact improvements such as modern military datalinks, communications, navigation and countermeasures, updated cockpit displays and expanded compatibility with contemporary precision-guided munitions.

• Crew: 2 (1 pilot, 1 weapons officer)
• Length: 19.9 m (65 ft)
• Wingspan: 14.5 m (48 ft)
• Height: 5.2 m (17 ft)
• Empty weight: 16,440 kg (36,244 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 31,700 kg (69,887 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Norton Power G-SF-87C afterburning turbofans, 76 kN (17,000 lbf), 122 kN (27,300 lbf) with afterburner

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.4 (2,966 km/h, 1,841 mph) at altitude
• Range: 1,200 km (standard combat, 746 mi, 650 nmi), 4,165 km (maximum, 2,588 mi, 2,250 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 15,000 m (50,000 ft)

Maximum combat load of 10,000 kg (22,000 lb) distributed across 13 hardpoints:

• 1 × 2,000 kg centerline
• 4 × 2,000 kg under fuselage
• 4 × 2,000 kg inner wing
• 4 × 1,000 kg mid-wing
• 2 × 500 kg outer wing

• Gun: Internally-mounted Krauser Ordnance BK30-M93 30mm revolver cannon w/ 250 rounds

• Bombs:
  • MB20-160P/A series of precision bombs
  • SB20/40 series of cluster bombs
  • 1 to 3 × 1,000 or 2,000-litre drop tanks on inner hardpoints

• Missiles:
  • AR-K-14 Pfeil II short range air-to-air missiles
  • AR-M-56 Pike medium range air-to-air missiles
  • AR-L-112 Lanze long range air-to-air missiles
  • LBR-17 Schakal air-to-ground tactical missiles
  • LBR-34 Spürhund anti-radiation missiles
  • LFK-180 Keule land attack cruise missiles
  • SFK-120 Dreizack anti-ship missiles

• Common loadouts:
  • TBX