The VSKYLABS F-19 is a scientific concept aircraft demonstrator designed for X-Plane 12. It is not intended to simulate deep weapon system...however it is equipped with a fully functional Air to Air and Air to Ground weapon capability that can be operated in X-Plane's environment.
Implementing a comprehensive weapon system (with true-scale volume and mass) in the simulated F-19 Stealth Fighter allowed to add actual design constrains to the aircraft layout in terms of payload weight limits, plausible bays count and volume. It also provided useful insights on CG and fuel-system design and configuration.
The VSKYLABS F-19 is (tightly) equipped with 3 internal weapon bays that are designed to carry 2xAIM-9X sidewinder AAM's and a single AGM-158A JASSM low observable standoff air-launched cruise missile.
The earlier WIP VSKYLABS F-19 prototype carried 2xAIM-120 AMRAAM AAM's intended as BVR Air-to-Air self defense weapon. As the aircraft systems configuration was locked on the chosen one for v1.0, and because both F-19's (VSKYLABS, original 80's Testor's concept) were not equipped with Air to Air radar, the two AIM-120 were replaced by two heat-seeking AIM-9X Sidewinders.
Although weapon systems and combat flying are not one of the main core elements in X-Plane, the functional weapon system in the VSKYLABS F-19 allows to explore and challenge the F-19 flight and mission envelopes with an additional (yet partial) combat-usability perspective.
1 x AGM-158 JASSM - MAIN STRIKE WEAPON
The AGM-158 JASSM is a heavy, low-observable standoff cruise missile designed to penetrate the most sophisticated integrated air defense environments. Carrying a 1,000-pound armor-piercing warhead, this long-range weapon allows for the surgical destruction of high-value hardened targets from well outside the reach of enemy surface-to-air missile batteries.
The AGM-158 was chosen as a plausible, primary strike weapon for the VSKYLABS F-19 Stealth Fighter due to its stealthy airframe, large warhead, advanced guidance systems and its extended range. This falls in line with the supposed F-19 stealth missions.
SpecificationsRole: Air-to-ground missileManufacturer: Lockheed MartinPower Plant: Teledyne Technologies J402 turbojetLength: 14 feet (4.26 m)Launch Weight: 2,250 lbsDiameter: Approx. 2 ft, wingspan 7.8 ftWingspan: 17.6 inches (0.45)Range: 200+ Nautical MileSpeed: SubsonicGuidance System: Jamming-resistant GPS-aided inertial navigation system (INS)Warhead: 1,000-lb class penetration
Specifications
Role: Air-to-ground missile
Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
Power Plant: Teledyne Technologies J402 turbojet
Length: 14 feet (4.26 m)
Launch Weight: 2,250 lbs
Diameter: Approx. 2 ft, wingspan 7.8 ft
Wingspan: 17.6 inches (0.45)
Range: 200+ Nautical Mile
Speed: Subsonic
Guidance System: Jamming-resistant GPS-aided inertial navigation system (INS)
Warhead: 1,000-lb class penetration
Image Attribution: USAF, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
2 x Sidewinder AIM-9X - ADVANCED SELF-DEFENSE WEAPON
The AIM-9X represents the current state-of-the-art infrared, short-range air-to-air 'killer'. It is a day and night capable interceptor, utilizing a passive infrared seeker which is designed to acquire airborne threats across a wide operational spectrum. Unlike older variants of the Sidewinder missiles, it is engineered for high-off-boresight engagements, allowing extreme attack angles against agile enemy aircraft, or in tight Air-to-Air situations. The AIM-9X is integrated in advanced aircraft such as the F-15, F-18 and F-35.
The AIM-9X was chosen as a plausible 'self-defense' weapon system for the F-19 Stealth Fighter due to its modern seeker technology which compensates the limited maneuverability of the F-19 once encountered a close-range dogfight.
Specifications
Role: Air-to-air missile
Manufacturer: Raytheon
Power Plant: ATK MK-139 solid-propellant rocket motor
Length: 9.9 feet (3.02 m)
Launch Weight: 186 pounds (84.37 kg)
Diameter: 5 inches (0.13 meters)
Wingspan: 17.6 inches (0.45)
Range: Classified
Speed: Classified
Guidance System: Solid-state, infrared homing system
Warhead: Annular blast fragmentation
Image Attribution:Washington Headquarters Services, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
