R-3 Moth (TL8 light recon aircraft)
[This really has little place in a generic TL8 setting; however, in some worlds (like Autoduel) it could be a useful and important aircraft.]
This is a very light scouting plane used by many corporations and some militaries, representing the lower-end of such aircraft. The Moth is based on a civilian glider to which was added a small electric ducted prop in a pusher configuration, resulting in a servicable light aircraft. While many are used for recreation, a significant number are in military and paramilitary use, though these are suitably modified for military service with a heavier frame and additional equipment.
The R-3 is intended for artillery spotting and normal airborne reconnaissance. It has also been used to resupply special ops forces by carrying supplies in it's spacious wings (though care must be taken to balance the loads); the short landing and takeoff requirements make it idea for such a purpose.
While the Moth is equippped with several basic defensive systems, it should not be deployed against serious anti-air defenses. The Moth is normally not armed, though some users put a 7mmC rotary machinegun in the nose or light rockets on hardpoints under the wings. However, despite the Moth's agility, it is not a combat plane, and would die quickly against any armed aircraft.
Subassemblies: two STOL wings, three rough-field (normal) retractable
wheels (body), engine pod
Body Features: good streamlining
Propulsion: one 100 kW ducted propeller
Weaponry: none
Instruments and electronics (body): air-search no-targeting radar
(F, 25 miles, Scan 19), thermograph (F, 20 miles, Scan 17), LLTV (F, 100x,
+6/12), terrain-following radar (min. 15 yards), two long range (1000 mile)
scrambled radios, three medium range laser comms, military GPS, two small
computers, two terminals, advanced laser/radar detector, 3x digital cameras
(L, R, B), 2xIFF, navigation instruments
Miscellaneous: none
Controls: Computer
Occupancy: Short
Passengers: None
Crew: Pilot and Sensor-operator in normal crewstations
Environmental Systems: 2-man NBC kit
Power: rechargable energy bank for prop (4.5 hours), 1 rE-cell
for electronics
Access, Cargo and Empty Space: body: 0 cf access, 12.21
cf empty; each wing: 20 cf empty, pod 0.06 cf empty
Volumes: Body 120 cf, each Wing 20 cf, Wheels 12 cf, Pod 3 cf;
Surface Area: Body 146 sf, each wing 88 sf, wheels 31 sf, Pod 12 sf, Total
Area 371 sf
Structure: light frame, expensive materials
Structural Options: sealed, basic stealth, basic IR cloaking
Hit Points: Body 110, each Wing 66, Wheels (each) 16
Armor: PD 2 DR 5 expensive composite
Defensive Systems: Chaff discharger with 5 reloads, flare discharger
with 5 reloads
Statistics: Empty Weight 2,259 lbs, Loaded Weight 2,659 lbs (1.33
tons), Volume 175 cf, Size Modifier +3, Loaded Price $552,288, HT 12
Air Performance: Stall Speed 45 mph, drag 111, Top Speed 164
mph, aAccel 3, aDecel 36, aMR 9, aSR 5, Takeoff run 74 yards, Landing run
52 yards
SRA-122 Moth recreational airplane
This is the powered, civilian version of the Moth. If anything, it has even better performance, requiring a much shorter runway. The only major downside is that it is not as robust. The SRA-122 is popular with wealthier weekend-adventurers.
Subassemblies: two STOL wings, three rough-field (normal) retractable
wheels (body), engine pod
Body Features: good streamlining
Propulsion: one 100 kW ducted propeller
Weaponry: none
Instruments and electronics (body): air-search no-targeting radar
(25 miles, Scan 19), LLTV (10x, +3/+6), two long range (1000 mile)
radios, civilian GPS, two small computers, two terminals, transponder,
navigation instruments
Miscellaneous: none
Controls: Computer
Occupancy: Short
Passengers: None
Crew: Pilot and Co-Pilot in normal crewstations
Environmental Systems: environmental controls for two men
Power: rechargable energy bank for prop (4.5 hours), 1 rE-cell
for electronics
Access, Cargo and Empty Space: body: 0 cf access, 19.24
cf empty; each wing: 20 cf empty, pod 0.06 cf empty
Volumes: Body 120 cf, each Wing 20 cf, Wheels 12 cf, Pod 3 cf;
Surface Area: Body 146 sf, each wing 88 sf, wheels 31 sf, Pod 12 sf, Total
Area 371 sf
Structure: extra-light frame, standard materials
Structural Options: sealed
Hit Points: Body 55, each Wing 33, Wheels (each) 8
Armor: PD 1 DR 3 expensive composite
Statistics: Empty Weight 1,197 lbs, Loaded Weight 1,497 lbs (0.75
tons), Volume 175 cf, Size Modifier +3, Loaded Price $114,943, HT 10
Air Performance: Stall Speed 35 mph, drag 111, Top Speed 164
mph, aAccel 5, aDecel 32, aMR 8, aSR 5, Takeoff run 31 yards, Landing run
29 yards