AH-78 PaveRider

DESCRIPTION
The Halcyon Arms designed and built AH-78 Paverider is a all-weather medium-lift attack helicopter specializing in assault missions, though it can fill a variety of roles. It is powered by two turboshaft engines and utilizes two four-blade rotors in a counter-rotating system. While unnecessary due to it's counter-rotating rotors, it also utilizes a NOTAR (No Tail Rotor) airjet system in the tail, allowing for 360^o maneuverability of the tail and additional forward thrust. The helicopter is powerful for it's size and can fill most cargo roles of similar classifications of helicopter.

Normally fitted with a wide array of reconnaissance equipment and weaponry, the AH-78 is designed to support the insertion of troops into combat situations. The AH-78 is lightly armored, but fills the role of gunship effectively as a small but effective helicopter. It has one 20mm chin-turret, which is directed by the gunner (second pilot) and is ideally fitted with a pair of door machine-guns. Unlike the other variants of the Rider, it can also fit larger, "standard" missiles normally found on fixed wing aircraft, though each hardpoint can only fit one of each type for a maximum of 8 larger munitions. Fitting these also prevents operation of door-guns until expended.

Though normally considered unwise for combat insertions, as the duty is normally left up to other aircraft, the AH-78 can also deploy or exfiltrate a squad of soldiers.

Landing gear are configured in a tricycle pattern and, during flight are retracted into the fuselage for higher speed and to prevent damage.

• Warfare Roles of the Paverider
• Attack (Air-to-Ground)
• COIN (Counter-Insurgency)
• Limited Air-to-Air
• Reconassiance
• Troop Transport
• Limited
• Anti-Submarine Warfare
• Search & Rescue
• General Utility
• Command & Control

Stats:
Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
Capacity: 8 troops
Length: 14 m (46 ft) (59ft w/ Refueling Boom)
Height: 3.97 m (13 ft 0 in)
Empty weight: 2766.913 (6,100 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 6168.9 kg (13,600 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × VX-660 turboshaft, 750 kW (1006 hp) each
Main rotor diameter: 13.6 m (45 ft)
Tail: NOTAR (No-Tail Rotor)

Performance:

• Maximum speed: 328 km/h (204 mph; 177 kn)
• Service ceiling: 7,333 m (22,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 9.9 m/s (1,950 ft/min)

Armament:

• 4 Wingtip Hardpoints
• 4 Underwing Hardpoints (ATA/ATG Quadpacks, Gun Pods, Rocket Pods, Torpedoes, Weapons up to 1,200lbs)
  (Can only fit 1 Standard Missile/hardpoint)
• 2 Door Gunners (If Installed)
• 20mm Turreted chin-cannon

Avionics & Sensory:

• Nightwatch Fire Control & Scout Radar
• Distributed Aperture System (DAS) missile warning system
• Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) communication system
• Emission Sensory Package
• Eavesdrop Acoustic, Radar, SIGINT Package
• AN/APN-99A AESA High Acuity Ground Search Radar
• Gyro-Stabilized Nose Mount System
  • Helmet-Guided Infrared & Targeting System
  • External Camera Feed
  • Collision Radar