EH-78 LightRider

DESCRIPTION
The Halcyon Arms designed and built EH-78 Lightrider is a all-weather medium-lift Airborne Early Warning helicopter specializing in Electronic Warfare, 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 powerful radar, the EH-78 is designed to act as a Airborne Early Warning System for air, ground, and naval forces, though it is designed to be deployed by warships not capable of deploying fixed-wing AEW aircraft. Additionally, it can act as a Command and Control unit for aircraft, or as a spotter & fire director for naval combatants, giving lone patrolling warships ranges of fire normally only attainable in a larger battlegroup.

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 Rider

• Attack (Air-to-Ground)
• Limited Air-to-Air
• Reconassiance
• Troop Transport
• Cargo Transport & Resupply at Sea
• Anti-Submarine Warfare
• Search & Rescue
• General Utility
• Firefighting
• Command & Control

Stats:
Crew: 1 or 2 pilots, 2 Radar Systems Operators, 1 Tactical Systems Operator
Capacity: 4 passengers
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 ATG or short ranged ATA missiles total)
• 4 Underwing Hardpoints (ATA/ATG Quadpacks, Gun Pods, Rocket Pods, Torpedoes)
• 2 Door Gunners (If Installed)

Avionics & Sensory:

• Nightwatch Fire Control & Scout Radar
• Distributed Aperture System (DAS) missile warning system
• Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) communication system
• AN/APN-91D Weather and Navigational Radar Suite
• Emission Sensory Package
• Eavesdrop Acoustic, Radar, SIGINT Package
• Gyro-Stabilized Nose Mount System
  • Helmet-Guided Infrared & Targeting System
  • External Camera Feed
  • Collision Radar
• AN/APN-99H AESA High Acuity Maritime Search Radar
  • AN/APN-05DH AESA:
  • Look Up Mode Range: 220 miles
  • Look Down Mode Range: 90 miles against small, Maritime Targets 130 miles against large Maritime Targets