Z-40 Mantis

The Ward Industries Z-40 Mantis-Harrier is a single-seat, twin engine multi-role fighter designed to operate in short field and naval environment, utilizing VTOL lift via rotating main engines.

Z-40 Mantis
VTOL Fighter
A Z-40B of the Zokesian Marine Corps
National Origin		Zokesia
Production History
Designer		Ward Industries
First Flight		March 7, 2135
Unit Cost		28,440(√)
Number Built		240
Service History
Used By		Arcovii-Zokesia, Orion Empire, Atreus, Zalkent

Development

The Z-40 Mantis was designed in the 2130s, when Zokesia was embroiled in the Nautilane-Gallante war and was still struggling to fill the gaps left by the prewar navy. The fleet carriers of Emperor Zeroth and Imperator Drekevak were not even on the drawing board, and other than the aging carrier Fort Grace and smaller auxiliary carriers, the Zokesian fleet was unable to provide sufficient deck space for larger strike fighters, and was forced to use Naval versions of Z-80s and K-40 fighters imported from Orion.

The Z-40's first prototypes were slow in development, and by 2135 only a single prototype was flying. The process of designing the variable-incidence engine nozzles was complex, requiring four smaller engines to operate, as well as a cutoff for the front pair, increasing weight and complexity. The first prototypes, codenamed "Mantis" by Ward Industries, were delivered to the Zokesian Navy in 2139. By now, the fleet carriers were under construction and the immediate need for a VTOL fighter was no longer as urgent and the Kolusian Dust Bowl had ravaged the economy of Zokesia and its allies, and the contract was cancelled. A total of 12 Mantis prototypes were built and used for VTOL test research on the escort carrier ZNS Bayken, from 2139 to 2145. The F-52J Kargadan was selected instead to form the backbone of Zokesian naval air power, successfully performing flight operations off the small carriers previously only able to tender single-engine fighters.

In 2148, the Reclamation War between the UIF Coalition and Arcadia was in full swing, and the need for naval air power once again became apparent. The fleet carriers operating hundreds of miles from friendly bases staged a dramatic air war, and the Battle of North Point rewrote the books on the possibility of invading a foreign power far from home, using naval assets alone. The engagement was primarily between fleet carriers and surface warships, but many in the Zokesian High Command believed the battle was closer than it needed to be, with Coalition air assets stretched thin protecting the invasion fleet. A handful of escort carriers with effective ground-attack capable fighters would have no doubt been able to reinforce the invasion fleet and reduce the workload of the fleet carrier present, and the development for the Z-40 was restarted.

Orion engineers were brought on as consultants to the project, to refine the design and bring the Mantis up to modern fighter jet standards. Among the changes was the redesign of the lift jets, which allowed the forward pair of engines to be removed entirely, simplifying the jet and reducing both cost and weight significantly. Within five years, the Z-40 Mantis-Harrier was awarded a contract by the Zokesian Marine Corps, and orders began flooding in.

Orion Z-40s make up the primary fighter compliment of the Courageous-Class Landing Helicopter Deck.

Exports

The Imperial Union, Atreus, and Zalkent all placed orders for the jet, which became well liked by its pilots for its sturdy design, easy operation and ability to forward deploy almost anywhere on Kerbin.

Zokesian Z-40 performing flight tests aboard ZNS Bayken.

A Zalkent Air Force Z-80

Z-80Bs in formation over Chikushinal, 2190s.

Z-40s taking off from Ward Air Force Base, 2154.