The Orca line of VerTOL Aircraft
|
The Orca line of VerTOL Aircraft
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Role | Varies between models | ||||
| National Origin | {{{origin}}} | ||||
| Production History | |||||
| Service History | |||||
| Used By | {{{operators}}} | ||||
Orcas are a family of VerTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft that intends to replace helicopters in their roles. Utilizing lift fans or lift jets for vertical lift, they vastly differ from helicopters in this way. So far, the only Orca aircraft currently known are the Orca Bomber, Orca Carryall, and Orca Attacker.
Conception
Frustrated by the popularity of the slow and cumbersome rotary-wing aircraft, Anton Kerman, leader of the WaffleTech Design Bureau, started to imagine a set of aircraft, similar, yet different from helicopters. Aircraft that required no rotors, whizzing across the battlefield.
Inspired by the many attempts at vertical takeoff aircraft previously developed by other nations, he formed a small team to produce his aircraft. They named it Project: ORCA.
First Prototypes
The first aircraft of this type, the Orca Mark I, wasn't the best. It was perfectly fine in the vertical takeoff part, but controlling it in a hover was a nightmare. However, it showed promise, as it was able to transition to horizontal flight quite easily. For many years, they had restless nights, perfecting the design to what would become the first of its kind: the Orca Mark II, also known as the Orca Attacker.
The Orca Mark II was still hard to control, but was leagues better than the Mark I. Horizontal flight was on par with many attack helicopters, but they were satisfied by the results. They intended to sell these prototypes at a later date, but was unable to convince customers about its superiority over normal attackers.
At the same time, a heavier aircraft was produced, designed to carry battle tanks swiftly over impassable terrain anywhere from anywhere. It was called the Orca Carryall, since it was supposed to be able to carry all manners of vehicles. Control was a nightmare, and they are still working on how to make it respond better.
The last known Orca was the Orca Bomber, a tactical bomber designed to destroy strategic positions on the battlefield. It was the most promising of the three, being a breeze to control and land. With 4 unarmed bombs attached, it successfully hit a test dummy tank, a hole straight through the core.
The Future of the Orca
While tests show promise, no one has been convinced of its effectiveness. There are still doubtful men claiming that they should stick to normal attack helicopters and strike fighters, rather than developing a new aircraft type altogether.
The team will never relent to the archaic way of thinking and lead the way for a rotorless future.