ZH-2 Goshawk
|
ZH-2
Cyten-Ward ZH-2 Goshawk
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utility/attack VTOL | |||||
 |
|||||
| National Origin | Zokesia | ||||
| Production History | |||||
| Designer | Cythen Aerospace Industries, Ward Industries | ||||
| Service History | |||||
| Used By | Zokesia, UIF, Cyten-Ward Industries | ||||
The Cyten-Ward ZH-2 Goshawk was a Zokesian utility and attack VTOL aircraft.
Development
Design
The Goshawk was designed to fulfil a requirement that the MZ-22 Albatross was vacating after nearly four decades of service. The new cargo vtol had to be small, lightweight, and carry a larger cargo capacity than the Albatross. The main limiting factor of the MZ-22 was the lack of external capacity, and interal space was limited at best despite high load capacity in raw tonnage. To rectify this, the Goshawk was designed to carry external cargo via a winch and cargo hook system. Rated up to 30 tons, the Goshawk could also lift such large cumbersome objects as aircraft, tanks, and even itself externally without issue. Its skid landing gear meant rough terrain was no factor for operational ability, and made it a natural replacement for the more fragile and larger Albatross for the Zokesian Navy and Marine Corps.
Power is provided by two heavy duty electric drive motors as well as two Wheesely turbojets, which propel the Goshawk up to 125 knots IAS.
Its internal cargo bay was large enough for a half dozen kerbals, marines, infantry, or VIPs and all their gear, allowing the Goshawk to operate as a troop transport in addition to its other duties. For defensive armament, the Goshawk was fitted with two M230 chainguns, one on each door and operated by the gunners in the cargo compartment. In the nose the pilot has one 20mm vulcan facing forward on a flexible mount for strafing and self defense against aircraft.
Variants
The AZH-2 Goshawk "Gunship" was a further development of the utility Goshawk to bring direct fire support to colonial forces, should they encounter hostile life or invasion from foreign adversaries. The Goshawk Gunship features a split tail and stub wings in lieu of a cargo space, and can fit multiple variations of weaponry. Its 30mm chain guns have moved to the forward nose and the 20mm vulcan for point defense was upgraded to a 105mm cannon for direct fire. The combined power of this gunship meant small offworld colonies could still transport supplies to and from forward bases, but also defend themselves with ample firepower in an allready existing package. Additionally, the outboard cargo mounts could fit two "Badger" LAVs, allowing a QRF force to be airlaunched to the battlefield on its own airborne fire support.
Operational History
Expansion into space on Eve and Laythe meant the UIF began operating Goshawks for utility transport offworld between colonial settlements on the planets. Not long thereafter, the Zokesian Astral Force began use as well, finding the type perfectly suited to the rigors of offworld travel.
