North Star NS-128

## Overview

The NS-128 was an experimental fighter aircraft that tested numerous advanced features, such as overpowered engines, inertial cockpit chambers, and new materials that greatly strengthened the airframe. These materials and new engines allowed the NS-128 to be capable of maneuvers of over 20 Gs, while not damaging the structural components of the airframe. The NS-128 was developed by North Star Aeronautics and the National Aerospace Administration throughout the 2030s.

## History

As air combat progressed throughout history, there was a clear point where the technology was much more powerful than the humans controlling it. One of the biggest restrictions in aerial combat was the limitation that a human body placed on an airframe. An experienced fighter pilot could take around 10 Gs before beginning to experience an effect called G LOC (Loss of Consciousness). This limits the aircrafts ability to gain an edge in a dogfight easily. During the late 2120s and early 2130s, near-peer countries were developing fourth generation low-observable aircraft, but didn't have the beyond-visual-range capabilities that the URA did, such as the AIM-145 or AIM-185. This made it extremely difficult for Alvatican fighters to target enemy fighters from greater distances, meaning that both sides had to get close to each other to engage in combat.

Radar technology was severely lagging behind every other field, and so the only way to make a superior fighter was to make it faster and more maneuverable than what had been seen before. Even the URA's primary air superiority fighter, the F-62 Phoenix was limited to Mach 2.1, and it's airframe could only take up to 10 Gs before structural damage started severely damaging it and making it unrepairable. Incredibly strong materials were starting to emerge, which could theoretically allow aircraft to withstand greater than 20 Gs.

In 2128, the URAF started the "Skyscraper" Program, which sought a technology demonstrator aircraft which could showcase the potential abilities of an air superiority fighter that could exceed Mach 1.3 and could withstand a minimum of 20 Gs.

North Star Aeronautics, a defense aerospace manufacturer which had been producing aircraft since the 2020s, had already come up with several concepts for a future unmanned air superiority fighter that could fit these requirements. However, unmanned systems were not evolved enough to fully control an unmanned aircraft, especially in an air superiority role like the F-62. These concepts incorporated the experimental Robins Hill F139 afterburning turbofan engine, which was under development at the time. North Star finalized their concept once the Skyscraper Program was first announced, seeing this as a chance to have a head start over other defense companies looking to take on this challenge.

## Development

Known as the NS-128, North Star set out immediately to build a full self-funded prototype. Looking to aid their effort, the National Aerospace Administration (NAA) sought to develop the human aspect of the aircraft. The most challenging part about the design was how to limit or completely remove the additional forces on a pilot from high G maneuvers. Utilized correctly, this material (known as AG-01) could redirect forces applied onto it.

## Testing

The NS-128 (A-Number A105FG) first flew on November 28, 2139 at North Star's Pulmont location. The first dozen tests were done to ensure that the aircraft was structurally sound under normal operating conditions--what the fighter would spend 96% of its in-flight time doing.

In early 2142, the second aircraft had finished production. This was the militarized version of the NS-128, given the designation X-36A. The aircraft was equipped with two GAU-134/A 20mm guns, and 11 pylons for both air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. It was outfitted with several critical systems, such as fire control radars and targeting computers.

On October 14, 2143, the X-36A was scheduled for its 26th flight, armed with two AGM-151B Cleaver anti-ship missiles. The Skyscraper was flown out of Merian AFB, and given the mission to attack two fake naval vessels 12 miles off the coast. The X-36 took off at 22:45, heading westward towards the targets. At 22:52, the fighter released the AGM-151 that was stored under its right wing. The missile detached from the pylon, but not with the force needed to push it to a safe distance to start its rocket motor. The pylon did not exert any detaching force onto the missile, causing it to not ignite and decrease to a significantly lesser speed than the X-36. This caused the right horizontal stabilizer to run into the missile when passing it, knocking the missile into the right engine of the aircraft, causing the X-36 to instantly explode, killing the pilot.

## Specifications

Specifications (X-36A)

**Length:** 44ft (13.4m)

**Wingspan:** 46ft (14m)

**Height:** 13.4ft (4.1m)

**Wing Area:** 435.9ft2 (40.5m2)

**Wing Loading:** 141.4lbs/ft2 (

**Empty Weight:** 16,913lbs (7,671kg)

**Maximum Takeoff Weight:** 61,625lbs (27,953kg)

**G-Limits:** ~23.4 Gs

**Fuel Type:** JP-9 Jet Fuel

**Internal Fuel Capacity:** 1,016gal (3,846L)

**External Fuel Capacity:** 1,315gal (4978L) (9x FPU-104 146gal/553L reinforced fuel tanks)

**Maximum Fuel Capacity:** 2,331gal (8,824L)

**Maximum Speed:** 1,270mph (2044 kmh or Mach 1.66)

**Maximum Dry Thrust:** 51,878lbf (25,939lbf per engine)

**Maximum Thrust:** 67,442lbf (33,721lbf per engine)

**Thrust to Weight Ratio:** 2.841:1

**Service Ceiling:** 60,000ft (18,288m)

**Power Plant:** Robins Hill XF139-RH-100 Afterburning Turbofan Engine (2x)

**Crew:** 1 Pilot