Melai-Grase-Noce MGN-83 Hersel

## MGN-83 Hersel

An MGN-83A of the Tenásian Army of the Sky flying through a Tenásian Woodland, 2099

## Production Information

### Role(s)

* Medium Fighter
* Attacker
* Interceptor

### Alternative Designations

* English Translation: Predator
* OFES Designation: Fatty

### Manufacturers

Melai-Grase-Nose United Aircraft Corporation

### First Flight

* August 9th 2095 (MGN-83-Z)
* February 8th 2098 (MGN-83A)

## Service Information

### Primary Operators

* Tenásian Army Of The Sky
* Tenásian Imperial Guard Fighter Corps
* Tenásian Expeditionary Navy Air Force
* Military Without Bounds Aerial Force (Illegally Obtained)

The Melai-Grase-Noce MGN-83 Hersel is a Tenásian 8 engine hypersonic medium fighter spaceplane developed by the Melai-Grase-Nose United Aircraft Corporation for the Tenásian Army of the Sky. Envisioned as a supplementary aircraft to the Melai-Grase-Noce MGN-64 Valparadia and Selei Salven Prosen SSP-125 Lotta, though it has evolved into the backbone of Tenásian Air and Space Operations, entirely replacing the MGN-64 and heavily displacing the SSP-125.

Key features of the Hersel include its powerful MGN-53 Hynzeine Thrusters, which direct the majority of their thrust through 8 cones in the aircraft's rear, though have many ports in all directions across the Hersel's hull to provide it spaceflight capabilities, this coupled with a large fuel load and onboard entertainment systems allow the Hersel to travel in packs across entire star systems.

In addition to serving the Tenásian Army of the Sky, Imperial Guard and Expeditionary Navy, the Hersel serves in a few demonstrative teams, the most notable being the 8th Fighter Group, 42nd Team 'Mastvla', where the MGN-83B serves as the Team's primary display aircraft and secondary combat aircraft. The Hersel can also be seen in service to Military Without Bounds, the organisation having 7 flying examples, with 2 others for parts. MWB's Hersels were illegally procured.

## Development

### Multirole Medium Fighter Program

In early 2093, the Shras' Administration announced the start up of a new Program to supplement the aging MGN-64 Valparadia Medium Fighter and the SSP-125 Lotta Medium Fighter-Attacker. Melai-Grase-Noce, Selei Salven Prosen and Gensturn Mellvai Colzonaeik all submitted designs, the MGN-76-Z, SSP-140-Z and GMC-1-Z respectively, with the SSP-140-Z being the largest, GMC-1-Z being the smallest, placing the MGN-76-Z snuggly in the middle.

#### Selection of Finalists

By 2095, the MGN-76-Z and GMC-1-Z were the 2 selected to move onto the 2nd Phase of the Program, SSP having withdrawn to use the 140's design for another project of theirs. The 76, now going by the MGN-83-Z saw its first flight in 2095, followed by the GMC-1-Z a few days later. The small GMC-1 proved itself not powerful enough for the Program's demands, leading the MGN-83-Z to win in 2096.

### First Deployments

Between 2096 and 2098, the 15 MGN-83-Z prototypes were assigned to various Air Teams, with Craft 10 through 13 going to the 9th Fighter Group, 66th Team 'Clouie' in 2098. Clouie's first flight with the 83-Zs ended in disaster, having been sent off to take out a hostile base on the Alturian Continent, Craft 11 taking extreme damage and disintegrating, with the pilot of Craft 13 using his craft as a weapon for vengeance, performing a suicide run against the rebels. Only Crafts 10 and 12 returned, the pilot of 12 retiring on the spot, and the pilot of 10 being transferred out as 66th Team was disbanded. This marked the end of the MGN-83-Z, as a few weeks later, the MGN-83A began to deploy.

### Serial Production

In Early 2098, the MGN-83A, the first serially produced Hersel, began to be built, the first craft taking off in February of that year, with the first 1,000 built by April 2098. The 83A fixed most of the major issues the 15 83-Zs had, chiefly the issues Clouie had unfortunately faced. The Hersel was and is being produced in approximately 100 facilities across the Tenásian-Atlus Empire.

#### MGN-83B

Following 5 months of the MGN-83A in service, the Tenásian Government requested a variant better suited for atmospheric operations, MGN complied, building the first MGN-83Bs in 2098 following a 3 week modification process, the B additionally was the first Hersel to see the top mounted Advanced Weaponry Hardpoint that would become a mainstay of the aircraft.

### Further Developments

#### Naval Variant

The Tenásian Expeditionary Navy Air Force requested a version of the Hersel-B for their Leiosharth and Leios VI Ocean Going Aircraft Carriers. MGN began production of the MGN-83C in mid 2099, with the C entering service with the Tenásian Expeditionary Navy Air Force and Army of the Sky in 2100.

#### The Trainer

In 2100, seeing the success of the C, MGN began to build a training variant of the Hersel, the MGN-83D, this mounted 2 seats at the expense of travel time, though maintained around 80% of the flight characteristics of the 83B.

#### Halla-Hersel

In 2103, the Tenásian Government ordered MGN to begin building an enlarged version of the MGN-83D to serve as a replacement for the now overburdened SSP-125 platform in its Strike/Attack Roles, this craft was dubbed the Halla-Hersel or Super Hersel and doubled the D's underside carrying capability.

## Operational History

### Tenásian Army of the Sky

The MGN-83 has served the Tenásian Army of the Sky (TAR) as its main fighter since 2100, entirely replacing the MGN-64s and nearly entirely replacing the SSP-125 (A-E) fleets. TAR Hersels have served in Shran's War on Rebels since 2096, with the 83-Zs partaking a few raids. The TAR first deployed the MGN-83A into a conflict a mere 1 week after its introduction, using it to catch an Occetian Rebel Base off guard, wiping it out. All subsequent Hersel variants have served the TAR. The TAR's Hersels were the main Tenásian Aircraft deployed during the Locustian War, often fighting around Locustia itself, only around 20 Hersels were lost, with none having any of their remains captured by the Locustians.

### Tenásian Imperial Guard Fighter Corps

The Tenásian Imperial Guard Fighter Corps (TDKFL) used the MGN-83A from 2098 to 2102 to supplement its Halod Fighters, though the A was replaced in their service by the B, which has served them since 2098 alongside the A, and fully replaced the A in 2102. TDKFL Hersels are rarely seen, and rarely deployed. The TDKFL deployed 2 Hersel-Bs during the Locustian War, that only saw combat once.

### Tenásian Expeditionary Navy Air Force

The MGN-83C is the sole Hersel Type under the Expeditionary Navy Air Force (TENR) and have seen little combat service, as the TENR has not engaged in major combat operations in Shran's War on Rebels.

### Military Without Bounds Aerial Force

In 2103, 9 Hersel Pilots defected to MWB, taking their craft with them, 6 coming from the 2nd Fighter Group, 83rd Team and the last 3 coming from the 15th Fighter Group, 12th Team. 2 of these Hersels were damaged and are being used by MWB to repair the 7 flying ones. It is unknown how long MWB can keep their Hersels flying.

## Variants

### MGN-83-Z

The Prototype Hersel, 15 were made of which 4 Units are still flying, 9 are on display and 2 were lost.

### MGN-83A

The First Serially Produced Hersel, having various safety advancements over the Prototype. The A is best suited for Space Operations, though can fly fine in atmosphere. Entered Production in 2098.

### MGN-83B

The First Hersel variant, incorporating better equipment for Atmospheric Operations, alongside a top mounted Advanced Weaponry Hardpoint. Entered Production in 2098.

### MGN-83C

The Naval Hersel, with a tail hook mounted on its rear, in all other aspects it is identical to the 83B. Entered Production in 2099.

### MGN-83D

The Trainer, having an additional seat and performing 20% worse than the B. Entered Production in 2100.

### MGN-83E

The Halla Hersel is an enlarged Hersel designed for strike operations, with 4 more hardpoints than the regular Hersel.

## Specifications (MGN-83B)

### General Characteristics

* Crew: 1
* Length: 17.5m
* Wingspan: 11.5m
* Height: 3.5m
* Powerplant: 8x Melai-Grase-Nose MGN-54 Hynzeine Thrusters

### Performance

* Maximum Speed: Mach 10 (Earth's Atmosphere at Sea Level), 18731km/h (Space)
* Range: ~25,000km (Earth's Atmosphere), 15 Light Hours (Space)
* g limits: +15.2 (Earth's Atmosphere)

### Armament

* Guns:
	+ 2x 25mm ‘Prowler’ Machine Guns
* 4 Hardpoints carrying:
	+ MMTR-84-F 84mm Missile Launchers
	+ MGN-8080 ‘Sabre’ Missiles
	+ MGN-9090 'Nyx'/'Erebus' Missiles
	+ Tordai T-3030 300t Tactical Nuclear Bomb
* 1 Top Mounted Advanced Weaponry Hardpoint carrying:
	+ CDR-33 Crusader Focus Beam

## Gallery

MGN-83E of Unknown Team in Orbit above Tenas, 2104MGN-83D during a flight to Atlus, 2102