EASA X-02 Wyvern

Manufactured by the Erusean Air & Space Administration (EASA), the X-02 is the pinnacle of Erusean aircraft design. It combines stealth technology, forward swept inner folding swing wings, variable geometry (45 degree-horizontal) vertical stabilizers, 3D thrust vectoring, multiple weapons bays and new flight systems which keeps this extremely unstable aircraft design flying. Also its original configuration allowed it to operate from Nimitz class aircraft carriers, making its combat deployment capabilities extremely versatile. It is officially known as the Wyvern, but many pilots know it as the Switchblade.

The X-02 was first seen in use by the Independent States Allied Forces (ISAF) against the Federal Erusean Armed Forces (FEAF) during the end of the Usean Continental War of 2003-2005. The ISAF had obtained, through questionable means, three models of the X-02. With no official name, they were known as the Switchblade.

After the war the aircraft was put through extensive testing to measure the limit of its capabilities. An official name from the EASA was confirmed. Though the Switchblade name had stuck with ISAF pilots, it was officially called the Wyvern. After months of testing, the ISAF HQ believed they had one of the most combat capable aircraft in existence.

In 2006, during the attack against the ISAF by the "Free Erusean" forces, ISAF ace Mobius One was engaged by multiple X-02's (up to six, depending on which path was taken). The Wyverns were destroyed after an extended engagement that resulted in much additional combat data being gathered on the aircraft's performance.

The X-02 was then put into mass production with the first buyer being Osea, a neutral Usean ally. In 2010, when Osea was thrown into war, the X-02's were deployed once again into combat. However, these models were not equipped for naval operations and had limited weapons capabilities. This slightly restricted their effectiveness in air-to-air combat but the limitations during air-to-ground engagements was now noticeable. This version of the X-02 was also exported to Yuktobania as an aggressor aircraft.

Aurelia also deployed the X-02 during the Leasath-Aurelia War in 2020. These aircraft were manufactured to the original model's specifications and were operated from Nimitz class aircraft carriers on the frontline.

X-02 Analysis>

From: Sni Klor | Posted on Gamefaqs: 4/22/2002

EASA X-02 (YF-25A)

Type
Single Seat Multirole Fighter.

Program
The United States Navy created in 1991 a Request For Proposals (RFP) for a replacement for its venerable but aging F-14 Tomcats, and a long range Interceptor that can assist the new F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and provide carrier-based air-superiority. This design was to incorporate low observables technology, variable wing geometry, thrust vectoring and supercruise exceeding that of mach 1.7. This plane was to be highly maneuverable for increased life in dogfighting situations and carry the newly respawned AAAM missle for BVR engagements as well as the new Raytheon-Hughe AIM-9X Sidewinder 2000s.
In 2001 the contract was awarded to EASA for the production of the F-25. Other contractors such as Northrop, Grumman, and McDonnell Douglas were considered but EASA's switchblade idea seemed to be the best solution. EASA was to create 3 Prototype Versions for future testing and experimentation.
In the winter of 2004 EASA's YF-25, government and civil code X-02, emerged. This prototype became known as the navy interceptor article 02, and was most frequently used by the X-02 name. The first prototype to arrived out of EASA's doors was a light-grey/grey painted version. This version logged on several flight hours until numbers 02-02 and 02-03 came out. Model 02 was coloured black with highlights of grey while the last prototype was grey with the EASA logos emblazoned on its wings. During testing O1 recorded a supercruise of mach 1.87 and a top speed of over mach 2.5. Successful testing of EASA's new revolutionary switchlade configuration was successful. May 2005 brought the successful testing of the 3D vectored nozzles and the test launch of the AAAMs.

Design Features
Many unique design features include new switchblade wings and variable trapezoidal "ruddervators" similar to those seen on the earlier YF-23 prototype that flatten out during supersonic cruise. Rudder action is not aerodynamically controlled on this plane, instead the 3D thrust vectoring nozzles on the new GE F-129 engines handle all of the planes yaw control. The use of canards, a Forward Swept Wing (FSW) design and thrust vectoring makes this plane highly maneuverable. Average takeoff weight is 55,000 pounds.
The X-02's unique wing design owes itself for better low speed control at higher angles of attack and lower landing and takeoff speeds that are connecting with carriers. The X-02's switchblade wings also dual up as decreasing width for better storage. The X-02 uses high strength thermalplastics and Boron fiber on the joints and doors of the variable geometry wings, where much stress is induced at high speeds. These doors also double up as flaps during takeoffs and landings.
This design lends itself to many low-observables features such as masked air intakes, internal bays for weapons, a blended fuselage, and many other aspects that reduce its chance to show up on radar and infrared tracking devices, and the stealth concept of same angles. The use of internal bays is a stealth one too. It has one large payload bay down the fuselage and two smaller "pop-up" bays behind the air intakes.

Structure
All-composites wing; high proportion of composites and welded aluminium-lithium alloy in remainder of airframe. Extensive use of radar-absorbent coatings.

Power Plant
The X-02 uses the high thrust, variable bypass (like the earlier GE 120 engines) General Electric F-129 turbofans, with three-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles for increased maneuverability. The F-129 engine uses a high temperature core and high-tech combustion parts, as well as a variable bypass design that allows it to act more like a turbofan at low speeds and more like a turbojet during supersonic cruise. Despite all of this, this engine has 40% less major parts and is easier to repair and maintain. The specific dry output of this engine is 30,000 lbs st. and during afterburning in the area of 42,500 Lbs st.

Accommodation
One pilot only, uses new ACES III ejector seat.

Armament
Standard Gun is GE's M61A2 "Vulcan" gun, same as found on F-22, with 950 rounds. Fuselage internal bays generally houses 6 AAAMs (AIM-155), but can hold a variety of other weapons such as precision guided munitions and a submutions dispenser, as well as the AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.
Four AIM-9X Sidewinders are put into the two smaller "pop-up" bays behind the air intakes for close range engagements.

External Dimensions
Wingspan (Unswept): 18.59m (61'0")
Wingspan (Swept): 11.58m (38'0")
Length: 21.92m (71'0")
Height: 4.38m (14'4")
Wings Gross: Classified
Wings, swept: Classified
Wings, unswept: Classified
Foreplanes: Classified
Weights and Loadings: Classified
Weight, empty: 16,550kg (36,500 lbs)
Weight, Normal TO: 24,940kg (55,000 lbs)
Weight, Max TO: 34,010kg (75,000 lbs)
Max power loading: (NTO) 0.640lbs/lbs st
Max TO: 0.882lbs/lbs st
Range: 2000 miles
G-Limit: 10+