The premiere stealth aircraft of Tanakvik. The Si-54 "Berkut" (Eagle) sees service in the Red Aerospace Forces almost exclusively, with only a few hundred being in service with the Tanakvikian Red Navy's carrier fleets. It is officially classified as a 5th-5.5th generation aircraft. Crew: 1 Recommended Minimum Maintenance Crew: 3 Weight: 20,320lbs Maximum Takeoff Weight: 38,680lbs Maximum Speed: ~Mach 2.4 Effective Combat Range: 1680 km Recommended Maximum Range: 4,610km (with refuel support) Service Ceiling: 20.7km *RCS: ~0.00582m² Climb: 390m/s The Si-54 has the ability to mount external pylons, and can operate up to 6 UCAV support drones at a time based on pilot skill. All weapons in high-threat environments are carried within the internal weapons bay. There is roughly 3,620 units in service throughout the Red Aerospace Forces as the main stealth aircraft of Tanakvik, with 430 in service in the Red Navy. There are none in service outside Tanakvik, this includes allies, and the OCCP in general. There is two major variants, the Si-54a, and the Si-54b. The Si-54a is shown here, and is the obvious majority. The Si-54b is not shown, but has VTOL capabilities, and is one of the premiere naval multiroles for this generation of aircraft. Lore for the Si-54b will come eventually. Exports are not permitted, nor are liscenses. THIS ASSET IS FOR NXG AND OTHER APPROVED USE ONLY. Failure to have recieved proper approval will be met with the necessary corrective action.
History; With the design phase starting in 1993 after the Tanav-Astrenian war, Sinosky, Tanakvik's most trusted jet designer, would be placed incharge of designing and creating a new fighter aircraft for service within the Tanakvikian Red Aerospace Forces, to contend with Vespacian programs at the time. After roughly five years, development would be completed, and, the first prototype, the Su-X98, would take a test flight in northern Catberia. This test flight would prove amazingly successful, and after a battery of extremely difficult tests, including radar detection, missile detection, and maneuverability testing, the Su-X98 would be cleared for active production, with a request for twenty aircraft. The Gortsky Experimental Aircraft Plant in western Tanakvik would be chosen to fulfill this demand by 2002. After the first twenty aircraft entered service, they proved their worth in a number of strike operations against pirates in the South Jinzhaon and White Seas, along with international anti-terror operations throughout the latter months of 2002. In 2003, a further order for 200 aircraft would be sent in to the Gortsky Plant, who would fulfill the request in 2008. After the success of the platform and with its competitor, the Vespacian F-22 and F-35, becoming more common, the Soviet Congress would then allocate the North Volgan Jet Plant and the Catku Aircraft Manufacturing Plant towards the project, with the goal to reach 2,000 units produced by 2020. During this production cycle in 2016, a modernization committee made Sinosky modify the design, and utalize the most modern materials available. This modification would be named the "Si-54a1" befitting with basic naming standards at the time. When the production goal was barely missed by thirty units, the Soviet Congress would re-organize, and permit the allocation of more materials, and the Moscon Experimental Jet Plant, to the project. The new goal, for 1,900 new units by 2030, was set. In 2024, another modernization committee with Sinosky created the "Si-54a2", this time newer breakthroughs in material and technology were brought in, bringing the Si-54 up to overtake recently released Vespacian and allied rival aircraft. The 2024 modernization also included the creation of the Si-54UNM, an unmanned version of the aircraft which currently has roughly ~63 units in service. In 2028, the Si-54 is Tanakvik's main stealth aircraft, and is intended on serving until the 2060s. Service history; 390 Si-54s would see service in the Great Patriotic War (Aytri-Tanav War) in 2027. Throughout the eight months of peer to peer conflict, 2 would be shot down, 3 would crash due to pilot error. 51 Si-54s would see service in the 1st Soviet-Terror War. No casualties. 183 Si-54s would see service in the 2nd Soviet-Terror War. 1 would crash due to pilot error. 310 Si-54s are seeing service in the Jinzhaon Civil War. Throughout the past three months, 1 has been shot down, 1 has crashed due to pilot error. There has been roughly 8 unrelated to combat crashes throughout the Si-54s service. Out of these 8, only 1 was fatal. The Si-54 sits as the world's most successful combat proven stealth aircraft due to its extensive history against peer and near-peer forces.
