The Western IslesBoard

---

The Gaelfighter Tempest was designed as a stealth fighter with improved avionics, high-speed interception and super-cruise capabilities, stealth technology, multi-role capabilities, greater combat radius, and improved airframe wingspan to surpass older aircraft to fulfill the role of becoming Gael's premier multi-role aircraft. These aspects establish the Gaelfighter as a true fifth-generation fighter. The program was led by the United Republics government in cooperation with the Gael Four (after its 2017 establishment) alongside private participation in the form of Kapolder Electric Works Aviation, Messiner Aerospace, White-Liang Technologies, and Endeavor Aerospace.

As of 2022, the Gaelfighter Tempest has produced 147 of its first 250 airframe order with an active Block 2 development underway by Dormill and Stiura. Overall, over 300 units are planned to be manufactured and deployed across the Western Isles by 2027 with an expected service life into the 2050s.

---

History
The Gaelfighter Tempest, also known as the F-9 Tempest, began conceptual development under the guidance of the Doraltic government via the Institute for Future Technologies at the University of Kapolder as the "Silent Tempest" project. Its initial aim was to begin serious considerations for the adoption and utilization of emerging stealth technologies in the form of the next generation of fighter aircraft, either as an upgrade to the very successful Gargoyle fighter or as a new aircraft entirely. The team, led by Fitz Ansel, studied multiple potential designs throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, paying very close attention to the progress of other ongoing stealth fighter programs. Attention from the newly established United Republics government came in 1998 when it issued a notice of interest to various Doraltic aerospace corporations to begin its own design study.

Congress independently initiated a study into the feasibility of both international programs and the ability of the United Republics to create an aircraft of the same capabilities. Eventually, Ansel's team was brought into the study where it eventually concluded to Congress that an advanced stealth aircraft was within the ability of the newly inaugurated Stuber government to both develop and manufacture, given sufficient time and funding to study the international programs and develop comparable technologies. The Ministry of Defense then produced the FXXI (F-Twenty-One) program in a white paper, outlining a trio of possible designs accounting for the needs of both the Air Force and Navy and considerations to produce a viable aircraft within 7 years. Congress approved the plan as part of the 1999 budget and subsequent defense spending appropriations, setting aside $300 million from a combination of the budgets of the Air Force, Navy, and the Science and Technology Fund to conclude the initial study and produce a viable prototype by 2002.

While the project now had a solid basis to start from, the situation turned sour in 2001 after Congress redirected half of that year's military budget to respond to the crisis of the Baetylus Asteroid. This sudden and significant reduction of funds jeopardized the FXXI project and threatened to outright kill it from lack of funding. However, after intense lobbying efforts by Messiner Aerospace, which had joined the project alongside Kapolder Electric Works Aviation, Congress authorized a return of some funds to the project and approved of those involved to seek international partners to shift the cost away from Dormill and Stiura. Negotiations with both national governments and private interests in the formation of a consortium went on from 2001 and broadly concluded at the end of 2003 when Endeavour Aviation, White-Liang Technologies, Dekker Defense Group, Kapolder Electric Aviation, Messiner Aerospace, the United Republics Government, the Ahnslen Government, and Corindi Dynamics formed the Gaelfighter Group, the industrial consortium that would fund, develop, and manufacture the aircraft.

Of the consortium's members, Messiner Aerospace, Kapolder Electric Aviation, and Endeavour Aviation each drafted designs for the eventual aircraft based on specifications agreed upon between the Ahnslen and Doraltic governments; it would ultimately be a single-seat, single-engine, STOL-ready, 5th generation, all-aspect stealth fighter. After consideration and the flight of four viable prototypes, two from Messiner and one each from Kapolder Electric and Endavour, the United Republics government ultimately selected the KEBA design but conceded on key points to satisfy the other two contestants. The aircraft that would become the Gaelfighter was to be powered by a pair of Endeavour Aviation F300 engines, a licensed upgrade of Kapolder Electric's F200 series, and use the designed fighter information suite from the Messiner prototype as the core of the Gaelfighter's electronics system.

A second major controversy hit the development of the aircraft in 2014 when the Doraltic government, having seen the performance of the F241 on the F-7/3, demanded the adoption of the F241 onto the Gaelfighter as opposed to the Ahnslen engine. This move angered both Endeavour Aviation and the Ahnslen government, which accused Kapolder Electric Works of industrial espionage, and the Doraltic government of lying to them regarding the engine choice. After further negotiations, the consortium agreed to design the aircraft such that both engines could be used, designating the creation of the Dash A and Dash I variants; the F 9-A was to be fitted with the Ahnslen F300 engine, while the F 9-I would be fitted with the international F241. By the end of 2014, the low-run initial production of the F-9 had begun in earnest, fulfilling the initial 40 orders from across the consortium.

---

Development
During the low-run production, final tests of the aircraft resolved lingering issues with the overall design and the extensive use of international parts, of which several new interoperability standards within Gael and beyond had to be created to accommodate. Ultimately, the electronics suite would be powered in part by both White-Liang and Messiner Aerospace tech while the remaining consortium members contributed other parts of the overall design or were a part of the wider advisory board. Production would be spread mostly evenly across Gael and the Isles, though final assembly would be focused on three plants, the Messiner Aerospace main plant in Kettingwier and the Prospect Aviation plants in Mala and Port Blacken.

As of 2021, there have been over 100 aircraft produced and deployed across the Western Isles, with production continuing into the end of Block 1 by 2023 to fulfill the initial 155-unit order from all customers. A Block 2, also referred to as the Dash 2, is in development to improve the original systems and increase the aircraft's stealth capabilities. The F-9/2 is also intended to be compatible with the Stealth Weapons Pod, enhancing its capabilities to carry weapons without severely sacrificing its existing stealth capabilities. So far, only the United Republics of Dormill and Stiura have ordered Block 2 aircraft, submitting an order in 2019 for 36 aircraft and an additional upgrade suite to its Block 1 fleet.

Of all customers, the United Republics remains the largest with an order for 95 Block 1 aircraft, which is followed by Ahnslen Air Force and the Iszkari Air Force. The Gaelfighter Group continues to seek further international partners and is in active negotiations with the United Partitions, the Confederation of Razzgriz, Corindia, and other Doraltic partners and allies to adopt the aircraft into their respective air forces.

The Gaelfighter is built-for-export, meaning all parts both external and internal are non-proprietary and are suitable for use within international militaries. However, nations such as Dormill and Stiura, have ordered variants with included proprietary technology. So far only the United Republics and Ainslie use such variants.

The Tempest was initially funded exclusively by Dormill and Stiura, which had set aside $300 million at the start of the project's development to conclude initial studies. Plans obtained from current and former members of Congress indicate a willingness to contribute upwards of $5 billion to the total project that was considered in 2000. However, the situation caused by the discovery of the Baetylus Asteroid stalled such plans and ultimately led to a significant reduction in the contributions made by the United Republics to the Gaelfighter as a whole.

On the whole, when the development of the Gaelfighter was considered complete in 2019, close to $7 billion was contributed to the development and manufacture of the aircraft at an approximate price of $115 million per unit, it is sold at an intentional loss with subsidies from the United Republics government to encourage international sales in competition to the matured P.123 and P.125. Of this, the United Republics government contributed 57%, or ~$4 billion, to the Gaelfighter, with contributions from program partners making up the difference.

Devleopment Timeline and Funding by Nation

---

Design
The initial goal for the program was to develop a single-seat single-engine multirole fighter with stealth capabilities to match the reported capabilities of the in-progress international programs, such as the S-347. The Institute for Future Technologies at the University of Kapolder and the NRSI Future Aircraft Division advised that the XF-9 should be superior to the F-7 Gargoyle with 50% greater combat range, 34% longer airframe lifespan, better avionics, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, more-effective electronic warfare, and data link capabilities. Their recommendations also specified approximately 43,000 foot-pounds (191 kN) of thrust from one engine, supersonic interception and cruising capabilities, and multi-role capabilities.

The F-9 emphasizes low observables, advanced avionics, and sensor fusion that enable a high level of situational awareness and long-range lethality; combined with STOL readiness and simplified maintenance procedures, the aircraft is considered by the United Republics Air Force as the center of both its air superiority/defense and strike fighter capabilities, sharing the former with the F-7/3 in a hi-lo configuration with the further intent to fully replace the F-8 in naval service.

Of all the technologies developed for the F-9, the most complex was its mission systems, designed to maximize sensor fusion for pilot awareness and command and control under the Unified Battlefield Command and Control system which was being co-developed by other branches of the United Republics military throughout the 2000s. Its core sensor is CAPTOR AESA and is backed up by an electronic warfare suite, the Kopesh Distributed Infrared Tracking System, and a CNI system. Like the Gargoyle Dash 3, the Gaelfighter is a programmable aircraft courtesy of a collection of 2000B standard digital data busses, completing the aircraft's sensor intercommunication suite, which is capable of providing a cohesive image of the local battlespace and availability for any possible use and combination between every sensor.

For the sake of future competitiveness when stealth aircraft became the norm across Gaeltic and international air forces, White-Liang designed a significant portion of the Gaelfighter's electronic systems for commercial-off-the-shelf modularity, with the Dash I shipping with Kopesh, the ELINT, CNI, and sensor fusion. The core radar and the data busses, along with the remaining sensors, could also be replaced with relevant retrofits, most importantly creating the Ahnslen Dash A variant of the Gaelfighter. In the United Republics, additional programming modifications and an upgraded CNI allows the Gaelfighter to directly interface with UBCC systems to create the Dash G variant. As an additional consequence, the Gaelfighter is designed to incorporate improved processors, sensors, and software enhancements over its lifespan; for example, the United Republics Air Force has explored testing concepts related to UCAV coordination.

Stealth is a key aspect of the F-9's design, and radar cross-section (RCS) is minimized through careful shaping of the airframe and the use of radar-absorbent materials (RAM); visible measures to reduce RCS include alignment of edges, serration of skin panels, and the masking of the engine face and turbine. Additionally, the F-9's diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) uses a compression bump and forward-swept cowl rather than a splitter gap or bleed system to divert the boundary layer away from the inlet duct, eliminating the diverter cavity and further reducing radar signature.

Taking advantage of its stealth characteristics, the Gaelfighter has three internal weapon bays: a large main bay on the bottom of the fuselage, and two smaller bays on the sides of the fuselage, aft of the engine inlets; a small bay for countermeasures such as flares is located behind each side bay. The main bay is split along the centerline and can accommodate six launchers for beyond-visual-range missiles and each side bay has a launcher for short-range missiles. The primary air-to-air missiles are the JAAM and the Cobra AAM. The main bay is also capable of carrying two Racer LRSAM or two guided bombs. Missile launches require the bay doors to be open for less than a second, during which pneumatic or hydraulic arms push missiles clear of the aircraft; this is to reduce vulnerability to detection and to deploy missiles during high-speed flight. An internally mounted DEFA 554 20 mm rotary cannon is embedded in the airplane's right wing root with the muzzle covered by a retractable door. The radar projection of the cannon fire's path is displayed on the pilot's head-up display.

The external wing stations can carry large air-to-surface weapons that would not fit inside the weapons bays, including additional LRSAMs, bombs, and more air-to-air missiles.

---

Variants
As of 2023, there are 5 variants of the Gaelfighter Tempest either presently in production or are planned for production in the near future, they are:

F-9/I: The Dash-I is a Block 1 Gaelfighter fitted with Kapolder Electric Works Aviation F241 engines.
F-9/A: The Dash-A is a Block 1 Gaelfighter fitted with Prospect Aviation F300 engines. Given that it has only been produced for Ainslie so far, the Dash-A has also been modified with an Ahnslen proprietary electronics suite at the request of the Ahnslen government.
F-9/G: The Dash-G is a Block 1 Gaelfighter modified with a Doraltic proprietary electronics suite built for its Unified Battlefield Command and Control System.
F-9/M: The Dash-M, also known as the Mistral, is a navalized Block 1 Gaelfighter modified with reinforced landing gear, foldable wingtips, and a tailhook for use on aircraft carriers, most especially the Doraltic carriers.
F-9/2: The Dash-2 is the in-development Block 2 of the Gaelfighter. It is being developed simultaneously with the Stealth Weapons Pod, which would enable Block 2 aircraft to carry larger weapons payloads on their external hardpoints without severely degrading the Gaelfighter's stealth characteristics.

---

Specifications
FA-9-I/A

General Characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 51.4 ft (15.7 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft (11 m)
Height: 14.4 ft (4.4 m)
Wing area: 460 sq ft (43 m²)
Empty weight: 29,300 lb (13,290 kg)
Gross weight: 49,540 lb (22,471 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 65,918 lb (29,900 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Kapolder Electric F241 afterburning turbofan, 28,000 lbf (125 kN) thrust dry, 43,000 lbf (191 kN) with afterburner or 1 × Prospect Aviation F311 afterburning turbofan

Performance

Maximum speed: Mach 1.81
Range: 1,500 nmi (1,700 mi, 2,800 km)
Combat range: 760 nmi (870 mi; 1,410 km)

Armament

Guns:
1x 20 mm DEFA 554 revolver cannon, 400 rounds

Hardpoints:
10 total (4 internal, 6 under-wing) with a capacity of 5,700 pounds (2,600 kg) internal, 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg) external, 18,000 pounds (8,200 kg) total weapons payload
Rockets: Matra 68 mm unguided rocket pods, 18 rockets per pod

Missiles:
JAMM
Cobra AAM
Racer LRASM

---

Operators

Nation	Military Branch(s)	Quantity (remaining on order)
Dormill and Stiura	United Republics Air Force | United Republics Navy	64 (86) | 27 (48)
Ainslie	Ahnslen Air Force	25
Roendavar	Royal Air Force of Roendavar	17
Razzgriz	Iszkari Air Force	26

Total Block 1 Aircraft Scheduled: 338
Total Block 1 Aircraft Sold: 303
Total Block 1 Aircraft In Service: 159
Remaining Block 1 Aircraft for Sale: 35
Telegram Dormill and Stiura to order Gaelfighter batches.