Golden Age Weaponsmiths F-111F Aardvark / EF-111A Raven:
The F-111 was originally a United States Air Force project designed
to fill the roles of both a fighter and a medium bomber. While the aircraft
was not as good an interceptor as the F-15 Eagle constructed at same time,
it was an excellent bomber and ground attack aircraft. Before the aircraft
was withdrawn for service and placed in storage, the aircraft fought in
multiple actions including Vietnam, Libya, and Desert Storm. Some of the
aircraft were found in storage bunkers and were refitted to more modern
standards by Golden Age Weaponsmiths. They have performed well in combat
and even the Coalition is concerned because the aircraft are capable of
very low level missions. One of these aircraft could easily be used to
destroy Coalition fortifications and run away at high speed before a Coalition
fighter could intercept it. While many would say that this aircraft is
inferior to the Aircastle bomber and does not carry enough defensive weaponry,
unlike the Aircastle, the Aardvark can run away at high Mach speed, can
fly at very low levels, and is still fairly capable in a dogfight against
other fighters. The Aardvark is a variable wing geometry aircraft (Swing
wings) and whenever the fighter accelerates to Mach 1 or above, the wings
are swept back.
The EF-111 Raven is a modified early version F-111 Aardvark with all
weapons removed and carrying the ALQ-99E Jamming system, which is a modified
version of the system that is carried on Navy EA-6B Prowler, in the aircrafts
ordnance bay and multiple other modifications to allow for the operation
of the aircraft's ECM equipment. Golden Age Weaponsmiths has found a very
small number of these aircraft and has refitted them. Because of the aircrafts
high performance, they make an excellent ECM aircraft and are incredibly
useful when operated with other Aardvarks or similar high performance aircraft.
The Raven has an older engine then the Aardvarks do and is slightly slower
but is still both fast and has a good range.
While the aircraft are not as heavily armored as aircraft built in the
time of the Rifts, the refitting of the aircraft with new MDC armor allows
the aircraft to have some survivability in mega damage combat. When the
gun is carriied, the Aardvark had a massive payload of ammunition for its
20 mm cannon and the rounds have been replaced by special ramjet rounds
like those that are carried on the other aircraft that they have refitted
including the F-14, F-16, and F/A-18. The aircraft's hard points have been
refitted to carry standard missiles constructed on rifts Earth. An infra-red
sensor system has been integrated into the nose of the aircraft and the
ordnance bay has been freed to carry ordnance with the elimination of the
Pave Tack system. This enables the aircraft to carry up to eight cruise
missiles and two medium range missile or mixtures of smaller ordnance.
Unlike the Aardvark, The Raven has no hard points and the main modifications
have been to simply upgrade the aircraft's armor so that it can be hit
by enemy fire and not be automatically destroyed.
There was planned a naval version of this aircraft but present versions
of this aircraft are not capable of carrier landings itself and were never
fitted with a tail hook. Unlike most aircraft, the whole cockpit of the
Aardvark ejects and is designed to be used as a shelter on land and has
special flotation devices for use in the water. Pilot and weapon's officer
also sit side by side unlike most fighters were the pilot and weapon's
officer sit with the pilot in front. Like most American pre-Rifts aircraft,
the Aardvark has the ability to be refueled in the air and has an amazing
range as well. The aircraft has variable position wings similar to F-14
Tomcat.
(Author Note: Where the F-111F and EF-111 are identical, there are a
single set of figures and only where the aircraft are different are the
different values listed separately)
| Model Numbers: | F-111 F | Aardvark |
| EF-111 A | Raven |
| Vehicle Type: | F-111 E | Twin Engine Fighter-Bomber |
| EF-111 A | Twin Engine ECM tactical jamming aircraft |
| Crew: | Two | Two (Pilot & Weapon's Officer) |
| Two | Two (Pilot & Sensor / Jamming Operator) |
M.D.C. by Location:
| Internal Bay | 100 |
| [1] Wings (2): | 110 each |
| [2] Elevators (2): | 50 each |
| [2] Rudders (1): | 50 each |
| Cockpit: | 100 |
| [3] Engines (2): | 100 |
| Landing Gear (3): | 5 each |
| [4] Main Body: | 210 |
Notes:
[1] Destroying a Wing will cause the plane to crash
[2] Destruction of the rudder or one elevator will still allow the
fighter to be controlled by the varying of power levels of the engines
but the fighter has a penalty of -10 to dodge, and a -30% penalty to all
piloting rolls. Destruction of both of the elevators will leave the plane
uncontrollable and pilot must eject to survive.
[3] The destruction of one engine will reduce the fighters top speed
by half and give the pilot a -2 penalty to dodge as well as giving a 10%
penalty to piloting. Destruction of both engines will cause the aircraft
to crash. The crew may attempt an emergency landing or Crew can choose
to eject.
[4] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the Aircraft down
completely, rendering it useless and causing it to crash if in flight.
Speed:
Driving on Ground (Taxiing): Only possible for take offs and
landings as well as for parking and storage. Speed is 40 mph (64 kph) when
traveling and not on take off or landing.
Flying:
F-111F: The Aardvark can reach a top speed of Mach 2.5 (1,923.8
mph/3,096 kph) on full afterburner (the fighter can only last a few minutes
at that speed). The fighter/bomber's normal cruise is about 600 mph (965.6
kph) but varies on situation. The aircraft has a maximum altitude of 60,000
feet (18,300 meters)
EF-111A: The Raven can reach a top speed of Mach 2.15 (1,654.4
mph/2,662.6 kph) on full afterburner (the aircraft can only last a few
minutes at that speed). The Raven's normal cruise is about 600 mph (965.6
kph) but varies on situation. The aircraft has a maximum altitude of 60,000
feet (18,300 meters)
Range:
F-111F: 2,475 nautical miles (2,848.2 miles/4,583.7 km) with
no external ordnance load. The Aardvark can carry up to four fuel tanks
(on hard points) that extend range by about 155 nautical miles (178.4 miles/287.1
km) each
Reduce aircraft's range by 15% if partially loaded (Over 2 cruise missiles
or 4 long range missile missiles not including ordnance in bay) and by
25% if fully loaded. The F-111F can be refueled in the air.
EF-111A: 1,614 nautical miles (1,857.4 miles/2989.1 km) with
no external fuel tanks. The Raven can carry up to four fuel tanks (on wings
where hard points on Aardvarks are) that extend range by about 155 nautical
miles (178.4 miles/287.1 km) each. The EF-111A can be refueled in the air.
Statistical Data:
Height: F-111F: 17 feet 2 inches (5.1 meters)
EF-111A: 20 feet (6.1 meters)
Wingspan: 63 feet (19 meters) with wings extended and
31 feet 11 inches (11.9 meters) with wings swept back.
Length: F-111F: 73 feet 6 inches (22 meters)
EF-111A: 76 feet (23.16 meters)
Weight: F-111F: 47,481 lbs (21537 kg) empty, 100,000
lbs (45,000 kg) fully loaded.
EF-111A: 55,275 lbs (25,072 kg) empty, 88,948 lbs (40,346 kg)
fully loaded.
Power System: F-111F: Conventional, Two two Pratt and
Whitney TF30-P-100 turbofan engines with afterburner 25,000 lbs thrust
each), uses aviation fuel. EF-111A: Conventional, Two two Pratt
and Whitney TF30-P-3 turbofan engines with afterburner (18,500 lb thrust
each), uses aviation fuel.
Cargo: Minimal (Storage for small equipment), does not include
hard points and ordnance bay. Ordnance bay, of emptied of ordnance can
carry up to 10,000 lbs (4,535.9 kg) of cargo. The EF-111A has the ALQ-99E
ECM equipment in it bay and can only carry fuel tanks on its wings.
Black Market Cost: F-111F: 5.8 million credits (Can sometimes
sell for double that price)
EF-111A: 12.2 million credits (Can sometimes sell for double
that price)
Weapon Systems:
- 20 mm MK-61A1 Vulcan cannon (F-111F Only):
The Cannon is
mounted within the fighter bomber's ordnance bay and takes about one quarter
of the bay's ordnance capacity when mounted. The gun can be removed to
increase the amount of payload that can be carried. Since the entire bay
of the EF-111A carries jamming pods, the Vulcan cannon cannot be carried.
The weapon is the same cannon design as is carried on the F-14 Tomcat.
They have replaced the standard ammo with mega damage, armor piercing ramjet
ammunition which allows the aircraft to hold it own against other Rifts
aircraft. Gun mount is controlled by the fighter's pilot.
Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,220 m).
Mega Damage: 1D6x10 for a burst of 30 round, 2D4 for each round.
Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of
the pilot (usually 4 or 5).
Payload: 2070 rounds (69 bursts)
- Ordnance Bay (F-111F Only):
The aircraft has a small bay
in the main body that carry a wide variety of different ordnance types.
The Vulcan cannon is also carried in the bay and when carried, the payload
is reduced by one long range missile or its equivalent in other ordnance.
On the EF-111A, the ordnance bay contains the ALQ-99E ECM equipment and
cannot be used to carry additional ordnance. Ordnance types can include
missiles, torpedoes, naval mines, and bombs. Missile and bomb sizes may
be mixed between different types of ordnance but an ordnance drop or launch
must include the same type and size of ordnance. Ordnance may be carried
at the rate of four short range missiles, four light bombs, two medium
range missiles, or two medium bombs for one long range missile or heavy
bomb. One Cruise missile or extra heavy bomb may also be carried instead
of two long range missiles or heavy bombs. Both guided and unguided ordnance
may be carried. Launching of ordnance is controlled by the weapons officer
but the pilot has emergency controls.
Maximum Effective Range: Varies by missile type for missile
and varies by altitude bombs are dropped at (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table).
Mega Damage: Varies by missile or bomb type (Go to Revised
bomb and missile table).
Rate of Fire: Ordnance is dropped or fired one at a time or
in volleys of two, four, eight, twelve, or sixteen but must be the same
size (light, medium, or heavy) and style of ordnance (all missiles or bombs
in a volley)
Payload: 16 short range missile or light bombs, 8 medium range
missiles or medium bombs, 4 long range missiles or heavy bombs, or 2 cruise
missiles or extra heavy bombs. Ordnance can be mixed and naval mines may
be carried as well as missiles and bombs (When carrying Vulcan cannon,
reduce payload to 12 short range missiles or light bombs, 6 medium range
missiles or medium bombs, 3 long range missiles or heavy bombs, or 1 cruise
missile or extra-heavy bomb)
- Wing Hard points (6 - F-111F Only):
the bomber has three
hard points on each wing to carry additional ordnance. The hard points
can be used to carry missiles, bombs, rocket packs, and jamming pods as
needed by the mission. The outer two hard points are not often used because
while ordnance is carried on them, the aircraft's wings cannot be swept
back. This prevents the aircraft from going to Mach 1 or above. This is
because the hard points are fixed, the other hard points vary their angle
based on the position of the aircraft's wings. On the EF-111A, there is
no fitting for external ordnance and only up to four fuel tanks can be
fitted.
- Missiles & Bombs:
Each hard point can carry one extra
heavy bomb or cruise missile. The hard point can also carry a variety of
different ordnance on a hard point. Two long range missiles or heavy bombs,
four medium range missiles or medium bombs, or eight short range missiles
or light bombs may be substituted on a hard point for a cruise missile.
Both guided and unguided ordnance may be carried. Launching of ordnance
is controlled by the weapons officer but the pilot has emergency controls.
Maximum Effective Range: Varies by missile type for missile
and varies by altitude bombs are dropped at (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table).
Mega Damage: Varies by missile or bomb type (Go to Revised
bomb and missile table).
Rate of Fire: Missiles can be fired and bombs can be dropped
one at a time per hard point. Multiple hard points can be linked as one
attack but must be the same size (light, medium, or heavy) and style of
ordnance (all missiles or bombs in a volley)
Payload: 8 short range missile or light bombs, 4 medium range
missiles or medium bombs, 2 long range missiles or heavy bombs, or 1 cruise
missile or extra heavy bomb (all ordnance on a hard point must be the same
size and type of ordnance) can be carried on each hard point.
- Mini-Missile Pod:
Large capacity mini-missile pod. The Aircraft
normally carries missile pods for ground strafing, anti-troop, and anti-emplacement
attacks. Normal missile used are armor piercing, plasma, or fragmentation
mini-missiles. The mini missile pods are controlled by the pilot.
Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, mini-missiles
only (Go to Revised
bomb and missile table).
Damage: Varies with mini-missile types (Go to Revised
bomb and missile table).
Rate of fire: Each pod can fire one at a time or in volleys
of 2, 4, 8, or 16 and can be linked with other mini missile pods for greater
number of missiles (Counts as one attack no matter how many missiles in
volley)
Payload: each pod carries 16 mini-missile.
- Towed Decoys (4):
The pod takes place of all ordnance on
the Hard Point. The aircraft can carry a special pod that carries four
advanced towed decoy drones. These drones are dragged about 328 feet (100
meters) behind the aircraft on a thin cable. Each is a specially designed
radar lure that creates a radar image to mimic the aircraft. If decoys
are not destroyed, they can be recovered and repaired. Rifts Earth decoy
systems are assumed to not operate against Phase World weapons due to technological
difference.
M.D.C.: 5
Effects: The decoy has an 65% chance of fooling ordinary non
military radars and non smart guided missiles, the decoy has a 35% chance
of fooling military level radars (like those of the Coalition), and the
decoy has a 10% chance of fooling advanced military radars (Like those
of the New Navy and Triax) and smart missiles.
Range: Not Applicable although the decoy is deployed 328 feet
(100 meters) from the aircraft
Rate of fire: One can be deployed at a time and requires 15
seconds to deploy (Reel Out) another decoy
Payload: 4 Decoys each pod.
- Active Jamming Pod:
Pod takes place of all ordnance on the
Hard Point. Causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/
bases can detect that it is jamming, and some missiles will home in on
jamming signals. Jamming also causes a -4 penalty to all radar guided weapons.
- Secondary Outer Wing Hard Points (2 - F-111F Only):
These
hard points are effectively part of the middle wing hard points but have
a separate ordnance load. This mount is between the main ordnance load
of the main hard point and the wing. These hard points can only carry missiles,
not bombs. Each hard point can carry either one medium range missile of
two short range missiles. These hard points were originally designed for
Sidewinder missiles. The hard points are not on the EF-111A
Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, medium or
Short range missiles only (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table).
Damage: Varies with missile types (Go to Revised
bomb and missile table).
Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of two.
Payload: 1 medium range missile or 2 short range missiles per
hard point.
- Anti-Missile Chaff/Flare Dispenser (1):
Use the same effects
as the TRIAX model. However, each time the system is engaged, the system
fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares. This system is carried on both the
F-111F Aardvark and the EF-111A Raven. Rifts Earth decoy systems are assumed
to not operate against Phase World missiles due to technological difference.
Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (Add +20% to rolls for smart
missiles.)
Effect:
01-50 Enemy missile or missile volley detonates in chaff cloud - Missiles
are all destroyed
51-75 Enemy missile or missile volley loses track of real target and
veers away in wrong direction (May lock onto another target
76-00 No effect, missile is still on target
Also note that the chaff cloud will also blind flying monsters that
fly through cloud. They will suffer the following penalties: reduce melee
attacks/actions, combat bonuses, and speed by half. Duration: 1D4 melee
rounds.
Payload: 20 chaff, 40 flares. Each time the system is engaged,
the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares.
Special Equipment:
The equipment of the fighter has been upgraded but many of the original
systems are still on the fighter. Consider the fighter to carry all standard
equipment that robot vehicles carry (not including loudspeaker and microphone)
plus the following extra systems:
- APQ-144 Radar (F-111F): Medium range radar capable of tracking both
air targets and ground targets. The radar system also has terrain following
capacity. Range: 69 miles (60 nm/ 111.1 km). The Radar system on the Raven
has only standard range for a robot maxi-radar but is also capable of terrain
following
- ALQ-99E Jamming Suite (EF-111A): It Creates a jamming field in a
30 mile (48.3 km) radius in all directions around the Aircraft. It jams
all radars, radios, and all equipment that uses RF waves. This also includes
jamming all friendly forces and all equipment in Aircraft that is mounting
the system and operating it. The system cause all radar system to have
a 75% reduction in range. In addition, radar systems will have a -25% penalty
to detect all targets within their reduced range. Jamming also causes a
-6 penalty to all radar guided weapons within the area but some radar guided
missiles can home on jamming signals.
- E.S.M.: Radar Detector, Passively detects other radars being operated.
- FLIR: Forward Looking Infrared. Allows pilot and weapons officer
to get visuals on targets at night.
Combat Bonuses:
+1 to Strike with 20mm Gun and Mini-Missile Launchers. (Not Applicable
to the EF-111A)
+2 to dodge
+3 to dodge while traveling over 250 mph
[Golden Age Weaponsmiths, Wellington Industries, and TRIAX are trademarks
owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and
Palladium Books Inc.]
By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune ).
Copyright © 1998 & 2001, Kitsune. All rights reserved.
