Dynavert AV-206 Vertifalcon

The Dynavert Boeing AV-206 Vertifalcon is a tiltwing attack aircraft developed by Dynavert Flight Systems and Boeing Albion and operated primarily by Albion in a number of service roles. Developed from the successful AV-131 Dynavert of the 1970s, the Vertifalcon is capable of seamless transitions between STOL and VTOL flight.

Development history
The AV-206 emerged from CGA-Albanair and Dynavert's experience with the original Dynavert holotype, an aircraft which proliferated through the Alban Forces in a variety of utility roles. While hopes for significant foreign sales were originally floated, the Dynavert achieved popularity mainly among Commonwealth powers. Its inability to break into the American market, beyond civil marketing of similar tiltwings in utility and passenger roles, was attributed mainly to the power of the American defense sector and the potency of military procurement as a driver of jobs.

As early as 1987, Dynavert was developing a more advanced, combat-focued variant of the original Dynavert. The original aircraft demonstrated itself to be an exceptionally stable gun platform in both testing and live fire situations, but its small displacement and utility airframe made it difficult to adapt for ordnance outside of guns. Dynavert's solution was an enlarged airframe with hardpoints built into the lower hull. An initial prototype - internally dubbed the 84-XL, for "extra large" - flew in 1994, successfully firing a Hellfire missile and striking a target both with rotors forward and with them up.

Development continued on and off over the next few years before resources were diverted to the more commercially successful Vertivan, but designs were eventually drawing-boarded for a new prototype built on the lessons from the 84-XL. A partnership with Boeing proved essential in achieving aerodynamic and multi-mission innovations absent in the initial Dynavert. The emergent aircraft was mocked up as the DV-100, unveiled privately to Royal Air Force of Albion assessors in 2006 for consideration. In 2008, the first DV-100 conducted a successful flight from Dynavert's airfield in Lacey. The aircraft would go on to appear at the Augusta Air Show that year, impressing observers by performing a number of aerobatic maneuvers and demonstrating its tiltwing mechanism in full.

The public appearance of the DV-100 came just as the United States was beginning to introduce the tiltrotor V-22 Osprey, an aircraft which had already proven accident-prone and difficult to operate. By contrast, the DV-100 operated smoothly and intuitively, demonstrating no mechanical failures in its early testing process. As development of the aircraft proceeded, with the Alban government expressing interest in ordering the DV-100 as the AV-206 Vertifalcon, debate ensued over how Albion had managed to get the technology right when the United States still struggled to master it - a debate that lasted until American pilots remembered they'd had their chance at the Dynavert decades prior, when the aircraft was tested aboard USS Guam and at the Pentagon.

The establishment of the Royal Marine Commando Regiment by the Handler government created an immediate opening for the AV-206, which until that point had been slated for the Air Force. The initial order was allocated to the new Marine Regiment, to be flown from HMRAS Kaigani and HMRAS Illahee as well as from other forward bases. The first Marine Regiment Vertifalcons entered service in 2013.

Design
The Vertifalcon is a tiltwing aircraft, developed along the same principles as the AV-131 Dynavert, albeit enlarged, streamlined and specialized for frontline combat and carrier operation.

The Vertifalcon draws its power from two Pratt & Whitney Albion PW154A turboshaft engines, each putting out nearly 6,000 horsepower and driving a four-bladed rotor. The nacelles are affixed to a straight wing and interconnected across a horizontal central spine, affixed to a tilting mechanism. The mechanism is synchronized with a tilt mechanism that drives the tailplane. In landing configuration, the Vertifalcon's wing rests at approximately 15 degrees elevation, ensuring the rotors clear the ground. The wing and tailplanes can be elevated to an angle of roughly 100 degrees to enable straight vertical takeoffs, with shallower angles enabling short takeoffs from surfaces such as runways. In level forward flight, the wings are depressed to a flat position and the contra-rotating rear control propellers snap backward, giving the aircraft the performance of a standard turboprop.

The effectiveness of the Vertifalcon is derived from a few design fundamentals: The aircraft is designed to centre aerodynamic considerations, and controllability and power management are designed for maximum simplicity. A pilot with no experience flying a tiltrotor can sit down in a Vertifalcon and intuitively fly the aircraft with little training. Only the wing tilt control is unfamiliar even for a novice pilot.

The Vertifalcon has space for up to 12 commandos, with a fold-out rear hatch nested into the tail enabling troops to egress easily or perform paradrops. The aircraft is equipped with hardpoints mounted to the wheel well connecting spars, enabling four external weapons to be carried, typically anti-radiation or anti-tank missiles. A torpedo may also be carried in the belly. Wingtip mounts may also be affixed for a pair of rocket launchers, which are gimballed to remain in a fixed position when the wing is tilted.

The main armament consists of a chin-mounted General Dynamics M197 triple-barreled electric 20-millmetre cannon, similar to that mounted on the AH-1Z helicopter. The Vertifalcon, like the original Dynavert, is an exceptionally stable gun platform both in level flight and in hovering mode, capable of putting precision fire on target both at range and while in motion. The aircraft is equipped with cockpit and engine armour to protect it from ground fire.

In addition to the tiltwing mechanism, the Vertifalcon's wings are designed to fold up against the hull for ease of storage aboard a carrier. The wings fold out from the fuselage near to the wing root before rotating to fold backwards. The rotors also fold backward in this configuration.

Albion
The AV-206 made its combat debut during the opening stages of Operation Juniper Bough. Four Marine Commando Regiment Vertifalcons flying from Néma, Mauritania crossed the border into Mali en route to Timbuktu under cover of night as part of a daring rescue of 23 hostages held captive by members of Ansar Dine. The hostages include nine Albans, held at the municipal stadium as part of Ansar Dine's renewed insurgency in the city. The Vertifalcons easily infiltrated the city and deployed marine commandos from two vehicles, which remained airborne to attack Ansar Dine technicals in the area, while the other two tiltwings landed, onboarded the hostages and made their exit. No Marines or hostages were lost, though one Vertifalcon took a few gunshots to a wingtip, for minimal damage. All aircraft safely egressed and made their way to HMRAS Kaigani, on station in the Bight of Benin, assisted by mid-flight refueling.

Variants
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Specifications
General characteristics


 * Crew: 2
 * Capacity: 12 pasengers
 * Length: ~60 feet
 * Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney PW154A turboshafts, 6,000 shp each

Performance


 * Maximum speed: 558 km/h
 * Combat range: 750 km/h
 * Ferry range: ~4,500 km
 * Rate of climb: ~4,950 ft/min

Armament


 * 1x General Dynamics 20mm M197 machine cannon
 * 5 external hardpoints (4 skirt, 1 underbelly for fuel tanks)
 * 2 wingtip gimbals for ARV7 rocket pods
 * Missiles:
 * Air-to-ground missiles:
 * AGM-65 Maverick
 * AGM-88 HARM
 * AGM-114 Hellfire
 * Bombs:
 * Mk 81 250lb bomb or GBU-58 Paveway II
 * Provisions for up to two torpedoes, internally carried