Section 1.0: Northrup UD-4M Cheyenne

Section 1.0: Northrup UD-4M Cheyenne Section 1.0: Northrup UD-4M Cheyenne

"The guys had a hunnerd different names fer 'em. In our platoon we tagged 'em 'Alpha-Bravos'; kinda short fer 'Ass-busters', 'cuz you feel like you've been goosed every time you make a drop, if y'know what I mean. But if you wuz pinned down in a hot LZ, then the sight of one o' them mothers buzzing over the horizon to grease them bandits with rockets was the most awesome thing in the world."

-Unnamed Marine*

Cheyenne Tactical Transport

1.1 General Description

The Cheyenne was developed for the Special Security Group to provide transport to points around the world. Combined with the M577 APC that was specifically developed for the Cheyenne, it can deliver a full platoon of fully equipped soldiers and bring it's own firepower to the battlefield. Deployment of the UD-4M has been only been to Section FOUR, per the reorganization of assets in the SSG. Introduced in 2049, as the UD-4B, it was set out by Section FOUR that they needed a long range transport to fullfill the missions handed out by the brass of the SSG. Since then, it has surpassed the requirements, becoming the standard combat transport is used exclusively by Section FOUR Platoons. This has enabled them to do the missions necessary to perform their job. Excess UD-4Ls have been modified to their current standard, then put in storage for attrition. Currently, Section FOUR has 12 extras on hand. Only three examples of the UD-4M variant have been converted from 2/4 active UD-4L, 1/4 Section currently is in the process of recieving the new one, and 3/4 Section is now operating the UD-4M

The key to this capability is it's 9.5 l x 4.5 w x 2.4 h cargo bay, which can comfortably accept a M577 APC or specialized cargo pallets, or the LAV-62A1 light tank. The APC is lifted into the cargo bay via a cargo ramp that can lift from the ground. The cargo is automatically secured by latches on the side of the bay. Also, the cargo bay has numerous attachment points for other equipment, as well as securing any other cargo necessary (See 1.9, "Additional Equipment" below). This has allowed the Cheyenne to perform many other roles besides as a carrier for the M577, further enhancing it's capability. The Cheyenne however, is less maneuverable when carrying a full load and therefore somewhat more vulnerable in this condition. It also incorporates a small volume (10 CF) for any extra small cargo. As of Febuary 2060, this has been replaced by a restroom, to allow some comfort during the normal long flights. The area is large enough to accommodate an average troll, and has a specialized seat that allows both normal metahumans and them to sit down. A larger seat is for the trolls, while a flip down "interior" seat is for normal metahumans. A sink is also provided, as well as soap. This is flanked to the sides and to the aft by the tri-skid landing gear. Access to the cockpit is achieved by a corridor that is accessible from the main cargo bay. A rear mounted stepladder that can be extended from the plane near the massive rear skid also facilitates entry, as well as the main cargo bay. The Cheyenne is equipped for inflight refuelling* to extend the aircraft’s already long range. The retractable refuelling probe is mounted behind the access corridor. Mounted on each side are massive halogen spotlights for use in providing illumination when landing, and can be used for targeting, but rarely that happens. It has full IR illumination if chosen.

Most often, all UD-4Ms are painted in an olive drab pattern througout the airframe, which is also wraparound. This is due to the fact that these aircraft are not permanently stationed to a certain area. If they are, appropriate paint is applied in a wraparound pattern. The UD-4Ls stationed at North Two-Four did not have any additional camouflage on due to the fact that after their designated mission was over, they would return to HQ.

For rules on inflight refuelling, see "Refuelling Probes", at the Structural Modifications page.

"Fact: The Cheyenne handles like a cow. If it's carrying a load, make that a drunken cow. Listen up kiddies; these are righteous words I speak. Do not, I repeat, do NOT get into a dogfight with one of these babies, 'cuz you will BURN! You are not Cool Jo or Panda from No Guts, No Glory and unlike the teevee shows you watched as little boys and girls, popping the airbrakes and throwing the nozzles forward NEVER EVER causes the enemy fighter to overshoot into your guns! If an enemy air threat appears, there are two sensible reactions: Run, which is good; or Hide, which is almost as good. Anyone who tries to fight back is a dumb conehead who will burn in Marine Hell for wasting a perfectly good dropship. Any questions?"

-Major Kathleen Conway, USASF Aerospace School, Gateway station.*

1.2 Flight Characteristics

The Cheyenne is equipped with a combination vectored thrust/turbofan that allows it supersonic capability with the mobility of a helicopter. When in flight mode, the engines switch to turbofan mode (Complex Action to change modes) and permit forward flight, with full afterburning capability if needed. However, the vectored thrust engines are still on because of the inherent instability of the vehicle. When in vectored thrust mode, maneuverability is better and crisp, all axes of movement can be performed and becomes a steady weapons platform. Vectored thrust mode is instantly activated by the flight computer at very low speeds and at altitudes less than 500m.

The flight computer handles most of the operations in all flight regimes due to the previously mentioned instability of the Cheyenne. It performs all nominal diagnostic tasks, fuel management, and so on. This adds 2 to the autonav rating, which is applied above and is used in tests involving movement. When the Cheyenne is damaged to Serious, the flight computer will be destroyed and all tests will suffer a +4 modifier (plus normal damage modifiers) until it is fixed, or replaced. If the flight computer is repairable (gamemasters discretion), then it will require an Electronics B/R (8) to repair it.

The UD-4M also has computer diagnostics to aid in troubleshooting. A four wheeled cart is used to diagnose problems with the aircraft. The cart houses the diagnostic computer, and is collapsible to allow stowage in the Cheyenne. When hooked up, the computer gives a -2 to any B/R tests made on the aircraft. This can also be applied to any modifications, as the computer is still used to determine how the systems are operating. This has a Ballistic Rating of 8, and weighs 10kg.

1.3 Crew

The crew of the Cheyenne comprises of a Pilot and Weapons Officer and a Magical Officer. They are arranged in a step cockpit with integrated controls with a spacious area, the MO seated directly behind the Weapons Officer. Access is achieved by a small corridor to the cargo bay. The pilot and WO have their own separate HUDs and MFDs appropriate to their task.

If the WO is incapacitated or dead, the pilot can take over the WO's controls, but the pilot can perform point-and-shoot attacks with the minigun or the rockets. The Magical Officer handles all magical threats around the Cheyenne, and uses fiber optic viewing ports that can also be slaved to the camera bays if needed. The MO has a pull down headset that offers access to the viewing ports around the aircraft. He or she can automatically switch (built off of of a modified trode rig) that allows the MO to mentally switch views. Crew can access the Cheyenne through the cargo ramp or access steps mounted on the port side in front of the massive rear skid. These steps can also function as an ad hoc jumping platform for HALO insertions if necessary, though care must be taken when jumping due to the left side lift engines. It may also be done from the cargo ramp, and the aircraft's landing gear must be extended, as safety features are built in to prevent unnecessary drag during flight, as well as the aircraft must be in a hover.

However, in the last quarter of 2059, the cargo ramp was modified to open to the rear as well, facilitating easier jumping, as well as the use of LAPES (Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System) delivery of the M577 and the LAV-45. It should be noted that the ramp can be opened this way (even flattened) on the ground that the rear skid obstructs any vehicle from disembarking. However, personnel can obviously exit this way.

1.4 Sensors

The sensor fit on the UD-4M is highly advanced and capable. The demand for ever capable sensor suites has made the Cheyenne a multi-role transport with no equal. The raw sensor data that comes in is fed through the Integrated Flight Tactical Flight System (IFTDS). This nominally controls all tactical information, and processes it into a usable form, with the help of two processors. The first is the ATLIS system (Advanced Threat and Launch Indication System), which is a powerful system to evaluate threats from aerospace craft, anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), and surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). This presents a composite picture around the aircraft, and is fed to the cockpit displays. The system is linked to the TIAS (Target Identification and Acquisition System), which presents options for defensive operations to meet any threat encountered. As another feature, the system has an expandable database for cataloguing threats, both old and new. A Reaction modifier of +2 is gained when the system is in use.

Other features include eight bays of 640x480 cameras along the body of the aircraft allowing the pilot or the commander in the APC to view what is outside. The cameras are low-light and thermographic equipped, and have flare compensation installed as well. The mounts automatically track a chosen object, and are stabilized against any violent maneuvers the aircraft may make. If the targeted object moves out of one camera's viewing area, the IAT (Image AutoTracking) software will automatically pass it on to the next available bay. Note that a fiber optic cable is attached to permit the MO to observe the target as well.

Mounted in the forward fuselage is the APQ-1178 active-scanned flat plane radar antennae built into the airframe skinning. Waveguides are able to run two frequencies simultaneously through the antennae and the beams are electronically steerable to give spherical coverage of the aircraft. Frequencies that the APQ-1178 is from 8,000 MHz, for long range navigational scan, to 15,000 MHz for medium range target acquisition and detailed mapping functions. Modes include a pulse and frequency agile pulse against ground targets, and doppler and doppler beam sharpening against air threats, as well as monopulse. Ranges for air to ground mode is 50 km for high resolution ground mapping and up to 200 kilometers in air to air mode. The radar can track up to 20 targets simultaneously, and engage up to 12 targets in air to air mode. Mounted above the Vengeance is an APQ-1800 millimeter-wave radar, used for target identification and target designating. The APQ-1800 has a range of 30 kilometers and can provide terminal homing for radar guided munitions. Further capability is enhanced by the use of the M658 FDDM system.

Linked to the radar is the TAMARA V RAMDS (Radar Absorbent Material Defeating System). The system consists of large processors that calculate the number of radar waves not returning. This has the effect of reducing the effects of RAM, thereby improving the capability for acquisition. Currently the three mission ready UD-4Ls have been upgraded to the UD-4M standard. There is talk of upgrading the mothballed UD-4Ls to this version, so that if a priceless UD-4M is destroyed, they have new ones with the same capabilities thereby not reducing the capability of the fleet.

"This cockpit has something like a million whistles and bells. When you're schlepping around a friendly neighborhood, everything's nice an peaceful and you can convince yourself that the sales brochure was right when it said that the onboard systems are there to reduce the cockpit workload. But if you get into a fight...... oh boy! All the whistles and bells go off at once and you think, 'My God, what the hell is happening?' Times like that, you just want to reach for the loud handle [ejection lever]"

-Capt. William Betts, Senior Pilot, DMLA-210*

1.5 Defensive Systems

The Cheyenne's defensive suite includes the AN/ALQ-2004E system. The system consists of the four chaff/flare dispensers, as well as the AJS suite. The wings and rear body mount CelsiusTech ELVIRA II chaff/flare dispensers. These dispensers each carry 40 chaff/flare cartridges, as well as 5 ALE-106 jammer decoys, for a total of 160 chaff(80)/flare(80) cartridges and 20 ALE-106 cartridges. The ALE-106 is an expendable jammer that can be used for electronic false targeting and a secondary role as a decoy (see below for more details). The flight computer normally handles this job, with many receivers mounted on the skin of the aircraft to notify the pilot of an attack, with help from the AN/ALQ-2004E system. This system catalogues all received signals and profiles, as well as storing them in a hard drive. The UD-4M features Loral Electronic P500 series ECM/ECCM that is mounted to provide electronic defense. Mounted alongside these are Loral Electronics P750 ED/ECD systems to spoof enemy systems. Range is increased due to the use of power amplifiers mounted in the airframe. Ranges for the ECM and ECCM systems can operate at a maximum of 36 kilometers, and the ED/ECD systems at 20 km, providing electronic defense of the aircraft. All are currently uprgraded to Version 8.5.9 standard, staying with the latest development of protocols in software. Linked to this is a rear mounted (to the right of the AIM-85 launcher, when looking forward) CelsiusTech B5000 Towed Radar Decoy system to provide additional EW defense. This can be either activated by ATLIS or by the pilot if necessary. The UD-4M carries 5 decoys.

This is controlled by the Acquisition Jamming Suite (AJS), which is cued by the ATLIS system. Upon recognizing that a threat is locking on or tracking the aircraft, the system activates, and begins to jam the threat. Numerous jamming techniques are employed, the particular method determined by the threat and it's known susceptibility to jamming. Naturally, the AJS works with ATLIS's library of known radar threats.

Like any active jammer, the AJS broadcasts a signal which does give away the location of the dropship. To prevent this, the AJS can be set to "EMCON" (EMission CONtrol) mode (a Free Action) in which the jammer stays "silent" until needed and then, when activated by a threat emitter, it apportions jamming power to a threat according to the strength and type of threat faced. For game rules, the system automatically activates as per the description above, it's detection range is is in a 360º circle that senses out to 40 km. The system can jam up to two threats at one time. Furthermore, like all ECM systems, the AJS can be set on the simple "Barrage" mode, where it operates like a normal jammer. Such a technique, as with all jammers, this action will normally attract sensor homing weapons such as the Loral-Vought "Silencer" AARM (and it's equivalents) deployed around the world. Despite this, the mode is frequently used in situations where multiple EW threats are around. All actions are rigged, though switching mode non rigged is a Simple Action if necessary.

Magical defense is taken care of by the Magical Officer, also bound air elementals provide additional defense against missiles. The MO can see around the aircraft through the use of fiber optic ports situated in places to allow the best coverage. Also, anchored spells are commonly used to supplement the elemental and MO.

1.6 Stealth Characteristics

Wherever possible, the fuselage has been integrated with low-observable characteristics. These include rounded leading edge surfaces, shielded compressor intakes, and the use of a butterfly tail. Radar absorbent material has been added to the fuselage, mitigating the problem. Thermal baffles have also been fitted, with cold air mixed in to reduce the heat output of the engines. The airframe has been shaped to optimize it's stealth capabilities as well.

1.7 Weapon Systems

The Cheyenne's offensive weaponry includes a six-barreled, nose-mounted M263 minigun that is fed by an 800 round drum. The introduction of this weapon has lightened the load on the aircraft, though not by much, but it is more capable than the Vanquisher minigun it replaced. Two main weapons pods that fold out on cross folding wings carry 16 Mk.16I rockets (see below), 12 Ballista missiles, and six ZEUS 70mm unguided rockets. The Mk.16Is are mounted on an open air mount to allow exhaust to freely escape. The Ballistas are mounted in a rectangular boxes with four tubes with three missiles each. The Ballista is launched five meters ahead to prevent it from igniting the next missile, which is protected from damage by a small door. The six ZEUS 70mm rockets are mounted to the side of the Ballistas. Forward of the main pods are two secondary pods that have seven hardpoints.

The inner wing hardpoint next to the folding mechanism can hold up to 2 CF of weapons, which is normally reserved for AAMs the outer six can hold up to 4 CF of weapons/pods. Deploying the pods requires a Complex Action. It should be noted that the forward pods can be deployed without the rear pods being deployed, but still requires a Complex Action. Also, special missiles have been developed for use with the Cheyenne. The first is the AIM-90F Headlock, an improved dogfighting missile that uses a dual seeker head to acquire targets. Another missile is the new AGM-220C Hellhound, able to "loiter" in a certain area, or a simple anti-armor missile. Added to this list is the AGM-240A TSAM, or Threat Suppression Attack Missile, which allows the WSO to attack radars, and allows the UD-4M to perform limited "Iron Hand" missions, if needed. However, due to the size of various missiles, only certain weapons may be mounted on the hardpoints. Nominally, the two hardpoints 7 and 8 cannot mount mount AIM-90s if TSAMs/Hellhounds are put on 2 and 9 weapon stations. In practice, some pilots usually mount the AIM-90 missiles on 4,5,7,8,9, and 10 weapon stations (looking from the rear, going left to right), but other combinations are possible. Mounted in the rear of the aircraft is the AIM-85 MDS (Missile Defense System) that protects the aircraft's rear. This system is designed to protect the rear quarters of the aircraft, and is rapidly reloadable through a magazine style system. Though limited in number, the missiles are highly advanced, and can be used both defensively and offensively. Additonally, a newer missile, the AGM-267 Cruise missile, along with a rotary dispenser, transforms the UD-4M effectively into a bomber. While the amount of missiles is small compared to other platforms, the missiles do pack a punch, and can range far.

Handling	Speed	Accel	B/A	Sig	Autonav	Pilot	Cargo	Load
4(8)*	150/1,000**	70	9/24	10(12) [7]***	6	5	700	19,000 kg

Seating: 3 bucket ejection seats
Access: 1 side hatch, ramp
Economy: .60**
Fuel: 16,000 liters (9600 km combat range, 1,600 km with vectored thrust)
Cargo: 2 x 2 underseat + 700 CF^+ 10 CF
Landing/Takeoff Profile: VTOL
Sensors: Military II(9)*
ECM/ECCM: Military II(9)/Military II(9)
ED/ECD: Military II (5)/Military II (5)
Additional Features: Datajack Port, Rigger Adaptation, APPS x 3, 30 man hours per crew, Thermal Baffles (2), Improved Signature (Stealth Shaping 2), Inflight Refuelling Probe, Radar Absorbent Material (3), Smartlink II Integration, Anti-Theft System (10, Electric Shock), Power Amplifiers (4), Battletac FDDM, TAMARA V ASR (3), Bathroom.
Armament: Integral weapons consist of:

M263 six-barreled minigun firing the new caseless 10 x 28mm round that the M56A2 uses. This is fed by an 800 round drum.
32 x Mk.16 rockets.
24 x Ballista (with laser designators for laser guided versions).
12 x 70mm rockets.
14 hardpoints for 4,424 kg worth of ordnance.

Weights: 34,175 kg fully loaded, without APC, 27,105 kg empty, and 52,814 kg with full load (full fuel and weapon load [calculated with 14 AGM-204A TSAMs, other weapon load weights may vary]) including APC.
Dimensions:

Length	25.18 m
Span	12.59 m
Height	6.05 m

*When carrying an APC or full cargo load.
**Increase speed to 2,600 kph on afterburner, and Economy is 30 liters per km. VTOL Economy is .1 per km. Hovering Economy is 100 liters per turn.
***Reduce Signature to 7 when the wings are deployed.
^Or one APC or cargo.

Loral TAMARA V ASR (Anti-Stealth Radar)

The Loral TAMARA V is a development of the TAMARA anti-stealth radar manufactured by the Czech Republic in the late 1990s. Such a system, when first introduced, was used during the 1999 Operation Allied Force by Serbian air defenses to down a USAF F-117A linked to a SAM battery. Subsequently, the Czech Republic continued to develop the system, offering for export, with no doubt both the US and CIS buying examples. Currently, with the advent of optical chips and more compact electronics, it's able to be mounted in vehicles, the first one being the UD-4M Cheyenne. The system is quite basically one huge processor dedicated to filtering the non-returning radar signals that radar absorbent material presents. Therefore it eliminates the benefits afforded by RAM, allowing better target acquisition of targets. Each Rating of the TAMARA V reduces the level of RAM (if present) on the targeted vehicle. For example, if the targeted vehicle has a total Signature of 8, and has 2 points of RAM, and the attacker has a TAMARA V (2), then the targeted vehicle's signature is 6. Limitations as they are, the TAMARA V system can only work with a vehicle that has a Sensors Rating of 9+. If used on a lower rating vehicle, the system would produce unnecessary log. It reduces the Reaction of an equipped vehicle by the difference of ratings. For example, if the vehicle has a Sensors of 6, and uses a TAMARA V ASR (1), then the user would get a -5 to Reaction and conversely Initiative as well. If mounting in vehicles with a lower rating, the minimum is 4, as any lower and the TAMARA would simply lock up the system. Currently the system is only available on the UD-4M.

Rating	CF	Weight
1	10	2,000
2	15	2,500
3	15	3,000

1.8: Cheyenne Ordnance and Other Equipment
1.9: Additional Equipment

Back to Special Security Group.

Back Home.

Comments?

Me
Fresh Productions, 1996, 97, 98, 99.
*from the Colonial Marines Technical Manual.