Northrom Grumman VA-3 Invader

GOVERNMENT: UNITED NATIONS

MANUFACTURER: NORTHROM GRUMMAN

NORTHROM GRUMMAN VA-3 INVADER

COMMENT:
TYPE: all-regime variable attack craft.

PROGRAMME: The VA-3 was developed for conducting local strikes with tactical reaction armament and conventional bombs. Development applied the ship-borne attack craft know-how of Northrom Grumman's aviation division.

VARIANTS:
VA-3A: Initial version manufactured.
VA-3B: Version equipped with forward-looking infrared sensor and aircraft television camera on lower nose. Can be converted for all-weather observation capability by adding electronic equipment systems.
VA-3C: Version produced for civilian use
VA-3M: Amphibious version produced for surface and underwater warfare
EVA-3A: Electronic warfare version. ALQ-192 and ALQ-192 communications jamming equipment, ALQ-199 battle noise jamming equipmment. Four assigned to each attack air group, one for each squadron.
VA-3C Custom: Custom version originally produced for civilian use

POWER PLANT: Two Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2020A thermonuclear turbine engines, each rated at 22000 kg [x g] class (VA-3C). Two engines with VTOL nozzles (VA-3M). P&W HMM-3A high maneuverability vernier thrusters. Three special equipment hard point stations for fold booster and two propellant tanks mounted above fuselage (VA-3C Custom).

AVIONICS: Radar, FCS, sensor mounted above dorsal nose section in Attacker and GERWALK mode and above head sensor unit in Battroid mode.

ARMAMENT: VA-3A, VA-3B: No fixed armament. Six underwing hard points and five fuselage hard points for loads totalling 19820 kg. VA-3C: Two fixed pulse laser gun mounted in pontoons in Attacker mode and in lower arm sections in GERWALK and Battroid mode. Two fixed micro-missile pods mounted outboard in pontoons in Attacker mode and in lower arm sections in GERWALK and Battroid mode. GA-22 60mm multi-purpose gatling gun pod

VA-3M: Two fixed beam guns mounted in pontoons in Attacker mode and in lower arm sections in GERWALK and Battroid mode. Two fixed micro-missile launchers mounted outboard in pontoons in Attacker mode and in lower arm sections in GERWALK and Battroid mode. Hard points for weapons loads, including missiles and torpedoes.

DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:
Attacker mode:

Wing span: VA-3M	16.20 m
Length overall: VA-3C	18.73 m
VA-3M	15.89 m
Height overall: VA-3M	4.82 m

MASSES AND LOADINGS:

Mass empty: VA-3C	12810 kg
VA-3M	13300 kg

PERFORMANCE:
Attacker mode:

Max speed: VA-3C, at 10000 m	Mach 2.53
VA-3M, at 10000 m	Mach 2.2+
Max speed: VA-3C, at 30000+ m	Mach 4.72+
VA-3M, at 30000+ m	Mach 4.2+