Kaiyoko-Ruzikov KaR-15 Umidori (Pacifica)
| KaR-15 Umidori | |
|---|---|
| Role | Maritime patrol aircraft |
| National origin |  Pelinai
|
| Manufacturer | Kaiyoko-Ruzikov |
| First flight | June 9, 2006 |
| Introduction | August 2012 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user |  Royal Pelinese Navy
|
| Produced | November 1, 2005 – present |
| Number built | 177 (as of December 2024) |
The Kaiyoko-Ruzikov KaR-15 Umidori is a Pelinese turbofan-powered maritime patrol aircraft manufactured by Kaiyoko-Ruzikov. It functions as a long-range patrol aircraft for anti-submarine and anti-surface operations, where it provides a persistent, high-endurance hunter-killer platform to complement fast tactical aircraft and unarmed surveillance drones. Its principal operator is the Royal Pelinese Navy Air Service, which possesses 174 active aircraft as of 2024.
The Umidori achieved its first flight in 2006 and entered service in 2012 as a replacement for older patrol aircraft then in service. It remains in production as of 2024.
Development
Design
Overview
The Kaiyoko-Ruzikov KaR-15 Umidori is a twin-engine maritime patrol aircraft built to perform naval patrol and attack missions requiring long endurance times, long combat radius, and/or relatively low-level flight, including anti-submarine patrols and attacks using torpedoes, anti-surface patrols with anti-ship cruise missiles, and the deployment of naval mines. The high-bypass turbofan engines and high aspect ratio wings allow for fuel-efficient flight at the low speeds and altitudes necessary for anti-submarine patrols, while structural reinforcements in the main wing spars and other areas give the Umidori the ability to carry heavy, long-range anti-ship missiles that other maritime patrol aircraft cannot. Key systems such as the radar and magnetic anomaly detector are also improved upon, while a new night vision & TV camera system is added for visual inspections of contacts at night.
Armament
Avionics
Operational history
Variants
Operators
- The Royal Pelinese Navy operates 174 airframes of all variants as of 2024, with active orders for 52 more aircraft.
Specifications (KaR-15B)
General characteristics
- Crew:
- Flight crew: 3 (pilot, copilot, navigator)
- Mission crew: 8
- Length: 41 m (134 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan: 37.1 m (121 ft 9 in)
- Height: 11.5 m (37 ft 9 in)
- Max takeoff weight: 84,000 kg (185,188 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Tyr VT-71 high-bypass turbofan engines, 132 kN (30,000 lbf) thrust each
Performance
- Cruise speed: 760 km/h (470 mph, 410 kn)
- Range: 8,000 km (5,000 mi, 4,300 nmi)
- Combat range: 2,700 km (1,700 mi, 1,500 nmi)
Armament
- Hardpoints: 8 x external hardpoints, internal weapons bay with a capacity of 10,000kg,with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Missiles:
- N7S/L Crystal air-launched cruise missile
- N41S3 Chalcedony supersonic anti-ship cruise missile
- N09S/L Topaz air-to-surface missile
- Bombs:
- PKM series Naval mines
- Depth charges
- Other:
- Type L9 lightweight torpedo
- Sonobuoys
- external fuel tanks
- Missiles:
- Bombs: Internal weapons bay with a maximum capacity of 4,000 kilograms of ordnance.
Avionics
Sensors & targeting systems:
Defensive systems:
- Chaff & flare dispensers
- ECM/ECCM system
- Doppler radar missile approach detector
- Radar warning receiver
- Towed radar decoys
Communications & Network Interface systems:
- High-speed tactical datalink transceiver
- VHF/UHF frequency-hopping radio system
- Satellite navigation & communications system
- VOR/TACAN navigation system
Pilot support systems: