News:Kodeshia

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1983

Sep 15: Navy drops support for V/STOL fighter after fatal crash

Shifts focus to more conventional take off and landing variant.
By XU JIAGUI | 15 September 1983 — 06:30 (UTC+5)

The Navy had originally intended to operate the J.23C from four Xuanbai-class light aircraft carriers, which were designed to accommodate up to 20 VTOL fighters each. The crash occurred during a routine test flight at the Air Force Flight Test Centre at Malipo.

The Goshawk pilot, Lieutenant Commander Mang Qiliang, was performing a vertical landing when his aircraft suddenly lost control and crashed into the ground. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that there was a malfunction in the propulsion system, which consists of two main engines with thrust-vectoring nozzles and a dedicated lift engine behind the cockpit.

This was just the latest and most serious incident in a series of challenges and setbacks that have plagued the development and testing of the J.23C, which has delayed its entry into service and increased its costs. The J.23C has encountered technical problems with its propulsion system, which has proven to be difficult to integrate, maintain, and operate, resulting in reduced reliability and performance. The Navy has also changed its operational requirements and strategic priorities, which have reduced the need for a VTOL fighter. The Navy has shifted its focus from regional defence and sea control to power projection and deterrence, which require longer-range and heavier-armed aircraft. The Navy has also decided to stick with conventional aircraft carriers instead of light carriers, which can accommodate more and larger aircraft.

The Navy has announced that it will purchase two Fratenaite-class aircraft carriers from Chezzetcook, which are conventionally-powered and can carry up to 40 conventional fighters each. The Navy will also build two more carriers of the same class locally under license. The Navy will equip these carriers with the J.23J, a planned catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) variant of the Goshawk, which has better range, payload, and speed than the J.23C as it shares much with the established J.23L of the Imperial Air Force, which has shown great promise in its development program.

The decision to drop the J.23C has left the Kodeshi National Space and Aircraft Industrial Corporation (KONSAI), the manufacturer of the J.23 Goshawk, in a difficult situation. The company had invested heavily in the development of the J.23C, hoping to secure a large domestic order and potential export sales. The company now faces a loss of revenue and reputation, as well as possible legal disputes with its subcontractors and suppliers. KONSAI has stated that it will continue to develop and market the J.23C, despite losing its main customer.

The company claims that the J.23C still has advantages over other VTOL fighters, such as its agility, versatility, and commonality with other J.23 variants. The company hopes to attract interest from foreign air forces that operate from small or austere airfields or ships.  However, the company has also stated that it will continue to work with the Navy to develop a CATOBAR variant of the J.23, which will be compatible with the Fraternite-class carriers. The company hopes to maintain a good relationship with the Navy and provide them with a high-quality fighter that meets their needs.

The Imperial Kodeshi Air Force, which operates the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant of the J.23, has expressed its support for KONSAI and its confidence in the J.23 family. The Air Force has praised the J.23 as one of the best fighters today, combining high speed, agility, versatility, and firepower. The Air Force has also stated that it will consider acquiring some J.23Cs in the future, if they prove to be reliable and cost-effective, but states that its main focus is to introduce the J.23L type in full service within the next two years.

The Navy's decision to cancel its plans to acquire a new fighter aircraft that can take off and land vertically has provoked a mixed reaction from the public and the political circles. The government has praised the Navy for opting for a more modern and capable fighter and carrier combination, which will boost Kodeshia's security and prestige in the region and beyond.

The opposition has lambasted the government and the Navy for squandering time and money on a flawed and risky project, which has claimed the lives of several pilots. They have also challenged the government's new deal with Chezzetcook for its dependence on foreign technology and loss of local jobs and employment.