+++ NAME +++
DRAGON: A large mythical beast with an armored saurian body, four powerful taloned legs, a pair of membranous wings, cunning intelligence, and the ability to breathe fire.

+++ TYPE +++
A large, advanced general attack aircraft, combining close air support, precision forward ground attack, over-the-horizon and close-in air-to-air combat, and extensive command and control capabilities. The DRAGON represents the next generation of the Archon Chancellery's advanced design language--a large, capable warplane built to do it all.

+++ CONCEPT and DESIGN +++
With the dawn of the XX Dynasty and the technological leaps which accompanied it, the Archon Chancellery commissioned the High Command to reimagine and redesign a selection of their most iconic aircraft.

Perhaps the most unique of these was the DRAGON Heavy Strike Aircraft. Envisioned as a cross between a heavy Attack Aircraft, a Medium Bomber, and an Air Superiority Fighter, this "Strike Aircraft" was designed to operate either alone on high priority deep penetration missions or in concert with other warplanes in a command and control capacity. Accordingly, the DRAGON is engineered to be durable enough for forward deployment while remaining versatile enough to project substantial offensive and defensive power deep into enemy territory.

When presented with this challenge, the Chancellery Design Bureau elected to keep the original aircraft's canard body plan and SERAPHIM multi-wing architecture. For main propulsion, an upgraded version of the bureau's very successful CONSTELLATION integrated engine system was used, powered by the UMBRA dark energy reactor, thus giving the plane excellent performance with virtually unlimited range. The resulting aircraft, though large, was fairly maneuverable for a plane of its scale, capable of super-cruise speeds greater than Mach 2, with boosted dashes in excess of Mach 3.

The DRAGON also featured several advanced weapons systems, including a main laser battery consisting of a PULSAR dual-beam Shock Bolt pulse cannon paired with twin STAR LANCE Maser Guns. The main projectile weapons are a pair of NOVA bomb-rifle cannons, each of which utilizes ten 50-ton mini-bombs. The missile weapons include two FANG and two TALON micro-missile pods. For protection, the DRAGON has a pair of STAR FIRE III fore and aft firing anti-aircraft pulse lasers. Main assault capability is provided by a METEOR SWARM ground assault shard laser array. Finally, the aircraft has a pair of powerful STAR DUST particle cannons that are rigged for rapid deployment as the DRAGON's default weapon system.

In addition to its propulsion and weapons systems, the DRAGON is also designed to act as a an advanced Command and Control aircraft. The plane is equipped with a flag bridge and a state-of-the-art PANOPTICON ARRAY: a multi-frequency inter-dimensional sensor and communication system.

+++ ACTIVATION GROUPS +++
1 - BOOSTER ENGINES: Engages the CONSTELLATION integrated engine system, which includes an enhanced gyro-stabilization unit (on whenever AG-1 is active), the QUANTUM DRIVE indirect thrust/boost engine (VTOL bar up), and the anti-gravity GRAVITON VTOL motor (VTOL bar down). This Activation Group also enables the PANOPTICON ARRAY, allowing it to be raised above the Flag Bridge (Trim bar down).
2 - MAIN LASER BATTERY: Activates the DRAGON's main heavy weaponry the PULSAR dual-beam Shock Bolt pulse cannon, located in the forward chin barbette, and the twin STAR LANCE Maser Guns, which are positioned in the wing root nacelles.
3 - MAIN PROJECTILE WEAPON: Activates the NOVA bomb-rifle system (based on the 50-ton mini-bomb; maximum ammunition capacity: 20 rounds).
4 - AIR to AIR MISSILES: Activates the FANG advanced AA missile system (Interceptor based; total missile load: 12 units).
5 - AIR to GROUND MISSILES: Activates the TALON advanced AG missile system (Cleaver based; total missile load: 12 units).
6 - ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS: Activates the STAR FIRE III fore and aft anti-aircraft laser pods, located near the wing tips. Camera 2 faces rearward to assist with aiming.
7 - GROUND ASSAULT LASER ARRAY: Activates the METEOR SWARM second generation ground assault shard laser system.
8 - DEFAULT SYSTEMS: Deactivating this group disconnects the main UMBRA reactor, deactivating all active sensors (including the PANOPTICON ARRAY), as shown by extinguishing the various engine, radar, and running lights. Disengaging this group also disarms the plane's quick-response auxiliary weapon system, the dual STAR DUST Particle Cannons embedded within the inboard nacelles.

Updated: May 6, 2020

• Designer's Note:
  The DRAGON is far and away my favorite from amongst my airplane designs. The plane flys well and looks good. I recommend that you use a joystick to get the most out of what this plane has to offer. Oh...and do check it out at night: the lighting effects are reasonably impressive. Thank you!