Valhunnian Aerospace Griffin

The Valhunnian Aerospace Griffin is a fighter jet operated exclusively by the Royal Valhunnian Navy (RVN). It is renowned for its STOL abilities(it doesn't need a catapult to take off from a carrier) and manoeuvrability.

Development
The Griffin was built to a 1984 RVN requirement for an all weather fighter. After four year's development and fighting off competition from two other manufacturers, the first prototype was ready in 1988. Soon after, the RVN declared the Griffin the winner and ordered 20 single seat aircraft and 8 two-seat conversion trainers. After being cleared for carrier use in 1989, the RVN declared the Griffin operational on March 1st, 1990.

Following entry into service, it became apparent that although the Griffin was a rugged, dependable warplane, its avionics were outdated. So, in 1994, Valhunnian Aerospace submitted a proposal to the RVN for an upgraded Griffin. In 1995 the RVN ordered 36 upgraded Griffins (30 single-seaters and 6 two-seat aircraft). These were all delivered by 1998. All existing Griffins were upgraded to the new standard at this time, and the new variant was designated the Griffin C.

Valhunnian Aerospace Model 300
Company designation for the first prototype, one built.

Griffin A
Initial production version for the Royal Valhunnian Navy, 20 built. All aircraft were upgraded to Griffin C standard by 1999.

Griffin B
Two-seat training version of the Griffin A, 8 built. All aircraft upgraded to Griffin D standard by 1998.

Valhunnian Aerospace Model 302
Company designation for the Griffin C prototype, one built.

Griffin C
Upgraded version of the Griffin A. 30 built, plus 20 upgraded from Griffin As. These aircraft were fitted with updated avionics and also gained the capability for in-flight refuelling. All 50 aircraft remain in service with the RVA.

Griffin D
Two-seat derivative of the Griffin C, 6 built. All aircraft remain in service. A further 8 Griffin Ds were made from remanufactured Griffin Bs.

Valhunnian Aerospace Model 303
Company designation for proposed land-based variant for the Royal Valhunnian Air Force (RVAF). Development was cancelled in 2005 after the RVAF decided to buy the Typhoon instead.

Specifications (Griffin C):
Crew: 1

Length: 46 feet 3 inches

Wingspan: 27 feet 7 inches

Height: 14 feet 9 inches

Weights:

Empty: 14,601 lbs

MTOW: 28,665 lbs

Top Speed: 1,320 mph

Service Ceiling: 50,000 feet

Ferry Range: 1980 miles

Combat Radius: 500 miles

Armament: One 27mm cannon, plus 8,000 lbs of payload.