Maquis SIM Project/Fighters/VAQ-09
Attack Reconnaissance Squadron (VAQ) 09
"Jokers"
Aircraft
At the time of is disestablishment in the 20th century, VP-24 flew the P-3C Orion, based on the Lockheed L-188 Electra which met limited success as an airliner against emerging pure jets. It served as the replacement for the postwar era P-2 Neptune which was powered by 2 piston engines and 2 jets. The Orion was powered by 4 powerful and efficient turboprops which give it speed comparable to fast propeller powered fighters, or even slow turbofan jets such as the A-10. Most other similar patrol aircraft adopted this model, with Soviets adapting their own counterpart to the Electra. The P-3C also competed with the British Nimrod adaption of the Comet. Experience with the P-3C helped with the S-3 Viking carrier-borne ASW jet. The P-3C had an internal bomb bay under the front fuselage, as well as under-wing stations which it could carry missiles such as the AGM-84 Harpoon. It had a characteristic long stinger in the tail which housed the MAD magnetic detector, and domed windows for observation.
Sonobuoys (a portmanteau of sonar and buoy) were VP-24's expendable sonar system launched from externally loaded tubes for the purpose of anti-submarine warfare or underwater acoustic research. The buoys are ejected from the aircraft in canisters and deploy upon water impact. An inflatable surface float with a radio transmitter remains on the surface, for communication with the aircraft, while one or more hydrophone sensors and stabilizing equipment descend below the surface to a variable depth depending on environmental conditions and the search pattern. The buoy relays acoustic information from its hydrophone(s) via UHF/VHF radio to operators on board the aircraft.
Spacecraft and Mission
Attack Reconnaissance Squadron NINE (VAQ-09) is made up of nine Maquis Ju'Day Raider Class starships. These modified transports have been outfitted with weaponry and a variety of other mission specific equipment. Specifically tasked to Patrol the Badlands and established Maquis bases, VAQ-09'S Raiders are mostly outfitted with special and highly tuned sensor equipment designed to serve as early warning for attacks or detecting hostile forces in areas in which the Maquis operate.
The mission of VAQ-09 includes communications intrusion, deception and jamming of hostile units in and around the Badlands. Utilizing special jamming equipment, ships of VAQ-9 can even use the sensors of hostile units against themselves by projecting "ghost" images of themselves, mirroring positions of the hostiles themselves, and generally any means necessary to ensure that they are looking anywhere except where Maquis assets are actually positioned.
A typical tactical ploy for VAQ-09 upon detecting a hostile presence near a Maquis asset is to project the sensor ghosts of the Maquis squadron. The squadron of nine Ju'Day's become four to five fold prompting the the hostile unit to flee or tempting them to pursue. Either way, the tactic is to ensure the "joke" is on them and at the end of the day, the hostile winds up with nothing. VAQ Squadron's Raiders have had Cloaking technology added in order to assist with the stealth needed to assist them in their redirection techniques. The five Type-9 Shuttles have also been fit with modified sensors, as well as having their engines tuned to make their "Signatures" appear as larger craft, enhancing the diversionary effect.
The crews of VAQ-09 pride themselves on never being discovered when reconnoitering an area. Even though intrusion, deception, and jamming are their weapons in their collective arsenal, their primary strength is to employ stealth and exploit the weaknesses of their quarries. If they can return to base and avoid ever been seen, they they have done their job for the day.
Specifications & Deck Plans
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