Entropedian
BAe Buzzard FG.2
Perhaps destined to be the last “all British” fighter design to enter service, the Buzzard FG.2 represents the culmination of decades of refinements and upgrades on a dependable 4th generation platform. Buzzard’s story dates back to Falklands War, where Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Harriers battled for aerial supremacy over the disputed territory. Despite the sterling service performed, multiple ships were damaged or destroyed by anti-shipping missiles or even dumb bombs lobbed by largely antiquated Argentine air forces. The Royal Navy, which had just divested itself of CATOBAR carriers, quickly did an about-face and authorized a new generation of fleet carriers capable of fielding a long-legged, supersonic, BVR capable fighter aircraft. As the design and construction of new supercarriers would take more than a decade, MoD decided to design and produce a fighter to accompany it. Though briefly a binational project, the French quickly dropped out after favoring a smaller aircraft, leaving BAe to design and build the Buzzard F.1 on its own.
Entering service just after the end of the Cold War, the Buzzard F.1 was a potent air superiority fighter with little ground attack capability. Serving in NATO air policing missions throughout the nineties, the Buzzard proved to be a capable, albeit limited, platform. By the time of its greatest test to date, the Second Eastern European War, the Buzzard F.1 was particularly outmoded in avionics and electronic warfare capabilities. Three Buzzards were lost in the conflict, all to JNA SAMs. Outdated and with more modern Eurofighter Tempest and Cyclones entering service, the Buzzard’s service days seemed all but over. By 2020 however, a new technology would transform Buzzard into one of the UK’s most important boutique forces.
The hypersonic arms race resulted in two UK developments, based on a shared design - the strategic, nuclear-tipped Red Rain, and the conventional anti-shipping (and limited ground strike) Blue Gale hypersonic missiles. Red Rain would ensure the UK’s commitment to strategic deterrence for the new age, while Blue Gale would seek to check the almost impossibly-quickly growing Songun People’s Army Navy (SPAN) fleet and its accompanying global influence. These missiles, however, were large, larger than could be mounted on any Eurofighter. Without developing a dedicated bomber or relying on converted transport craft, only one aircraft in the UK’s inventory could physically mount such a weapon - the Buzzard. The FG.2 upgrade program was a massive SLEP that overhauled almost everything about the aircraft to convert the air supremacy fighter into a survivable theater / strategic missile carrier. The airframe was strengthened and flight hours extended, the engines upgraded, avionics completely replaced, new secure strategic communications suite installed, along with the latest and greatest countermeasure suites. The second crew member was also deleted, replaced with highly classified electronics, rumored to include an artificial intelligence to aid in target acquisition and classification and threat avoidance. Though a massively expensive program, it was still the cheaper option compared to developing a new airframe, or divesting any strategic mobility platforms for the purpose.
Though only a few squadrons of Buzzards remain, and their hypersonic weapons are only deployed from ground bases, the Buzzard force has never before enjoyed the degree of importance as it does now. This Buzzard, of the Royal Navy No. 892 Naval Air Squadron, is depicted carrying Blue Gale and a self-defense loadout of two Meteor 2 Mk.3 and two AIM-132B ASRAAMs. Even with the massive power of its twin EJ-290 engines, Blue Gale’s weight and bulk limits its payload. Despite its new role as a dedicated strike aircraft, Buzzard FG.2 could theoretically serve with aplomb in its original role of fleet defender, its upgrades and pure kinematic performance putting it on par with even more modern aircraft such as the NATF or Eurofighter Tempest.
Huge thank you to -Evan M- for his awesome photoshop work, which really has brought this build to life!
BAe Buzzard FG.2
Perhaps destined to be the last “all British” fighter design to enter service, the Buzzard FG.2 represents the culmination of decades of refinements and upgrades on a dependable 4th generation platform. Buzzard’s story dates back to Falklands War, where Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Harriers battled for aerial supremacy over the disputed territory. Despite the sterling service performed, multiple ships were damaged or destroyed by anti-shipping missiles or even dumb bombs lobbed by largely antiquated Argentine air forces. The Royal Navy, which had just divested itself of CATOBAR carriers, quickly did an about-face and authorized a new generation of fleet carriers capable of fielding a long-legged, supersonic, BVR capable fighter aircraft. As the design and construction of new supercarriers would take more than a decade, MoD decided to design and produce a fighter to accompany it. Though briefly a binational project, the French quickly dropped out after favoring a smaller aircraft, leaving BAe to design and build the Buzzard F.1 on its own.
Entering service just after the end of the Cold War, the Buzzard F.1 was a potent air superiority fighter with little ground attack capability. Serving in NATO air policing missions throughout the nineties, the Buzzard proved to be a capable, albeit limited, platform. By the time of its greatest test to date, the Second Eastern European War, the Buzzard F.1 was particularly outmoded in avionics and electronic warfare capabilities. Three Buzzards were lost in the conflict, all to JNA SAMs. Outdated and with more modern Eurofighter Tempest and Cyclones entering service, the Buzzard’s service days seemed all but over. By 2020 however, a new technology would transform Buzzard into one of the UK’s most important boutique forces.
The hypersonic arms race resulted in two UK developments, based on a shared design - the strategic, nuclear-tipped Red Rain, and the conventional anti-shipping (and limited ground strike) Blue Gale hypersonic missiles. Red Rain would ensure the UK’s commitment to strategic deterrence for the new age, while Blue Gale would seek to check the almost impossibly-quickly growing Songun People’s Army Navy (SPAN) fleet and its accompanying global influence. These missiles, however, were large, larger than could be mounted on any Eurofighter. Without developing a dedicated bomber or relying on converted transport craft, only one aircraft in the UK’s inventory could physically mount such a weapon - the Buzzard. The FG.2 upgrade program was a massive SLEP that overhauled almost everything about the aircraft to convert the air supremacy fighter into a survivable theater / strategic missile carrier. The airframe was strengthened and flight hours extended, the engines upgraded, avionics completely replaced, new secure strategic communications suite installed, along with the latest and greatest countermeasure suites. The second crew member was also deleted, replaced with highly classified electronics, rumored to include an artificial intelligence to aid in target acquisition and classification and threat avoidance. Though a massively expensive program, it was still the cheaper option compared to developing a new airframe, or divesting any strategic mobility platforms for the purpose.
Though only a few squadrons of Buzzards remain, and their hypersonic weapons are only deployed from ground bases, the Buzzard force has never before enjoyed the degree of importance as it does now. This Buzzard, of the Royal Navy No. 892 Naval Air Squadron, is depicted carrying Blue Gale and a self-defense loadout of two Meteor 2 Mk.3 and two AIM-132B ASRAAMs. Even with the massive power of its twin EJ-290 engines, Blue Gale’s weight and bulk limits its payload. Despite its new role as a dedicated strike aircraft, Buzzard FG.2 could theoretically serve with aplomb in its original role of fleet defender, its upgrades and pure kinematic performance putting it on par with even more modern aircraft such as the NATF or Eurofighter Tempest.
Huge thank you to -Evan M- for his awesome photoshop work, which really has brought this build to life!