NFHF bÁ.6 Ormur

The NFHF bÁ.6 Ormur is a light tiltrotor VTOL attack aircraft developed for the Army and Navy by NFHF. It was the first VTOL developed by NFHF and first tiltrotor fielded by the Commonwealth Forces. Its configuration is roughly modelled after the VT series of tiltrotors, with two engines mounted on either wingtip that rotate around the lateral axis of the aircraft.

The Vampíru was developed in response to the need for a faster utility aircraft in both the Army and Fleet Air Arm, particularly after the fielding of tiltrotors by the Alteran Air Force and Navy. The tiltrotor design was meant to match the Ministry of Defense (MoD)'s requirements for a long-range, high-speed aircraft capable of vertical landing. The prototype, V.1520B, first flew on 19 March 2000 and began flight testing and design alterations due to the complexity and difficulty of being Víkingur's first tiltorotr aircraft.

The Commonwealth Army Air Corps began crew training for the V.1520B in 2010 and fielded it in 2017, where it supplemented and then replaced the Dahl ÞG.20. The Commonwealth Navy Fleet Air Arm then began fielding a variant of the bG.16, the (b)G1V Geirfugl, for use on its carrier. The (b)G1V is planned to be replaced by the B2V Hrimfaxi.

Design

The bG.16 is designed for a cruising speed of 280 knots (520 km/h), a top speed of 300 knots (556 km/h), a range of 2,000 nmi (3,704 km), and an effective combat range of 500 to 800 nmi (930 to 1,480 km). Maximum takeoff weight is around 14,000 kg. A major departure from traditional tiltrotors of Altera and other nations, the bG.16's rotors and drive shafts tilt independent of the engines, which remain fixed. Additionally, a driveshaft runs through the wing to connect both engines, allowing operation of both rotors only one engine operational. The bG.16 utilizes retractable landing gear, a triple-redundant Fly-by-Wire system, and a V-tail configuration. The bG.16 has a crew of four and is capable of transporting up to 14 troops. Cargo hooks allow it to have a lift capacity of 4,500 kg while flying at a speed of 150 knots (280 km/h). The wings have sufficient clearance as to allow troops to easily egress out of the side doors and for the gunners to have wide fields of fire.

Like the Blackhawk, the bG.16 is designed as a utility aircraft first and foremost, but has modifications and variants that allow it to carry considerable weapon payloads.

The bG.16 prototype, the V.1520B, is powered by two Merki HT.7000 turboshaft engines. The V-tail structure and ruddervators, manufactured by NFHF, will provide higher levers and maneuverability and control, and will be made of a combination of metals and composites. Special emphasis had been made on using composites to reduce the weight of the bG.16 in comparison to aircraft like the VT-15. Honeycomb-sandwiched composites have been used extensively in skins and ribs with carbon cores for larger and lighter parts. As the bG.16 has lower disk loading in comparison to the VT-15, it is expected to have better hover efficiency. Additionally, the lower disc loading allows it to perform an autorotation, much like its similarly sized cousin, the B2V.

Variants

V1520B Prototype

V1520B is the in-house name for the bG.16's platform, as well as the general name for the prototype series of the bG.16. Only 4 were built, (Nicknames Hrímfax, Skínafax, Gullnafax, and Hálka) which served as the testbed for the later bG.16 designs.

bÁ.6

The bÁ.6 ("VTOL Attack model 6") is the only production version of the bÁ.6 series, with the B1N sub-variant providing little real difference outside of storage considerations.

Sub-Variants

• (b)Á1N / B1N — Navy variant of the bÁ.6. Utilizes some extra components to allow tie down as well as the ability to fold the rotor blades. The wings have a joint halfway between the wing root and the engine, allowing it to fold its wings as well, but requires the engines to be in the forward flight position and for the rotor blades to be folded.
  

Specifications

Operators

• Commonwealth Army — Norrs (bG.16A / bÁ.16 / bS.16B)

• Commonwealth Navy Fleet Air Arm — Norrs (B1V-1 / B1V-2)
  

Liveries

Credit to AsheBourton, Hood, Yuri Hunter, & GlassOfGun for parts used to make the bÁ.6.