Von Quest 1161 Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) =VQI= XHR-1 VampyreStealth Sub-Orbtal HALO/Reconnaissance Drone STATUS: Under Development PROJECTED: October 2014 http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s539/VonQuest/ss_vqi_vampyre_bay2_zpsa665d22e.png BACKGROUND The XHR-1 Vampyre is an RPAS (Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems) developed by Von Quest Industries and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) for the Central Intelligence Agency. While the USAF has released few details on the design or capabilities, defense analysts believe that it is a sub-orbital stealth aircraft fitted as a H.A.L.O and Reconnaissance platform. In October, the Iranian armed forces claimed to have detected the long rumored drone and lodged a complaint to the UN Security Council over airspace violation by the US. DEVELOPMENT The XHR-1 Vampyre was developed by Von Quest's Advanced Development Program as an experimental stealth sub-orbital vehicle (SSOV). Journalists have noted it is a tailless flying wing aircraft with small cargo bay and pods, presumably for sensors or SATCOMs, built into the fuselage. Few details of the Vampyre's characteristics have been released, but estimates of its wingspan range from approximately 95 feet (27m) to 120 feet (36m). In a September expose in Defense Weekly, journalist David Axe stated that an unnamed source at the Pentagon has confirmed some grainy photos from the Mediterranean, operating near the island NATO Base at Stratis, is indeed the mythical "Vampyre". DESIGN On the basis of the few publicly available photographs of the Vampyre, aviation expert Bill Sweetman has assessed that the SSOV is equipped with an electro-optical/infrared sensor and possibly a Class II Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system mounted in its wing-tips. The publication also suggests that the dark color implies a high-altitude ceiling, exceeding 50,000 feet (15,000 m) since a higher ceiling would normally be painted darker for best concealment. The New York Times has reported that the Vampyre is "almost certainly" equipped with a small cargo bay for the delivering of sub-orbital HALO Operatives into an advanced modern battlefield or a highly sensitive operation where technology is pushing low-risk airspace higher and higher. An inside anonymous source at VQI, has indicated current testing in excess of 80,000ft (24,000m). OPERATIONAL HISTORY In August, North Korea's state run newspaper stated the XHR-1 Vampyre had been test-flown in South Korea for the past few months and that it was expected that they would be permanently deployed in the region to replace the now outdated Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft operating from Osan Air Base. North Korea denies it has ever had its airspace breached by any such "Vampyre" or any other advanced drones. In response to this report, Bill Sweetman argued that the Vampyre's deployments to the Mediterranean and South Korea were probably undertaken to monitor Altis, Iran, Syria and North Korea's new space program. When the source deep inside Von Quest Industries, was pressed for details on why the need for a sub-orbital HALO platform, the interview was abruptly ended without explanation... "Hanging high overhead, in the inky blackness, watching, waiting..." ~ Unnamed VQI Insider Edited October 14, 2014 by Goblin update Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A.Cyprus 16 Posted October 10, 2014 Tasty morsels of teaser goodness. Nice background an catchy name. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Von Quest 1161 Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) Added a Screenshot Schematic : : EYES ONLY : : http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s539/VonQuest/vampyre_schematic1_zpsa514ceb0.jpg Edited October 10, 2014 by Goblin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Von Quest 1161 Posted October 14, 2014 ScreenShots of the NEW: XHR-1 Vampyre Cargo/HALO Bay. Coming Soon... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tybo25 18 Posted October 17, 2014 Looks very interesting, I´ll be watching this one closely! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
astrell 3 Posted October 17, 2014 Nice but I expected it way more smaller! Like everybody have to crouch or have only a "life pod" like some Japanese hotels. But this is nearly luxurious :-P Looks very good! Nice :-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Von Quest 1161 Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) Thanks! I wanted to do a flying wing-of-sorts, very wide. Low ceiling, but you could deploy a squished 8-12 man force from extreme alts. (shhhh) ;) Only one accident so far, sub-orbital operative was sucked out from an unstable quark-ionizer; he managed to HALO safely, and only about 2 clicks away from the DZ. A real professional... Edited October 17, 2014 by Goblin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
