See above: Orthographic of A Variant
During the development of the M-8 Delta, Aeronautica Aldeliana (AA) also proposed the idea of a significantly larger, hypersonic bomber interceptor based on the M-8. This design study was known as the M-9 'Delta II' and was scuttled halfway through development by the Aldelian Government as costs shot through the roof, and cheaper alternatives such as advanced Surface-to-Air missiles began appearing. However the data gathered from the study was reused in the development of a new air superiority aircraft.
The M-12 'Delta III' is a large twin-engine air superiority aircraft. A radical departure from the M-8, the M-12 was designed and developed with data from the proposed M-9 Delta II interceptor (albeit minimized to some degree) and with assistance from the Kallegian aerospace firm Mardel. The aircraft retains the two seat layout from the Delta II, (Pilot and Weapons System Officer) as AA considered it cheaper to develop at a two seat aircraft that can be used for both combat and training operations, instead of creating two separate variants, as well as reducing pilot load. This was reverted in the later C (single seat) and D (two seater) variants. (The B designation was omitted due to possible confusion).
The aircraft is powered by two Foss FTF.230 afterburning turbofans, propelling the aircraft to speeds approaching Mach 2.5, and allowing a large payload capacity.
Introduced to the Royal Aldelian Air Force in 1981 due to hefty delays in the program attributed to such a radical divergence from what AA is used to producing, the aircraft has spawned many variants, the primary of which include:
M-12 Delta A: Initial production variant introduced in 1981. Twin seat aerial superiority fighter carrying up to 4 March M.130C all aspect missiles on underwing hardpoints, and 4 March M.230A radar guided missiles in fuselage recesses on the underside of the aircraft. Canards added as preproduction aircraft without canards produced 'undesirable flight characteristics'.
M-12 Delta C: Single seat improved variant introduced in 1989. Second seat replaced with mission equipment. (B ommitted, see above).
M-12 Delta D: Two seat version of the Delta C also introduced in 1989. Primarily used for training with secondary combat capabilities.
The aircraft continues to be in service in Aldel through many minor modifications, and has been exported to many countries over the years, the majority of which operate aircraft to present day.
Note: Manufacturer calls variants Delta+Designation, Delta III name is used when referring to aircraft as a whole.
Aircraft in service of the Royal Aldelian Air Force.
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