AV-42C

"Multi-role VTOL aircraft. Features tilting jet nozzles which give it the ability to take off, fly, and land vertically or horizontally. With a large cargo bay and multiple weapon mounts, this vehicle can perform both transport and attack missions."

― Aircraft Description

The AV-42C "Kestrel" is a Tilt-jet VTOL Attack/Transport aircraft. It was the first playable aircraft implemented in VTOL VR, and largely serves as the game's namesake.

Its tilt-jet VTOL flight setup gives it a surprising amount of mobility in the field. It is capable of taking off from and landing on both landing strips and helipads alike. Though it does not have as many weapon slots as the F/A-26B, and is more limited in the kinds of armaments it is capable of deploying, it makes up for this disparity with the already-formidable and versatile armaments it can equip. Coupled with its VTOL capabilities, the AV-42C can be a strong close air support asset when dealing with surface targets due to its high mobility.

Additionally, the AV-42C has full carrier deployment compatibility; it has both a launch bar for carrier takeoffs and an arrestor hook for carrier landings. It also includes a refueling port near the top of the aircraft to facilitate Aerial Refueling, thereby increasing its overall maximum flight range.

Strategy

The AV-42C's VTOL capability means that it flourishes in the field of air-to-ground combat. It is capable of equipping a myriad of missiles and bombs across its pylons, allowing it to fill a wide variety of ground-based combat roles. In horizontal flight, the AV-42C functions well as a strike aircraft; it can launch missiles at and drop bombs on targets at high speeds before going back around to make further passes. In vertical flight, however, it becomes a formidable asset in close air support tactics; its stabilized vertical flight allows it to make clean strafing runs against ground targets while maintaining a strong positional advantage against threats such as MANPADS units on the ground.

The biggest drawback of the AV-42C is that it remains somewhat vulnerable to hostile interceptor aircraft. As far as maneuverability goes, VTOL aircraft generally aren't very nimble in the skies, so one should be extra careful in the presence of enemies with radar-guided missiles available. Additionally, unlike aircraft like the F/A-26B, the AV-42C has no onboard radar and can only equip heat-seeking missiles, making it a nonviable option for engaging hostile aircraft in an offensive posture.

Armament

Main article: AV-42C Hardpoints

Avionics

Reaction Control System

The Reaction Control System is a system unique to the AV-42C. The system assists with adjusting the yaw, pitch, and roll of the aircraft using the four thrusters located on the fuselage. This system is very helpful at controlling the aircraft while in low speeds or while hovering. The options are as follows:

OFF: Disables the Reaction Control System. Flight stick input and rudder pedal input will not adjust the attitude of the aircraft while in low speeds or while hovering.
AUTO: Activates the Reaction Control System up to ~125 knots, at which the system will deactivate.
ON: Keeps the Reaction Control System active at all times. Not recommended due to diminishing advantages while flying at higher speeds and excessive fuel usage.

Transport Capability

The AV-42C is uniquely able to load up and transport up to 8 allied Infantry units at a time. There is a switch in the right side of the AV-42C's cockpit for controlling the side doors for the passenger compartment. Passenger transport is facilitated through objectives and triggers in the Mission Editor. To receive passengers, the AV-42C must be landed and have its doors open. From there, passengers will load into the AV-42C and can be transported to other destinations and let out the same way they would be let in. Each soldier loaded into the AV-42C adds 90kg of mass to the aircraft while loaded.