VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': F-19 Stealth Fighter Project - X-Plane 12.

The project was released in October 2022 (v1.0 Early Access).

This thread is now dedicated for 'DEVELOPMENT NEWS' - discussions, announcements of upcoming updates, plans for the future etc...

When an actual update is released - it will be posted in a dedicated new thread in this forum.

 

 

 

 

 

##########################################################################
##### Below this line - The old post that started this thread, from October 2020) ######

The VSKYLABS F-19 Stealth Fighter project for X-Plane 11.

The project was recently set to a *High priority development-level*

The project, which is not available at the present, was initially developed for X-Plane 10 back in 2015. It is now going through a massive update for X-Plane 11 to include a complete rework of all components, FMOD sound pack, PBR textures and full VR compatibility.

The VSKYLABS F-19 Stealth fighter was designed following the F-19 Stealth Fighter specifications and documented that were published during the late 80's/early 90's by various aviation specialists. The VSKYLABS F-19 project is allowing a fascinating opportunity to test and evaluate the concept as it was originally envisioned, using the amazing world of X-Plane 11 and its advanced flight dynamics simulation.

How it handles? Is it really capable of aircraft carrier operations? How maneuverable it is? How its thrust, weight and drag characteristics are working together during the various phases of flight, including combat? Can it carry fuel and payload to the estimated operational radius?

...So many questions to ask...but only one way to find out: ...The VSKYLABS F-19 Stealth Fighter Project for X-Plane 11.

Development notice:
The VSKYLABS development of the F-19 for X-Plane flight simulator is approved by Testors/ITALERI S.p.A. However, it is an independent VSKYLABS project which is not endorsed and/or affiliated with/by Testors/ITALERI S.p.A

 

 

Any news on this? I have looked forward to this update for years, and I am still giddy as a schoolboy for it. I am NOT a warbird flyer normally, but since the MicroProse version for the C-64 I have wanted this plane.

So? Any ETA?

Guess not! 😔

Just now, oleandreasen said:

Guess not! 😔

Hi there!

Your previous post must have been slipped away...

The project is in *advanced* development stages. A few development challenges are being addressed at the present and it takes time....

Can't state exact ETA but it is having progress and getting closer each day...😎

Hi @VSKYLABS, can you give a hint in what the status of development is?

On 7/8/2021 at 5:32 AM, fleurenf said:

Hi @VSKYLABS, can you give a hint in what the status of development is?

Hello there,

The project is under active development. It is undergoing a huge remake that takes a lot of time and effort to achieve. 😎

58 minutes ago, VSKYLABS said:

Hello there,

The project is under active development. It is undergoing a huge remake that takes a lot of time and effort to achieve. 😎

Many thanks @VSKYLABS

Need cockpit shots!

On 10/13/2021 at 4:28 AM, CthulhuBorn said:

Need cockpit shots!

Hi!

Here's one that can be shared at the present (

Central GNS530 module seen in the center panel is installed there for test-flights purposes and not reflecting the actual configuration (this portion of the panel is intended to host a view finder for camera/recon operations).

A few notes:
Since the *real* F-19 aircraft was fictional....the practical aspects of the aircraft had to be *re-invented*. In fact, other than the external properties of the F-19 that were so-called "documented" in the public discussions back in the 80's (as well as in the F-19 simulation game for the C-64/PC)...the aircraft itself (cockpit, systems layout...) does not exist (all systems: fuel, hydraulics, cockpit etc...).

Logically, the F-19 cockpit should be identical to the one of the F-117A cockpit. The F-117 was the real-world "F-19" - a single seat stealth fighter aircraft. The VSKYLABS F-19 however did not go in that direction (F-117 cockpit), mainly because the fictional F-19 was visioned back in the 80's as more of a stealthy F/A-18A/C, with air to air and air to ground capabilities...carrier operations etc...so it was decided to set the F-18 as a kind of a reference and not the F-117...

The "easy path" is to create an "arcade F-19" aircraft, that will look like the F-19 but will be very simplified in all other aspects. The "VSKYLABS path" is to develop a fully rationalized whole-aircraft. That takes time...but we're getting closer every day.😎

Edit (May 2022): VSKYLABS 'Top-Secret'....screenshot removed as it is not reflecting the new F-19 (2022).

ooooooh.....can't wait!

Been following this for a while. 

Love the concept.

Any updates on this? 

23 minutes ago, Matte421 said:

Been following this for a while. 

Love the concept.

Any updates on this? 

Hi!

Under development in advanced stages. Release date is getting closer, although unknown yet...official news will be released soon 😎

Hello everyone!

**********************GREAT NEWS!****************************

The VSKYLABS Test-Pilot: F-19 Project development line was shifted completely to upcoming X-Plane 12, and it is one of the two VSKYLABS major update releases planned for X-Plane 12, this year (near future!). That means that it will not be released for X-Plane 11.

(the second VSKYLABS major 2022 release for upcoming XP12 is the VSKYLABS Maule M-7-235 Project). 

The VSKYLABS F-19 project was modeled and re-built almost from scratch, for X-Plane 12, and the result is so exciting!

As stated several times, this project is a kind of a "myth busting" effort...allowing us to test the late 80's Testors F-19 Stealth Fighter concept in the most advanced flight simulation available in our time!

For sure, this project is one of the most exciting VSKYLABS projects ever created. A thorough POH booklet is being created to explain all-you-need-to-know about the original concept, aircraft break-down and analysis, the VSKYLABS F-19 specifications, flight handling and performance characteristics and so forth.

If the fictional concept was the real-deal....would it fulfill its purpose? Can it be takeoff and landed safely? at what airspeed? Can it be operated from a carrier? Can it carry the intended load and fuel to operational altitudes? what is its effective combat radius? How many g's can it pull? How stable is it? and so many more questions...all will be answered!

Aircraft is designed with full 3-d virtual cockpit, full systems pack (hydraulics, fuel, air-refuel, anti-skid, pneumatic). Flight model wise...it is being tested, deeply...to assure the most plausible-per-design performance in upcoming X-Plane 12.

Screenshot from the X-Plane 12 environment could not be shared due to NDA restrictions, and it will be shared once permitted. 

Attached to this post is an X-Plane 11 screenshot (it is, obviously, out-dated...but this is what could be shared at the moment).

Stay tuned!

On 10/8/2020 at 7:17 AM, VSKYLABS said:

The project, which is not available at the present, was initially developed for X-Plane 10 back in 2015. It is now going through a massive update for X-Plane 11

 

On 4/29/2022 at 12:52 PM, VSKYLABS said:

The VSKYLABS Test-Pilot: F-19 Project development line was shifted completely to upcoming X-Plane 12

Very nice simulation of the USN & USAF aircraft development process! Now just make the price 3X the normal price and you are going to be 100% accurate.

Edited May 23, 20223 yr by jayeye2011

Hi all F-19 enthusiasts!

This was just posted at the VSKYLABS facebook!

***NEWS FLASH!***

VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': F-19 Stealth Fighter Project for X-Plane 12 - Exclusive (approved) X-Plane 12 **Work-In-Progress** screenshots! 

In today's post, we will be focusing mostly on the F-19 engines:

The original late 80's Testors F-19 Stealth Fighter concept aircraft was deeply analyzed by VSKYLABS Aerospace Simulation experts, and was re-constructed bottom up, using the most advanced flight simulation software up to date: X-Plane 12.

Reminder: X-Plane is not a combat simulation. The VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': F-19 Stealth Fighter project orientation is *Test-Flight* simulation of an experimental/concept jet fighter aircraft that allows to explore and challenge its design goals using X-Plane 12 advanced flight simulation environment (aerodynamics, physics, weather, systems, handling and performance, mission-oriented test flights and more!).

General aircraft specifications of the VSKYLABS F-19 are based on the original 80's concept specs (which also existed in the 87' MicroProse F-19 Steath Fighter simulations). However, following the thorough analysis and test flights process during development, a few modifications/additional systems were added to the basic design, allowing a more probable mission-capable characteristics.

One example for such modification is the F-19 engines: The original F-19 concept aircraft was assumed to be powered by two non-after-burning F404-GE-100 engines. The F404 engine first flight, btw, was in the 'new' U.S. Navy's F/A-18 fighter/attack aircraft in November 1978. In real-life, the F404-GE-100 derivative was flown extensively during the Northrop F-20 Tigershark program (1982 - 1986), delivered 11,000 pounds of thrust dry and 17,000 pounds using afterburner, along with advanced digital electronic control and improved reliability. 

The selection of twin NON-after-burning F404-GE-100 engines in the F-19 80's concept was based on the requirement of reducing the heat signature of the stealth fighter. The airframe incorporated two semi-hidden thermal-efficient exhaust nozzles, "hidden" by the large vertical fins, and equipped with an airflow cooling system. 

The thorough mission-oriented test flights of the VSKYLABS F-19 during development in X-Plane 12 lead to the decision of adding after-burner capability, to improve its maximum weight take-off performance, to allow a low-altitude deep penetration profiles with supersonic capability, and to increase survivability in case of detection or interception by enemy fighters.

Following this decision, the VSKYLABS F-19 two non-after burning F404-GE-100 engines were replaced by two after-burning General Electric F414-GE-400 (these are powering the F/A-18E/F variants). 

The change of power-plant increased the dry thrust from ~11,000 pounds to ~13,000 pounds. Maximum thrust however increased from ~11,000 pounds to ~22,000 pounds...that is twice the power of the non-after-burning F404-GE-100 engines.

Fuel-consumption wise, the F-19 airframe capability of carrying internal fuel is limited due to its size and shape, and using the afterburners extensively reduces its combat radius significantly. For this reason the use of afterburner power in the VSKYLABS F-19 is restricted-by-system, and to enable after-burners operation during flight - the pilot must "pass" through two guard switches (one for each engine).

Some complementary information regarding the attached WIP screenshots:

Weapons - Unlike the 87' MicroProse F-19, the VSKYLABS F-19 is not designated as a multi-role attack aircraft, and it can carry a very limited weapons-suit: Two AIM-120 AMRAMM Air to Air missiles, carried in two separate forward weapon bays, and a single AGM-158 JASSM (cruise missile) carried in the central belly weapon bay. 

The VSKYLABS F-19, like the F-117A Stealth Fighter, does not carry guns nor heat-seeking missiles for close-air combat/self defense. The idea behind the weapons selection in the VSKYLABS F-19 was to adapt the F-117A operational concept (no air-to-air capability, limited air to ground capability for pin-point targeting accuracy), and to fall in line with the plausible capability of carrying payloads in the F-19 airframe (mass and volume).

The two AIM-120 missiles are intended for intercepting enemy AWACS aircraft (with BVR capability), and the single AGM-158 low signature cruise missile is intended for deep penetration, pin-point accuracy targeting.   

External fuel-tanks - Like the modern usage of non-stealthy external fuel tanks in stealth fighters (as seen in the F-35/F-22), the VSKYLABS F-19 is capable of carrying two external fuel tanks, extending its combat radius and allowing certain 'special mission' profiles. These are drop-tanks and can be dropped when needed (to reduce drag, to reduce radar signature, to increase maneuverability in case of 'trouble' etc...). The aircraft is also capable of air-refueling.

Landing gears - The F-19 is a carrier capable aircraft. Noticeable is the tail-hook and the carrier-capable landing gears which are designed following the NAVY carrier based F-18 aircraft landing gears. Using the F-18 landing gears design in the F-19 was part of the original late 80's concept (as well as the F-18 engines).

Leading edge slats - Shown extracted in one of the screenshots. The original F-19 concept did not incorporate leading edge slats. These were implemented into the VSKYLABS F-19 airframe as part of deeper exploration of high angle-of-attack performance and aircraft maneuverability once the thrust to weight ratio exceeded more than 1:1 with the use of after burners. A fascinating insight was with regards to the small-span elevator flap - where the elevator flap, which is positioned close and straight in line with the exhaust nozzles, acted as a thrust vectoring vane at high power settings. This configuration allows flying the F-19 at high angle of attack during certain maneuvers, and the leading edge slats were implemented to explore these flight envelope regimes. They are not required for takeoff or landing.

Cockpit screenshots - By concept, the VSKYLABS F-19 cockpit design and general systems are based on the F-18 aircraft, which shares a lot in common with the original F-19 80's concept. The VSKYLABS F-19 is a fully featured aircraft simulation, includes all aircraft systems such as pressurization, fuel, oxygen, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulics, engine management, avionics and so forth. Some of the systems are similar/identical to the ones to be found in the F-18 (electrical, pressurization, oxygen, hydraulics...), and some are unique, designed specifically for the F-19 (fuel system, controls, avionics, and other). The result is a highly plausible aircraft design that is being operated as a conventional modern jet-fighter. 

Due to the unique flight model aspects and other simulation related aspects, the VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': F-19 Stealth Fighter project is being developed for X-Plane 12, and will be released exclusively for X-Plane 12.

The project is in advanced development stages and is aimed to be released as soon as possible after upcoming X-Plane 12 will be released.

Stay tuned for more fascinating VSKYLABS XP12 news!

VSKYLABS,

 

First of all, I LOVE your planes and have several of them.  This is super cool!  I can't wait to give it a try.  Keep up the great work!

 

Looking forward to more updates.  :-)

On 8/10/2022 at 5:10 AM, Hawker77 said:

VSKYLABS,

 

First of all, I LOVE your planes and have several of them.  This is super cool!  I can't wait to give it a try.  Keep up the great work!

 

Looking forward to more updates.  🙂

Hi! Many thanks! 😎

VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': F-19 Project

Some more WIP screenshots in X-Plane 12. The project is planned to be the 2nd VSKYLABS release for X-Plane 12.

1st release is the VSKYLABS Maule M-7-235B Project, which will be available from X-Plane 12.00 early access DAY#1.

Stay tuned...

AWESOME!!!

I have been looking forward to this one very much.

Thanks JMH.

Regards,

Dave

28 minutes ago, aonyn said:

AWESOME!!!

I have been looking forward to this one very much.

Thanks JMH.

Regards,

Dave

Hi Dave,

Many thanks! ...development started back in 2015...not simple...plausible aircraft design had to be practically invented during development (having a 'tight' aircraft before development is always the better option...but there was no other choice...).

For example...you can only know how the elevator surface contributes to pitch authority in the given design....and how the aircraft will react to it. In this case, it serves as a 'thrust vectoring' vane when the engines are set to high power. So you can rotate easily during takeoff...even too early so you have to develop a safe takeoff procedure. During combat, it will assist to increase turn-rate and g-load. However...when on final, with low power setting...or even worse...when performing a single engine approach or a dead-stick landing...the elevator surface behaves very much differently...and the low power/no-engine approach becomes similar to the 300 knots lifting-bodies landings (X-24..M2F2/3...HL-10 and alike)...or more accurate...to the space-shuttle approach. This should be analysed, and plausible solutions must be available in the flight manual (such as a detailed, tested checklist and flight path for no-engine landings)...

...And this goes on an on....to so many aspects. Very fascinating 'Test-Pilot' project, and the manual will include all insights...😎

Hi JMH,

That just made it even more exciting, I have always been fascinated by the lifting bodies, as I have mentioned to you before.

Thanks,

Dave

OK...showing off with the VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': F-19...(X-Plane 12 early access). Project is WIP however...in *very* advanced stages.

Development is expected...if all goes well...during October 2022...that is..next month?!! 🙃

 

New shots from the range.

Release is getting closer...aimed for October 2022...if all goes as expected!

Stay tuned!

...Those moments before 'wearing' the F-19 on your shoulders and fading into the darkness. Coming soon, stay tuned!  

 

Hi all! This was just posted in the VSKYLABS Facebook page:

VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': F-19 Stealth Fighter Project for X-Plane 12. 

Short impressions from carrier operation testings (mainly landings): Handling is very good, response to power is great, managing AOA and speed is great. Forward visibility is a huge challenge, and the fact that the VSL F-19 v1.0 will be shipped without a HUD makes spot-carrier landings a bit of a challenge (but 100% duable), especially in non-VR environment (it is much easier to get visuals with the carrier in VR, with actual-head-movements across the caged canopy).

The VSKYLABS F-19 is making use of the new arresting hook physics in X-Plane 12. The hook attachment point to the aircraft, its length and actual throws (from touching the ground to the upper gimbal) are all working physically including cable tension and the upper movement of the tail-hook during the abrupt deceleration. 

Testing this 'for real' in X-Plane 12 was very interesting, and it affected several aspects of aircraft design, including attention to 'safe' landing weights - mainly fuel, and aft CG limits for carrier landings to avoid tail-strikes during the violent arresting process.

Non-objective, but true-to-life impression of the day: Flying the aircraft in X-Plane 12 turns to be addictive and test flights takes longer than planned, especially in VR. Main reason is the rewarding landings in a delta-winged aircraft in general, and in the F-19 specifically. It behaves almost like the X-24 lifting-body aircraft (or the space shuttle) during non-powered landings, due to its slender delta-shaped wing and the lower-effectiveness of the elevator 'flap' in low power settings. So the powerless approach is steep, fast, and the flare is rounded and of the "1-change" type. 

This pattern is performed with great excitement...then...throttles to full forward for a touch and go...and hop...you're on your way to your *next* ~3 minutes non-powered landing ride...and then, that "one last time"...🙃

Stay tuned! Release window will be opened during October 2022!