WB.3 Phoenix

WB.3 Phoenix
WB.3N Phoenix, 1970
Role	Supersonic bomber
National origin	Wingarde
Manufacturer	Wingarde Aerospace
First flight	27 July 1965
Introduction	11 October 1966
Retired	1989
Primary user	Wingarde Federal Air Force
Produced	1966–1981
Major variants	• Supersonic strike • Maritime strike • Electronic warfare

The WB.3 Phoenix (German: Phönix) was a supersonic bomber designed to penetrate deep into enemy territory and deliver precision strikes, using its speed to outrun any possible retaliation. The aircraft's profile also made it a suitable candidate for anti-shipping missions, albeit exclusively from land bases.

A specialized platform, by the latter half of the 1980s, its role became increasingly supplanted by more versatile, modern air assets, such as the WF.17 Falchion. The idea of negating enemy defenses with sheer speed was revisited starting 2005, with the project that eventually gave birth to the WB.7 Archangel.

• WB.3 (1966): Original production version. Strategic/tactical bomber.
• WB.3B (1979): Improved original variant, with upgraded avionics and greater ordnance compatibility.
• WB.3N (1967): Naval strike variant, able to carry up to 4 large anti-ship missiles.
• WB.3N2 (1979): Improved naval striker.
• WB.3E (1975): Initial electronic warfare platform.
• WB.3E2 (1981): Upgraded EW suite and aerodynamic profile.

• Crew: 2 (1 pilot, 1 weapons officer)
• Length: 28 m (92 ft)
• Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft)
• Height: 7.51 m (25 ft)
• Empty weight: 25,221 kg (55,603 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 37,109 kg (81,811 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × XXXX afterburning turbojet engines, 111 kN (25,000 lbf), 142 kN (32,000 lbf) with afterburner

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.2 (2,626 km/h, 1,632 mph) at altitude, Mach 1 (1,194 km/h, 742 mph) at sea level
• Range: 1,200 km (standard combat, 746 mi, 648 nmi), 4,400 km (maximum, 2,734 mi, 2,376 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 12,000 m (40,000 ft)

Combined combat load of 5,000 kg (11,000 lb), 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) in weapons bay, 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) on wing hardpoints.

• Bombs:
  • 12 × 250 kg bombs in weapons bay
  • 6 × 500 kg bombs in weapons bay
  • 2 × 250kt nuclear bombs in weapons bay (planned, cancelled)
  • 2 × 500-litre drop tanks on inner wing hardpoints

• Missiles:
  • 4 × large anti-ship (N/N2) OR land attack missiles (2 in weapons bay, 2 on inner wings)