IVPAC Today
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Around the Corps
in-depth IVPAC reporting
Breaking News!: SIL reports three prospective designs have been finalized in the search for a Javelin replacement. The new requirement of having an integrated vertical fin or fins has altered the entries, but each design has shown promise in either initially having the fin, or hybridizing and putting one onboard.
Cutlass/Petrel Service Coming to an End
The last two aircraft of the illustrious Windcutter line are retiring with the advent of the SuperNova & Pilum coming online. The new Zephyr has transitioned to the LILT role for SIL, but even it has come under scrutiny with the new revitalization in-house for updating the fleet by age. With Javelin under fire and Banshee secure with a new type, these airframes are next in line for aging out. It'll be curious to see what come from finding a new plane of semi-large size to replace these unofficially 11 year old planes.
For the foreseeable future, SIL has tasked Goblins with the Litro Training role and has moved forward in the basing plan, stationing them at Copeland IAB. This is pending further tests into the flight plan come spring.
Goblins in Training
To accommodate the Vampyres coming in to the Dive Bomber role, IVPAC-SIL has plans to resurrect four inactive squadrons and place them at Bomber bases as needed. The 143rd (ex-FS), 146th (ex-SS), 223rd (ex-SS), and 224th (ex-SS) are expected to be the first four, and others may follow suit. As units gain their full complements, expansion squadrons may be needed. This change is scheduled to be completed by endSY25.
"New" Squadrons for Vampyres
First IVPAC Launch Facility Breaks Ground
A couple years in the making, and IVPAC planners have found the location for their new rocket launching site. KIA and SIL teamed up to make the place a reality, and have developed a twin tower mobile pad offering multiple launch angles and payloads. The pad remains mobile while the planners lock down the location before installation of tubes as well. It has been proposed that there could be a different site but recent construction delayed surveying before the cold set in.
Fly-In at Walker-Lafollette
A great many aircraft were to be seen clouding the skies of Walker IAB's Lafollette annex as no less than eight contractors' planes were present. It is estimated somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 aircraft were there, representing a host of different roles, flying styles, sizes, and designs. An as-yet unnamed KIA aircraft took the size "award", while a SIL Venom NG graced us with the longest flight. MSIL showed us some amazing new tech on a few examples, and NASAS used the opportunity to show off two new designs and hone up another two. Click the planes for more coverage.