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FFR-31MR B/C Super Sylph

The Super Sylph is a high speed tactical recon plane. Although its model number makes it look like a variant of the FFR-31 Sylph the design and the capabilities are different. Negotiations about the production cost of this plane with the Earth government made the Super Sylph an FFR-31 variant. Soon after, development costs exceeded projections. The original plan called for 87 planes but only 26 were produced.

The FFR-31MR was originally designed to be a recon plane but after the conflict with the JAM escalated, variants were proposed for combat use. The A model was a long range interceptor, the B model had upgraded avionics, and the C model was given an improved engine. The A was cancelled because of modifications that were given to the original FFR-31MR. The B and C variants’ upgrades were given to the original FFR-31MR by the baseline 1-6 upgrades and the ICAP performance improvement program. However these upgraded planes aren’t called the FFR-31MR B or C.

After that, the high-speed D model that improved aerodynamics and navigation systems was developed. This plane has a ramjet booster and is designed for long range strategic recon. Some FFR-31MR Ds were developed but exact numbers are unknown. The majority of the FFR-31MRs are stationed at the FAF 5th Tactical Combat Wing 5th Special Squadron. This plane is used to gather information about the JAM on the planet Fairy but only a few are manufactured. Because of this, even the prototypes and experimental versions are converted for combat use. Except for the few stationed at the System Army Aircraft Testing Center and other experimental or special facilities, most of the FFR-31MRs are stationed at the 5th Tactical Combat Wing. Because of maintenance and reserve aircraft for storage, the number of FFR-31MRs never exceeds 15 planes in the 5th Tactical Combat Wing. The reason why the reported losses of FFR-31MRs are low is because it has advanced autopilot and return systems and the 5th Tactical Combat Wing concentrates on recon, not combat. This is the reason why the FFR-31MR is called the "Boomerang".

The Super Sylph is a two-seater. It can be fitted with a sensor pod called the TARPS (Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System). Depending on the mission, a TARPS can be configured with cameras, infrared sensors, imaging radar, or multi-band ESM (Electronic Support Measures – used to detect, intercept, identify, locate, record, and/or analyze sources of radiated electromagnetic energy for the purposes of immediate threat recognition).

FFR-31MR B/C Super Sylph