[SSTO] Broadsword (Modded)

[Andrew2070]

Greetings everyone,

Originally designed as an orbital freight ship, the heavy SSTO "broadsword" saw many months of augmentations to make it the perfect multi-role space craft. The initial design parameters emphasized endurance and maximum payload capacity, with the goal of reaching any celestial body's orbit on a single tank of gas. The spacecraft was never intended to touch down on any other planetary surfaces, and would rely on smaller towed "fighter SSTOs" for refueling missions. Unfortunately, achieving the initial goal pushed the total part count to 170, making it not worthwhile as a potential "aircraft carrier".  The spaceplane was put in cold storage until Kerbin's military strategists wanted to explore its role as an orbital bomber, capable of delivering hundreds of 1.5 MT nuclear warheads at a moment's notice, undetected. This initiative called for a series of "survivability tests", which would push the airframe design to its limits. After some great successes between scientists and military strategists, a final design was approved that could withstand the conditions of all celestial bodies. The H-SSTO Broadsword Mk 6. Clocking in at roughly 1700 tons, with a width/wingspan of 74m, length of 83m, and relative height of 20m. This spacecraft carries about 6,670,000 units of liquid hydrogen fuel for its 11 nuclear, 8 VTOL, 2 SURGE, and 2 ARI reverse thrusting engines. In total the space plane is powered by 23 engines of various designs and purposes, as well as a large fission reactor.  The nuclear engines do not consume fuel in any atmosphere. Maximum survivable airspeed is about 1800 m/s in low/less dense atmosphere, and 3500 m/s+ at higher altitudes. (I don't keep the throttle at more than 10% for non orbital atmospheric flight). 

It can transport a crew of 7 in the immediate cockpit and more in the additional crew compartments. 

Thanks to excellent usage of airframe integrated radiators and thermal control systems, the spaceplane can withstand the pulse of a thermonuclear weapon, as well as atmospheric entry up to 2,500 m/s. The broadsword is also capable of high G maneuvering, because of its strong structural integrity, variety of large control surfaces and thrust vectoring systems. The instrument suite was also enhanced to feature advanced communication systems (including a detachable orbital relay), celestial analysis equipment, and every resource converter known to kerbal kind. 

Despite the ~3.5 thrust to weight ratio, the spaceplanes mass places great stress on its landing gear, making it difficult to land or take off without employing the STOL or VTOL capabilities. This is largely due to a lack of advancements in landing gear technology, and so the broadsword can only survive touchdown at less than 5 m/s vertical velocity. A skilled pilot can easily operate within these parameters. Surprisingly, the design allows for incredible buoyancy, making landings on liquid bodies not only possible, but more attractive.  

Lastly, the spaceplane features a robotic arm, two (two crewed) escape pods, AESA air to ground radar, 360 degree track while scan air to air radar, surveillance cameras, two drills, and many other fun gadgets.  It also features a nose cargo ramp for deploying vehicles on extraterrestrial bodies. 

When fitted for military operations, the spacecraft can deploy every weapon possible, from artillery to lasers to nuclear weapons. 

(Note I have around 50 mods, and I don't know how many were used to complete this spacecraft). 

Here are some pictures:

More bombing pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2021 by Andrew2070
added more pics