Supermaneuverable long-range 241-Kerbal SSTO - Applied Phlogistics AP-320

[Pds314]

I've built a craft that can fly to orbit and back in FAR (with aero failures on!) with 241 Kerbals onboard. Not only that, it weighs just 155.81 tonnes, is supermaneuverable at subsonic speeds (yup, Pugachev's cobra, Kulbits to your heart's content, etc, without even using cockpit torque, and it is possible without even using engine Gimballing), and has a center of lift that moves BACKWARD at supersonic speeds. It is also capable as-is of a 1-way trip to Laythe with plenty of remaining jet fuel and some remaining rocket fuel, and of landing without power.

Please welcome the newest member of the Applied Phlogistics fleet, the AP-320.

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Tech specs:

Flight deck crew: 1

Seating: 240 (B9 S2 cabins) not including pilot.

Length: 36 meters.

Wingspan: 26 meters.

Tail height: 11.8 meters

Wing area 523.1 m^2

Empty weight: 62310 kg

Fully-Fueled weight: 155810 kg

Maximum speed: 1750 m/s at altitudes over 30000 m

Maximum fuel 93500 kg

Service ceiling: unknown

Engines (×2) SABRE M

Thrust (×2) 320-420 kN in atmospheric mode. 740 kN in rocket mode.

ISP in rocket mode: 385 s

Approximate Delta-V after reaching orbit: 2500 m/s

TWR: takeoff: 0.43

In space, no jet fuel: 1.02

Maximum in space: 2.37

Takeoff speed: 110 m/s fully-fueled.

I may make other variants as well, such as a cargo variant, a long-range nuclear variant, or a pure atmospheric variant. This is also no-doubt not the maximum size it could be.

Download link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx5IDYRs0obMS3htdFQ3NU9JMDA/edit?usp=sharing

Edited September 8, 2014 by Pds314

[Voculus]

Having just recently installed FAR, and getting a feel for what it takes to fly with the concentration and care it requires, I really have an appreciation for ships like these.

[Pds314]

Having just recently installed FAR, and getting a feel for what it takes to fly with the concentration and care it requires, I really have an appreciation for ships like these.

Yeah... concentration and care... That's what the SAS did when I was getting a bowl of ice-cream mid-flight...

Edited September 8, 2014 by Pds314