OR-26

In an alternate world of the mid 20th century, the year 1950 marked a pivotal moment in Soviet aerospace innovation. The Orlov Aerospace Corporation, a formidable entity operating alongside renowned firms such as Mikoyan Gurevich and Sukhoi, was commissioned by the Soviet military to develop a specialized aircraft capable of penetrating enemy defenses through low altitude flight. At this juncture in history, stealth technology as we understand it today had yet to emerge, instead, low level flying was regarded as the era's equivalent of stealth, enabling evasion of radar detection by exploiting the curvature of the Earth and ground clutter.

The result of this ambitious project was OR-26, a groundbreaking aircraft designed primarily for nuclear warfare scenarios. Its initial armament consisted of conventional and nuclear bombs, underscoring its role as a strategic delivery platform. To ensure pilot safety during prolonged low altitude operations, the aircraft was equipped with an advanced terrain following system, automatically adjusted the flight path to prevent collisions with the ground or obstacles. OR-26's mission profile was straightforward, infiltrate enemy airspace below radar horizons at high speeds, deploy its nuclear payload with precision, and execute a rapid egress to safety.

Aerodynamically, OR-26 featured a distinctive wing configuration, which provided exceptional stability and lift at supersonic velocities. Powering this formidable machine was a robust engine derived from modified cruise missile propulsion systems, granting it the endurance to maintain low level, high speed flight over extended distances. Conceived amid the escalating tensions of the Cold War, OR-26 embodied the Soviet Union's preparations for potential nuclear conflict, serving as a deterrent against Western aggression.

As the decades progressed into the 1960s and 1970s, new threats materialized from United States, including low flying bombers and advanced cruise missiles designed to evade traditional air defenses. In response, OR-26 underwent significant repurposing to intercept these emerging dangers while awaiting the dreaded outbreak of nuclear war. Its terrain following system was replaced with sophisticated radar arrays and specialized missiles optimized for engaging low altitude targets, transforming the aircraft from a strategic bomber into a versatile interceptor.

During conventional conflicts, OR-26 proved its mettle by downing cruise missiles, low flying bombers, and occasionally the fighter escorts accompanying them. Throughout its operational career, the aircraft achieved remarkable success, boasting a kill ratio of approximately 20 to 30 enemy bombers, fighters, and cruise missiles for every single loss sustained. This impressive record solidified its reputation as a reliable guardian of Soviet airspace.

Owing to its exceptional low altitude flight capabilities, OR-26 would often materialize on enemy radar screens only when the distance had closed to a perilously short range, leaving adversaries with scant time to react. This stealth like emergence, combined with its tactical deployment in coordinated groups, allowed the aircraft to execute interceptions with an element of profound surprise, frequently approaching from unforeseen angles that confounded defensive strategies. As a result of these cunning and ferocious operational traits, US pilots began to affectionately dub OR-26 the "Foxwolf" a moniker that encapsulated its dual nature, the sly, strategic planning reminiscent of a cunning fox, and the relentless, pack like aggression akin to a horde of wolves descending upon their prey.

However, by the turn of the millennium in 2000s, OR-26 fleet was retired due to structural fatigue accumulated from decades of rigorous service. Though its era had ended, the legacy of OR-26 endures as a testament to Soviet engineering prowess in an alternate timeline where low altitude mastery defined the boundaries of aerial warfare.

WEAPONS

● 20mm gun (Interceptor version).
● 8x Anti Low Altitude Target Missile (Interceptor version).
● 2x Nuclear bomb (Bomber version).
● Flare

GALLERY

BY KSB24

INSPIRATION

Mix of these aircraft...

CONTROL

Interceptor Manual:
Activate1: Canopy
Activate5: Parachute
Activate6: Drop External Fuel Tank
Activate7: Drop All Missile
Activate8: Light System

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