Background
The LAFR Concept Two is a competitor in the LAFR Fly Off, whose only opponent at the moment I am writing this is the LAFR Concept One. Similar in flight characteristics, the two aircraft are extremely different in execution. While the Concept One uses an engine that rotates completely around the CG of the aircraft to provide vector thrusting, the Concept two uses a fixed engine with a rotating nozzle. To give you an idea of where I was coming from when I started the Two, here's a concept drawing, very basic but the first we saw of the Concept 2 none the less:
From this angle in the drawing it is hard to tell anything about the engine layout, but the engine is located not far after the intakes, and the nozzle not much further from there. In the original design the aircraft was to have a horizontal stabilizer with two sharply swept and angled vertical stabs, but this was dropped in favor for a tale-less design using drag-rudders on the main wing.
Performance and Handling
Immediately you will find the LAFR 2 much more powerful then the One, with a larger amount of thrust. This allows for quick pop-ups and hovering at higher altitudes and quicker acceleration. This also means far more fuel consumption, and the aircraft's range is significantly lower than that of the LAFR One. Also, its low-speed handling is not as good as the LAFR One, but its higher speed maneuverability is a small amount better. Its high-altitude performance is also far greater because of the extra thrust, but it is still subsonic as its compatriot.
From these two views you can clearly see the engine nozzle, which has a fourth-stage compressor at the very end to aid low-altitude performance. The unique dual-hull design is necessary for a single engines, non-ducted VTOL aircraft, but the enclosed roof on the LAFR Two allows for greater fuel and better fuselage lift than One.
Where do you want it?
The short field (no field) performance of the LAFR One is even greater improved in the TWO. With the added thrust, the LAFR Two is able to make easier, quicker approaches since it can drop faster without worrying about not being able to stop the fall. This makes it less vulnerable to Ground Fire when landing in Hot LZs, and actually allows for a pretty tricky maneuver. At the cost of horrible mileage, the LAFR 2 can stay with the 90 degrees vector, and using the throttle, fly at speeds up to one hundred and twenty miles per hour in a sort of "helicopter" mode, just by tilting the aircraft forward. This allows for easy straffing passes at ground targets and makes it a potent "chopper killer." Also, the tailless design makes it even more stealthy that the LAFR One, allowing it total freedom against older SAM and AAA systems. Also, its higher-speed agility makes it an even more potent adversary against dedicated, front-line fighters.
Landing is a breeze with no worries at all about not being able to make a second pass... just rev up the throttle and you are gaining altitude at VV up to 1000 fpm.
The LAFR Concept Two is an extremely capable aircraft, surpassing the One in many aspects except for its limited range, which at the low altitude it will be flying at, is not acceptable to most recon missions, but is well suited to attack and interception duties when operating from a forward base and taking advantage of mid-air refueling. If Using a Download Accelerator, Bypass it by holding ALT (50megs doesn't like accelerators) DOWNLOAD LAFR Concept Two
