CF-106 Arrow II

The CF-106 Arrow II is a speculative 2050 air-superiority concept created by freeware developer rlawson under the fictional Canadian Airborne Shipyards brand. Designed as a direct homage to Canada's storied Avro CF-105 Arrow—abruptly canceled in 1959—the project imagines what a seventh-generation successor would look like ninety years later. Built around a tailless, stealth-contoured diamond-wing layout, the Arrow II marries extreme high-altitude sprint capabilities with vertical takeoff and landing flexibility.

In wing-borne flight, the Arrow II demonstrates remarkable performance. Powered by twin afterburning engines sharing sound architecture with Laminar's default F-14D, the airframe achieves non-reheat supercruise up to Mach 2.5, reaching top speeds of Mach 2.8 and operating ceilings up to 70,000 feet. For low-speed and terminal operations, the aircraft integrates two electric lift fans behind the rear cockpit bulkhead combined with two downward-vectoring exhaust nozzles. Pilots manage transition through a manual vector lever or a dedicated Auto-Hover flight control loop. Normal runway recoveries are flown at 175 knots with full flaps and speedbrakes deployed, while carrier recoveries are supported via an articulated arresting hook housed in a stealth belly bay.

The tandem-seat cockpit separates pilot and mission tasks cleanly. The front station features side-stick controls, touch-glass multifunction displays running an integrated G1000 FMS, an F-22-style folding HUD, and a Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) with look-through target acquisition and Padlock tracking. The rear cockpit station is dedicated to weapons management and command of four autonomous LYNX loyal-wingman drones, which deploy into five distinct flight formations on command. Internal weapons bays carry eight long-range missiles and four AIM-9 heat-seekers alongside 60 chaff and 60 flare countermeasures. System fidelity includes ten-channel Master Caution annunciators, folding wings for hangar storage, ground safety streamers, and a guarded 10-second Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) rapid start switch.

Because the CF-106 Arrow II is an unbuilt, futuristic design devoid of authentic OEM documentation or physical flight test records, it is classified under the Casual directory tier. Nonetheless, it represents an exceptionally detailed and creative freeware combat sandbox for X-Plane 12 pilots seeking futuristic tactical scenarios.

Primary Missions & Operational Roles

• High-Altitude Air Superiority & Interception: Conduct Mach 2.5 supercruise patrols and high-altitude intercepts up to FL700 utilizing internal radar-guided missiles and HMD padlock tracking.

• Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T): Direct four autonomous LYNX loyal wingmen into offensive and defensive tactical formations from the rear mission cockpit.

• Expeditionary VTOL & Carrier Defense: Execute vertical departures from remote bases or conduct arrested trap recoveries aboard naval and conceptual airborne carriers.

• Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Scramble: Practice immediate engine starts and cold-weather scramble climbs using the guarded ten-second alert start sequence.