T.553 Konge

The T.553 Konge is a twin-engine tactical transport featuring a cargo hold, a rear-access ramp beneath an upswept tail, a high-mounted wing and turboprop engines. The T.553 is designed to perform cargo and troop transport duties, aerial delivery of supplies and equipment and is designed to be compatible with international railway loading gauges to simplify cargo logistics and loading. In flight the cargo area is pressurized and kept at a constant temperature by integrated air conditioning systems.

Additionally, the landing gear can be partially retracted while on the ground. This lowers the T.553, making it easier to move vehicles into the hold as they don't need to climb a ramp.

One aspect of the T.553 that made the type well suited to tactical operations was the type's short airfield performance; including the ability to perform steep descents of up to 20 degrees and perform landings on airstrips as short as 400 meters. In the airlift role, a later production T.553 could carry up to 8.5 tons across a distance of 5,000 kilometres, and take off from airstrips as short as 700 meters. Dependent upon aircraft configuration, a single aircraft could airdrop as many as 88 paratroopers or transport up to 93 equipped troops.

Advantages of the twin-engine configuration over four include reduced unit and production cost, lower weight and fuel consumption, simplified design and reliability. Each engine is equipped with an auxiliary generator system, providing the aircraft with both electricity and hydraulic pressure. An auxiliary power unit is used to power the aircraft while on the ground, and for rare use in mid-air emergencies.

An updated second generation of the T.553 was produced during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Amongst changes made, the new variant was equipped with additional fuel tankage, aerial refueling probes and enhanced avionics. While there were considerable changes to instrumentation, including the navigational and autopilot systems, the second generation T.553 retained the original operating characteristics to simplify crew transfers between types.

The T.553 proved to be a versatile aircraft, leading to a long operational service life. Between its introduction and 1999, approximately 2000 modifications and upgrades were incorporated upon the type, split 60/40 between the structure and equipment respectively. Many changes were made over time in regards to the aircraft's avionics, incorporating new features such as GPS and laser inertial navigation systems, modern autopilot and crew management systems.

Ringerike
Almost immediately upon introduction into service the Konges of the Ringerike Royal Air Force found themselves involved in operational duties combatting the spillover from the Valentine Emergency in Sorland.

Poja
The Pojački Air Force first acquired the T.553 Konge in 1964 through the Balashova Aircraft Company. Designated as the Ba-2 Konge, the Konge became the primary medium transport for the PAF. Eight variants of the original T.553 Konge were fielded between 1964 and 1978 and would continue to remain in service into the 1990s, replaced with upgraded aircraft beginning in 1988. The Konge continues to remain in service today with six variants in service with the Pojački National Air Force and the Pojački Territorial Air Force. Poja has purchased a total of 346 aircraft.

Chernarussian Conflict
In Pojački service, the Ba-2 Konge saw considerable use during the 6-year Chernarussian Conflict. The Ba-2 Konge-A saw action at the onset of the conflict when several aircraft were used to drop paratroopers behind enemy lines during the invasion. Thereafter, Ba-2 Konge-A aircraft were used to fly supplies into Chernarus to help keep troops resupplied. While initially, supplies were brought in via ground convoy, Chernarussian insurgents became particularly adept at ambushing those convoys, seizing t or destroying the supplies. As a result, this necessitated larger and larger convoys due to the added security elements, which ultimately prevented the convoys from reaching certain areas. Those areas were often resupplied via from the Konge. Later in the conflict, the Ba-2N Konge-E aircraft, which had more powerful engines, conducted drops to beleaguered  in the midst of insurgent attacks. One such firebase in 1973 survived being overrun solely by LAPES drops due to insurgents cutting off the roads to and from the base with ambush attacks.

During the war, Balashova modified several aircraft with and jamming equipment. Designated as the Ba-2SK Konge-D, these aircraft were used to locate insurgent bases through RDF but also to assist jamming their communications during offensive operations. The Ba-2SK's were highly capable and utilized with great success against the insurgency, especially during the last few years of the war.

The last modification to the Ba-2 Konge during the war came in 1972. Four aircraft were modified to be aerial gunships and equipped with a pair of autocannons and an  anti-aircraft gun. Designated as the Ba-2U Konge-F, these aerial gunships were used to assist troops conducting patrols or to assist firebases under insurgent attack. They were extremely reliable and pivotal in keeping troops alive and successful against insurgent attacks. In all, the PAF lost 17 aircraft during the war to all causes.

Modern Day
Following the end of the Chernarussian Conflict and the split of the PAF into the PNAF and the PTAF, 12 Ba-2 Konge-A aircraft were transferred into service with the PTAF while the Pojački military sought to replenish the aircraft it had lost in the conflict with an additional purchase from Hansen Flyfabrikk. The PNAF would go on to further develop its ELINT variants as well as make the gunship a permanent platform.

In the mid-80s, the PNAF approached Hansen Flyfabrikk with a request for a modernized variant. In what would eventually become the Ba-2M, the PNAF requested a modernized cockpit with, the powerful engines of the Ba-2N, and and buddy tanking capabilities. The new production run would see the older variants retired and sent to the scrapyards for recycling and the newer Ba-2M variants replace them. Modifications were made to the gunship variants first in 1992 and then again in 2006.

Buddy tanking capabilities was added via a palletized refueling system that would allow Ba-2M aircraft to refuel other aircraft via a system. The palletized aerial refueling package has an offload capacity of 13500 L or 10855 kg of fuel. A flexible host is trailed behind the aircraft at a distance of 30 m out of the of the aircraft. Any fighter or helicopter, provided it is equipped with a refueling probe, can refuel from the Konge with this package.

In 1995, a water bomber variant was procured to assist with fighting forest fires. The water bomber has a capacity of 12000 L of water or that can be deployed with the rear ramp of the aircraft in the closed and locked position. The system does not require pressurization during loading and allows the water or retardant to be sprayed out of two nozzles flanking the rear fuselage of the aircraft. The low stall speed of the Konge is a major assistance in dropping water or retardant accurately onto.

During Operation Zaporizhian Fire in 1997, the Ba-2 saw some limited use. Ba-2MU Konge-J gunships equipped with two cannons in place of the GSh-23Ls along with the 57-millimeter AZP S-60 provided fire support for Pojački troops. Ba-2MO Konge-L aircraft, equipped with ELINT and ECM equipment helped provide electronic warfare support, Ba-2MKO Konge-M aircraft assisted by acting as a radio relay, and Ba-2MSK Konge-N aircraft provided airborne communications jamming and psyops support while also acting as a radio relay.

Following the end of the conflict, several aircraft were modified specially to provide dedicated medical evacuation capabilities. These entered service in 2000 and in 2006, the Ba-2MUD Konge-R gunship was debuted featuring the same armament as the Ba-2MU Konge-J but the addition of four external pylons for precision-guided ordnance and a 120-millimeter mortar for additional firepower. As of 2021, the Ba-4 Konge-A has been retired entirely by the PTAF and they fly the Ba-4M Konge-K exclusively. The oldest variants in service are the Ba-2S Konge-B trainers in use with the PNAF.

Ringerike

 * Ringerike: In service with the Royal Ringerike Air Force

Kironia

 * Kironia: In service with the Kironian Defence Force

Poja
 Poja
 * Pojački National Air Force has operated the Ba-2 Konge since 1964 and it currently has 142 aircraft in service
 * 24th Training Regiment
 * 131st Training Squadron (4x Ba-2S Konge-B)
 * 34th Aerial Firefighting Regiment
 * 12th Aerial Firefighting Squadron (2x Ba-2MVU Konge-P)
 * 51st Medium Lift Aviation Regiment
 * 39th Medium Airlift Squadron (12x Ba-2M Konge-K)
 * 76th Medium Airlift Squadron (12x Ba-2M Konge-K)
 * 89th Medium Airlift Squadron (12x Ba-2M Konge-K)
 * 76th Medium Lift Aviation Regiment
 * 28th Emergency Airlift Squadron (4x Ba-2MME Konge-R)
 * 96th Radio Relay Squadron (12x Ba-2MKO Konge-M)
 * 81st Special Operations Regiment
 * 7th Special Attack Squadron (8x Ba-2MUD Konge-S)
 * 26th Special Attack Squadron (6x Ba-2MO Konge-L)
 * 27th Special Attack Squadron (10x Ba-2MSK Konge-N)
 * 86th Medium Lift Aviation Regiment
 * 104th Medium Airlift Squadron (12x Ba-2M Konge-K)
 * 114th Medium Airlift Squadron (12x Ba-2M Konge-K)
 * 115th Medium Airlift Squadron (12x Ba-2M Konge-K)
 * 102nd Medium Lift Aviation Regiment
 * 122nd Medium Airlift Squadron (12x Ba-2M Konge-K)
 * 128th Medium Airlift Squadron (12x Ba-2M Konge-K)


 * Pojački Territorial Air Force has operated the Ba-2 Konge since 1975 and it current has 12 aircraft in service
 * 100th Composite Aviation Regiment (Chernarus)
 * 106th Composite Squadron (2x Ba-2M Konge-K)
 * 103rd Composite Aviation Regiment (Zbenoria)
 * 107th Composite Squadron (2x Ba-2M Konge-K)
 * 151st Composite Aviation Regiment (Adjinua)
 * 82nd Composite Squadron (2x Ba-2M Konge-K)
 * 207th Composite Aviation Regiment (Dosnima)
 * 99th Composite Squadron (2x Ba-2M Konge-K)
 * 219th Composite Aviation Regiment (Thyrios)
 * 134th Composite Squadron (2x Ba-2M Konge-K)
 * 281st Composite Aviation Regiment (Heraq)
 * 118th Composite Squadron (2x Ba-2M Konge-K)

Theyka
 Theyka
 * Te Tauaarangi o Theyka has operated 19 T.553A, introduced in 1966. Currently phased out in favour of more recent, indigenous designs.

First Generation

 * T.553A Konge:: Standard Airlifter variant introduced in 1963
 * ET.553B Hermóðr: Submarine Communications Relay model entering service in 1969
 * ST.553C Ragnarök: Original Gunship model entering service in 1972

Second Generation

 * T.553D Konge:: Updated second production run airlifter variant introduced in 1987
 * ET.553E Loki: Electronic Warfare model entering service in 1990
 * ET.553F Hermóðr: Submarine Communications Relay model entering service in 2002
 * ST.553G Ragnarök: Updated Gunship model entering service in 2006

First Generation

 * Ba-2 Konge-A (1964; 135 built)
 * No mission designation given
 * Initial production model built from 1963 - 1976 and introduced in 1964. Identical to the T.553A Konge.  There were 13 aircraft lost to all causes, 6 converted to ECM platforms (Ba-2O), 24 converted to ELINT/COMINT platforms (Ba-2SK, Ba-2KO), and 9 converted to gunship platforms.  All aircraft have been retired by both the PNAF and the PTAF.


 * Ba-2S Konge-B (1964; 11 built)
 * S = Školski zrakoplov ("trainer")
 * Trainer model built from 1963 - 1976 and introduced in 1964. Identical to the T.553A Konge except for additional seats in the cockpit for an instructor pilot.  There were 7 lost in crashes and 4 remain in service with the PNAF as of 2021.


 * Ba-2O Konge-C (1966; 6 built)
 * O = Ometač ("jamming")
 * Special modification of the Ba-2 Konge-A equipped with jamming equipment and chaff dispensers for missions against UPRZ .  All aircraft were retired by the PNAF.


 * Ba-2SK Konge-D (1966; 4 built)
 * SK = Slušanje Komunikacije ("listening communications")
 * Special modification of the Ba-2 Konge-A equipped with and  equipment tasked with 3 missions: intelligence gathering of electronic signals from radars and SAMs (ELINT), interception, triangulation, and jamming of communications (COMINT), and .  All aircraft were retired by the PNAF.


 * Ba-2N Konge-E (1972; 28 built)
 * N = Nadograđeno ("uprated")
 * Special production run requested by the PAF to equip the Ba-2 Konge-A with more powerful engines for expanded capabilities on low-altitude airdrops . There were 4 aircraft lost to crashes.  All aircraft were retired by the PNAF.


 * Ba-2U Konge-F (1972; 9 built)
 * U = Udarac ("strike")
 * Special modification of the Ba-2 Konge-A for aerial gunnery roles. Originally 4 were converted in 1972, 1 was lost due to enemy action, and an additional 5 were converted after 1974.  Equipped with two  23-millimeter autocannons with 4,000 rounds and one  57-millimeter anti-aircraft cannon with 250 rounds.  Also equipped with 4 AS-PR-005 32-round chaff/flare dispensers, a, a , and a .  All aircraft were retired by the PNAF.


 * Ba-2KO Konge-G (1978; 12 built)
 * KO = KOmunikacije ("communications")
 * Special modification of the Ba-2 Konge-A equipped with radio equipment to act as a radio relay aircraft. All aircraft were retired by the PNAF.


 * Ba-2SK Konge-H (1978; 8 built)
 * SK = Slušanje Komunikacije ("listening communications")
 * Special modification of the Ba-2 Konge-A equipped with additional airborne communications gear for airborne communications jamming, interception, triangulation, and COMINT. All aircraft were retired by the PNAF.

Second Generation

 * Ba-2M Konge-K (1990; 172 built)
 * M = Modernizovano ("modernized")
 * Second-generation production model built from 1988 - 2000 and introduced in 1990. Identical to the T.553D Konge.  There were 20 aircraft lost to all causes, 8 converted to gunships (Ba-2MU), 6 converted to ECM platforms (Ba-2MO), 22 converted to ELINT/COMINT and radio-relay platforms (Ba-MKO, Ba-2MSK), 2 converted to aerial firefighting platforms (Ba-2VU), and 4 converted to medical evacuation platforms (Ba-2ME).  As of 2021, are 96 aircraft in service with the PNAF and 12 aircraft in service with the PTAF.


 * Ba-2MU Konge-J (1992; 10 built)
 * M = Modernizovano ("modernized"), U = Udarac ("strike")
 * Special modification of the B-2M Konge-K for aerial gunnery roles with 8 aircraft converted from 1991 - 1993. A further 2 aircraft were converted in 1999 to replace losses.  Equipped with two  23-millimeter Gatling guns with 4,000 rounds total and one  57-millimeter anti-aircraft cannon with 250 rounds.  Equipped with 8 AS-PR-005 32-round chaff/flare dispensers (4 more than the Ba-2M), a, a , and a .  All aircraft were subsequently upgraded to the Ba-2MUD Konge-R in 2005 - 2009.


 * Ba-2MO Konge-L (1994; 6 built)
 * M = Modernizovano ("modernized"), O = Ometač ("jamming")
 * Special modification of the Ba-2M equipped with jamming equipment for electronic warfare and ELINT gear for intelligence-gathering for electronic signals from radars and SAMs. All 6 aircraft remain in service with the PNAF.


 * Ba-2MVU Konge-P (1995; 2 built)
 * M = Modernizovano ("modernized"), VU = Voda Udarac ("water strike")
 * Special modification of the Ba-2M for . The aircraft has been stripped of its self-defense and military-centric gear and focused on aerial firefighting.  It can carry up to 12000 L of water or .  Both aircraft remain in service with the PNAF.


 * Ba-2MKO Konge-M (1998; 10 built)
 * M = Modernizovano ("modernized"), KO = KOmunikacije ("communications")
 * Special modification of the Ba-2M Konge-K equipped with radio equipment to act as a radio relay aircraft. All 10 aircraft remain in service with the PNAF.


 * Ba-2MSK Konge-N (1998; 12 built)
 * M = Modernizovano ("modernized"), SK = Slušanje Komunikacije ("listening communications")
 * Special modification of the Ba-2M Konge-K equipped with additional airborne communications gear for airborne communications jamming, interception, triangulation, COMINT, and psyops. All 12 aircraft remain in service with the PNAF.


 * Ba-2MME Konge-R (2000; 4 built)
 * M = Modernizovano ("modernized"), ME = Medicinska Evakuacija ("medical evacuation")
 * Special modification of the Ba-2M Konge-K for a dedicated emergency airlift aircraft. The Ba-2MME is responsible for transporting wounded patients from in-theater facilities to long-term, permanent facilities.  The aircraft can be configured to transport 36 low-dependency patients with a medical crew of 18, 4 high-dependency patients with a medical crew of 12, or a mix of 24 low- and 2 high-dependency patients with a medical crew of 18.  A typical crew for low-dependency patients is 2 or 3 6-man teams (1 medical doctor or 1, 2 nurses, and 3 ) with 1 doctor and 2 nurse practitioners for 36 low dependency patients.  A typical crew of high-dependency patients consists of 3, 2-man teams per 2 high-dependency patients (1  and 1 .  The high-dependency teams rotate in such a way that 2 are always monitoring a patient and 1 is resting to ensure continuous care.  All 4 aircraft remain in service with the PNAF.


 * Ba-2MUD Konge-S (2006; 8 built)
 * M = Modernizovano ("modernized"), U = Udarac ("strike"), D = Dorađen ("upgraded")
 * Modification of the Ba-2MU Konge-J with 4 external wing pylons for 1800 kg of external ordnance, chiefly and the addition of a  120-millimeter mortar with 100 rounds.  The wing pylons are capable of holding 500 kg inboard and 400 kg outboard.  The aircraft is also equipped with a modernized  as well as additional ECM and chaff/flare dispensers (16 total) and modernized imaging and designation sensors.  All 8 aircraft remain in service with the PNAF.

Specifications
General Characteristics


 * Crew:
 * 2 - 3 flight crew + 1 - 2 loadmasters [Transport versions]
 * 3 flight crew + 2 loadmasters + 2 instructors [Trainer versions]
 * 3 flight crew + 10 mission crew [Comms/EW/Gunship versions]
 * 3 flight crew + 2 loadmasters + 12 - 18 medical personnel [Medevac versions]
 * Capacity:
 * Cargo Compartment: 17.2 m long; 3.15 m wide; 2.98 m high
 * 93 troops
 * 58 - 61 fully-equipped paratroopers
 * 77 - 88 lightly-equipped paratroopers
 * 62 litters in high-density configuration with no medical support
 * Up to 36 litters for low-dependency patients with medical support
 * Up to 4 litters for high-dependency patients with medical support
 * Length:
 * 32.4 m [T.553A]
 * 33.6 m [T.553D]
 * Wingspan: 40 m
 * Height:
 * 12.36 m [T.553A]
 * 11.65 m [T.553D]
 * Empty Weight:
 * 28946 kg [T.553A]
 * 28000 kg [T.553D]
 * Payload Weight: 16000 kg
 * Fuel Capacity:
 * 13194 kg or 16410 L [T.553A]
 * 22553 kg or 28050 L [T.553D]
 * Maximum Takeoff Weight:
 * 49150 kg [T.553A]
 * 51000 kg [T.553D]
 * Power Plant:
 * 2× xxxx engines [T.553A]
 * Power: 4222 kW each
 * 2× xxxx engines [Ba-2N/T.553D]
 * Power: 4485 kW each

Performance


 * Maximum Speed: 513 km/h
 * Stall Speed: 177 km/h flaps down
 * Range:
 * Combat Range: 1850 km with 16000 kg payload
 * Combat Range: 5000 km with 8500 kg payload
 * Ferry Range: 8850 km
 * Service Ceiling: 8230 m
 * Rate of Climb: 6.6 m/s
 * Takeoff Distance: 650 m
 * Landing Distance: 580 m

Armament


 * ST.553G Ragnarök
 * 1x Kanon 04 derived Short 105mm Howitzer
 * 1x Twin 35×228mm Autocannon derived from LvK.58
 * 1x Lett Automatisk Kanon 73 20×102 mm Autocannon


 * Ba-2U Konge-F
 * 2x 23mm Autocannons with 4,000 rounds
 * 1x 57mm Anti-aircraft cannon with 200 rounds


 * Ba-2MU Konge-J
 * 2x 23mm Gatling guns with 4,000 rounds
 * 1x 57mm Anti-aircraft cannon with 200 rounds


 * Ba-2MUD Konge-S
 * 2x 23mm Gatling guns with 4,000 rounds
 * 1x 57mm Anti-aircraft cannon with 200 rounds
 * 1x 120mm Mortar with 100 rounds
 * 4 external hardpoints: 2 inner wing 500 kg each and 2 outer wing 400 kg each for, , , , , , , , , , , , or

Avionics
 * AnterNavi navigation system
 * Weather radar
 * Air-to-Ground Attack Radar [Gunship versions]
 * EO/Low-Light/Thermal Imaging Camera [Gunship versions]
 * RF ECM
 * DIRCM [Gunship versions]
 * Chaff/flare dispensers