The Air technologyresearch tree is used to unlock and improve different types of aircraft. The aircraft are divided into three different types of airframes: light, medium, and heavy, as well as their jet counterparts. Each type of aircraft built upon light airframes also has a carrier variant that can be researched. These variants are able to launch from and land on aircraft carriers.
Fighters are fast and nimble and can do many jobs. Everything from fighting for air superiority, protect your bombers and intercept enemy bombers. They can perform Air Superiority and Interception air missions. (this information is out of date the By Blood Alone DLC completely changed air technology)
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Technology
Year
Research Time
Prerequisites
Description
Statistics
Interwar Fighter
1933
170 days
While fighter aircraft underwent many changes through the Great War, and since, the bi-plane design is becoming obsolete. We must begin to translate civilian technological advances into military applications.
121
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range570
Air Defense:8.0
Air Attack:9.0
Agility:45.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:1.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Max Speed:330.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:22.0
Interwar Carrier Fighter
1933
85 days
Interwar Fighter
An early fighter modified to launch from and land on aircraft carriers.
121
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range456
Air Defense:8.0
Air Attack:9.0
Agility:45.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:2.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Max Speed:297.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:26.4
Fighter I
1936
170 days
Interwar Fighter
Light airframes have been revolutionized with the introduction of radial engines, monoplane designs and all metal skin construction. This design is our attempt at creating our first modern fighter plane.
131
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range700
Air Defense:10.0
Air Attack:18.0
Agility:50.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:2.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Max Speed:500.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:24.0
Carrier Fighter I
1936
85 days
Fighter I
An early fighter modified to launch from and land on aircraft carriers.
131
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range560
Air Defense:11.0
Air Attack:18.0
Agility:50.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:3.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Max Speed:450.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:28.4
Fighter II
1940
170 days
Fighter I
The pace of fighter advancements is astounding, and as such, we must continue to incorporate the technology as well as improve upon existing concepts. Our new fighter design must be capable of high speed, high performance at altitude and the best range possible. Additionally, it must be very well armed.
231
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range1K
Air Defense:12.0
Air Attack:27.0
Agility:65.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:4.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Max Speed:650.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:26.0
Carrier Fighter II
1940
85 days
Fighter II
An improved fighter modified to launch from and land on aircraft carriers.
221
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range800
Air Defense:13.0
Air Attack:27.0
Agility:65.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:6.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Max Speed:585.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:30.4
Fighter III
1944
170 days
Fighter II
While our previous generations of fighter plane have proven worthy, any advantage gained by a better design should be taken. This aircraft will be the pinnacle platform of piston-engined fighter that will have excellent power, high agility, deadly weaponry and good range.
241
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range1.2K
Air Defense:14.0
Air Attack:32.0
Agility:80.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:6.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Max Speed:720.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:28.0
Carrier Fighter III
1944
85 days
Fighter III
An advanced fighter modified to launch from and land on aircraft carriers.
Our CAS doctrine requires an aircraft capable of precision surface attack. While these aircraft carry a lesser payload compared to our larger Tactical Bombers, they are capable of attacking and destroying small targets of opportunity through strafing and dive bombing.
121
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range700
Air Defense:14.0
Air Attack:6.0
Agility:35.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:3.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Ground Attack:10.0
Max Speed:390.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:22.0
Carrier Close Air Support I
1936
85 days
Close Air Support I
An early close air support plane modified to launch from and land on aircraft carriers.
121
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range400
Air Defense:14.0
Air Attack:6.0
Agility:35.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:4.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Ground Attack:10.0
Max Speed:351.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:26.4
Close Air Support II
1940
170 days
Close Air Support I
Early war experiences have shown that increased speed, armor and maneuverability are necessary for CAS aircraft survivability against enemy fighters and ground fire. This next generation of ground attack aircraft will also utilize larger bombs, cannons and machineguns to inflict greater damage to their targets.
131
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range1K
Air Defense:16.0
Air Attack:10.0
Agility:39.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:5.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Ground Attack:15.0
Max Speed:450.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:24.0
Carrier Close Air Support II
1940
85 days
Close Air Support II
An improved close air support plane modified to launch from and land on aircraft carriers.
131
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range640
Air Defense:16.0
Air Attack:10.0
Agility:39.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:7.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Ground Attack:15.0
Max Speed:405.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:28.4
Close Air Support III
1944
170 days
Close Air Support II
The ever increasing capability of target AA and enemy interceptors require further evolution of our CAS aircraft. The new design incorporates increased engine power, airframe improvements for increased diving capability and protection, as well as even greater payloads.
231
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range1.2K
Air Defense:20.0
Air Attack:14.0
Agility:44.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:10.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Ground Attack:20.0
Max Speed:550.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:26.0
Carrier Close Air Support III
1944
85 days
Close Air Support III
An advanced close air support plane modified to launch from and land on aircraft carriers.
Naval Bombers are able to perform attacks against enemy ships. They can perform Port Strike and Naval Strike air missions.
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Technology
Year
Research Time
Prerequisites
Description
Statistics
Naval Bomber I
1936
170 days
Interwar Fighter
Naval aviation will be vital in the coming decade to confront new developments in naval warfare, such as the increased importance of submarines. Seaplanes with capacity to work as dive bombers and recon vehicles will be of use.
121
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range850
Air Defense:12.0
Air Attack:6.0
Agility:30.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:15.0
Naval Targeting:7.5
Max Speed:230.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:26.0
Carrier Naval Bomber I
1936
85 days
Naval Bomber I
An early naval bomber modified to launch from and land on aircraft carriers.
121
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range680
Air Defense:13.0
Air Attack:6.0
Agility:30.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:15.0
Naval Targeting:7.5
Max Speed:207.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:31.2
Naval Bomber II
1940
170 days
Naval Bomber I
New engine technology and aerodynamically refined designs will boost the speed and diving attack capability of naval planes significantly.
131
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range930
Air Defense:14.0
Air Attack:10.0
Agility:35.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:20.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Max Speed:300.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:28.0
Carrier Naval Bomber II
1940
85 days
Naval Bomber II
An improved naval bomber modified to launch from and land on aircraft carriers.
131
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range744
Air Defense:15.0
Air Attack:10.0
Agility:35.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:20.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Max Speed:270.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:33.2
Naval Bomber III
1944
170 days
Naval Bomber II
All-metal designs and powerful airbrakes allow for more complex naval aeronautics. The planes of the future will demand a larger crew to operate these advanced systems, however.
231
Service Manpower:20
Operational Range1.1K
Air Defense:16.0
Air Attack:14.0
Agility:40.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:25.0
Naval Targeting:12.5
Max Speed:400.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:30.0
Carrier Naval Bomber III
1944
85 days
Naval Bomber III
An advanced naval bomber modified to launch from and land on aircraft carriers.
It is widely believed that the next war will be won entirely by bombing the enemy to extinction. It is imperative that we begin designing our own bomber plane that is capable of carrying heavy payloads at adequate speed.
121
Service Manpower:40
Operational Range1.4K
Air Defense:15.0
Air attack:5.0
Agility:16.0
Strategic Bombing:10.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:4.0
Naval Targeting:6.0
Ground Attack:3.0
Max Speed:250.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:35.0
Tactical Bomber I
1936
170 days
Interwar Bomber
Medium bombers need to be versatile and fast, capable of fulfilling a range of roles. A twin-engined design, remaining relatively light, can continue to be of use for many years to come.
131
Service Manpower:40
Operational Range2.4K
Air Defense:18.0
Air attack:8.0
Agility:20.0
Strategic Bombing:12.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:8.0
Naval Targeting:6.0
Ground Attack:6.0
Max Speed:430.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:37.0
Tactical Bomber II
1940
170 days
Tactical Bomber I
Heavier designs of tactical bombers can extend range, payload and speed while maintaining the planes' capacity to perform a wide variety of missions.
141
Service Manpower:40
Operational Range2.5K
Air Defense:21.0
Air attack:13.0
Agility:25.0
Strategic Bombing:14.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:12.0
Naval Targeting:6.0
Ground Attack:9.0
Max Speed:440.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:39.0
Tactical Bomber III
1944
170 days
Tactical Bomber II
Taking a page from the advancements in fighter planes, unconventional materials and shapes can make new designs some of the fastest and best performing twin-engine planes ever built.
Heavy fighters have a long range and powerful weapons. They are good both for protecting bombers at range and intercepting enemy bombers. Their lower agility however means that they will struggle against regular fighters. Like their lighter counterparts, Heavy Fighters can perform Air Superiority and Interception air missions.
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Technology
Year
Research Time
Prerequisites
Description
Statistics
Heavy Fighter I
1936
170 days
Interwar Bomber
Our bomber force needs escort protection from enemy fighters all the way to their targets and back. In order to provide this escort, we must design fighter aircraft with bomber range. Out of necessity these aircraft are larger, slower and less agile than light fighters, though they can carry significant armament.
121
Service Manpower:40
Operational Range1.3K
Air Defense:13.0
Air attack:36.0
Agility:25.0
Air Superiority:1.25
Naval Attack:3.0
Naval Targeting:6.0
Max Speed:500.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:28.0
Heavy Fighter II
1940
170 days
Heavy Fighter I
The war has taught us that our heavy fighter design is vulnerable to more nimble fighters, but quite good at the interception of enemy bombers due to heavy armament. This next design will focus on increased attack capability against enemy aircraft and even ground targets. Its speed and range will be improved as well.
131
Service Manpower:40
Operational Range1.7K
Air Defense:15.0
Air attack:46.0
Agility:30.0
Air Superiority:1.25
Naval Attack:6.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Max Speed:550.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:30.0
Heavy Fighter III
1944
170 days
Heavy Fighter II
Though our heavy fighter force has shown adeptness in various roles, we must consider a new design that will enhance its ability relative to enemy fighters, as well as allow it to continue intercepting increasingly faster and better defended enemy bombers.
Strategic Bombers attack enemy buildings and infrastructure, starving them of precious industry. They can perform Strategic Bombing air missions, as well as drop nuclear bombs.
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Technology
Year
Research Time
Prerequisites
Description
Statistics
Strategic Bomber I
1936
170 days
Experiences from the Great War and studies since show that bombing the enemy's military targets and major cities will win the next war. At the very least, we must have a bomber capable of delivering such destruction. It will need to fly high and at good speed, and it must carry a large payload. This will require a large airframe with multiple engines. It will also have some defensive capability.
132
Service Manpower:80
Operational Range2.5K
Air Defense:30.0
Air attack:50.0
Agility:5.0
Strategic Bombing:30.0
Air Superiority:0.01
Naval Attack:1.5
Naval Targeting:0.6
Max Speed:400.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:60.0
Strategic Bomber II
1940
170 days
Strategic Bomber I
Bombing has proven effective at reducing the enemy's capacity to wage war. More defensive weaponry and increased speed will allow a new design to avoid destruction, while increasing the payload and range will make it more effective.
142
Service Manpower:80
Operational Range3.5K
Air Defense:45.0
Air attack:100.0
Agility:7.0
Strategic Bombing:45.0
Air Superiority:0.01
Naval Attack:1.5
Naval Targeting:0.6
Max Speed:450.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:62.0
Strategic Bomber III
1944
170 days
Strategic Bomber II
To avoid losses to enemy fighters and ground fire, our next design will fly at great altitude. It will be larger to carry both an enormous payload and more fuel, to increase range
Scout Planes perform aerial scouting and intel gathering. They can perform Air Recon air missions.
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Technology
Year
Research Time
Prerequisites
Description
Statistics
Scout Plane I
1936
170 days
Gathering intelligence on enemy troop movements and providing reports of enemy naval deployments has been the original mission for airplanes since their first deployment in the Great War, and is still an important mission.
21
Service Manpower:40
Range:1300 km
Air Defense:13.0
Agility:25.0
Max Speed:500.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Fuel Usage:0.2
Production Cost:20.00
Scout Plane II
1940
170 days
Scout Plane I
By developing dedicated planes for aerial surveillance and long-range reconnaissance, we ensure that we gain and maintain an accurate picture of our opponent's intentions and capabilities.
In order to unlock these airframes, jet engines in the engineering technology research tree must already be researched. These quicker, more powerful — albeit more expensive — fighters and bombers act as a late-game bridge between World War Two-era and modern military aircraft for those nations that were dedicated to aeronautics research.
Jet Engines and Close Air Support III, Fighter III, or Naval Bomber II
Previous increases in speed pale in comparison to the introduction of the first jet fighters. While we have yet to learn how to best construct planes for these engines, regular fighter planes cannot compete.
231
Service Manpower:40
Operational Range1.2K
Air Defense:15.0
Air Attack:36.0
Agility:72.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:5.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Max Speed:950.0 km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:30.0
Jet Fighter II
1950
170 days
Jet Fighter I
New swept wing designs and lighter material choices will allow us to extend the range and speed of the revolutionary jet fighters even further.
331
Service Manpower:40
Operational Range2.2K
Air Defense:18.0
Air Attack:40.0
Agility:72.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:5.0
Naval Targeting:10.0
Max Speed:1.1K km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:32.0
Jet Tactical Bomber I
1945
170 days
Jet Engines and Tactical Bomber III
The advent of jet fighters necessitates bombers that can outrun or at least match their speed. First-generation medium bombers and bomber-fighters equipped with jet engines will fill this role.
231
Service Manpower:80
Operational Range1.8K
Air Defense:24.0
Air Attack:18.0
Agility:57.0
Strategic Bombing:16.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:15.0
Naval Targeting:6.0
Ground Attack:15.0
Max Speed:1.0K km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:45.0
Jet Tactical Bomber II
1950
170 days
Jet Tactical Bomber I
Not content with speed, future jet bombers will set altitude and range records, delivering payloads and performing reconnaissance on intercontinental missions.
331
Service Manpower:80
Operational Range5K
Air Defense:28.0
Air Attack:22.0
Agility:57.0
Strategic Bombing:20.0
Air Superiority:1.0
Naval Attack:15.0
Naval Targeting:6.0
Ground Attack:20.0
Max Speed:1.0K km/h
Reliability:80.0%
Production Cost:48.0
Jet Strategic Bomber I
1950
170 days
Jet Engines and Strategic Bomber III
Multiple jet engines allow new designs unprecedented speed while maintaining a large payload and long range. These planes are built for a new era of weapons of mass destruction.
