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Description

The Northrop Grumman ASF-50 started life a the YF-50 competing to the a 6th generation fighter for the Free States of America. The prototypes were heavily based on the F14 with divertless subsonic inlets. It would be given new life when fusion engines fixed the fuel space issues. The ECF was quick to adopt it as their first generation Aerospace Suppression Fighters. It can carry up 4 missiles bombs or drones that weigh up to 6,600 kg internally and an addition 4000kg on external hard-points when needed. The main weapon system is its twin solid state 60kW pulse capable laser system. The laser is able to cut through a half meter of steel in pulse mode. The plane is able to fire a 30x173mm shell from a single barrel cannon to ease up the use of the laser for lesser threats.

As the name suggests the purpose of the Scimitar is to suppress any form of airborne threat to friendly forces being planes drones or satellites. The wings and stabilizers fold down to reduce friction as the aircraft accelerates to a target of escape the atmosphere of a planet. Its twin fast pumping short stroke thorium fusion engines are able to keep the plane operating in gravity up to twice the gravity of Earth before the air frame can no longer perform 8.5G combat turns. The contract with the ECF truly revitalized Northrop Grumman corporation in the late 21st century and carried the company well in the 22nd. The plane was first deployed to combat over the colony of Bounty in 2096. It would serve on all ECF cruisers for many decades to come. Many Colonies would use the plane well into the 2030s decades after it was retired. With 25000 units it would be the most produced aerospace fighter ever. The real power of the Scimitar is not its powerful payload of lasers and cannon. Its primary purpose is to command a wing of attack drones. These drones function in roles from ground attack to air combat while the USA had used drones in combat before the issue was they were dependent on easily hacked ground based communications. The Area Suppression Fighter seen here is meant to act as a near hacker proof command point. In the event a drone or drones are hacked the manned command craft attacks the source of the hack. This craft is much more capable than the drones featuring lasers and active protection systems.

Crew: 2 (pilot and weapons officer)
Length: 20m
Wingspan: 19.5m
Swept wingspan: 11.7m swept
Height: 5m
First flight 2030 with normal turbines 2088 under fusion engine power.

Entered Service 2093

Retired from service 2126

artwork by mobiusgmt8

Description

The Northrop Grumman ASF-50 started life a the YF-50 competing to the a 6th generation fighter for the Free States of America. The prototypes were heavily based on the F14 with divertless subsonic inlets. It would be given new life when fusion engines fixed the fuel space issues. The ECF was quick to adopt it as their first generation Aerospace Suppression Fighters. It can carry up 4 missiles bombs or drones that weigh up to 6,600 kg internally and an addition 4000kg on external hard-points when needed. The main weapon system is its twin solid state 60kW pulse capable laser system. The laser is able to cut through a half meter of steel in pulse mode. The plane is able to fire a 30x173mm shell from a single barrel cannon to ease up the use of the laser for lesser threats.

As the name suggests the purpose of the Scimitar is to suppress any form of airborne threat to friendly forces being planes drones or satellites. The wings and stabilizers fold down to reduce friction as the aircraft accelerates to a target of escape the atmosphere of a planet. Its twin fast pumping short stroke thorium fusion engines are able to keep the plane operating in gravity up to twice the gravity of Earth before the air frame can no longer perform 8.5G combat turns. The contract with the ECF truly revitalized Northrop Grumman corporation in the late 21st century and carried the company well in the 22nd. The plane was first deployed to combat over the colony of Bounty in 2096. It would serve on all ECF cruisers for many decades to come. Many Colonies would use the plane well into the 2030s decades after it was retired. With 25000 units it would be the most produced aerospace fighter ever. The real power of the Scimitar is not its powerful payload of lasers and cannon. Its primary purpose is to command a wing of attack drones. These drones function in roles from ground attack to air combat while the USA had used drones in combat before the issue was they were dependent on easily hacked ground based communications. The Area Suppression Fighter seen here is meant to act as a near hacker proof command point. In the event a drone or drones are hacked the manned command craft attacks the source of the hack. This craft is much more capable than the drones featuring lasers and active protection systems.

Crew: 2 (pilot and weapons officer)
Length: 20m
Wingspan: 19.5m
Swept wingspan: 11.7m swept
Height: 5m
First flight 2030 with normal turbines 2088 under fusion engine power.

Entered Service 2093

Retired from service 2126

artwork by mobiusgmt8