SF-44 Spacefire

The SF-44 Spacefire is a space superiority fighter/interceptor developed by the Commonwealth within the United Earth Federation. Designed for interception duties and space combat between other spacecraft it is very agile both in atmosphere and outer space. 
Since its trial phase, the SF-44 Spacefire has had a rivalry with the SF-55 Starfighter despite the former not being intended to replace the latter. The SF-44's agility and rivalry with the SF-55 has earned it the nickname 'Spacefighter'. The two fighters competed against each other on Earth during a combat test trial as a demonstration of both fighters' capabilities. 
It is primarily used by commonwealth forces and squadrons, notably the 8th Fleet (also known as the Commonwealth Fleet due to the majority of its ships being built with the contribution of nations in the Commonwealth and crewed with people from the Commonwealth). The Federation as a whole operate only around 3 wings. 
== Description ==
The SF-44 Spacefire is a single-seat, canard delta-wing design and a single engine with 2D thrust vectoring. Its space maneuverability is augmented with several, micro maneuver thrusters placed around the craft's fuselage. Its armanent is comprised of a single, large internal weapons bay located under the fuselage primarily used to accomodate interceptor missiles but would later see ground attack weapons mounted and two AC-4 30mm autocannons, internally mounted on the sides of the fuselage near the wings and are designed to extend out in order to fire and retract afterwards. 
== Variants ==
* SF-44A - Original single-seater variant. Entered testing phase in 2275 and introduced formally in 2278, entering production in 2280. A total of 462 were built. All surviving craft would eventually be upgraded to the B standard.
* SF-44B - Improved variant as a result of the Corlen Alpha Plan, much like the SF-55D. Much of the technologies and features were taken directly from the SF-55D. These included; a more powerful engine developed from the PTF-15, designated the PTF-15SF, done in order to simplify logistics and parts across TACC (Tactical Aerospace Combat Command), improved avionics and control surfaces.
* SF-44C - Proposed two-seater strike variant. 
== Operators ==
=== United Earth Federation ===
* Federation Navy
** Commonwealth, 8th Fleet
*** 985th Fighter Squadron / VFI-985
*** 952nd Interceptor Squadron / VFI-952
* Tactical Aerospace Combat Command
** 705th Interceptor Squadron
** 847th Tactical Fighter Squadron
Category:Federation Spacecraft