SF-55 Starfighter

The SF-55 Starfighter is a Forward Variable-Swept Wing Space Fighter capable of VTOL developed by the United Earth Federation as their standard space superiority fighter. It is the first craft in the unofficial Star Series of combat craft.
Originally envisioned as an upgrade for the existing USAF F-55A Vulture before the formation of the United Earth Federation. After its formation, the fighter was proposed and adapted after a redesign incorporating further upgrades, eventually becoming the SF-55. 
It was succeeded by the SF-62 and before that, its modernized variants, the F-58 and F-59.
==History==
SF-55A Starfighter. Developed from the USAF F-55A Vulture during the late 21st Century (Year 2090). Entering active service in 2099
Originally developed as a upgrade for the F-55A Vulture, which would turn the F-55A into a Stratofighter and was to be given the designation SF-56A. It was then chosen as the standard fighter craft for the United Earth Federation after its formation and its subsequent redesign into a multi-role space fighter.
The fighter would participate in its first war, the 1st Space War in 2206. And would continue to participate in combat during the 1st and 2nd Interstellar Wars and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sentinel Wars. It would continue to see action all the way to the 29th century as an upgraded model (SF-58 and SF-59), however by the 26th century it was replaced in frontline service in the UEF by the SF-62 Raven.
== Variants ==
* SF-55A1 - Original one-seater variant. Originally a direct upgrade and successor to the USAF's F-55, it was chosen to be adopted as the newly formed Federation's primary fighter.
** SF-55A2 - Two-seater variant of the original A1. Meant to increase efficiency in ground support missions and long range operations.
*SF-55B1 - Upgraded variant with improved avionics and control surfaces for space combat. Original Vironic PTF-14 engines replaced with the more reliable and powerful Vironic PTF-142 engines. The frame of the aircraft was also further strengthened to withstand the heat and air resistance during atmospheric re-entry. 
**SF-55B2 - Two-seater variant. 
**SF-55B3 - V/STOL variant that replaced the PTF-142 engines with the V/STOL capable PTF-142VT variant. Two-seater only. 
*SF-55C - Proposed single engine variant with the V/STOL capable PTF-142VT engine. Cancelled in favour of the SF-55B3.
*SF-55D1 - An upgrade started as a result of the Corlen Alpha Plan and the CVX-A-1 program. This variant is effectively an hybrid of the B1, B2 and B3 models. Specifically designed for carrier operations, it featured the improved PTF-15 V/STOL engines, the two-seater configuration from the B2 and further improved the avionics and control surfaces from the B1. Further avionics were also added for the carrier operations it was expected to conduct. This variant would later be successful enough that all previous models were converted to this new variant. Despite having two seats, this variant can actually be flown in combat perfectly fine without a co-pilot/WSO. The second seat is primarily only used for ground strikes, long range operations or command and control operations.
**SF-55D2 - Single seater variant primarily converted from previous models but eventually got its own production line. Introduced shortly after the D1 entered service and would eventually dwarf it in numbers.
*SF-55O - A special variant that was created jointly between the Icarusian Empire (later Kingdom of Icarus) and Federation in an attempt to supply the Icarusian forces during the Sentinel Wars. Fitted with Icarusian avionics. The AC-5 30mm autocannons are replaced by Icarusian manufactured CA-F6 28mm autocannons. The engines however, remains the same in order to ease logistics with Federation support. This variant saw limited use with around 300+ supplied to Icarusian forces, of which only 2/3rd of that number saw action.
*SF-58 - 
*SF-59 - 
Category:Federation Spacecraft