Rockwell F-20S Strike Wyvern

*Navy:100 Aircraft*
*Air Force: 100 Aircraft*
**Canada:100 Aircraft**

## Design and Development

At a glance, the Strike Wyvern appears almost identical to the base F-20 Wyvern. What the F-20S lacks in obvious outward differences, it makes up for with numerous internal modifications.

Development on the F-20S began with an overhaul of the air frame and changing manufacturing to metal 3D printers. The new airframe uses redesigned engines with heat-resistant magnesium alloys to enhance thrust and fuel efficiency, compensated by expanded air intakes. The exhaust nozzles were changed to a saw-tooth design to lower the plane's infrared signature and make it quieter. The shapes of the weapon bays were altered and conformal fuel tanks were added to the top of the aircraft.

The F-20S's control programs were updated to allow full use of all of the aircraft's moving parts: the new folding canards, the signature variable forward-swept wings, the V-shaped tail, and the 3D thrust vectoring. The ventral fins were deemed unnecessary and removed. The combination of all of these parts leads to incredible maneuverability.

Other minor improvements include an IRST sensor on top of the nose, an EOTS sensor below the nose, and simplified landing gear. The aforementioned control programs include both fly-by-wire and power-by-wire systems to ensure redundancy.

The F-20S features a single machine gun to the left of the cockpit and two standard missile launchers (AIM-9M Sidewinders) underneath the air intakes. Another weapon bay located between the two intakes supports numerous types of special weapons: upgraded "Dark Fire" medium-range air-to-air missiles, next-generation "Star Fire" anti-ship missiles (nicknamed "Flipper" due to their shape), and an experimental "Arclight" Electromagnetic Launcher. A weapons officer can be present in the new two-seat cockpit to operate these new weapons. The WSO also has access to built in ECM.

### Development

Testing Began at Groom Lake in September of 2024. The Aircrafts first flight was conducted on August 12th by Canadian pilot Mihaly A. Shilage the former flight lead of Sol Squadron. Shilage is widley believed to be one of the best pilots the PTO has ever produced. As part of development Shilage went up against PTO ace squadron leader Phoenix. While Phoenix's FA-27 proved able to out maneuver Shilage's F-20S. Shilage was able to out pace Phoenix, with Shilage drawing out the range to give his craft time to turn, and face Phoenix head on. This position made Phoenix vunerable to the F-20S's EML, thus ending the duel in Shilage's favor.

Development proceeded quickly and full production began in December of 2025. The aircraft was revealed to the public on June 12th during RIMPAC 2026, with Aircraft from Strider, and Bullet squadron duking it out with other PTO carrier based squadrons over Honolulu. The EML proved to be a game changer in these mock dogfights. The aces skills were put to the test with Trigger of Strider Squadron chasing Gargoyle 1 under the Admiral Clarey bridge, through small 100ft x 30ft gaps inbetween supports. The exercise also saw Trigger and Gargoyle 1 chase each other inbetween buildings in downtown Honolulu. The fighter was further publicized when it was featured prominently in the third top gun film.

## Operational History

### USA

Some of the first aircraft delivered were given to VFA-103 "Jolly Rogers" based off the carrier USS Shangri-La. Another early reviever of F-20S's is VFA-2 "Bounty Hunters" based off the USS Saratoga. The "Bounty Hunters" are an ace US Navy squadron considered to be one of the best sqaudrons outside of the PTO.

### Canada

Some of the first Canadian F-20S's were delivered to Sol Squadron.

## Potential and Future Operators

### Australia

The Australian Navy ordered 200 aircraft in June of 2028. As of 2031 all 200 aircraft have been delivered.

### South Korea

South Korea has shown interest in aquiring the F-20S.

### Taiwan

Taiwan has shown interest in aquiring the F-20S.

### Philippines

The Philippine Air Force ordered 100 Aircraft on June 14th 2029. As of 2031 all aircraft have been delivered

## Specifications

The F-20S's specifications are as follows:

### **General characteristics**

* **Length:** 21.84 m (71.65 ft)
* **Wingspan**
	+ **Outer wings deployed:** 18.3 m (60.04 ft)
	+ **Outer wings stowed:** 11.54 m (37.86 ft)
* **Height**
	+ **Outer wings deployed:** 4.36 m (14.30 ft)
	+ **Outer wings stowed:** 3.42 m (11.22 ft)
* **Weight:** 15,200 kg (33,500 pounds)
* **Engines:** 2× GIG/ERG-2000
* **Combat radius:** 1,280 km (800 miles)
* **Top speed:** >Mach 2.5 (3,063+ km/h; 1,903+ mph; 1,654+ kn)
* **Aerial refueling:** Option between the flying boom system or the probe-and-drogue system

### **Armament**

* **Guns:** 1 M61A2 Vulcan rotary cannon, 3600 rounds
* **Internal Weapons Bays:**
	+ **AGM-245 Star Fire anti-ship missiles**
	+ **AIM-223 Dark Fire medium-range air-to-air missiles**
	+ **M22 Arclight Electromagnetic Launcher**
	+ **AIM-9X Sidewinder**
	+ **AGM-114 Hellfire**
	+ **AIM-132 ASRAAM**
	+ **AIM-152 AAAM**
	+ **AIM-260 JATM**
	+ **MBDA Meteor**
	+ **AGM-158C LRASM**
	+ **AGM-88 HARM**
	+ **AGM-179 JAGM**
	+ **JDAM**
	+ **GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs**
	+ **AGM-154 JSOW**
	+ **GBU-53/B StormBreaker (Small Diameter Bomb II)(XSDP)**
	+ **B61 Mod 12 Nuclear Bomb**