F-17 Deinonychus

# **Salvus McConnell F-17 Deinonychus**

## Overview

The Salvus McConnell F-17 Deinonychus is a 4th Generation fighter aircraft used by the United Republic of Alvatica (URA), entering service with the URAF in 2166. It includes several fifth-generation characteristics, with the obvious exclusion of a fully low-observable design. It features several advanced systems such as IRST, AESA Radar, and extreme situational awareness, which is even more prominent in two-seat models.

## History

In December of 2025, Salvus Enterprises was contracted by the United Republic Air Force (URAF) to design and produce the next Air Superiority Fighter, following the successes of the F-5 Gull and the F-10 Heron, both produced by Salvus. In June of 2026, they unveiled their design, designated as the F-17-1. The URAF declined their proposal, and in July focused their attention on the Airband YF-18A - a prototype air superiority fighter that seemed to outclass the F-17 in every way.

Salvus returned back to their fighter, and came up with the radical F-17-2 proposal. This new variant sported the first ever use of delta wings, and a more powerful engine. They submitted their design back to the USAAC to try and win their contract back, but they were denied again.

The F-17 designation was left unused for over a century, but still reserved by Salvus Enterprises (now Salvus McConnell). Between 2150 and 2154, Theodore Salvus completed what he called the "Deinonychus V" concept, and submitted it to Salvus McConnell, the company he would soon be a part of. He created this design as a response to the Air Force and Navy's research programs to produce a cheaper but effective fourth-generation fighter to compliment the more expensive fifth-gen platforms in service, and a replacement for the soon-aging F-60D/E Riptide II, the Navy's current 4+ gen fighter.

## Variants

### **YF-17A**

First manufactured models of the F-17A. Built between 2155-2157.

### **YF-17C**

Two prototypes of the F-17C, based off of the YF-17A.

### **F-17A**

Single-seat, all-weather tactical multi-role fighter for the USAF, and mass-production variant of the YF-17A.

### **KF-17E**

Specialized light tanker variant of the F-17, most closely resembling the F-17D. Introduced in Block 3.

### **F-17F**

Single seat, high-speed interceptor variant of the F-17. Introduced in Block 3.

### **EF-17G Storm Runner**

Specialized electronic attack and SEAD variant of the F-17. Most closely resembled the F-17D. Introduced in Block 3

### **F/A-17H Super Deinonychus**

Advanced, stealthier version of the F-17A.

### **F/A-17I Super Deinonychus**

Two seat version of the F/A-17H, with a few more sophisticated systems.

### **F-17X Antirrhopus**

Classified and experimental variant. Used as a testbed for the technologies incorporated in the F-80 program. Introduced during "Block 6".

*See also:* Salvus Enterprises ZF-17 *and* Salvus Deinonychus Concept

## Development

The F-17 Deinonychus technically evolved from the F-17-1 and -2 concepts. After those two submitted designs, Salvus Enterprises (later Salvus McConnell) continuously developed concepts for the most effective air superiority fighters of their time, respectively. Each of these coincide with every new "generation" of fighter aircraft, with the Deinonychus I being the concept proposed during the middle of 1st gen development, the Deinonychus II during the 2nd gen, etc.

   These concepts were originally planned to end after the Deinonychus IV, until Theodore Salvus created the Deinonychus V during the height of the 5th gen reign...only it wasn't a 5th gen fighter. This "F-17-3" concept could be easily modified for different uses by different branches of the URA military. This fighter would compliment the advanced capabilities of the upcoming F-74 and F-75 programs.

This all started with the YF-17A, which showcased the fighter's ability to incredibly effectively perform its role. This was modified into a two-seat model which included several more sophisticated systems (YF-17B), as well as naval equivalents with a strengthened airframe and landing gear, larger wings for low-speed carrier takeoffs and landings, and the addition of a tail hook (YF-17C/D).

All of these variants went into production as the F-17A/B for the United Republic Air Force, and the F-17C/D for the Navy, all as block 10 aircraft. Two years after first entering service, all previous aircraft received a Block 20 upgrade. Block 20 introduced several fixes to the existing airframes.

Most Block 2 F-17s later got upgraded to Block 30, which dramatically increased the amount of flight hours any F-17 airframe could fly. During the Block 30 process, three more variants were introduced.

The KF-17E was a specialized light tanker variant- shedding all combat capabilities in order to carry as much fuel as possible. The airframe was also modified to include more internal fuel tanks for a greater range. This was done by using space that would previously be used for the internal weapons bay and combat electronics. Its airframe most resembled the two-seat naval F-17D.

The F-17F was a high-speed interceptor variant. This fighter had the capability to carry new hypersonic missiles, with larger ones in its center pylon, and smaller ones on its wing pylons. It replaced the current engines with a newer version of the F151 engine, which had no thrust vectoring capability. The F-17F was later used as the basis for an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), known as the Q-32 Claw.

The EF-17G, commonly called a Storm Runner, was a specialized electronic warfare platform. This aircraft featured both electronic attack and SEAD capabilities (similar to the E/A-18G and Wild Weasel platforms in real life). This variant, like the KF-17, looked most visually similar to the F-17D, having two seats, larger wings, and a strengthened airframe and landing gear.

As sixth-generation fighters began reaching service, there was now an even larger capability gap between the new F-78 Dragonfly and the F-17. The F-78 was meant to phase out the F-74 Wyvern, and later the F-75 Thunderbolt II. Salvus McConnell proposed a newer, stealthier "variant" of the F-17: the Super Deinonychus. These two new variants (a single-seat and a double-seat) were really fifth gen fighters, only slightly resembling the previous Deinonychus versions. These versions, the F-17H and F-17I were meant to fill that gap and compliment the F-17A/B/C/D, as well as the F-78.

The F-17X was an experimental variant, that hardly resembled the original F-17s. It was used as a testbed for several technologies included in the 80 Flights program, including capability to operate with AI wingmen, ceramic RAM, and Conculos engines. Salvus McConnell designated it as an F-17 to continue to get funding for the program.

## Specifications

*For more details, see the full F-17 specification document:*

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JCA5P6vzTwz90pW5HCmXKsfns8OgsL-cqojP5YFKwVM/edit?usp=sharing

### **F-17A/B (Block 1)**

 **Crew** | 1 Pilot (A/B), 1 Radar Intercept Officer (B)

 **Wingspan** | CLASSIFIED