Talk:AFOH/@comment-14850713-20170129031818

IC:

Due to recurring and unresolved performance issues, the High Command has decided to terminate the Gladius program, capping production to the initial batch of 60, which will either be scrapped or converted to fulfill other functions. The Gladius has failed to live up to expectations that it can match the Cobra strike fighter, which has long been the Fleet's main anti-heavy aerospace ship weapon. Speed has remained inadequate, and it's maneuverability presents no significant improvement to the craft it was intended to replace. The new Dominator battle-carriers will instead embark a mixed complement of 30 Cobras and 30 Durandal escorts for its "heavy attack" configuration, and up to 120 of a new aerospace strike fighter now under development for the "light attack/air superiority" mission.

The new program intends to field a lighter strike fighter that can be embarked on the '"Devastation'' battle-carriers and lighter escorts, giving these the capability to conduct missions against heavy aerospace ships. This means capacity for the massive Mk 1 guided mine. Dubbed Project Curtana, the new fighter will replace up to half of the Vautour air superiority fighter fleet with a similarly agile hypersonic fighter which can also fulfill atmospheric missions. Resembling a super-sized, delta-winged Aethon, it will be armed with 6 Mk 1s in a cavernous bomb bay, and 4 Hyperion and 6 Harpoon (or 8 Helios) missiles in wing-mounted conformal weapons pods. The Mk 1s can also be swapped with 2 Hades missiles, making Curtana the first craft with the ability to launch the entire AFOH air-launched arsenal.

To keep cost down, it will use an updated version of the Vautour's MD2G conventional engine (using synthetic fuel). The smaller powerplant provides more fuel capacity, allowing it to match the Vautour's unrefueled range even at full weapons load. To further extend range, a Fuel Augmentation Module (FAM) can be placed in the bomb bay, allowing a Curtana (designated as a "buddy tanker") to refuel up to 3 other fighters simultaneously. While not as fast as the Vautour, it is designed to be as agile. Two rapid-fire 105 mm rail guns in stealth mounts (similar to Aethon) complete the armament package and address the weakness of the Vautour's 60 mm cannons against heavily-armored Protoss craft as demonstrated during the Battle of Southern Africa.

The light strike wings will now be composed of a 50-50 mix of Curtanas and Vautours. The latter's remaining units will continue to fulfill the dedicated air-superiority mission, and will undergo engine and weapons upgrades for improved commonality with the former (it's 60 mm guns, for example, will be replaced by 105s).