Talk:AFOH/@comment-14850713-20160107095143/@comment-14850713-20160116172050

IC:

The High Command has reversed its earlier decision to shelve the Excalibur aerospace fighter after the introduction of upgrades that boosted performance. With a more streamlined fuselage, larger fusion engine intakes to improve speed and handling in atmospheric flight and plethora of new systems and capabilities, the upgraded Excalibur XF-75 has entered service (the change in designation to XF denotes its pure fighter mission).

The drastic improvement is primarily due to the addition of the Shadow DF-11 drone fighter, which is slung under the Excalibur's belly and released. With a basic AI developed during the Future Air Combat System (FACS) program (which yielded the Diable multi-role fighter) and advanced sensors, the Shadow exponentially increases the fighter's ability to detect and engage multiple targets. Powered by a single fusion engine, it can as fly as fast due to its smaller size and lighter weight brought about by the deletion of the hyperdrive and life-support systems. It is actually stealthier than the Excalibur and faster and more maneuverable in atmospheric flight. It is equipped with the same radar and detection systems and is armed with twin laser cannons. It acts as an escort for atmospheric missions or as an agile "wingman" for aerospace combat.

Although cheaper than the Dark Wolf fighter, the Excalibur weapons system still turned out to be more expensive than originally envisioned, so production numbers have been limited to 270 Excaliburs (the 12 original XAs being converted to XFs) and 540 Shadows operated solely by the highly secretive 11th Aerospace Fighter Group. 11ASFG has 2 fighter wings and a training & reserve wing. The 2 frontline formations are the 31st ("Guynemer's Ghosts") and 32nd ("Fonck's Phantoms") Aerospace Fighter Squadrons, both named after the top French WWI aces.

OOC: So as not to make AFOH a pseudo Resistance navy, these will only be used in battles with the Sith.