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F6A7 Bellerophon IIM

The F6A7 Bellerophon IIM (two, modernized) is a single-seat, single-engine naval light fighter in service with the Khertland Navy. The F6A7 is a heavily modernized version of the F6A4 Bellerophon II and evolution from an earlier modernization attempt, the F6A6 variant.
The F6A2 to F6A4 were Khertland's principal carrier fighter throughout the military dictatorship. Considered as Khertland's first successful military jet and fighter, it was widely used by both the navy and later the air force. Although the air force would replace it with the faster, larger, and heavier F11A1 Tachyon, the Bellerophon's superior sustained turn rate and upgradability allowed it to outlast even its successors. While the Tachyon was supposed to replace the F6A2 and A3s for the airforce, the navy kept operating the Bellerophon II due to its smaller size, a desirable trait onboard aircraft carriers. The continued use by the navy allowed further development in the form of a re-engined and faster F6A4 variant and was considered at least as competitive if not superior to the F11 Tachyon. Towards the trail end of military rule, the A5 was developed in an attempt to squeeze out even more speed with a new engine but the aging air frame was at its limit. This history is why the aircraft doesn't follow the more modern 'S' designation system on newer fighter jets.

The Bellerophon IIM series is more of a derivative of the original Bellerophon II than a simple upgrade. Almost a completely new design; the airfoil geometry was changed, the nose cone shape was modified, a completely new engine, completely new dual-core computers, and digital flight control system. This became the F6A6 variant but introduced instability so poor even the fly-by-wire system couldn't quite cope. Two small vertical stabilizers was added on to the elevator tips for improved yaw authority which resolved the issue. Decoy countermeasures were also added, which was lacking on the F6A4 model.

Although the S16 Kavus was originally planned to be used by both the army and navy, the navy remained concerned about size. The F6 was modernized to maintain an alternative for their future carriers, especially because the service has had significant experience operating the Bellerophon II. Complete fresh builds, the Bellerophon IIM's greatest appeal was its cost; half that of the S16 Kavus. Although it carries one less missile than the Kavus under standard combat load, it has twice the endurance and its missiles are designed to be decoy resistant. It is a dual semi-active homing and active radar guided missile with two-way data link. This combination of guidance provides good decoy resistance by utilizing sensor fusion of both aircraft's sensors and the missile's radar; it can distinguish even advanced active illuminated chaff. Furthermore, due to the different sensor bearings of the aircraft and missiles, the missile can maintain track even when the target attempts to notch the missile. The main weakness of the system is its reduced accuracy, especially from jamming. The radar is also smaller than traditional radar-guided missiles so its abilities are degraded when communications are severed.
The F6A7 Bellerophon IIM compared to its A6 prototype, adds wingtip sensor pods for 360 degree targeting and tracking, giving it high-offbore capabilities., albeit at the cost of extra drag

Other improvements the navy incorporated were longer landing gears to better cope with carrier landings, or in unprepared airstrips. The long endurance of the Bellerophon is accomplished by use of conformal tanks combined with drop tanks. The fighter was also designed to allow for probe-and-drogue and boom refueling for compatibility with both friendly and allied tankers. It's a feature not even the S16 Kavus have despite originally planned to include it. The F6A7 while highly regarded by pilots as very easy to fly it's also almost 40% slower (mach 1.08) than the Kavus and generally considered less capable in a dogfight.

Basic specifications:
Cost: 15,087
Blocks: 258
Weight: 7,251
Volume: 244 cubic meter
Length: 20m
Width: 19m
Height: 7m
Speed: 108 m/s

Ratings:
Total firepower: 4.33
Missile: 4.33
Armor: 0.4% (65 materials)