History:

During Exercise Cyan Flag a Dark Arrow maritime attack aircraft of the Saltwater Air Force crashed whilst flying over the live fire ranges. After a multinational effort to recover the aircraft investigation revealed severe metal fatigue in over half the fleet of "Arrows". After months of work one hundred aircraft were eventually returned to service, but they were be becoming increasingly expensive to maintain and were fighting a losing battle against obsolescence. A replacement was needed.

The first prototype on board the SWS Indefatigable after making its first carrier landing. The aircraft was later painted in a silver liverly.
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Charged with producing a replacement aircraft, SMC Aerospace turned to their counterparts in the Kingdom of Saint Seigfried. They were granted access to the blueprints for the CFA-44 Nosferatu, a heavy fighter operated by the SAC.
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After 18 months of development a new, upgraded version of the Nosferatu made its first flight from NovrdLisch Aerodrome. The aircraft had its guns and laser systems removed and replaced with two Mark 3 Attack Cannons, as seen on the HSV-25S Javelin infantry support vehicle. These weapons provide devastating firepower at close range.

The first CFA-14 prototype on board the SWS Indefatigable during carrier qualification trials.
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The newly named Black Prince also had its cockpit lengthened from the third prototype onwards in order to fit more advanced targeting systems and an AI-assisted flight control system. Externally several weapons hardpoints were removed and another hardpoint added on the centre line. The CFA-14 was given the capability to fire Perseus anti-ship cruise missiles as well as SPEAR 3 miniature cruise missiles and ARHM-12 Finback anti-radiation missiles. For its secondary fleet defence role the CFA-14 can carry four AIM-140X BVR air-to-air missiles.

A close up shot of the Mark 3 semi-nuclear cannons of the second prototype, with a Perseus missile behind.
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The landing gear was modified for carrier operations and an extra braking chute fitted for improved braking during final approach. A new search radar was fitted in the nose to improve the aircraft's ability to detect its target.
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During trials the aircraft was found to have excellent high-speed low-level performance and long range, but proved marginally less manoeuvrable than the Dark Arrow. Nonetheless the Black Prince is a highly capable dogfighter. The aircraft has poor low speed flying characteristics and has a high landing speed, but the test pilots reported that this has no impact on carrier compatibility.

The third prototype prepares to land on board the SWS Indefatigable.
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The avionics systems are a massive improvement over the systems fitted to the Dark Arrow and the AI system reduces the work load for the pilot during the final attack stages. The CFA-14 is much more versatile than the Dark Arrow, capable of deploying a wide range of munitions and other external stores. Maintenance is also much simpler, with the engines easily accessible to ground crews. The Mark 3 cannons are safer to operate and maintain than the Mark 2 system fitted on the Dark Arrows.
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160 aircraft have been ordered by the SWAF and to replace a fleet of 60 rebuilt and upgraded Dark Arrow FGR3s. The CFA-14 Black Prince is available for export to close allies to the SCN and costs $33.5 million per unit.

Instructions:

AG1 activates thrust vectoring.
AG2 activates gyro stabilisation for attack runs.
AG3 deploys the drogue chute for use on final approach.
AG4 deploys the landing chute for use upon landing.
AG5 lowers the arrestor hook.
40% thrust for a catapult assisted take-off.
Credit to FranzPeterSiegfried for the original aircraft.