VTOL for flaps. Trim + UP to open weapons bay. (1-3) to manually discharge ordnance. (5) for afterburner. Flight controls are normal. Note: first plane I made on iOS only. Thank the devs for 1.7.

The Bandit F-45 Barracuda is a Paternian 5.5-6th generation multirole jet fighter designed to replace the F-35. While the F-35 is an excellent type, it was growing old by 2040, and a replacement was sought.

The F-45 Barracuda, while a unique type from the F-35 it replaces, is a smaller, lighter, but more powerful with provision for fully autonomous operation. This was due to the AN/AYK-192 Data Processor, a successor to the AN/AYK-190 Data Processor featured on later variants of the F-35.

While the AN/AYK-190 was incredibly advanced and significantly enhanced the decision-making and multi-tasking capabilities of the pilot, the AN/AYK-192 was almost like a second pilot in the aircraft. This is possible due to the design; the AN/AYK-190 was an add-on to the F-35 Lightning II, F-6 Renegade, and the F-7 Viper, while the AN/AYK-192 was designed specifically around the aircraft.

The type would see much use well into the 22nd century with numerous operators.

General Stats:
Manufacturer: Bandit Aerospace
Crew: 1
Designed: 2035-2050
Date Manufactured: 2050-2130
Date in Service: 2050-2190
Number Manufactured: 28,000
Operators: Numerous

Performance:
Top speed: 1350mph @15,000ft
Cruising speed: 850mph @1500ft
Service ceiling: 60,000ft
Capable of full range of aerobatic maneuvers
Powerplant: 1x Pratt and Whitney F130 afterburning mid-bypass turbofan, 67,440 lb/f thrust (dry)

Armament:
Guns: Up to two 25mm M280 chain guns, 1500rpm
180 rounds w/ dual mount, 680 rounds w/ single gun
Hardpoints:
Six internal (four missile-only), two optional external hardpoints for drop tanks.
Approved ordnance:
Air-Air: AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-132 ASRAAM, MBDA Meteor
Air-Ground Missile: AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-169 JCM, MBDA Brimstone
Air-Ground Bomb (2x): Mk 82/3/4 (JDAM-capable), Paveway series, CBU-100 Rockeye (WCMD-capable), AGM-158 Joint Stand-off Munition, AGM-290B HSLAM II, Small Diameter Bomb dispenser (4x GBU-39 per dispenser), B61 series variable-yield nuclear bomb, B92 series variable-yield antimatter bomb.

Avionics:
Dragon Systems AN/ASS-180 Search Radar
Tesla AN/ASG-215 Targeting Radar
Tesla AN/AYK-192 Data Processor
Dragon Systems AN/AAQ-52 Missile Warning System
Tesla AN/ASQ-282 Electronic Warfare System (requires removal of gun module)
PDI AN/ASQ-305 CNI system