Variant: Kornath KF-5G II (introduced in December 21, 1997)

Weapons Load-out: Strategic Bombing

Introduction

The Kornath KF-5 is a Verdisian twin-engine, tandem seat, fighter-bomber designed and developed by Kornath for the Verdisian Air Force and Navy. It is one of the two surviving aircraft that was developed for the Weapons Excellency Program which saw a long service life (the other being the Kornath KF-3 that was retired in 2020), and is the only surviving aircraft currently in service.

Following the end of the Second World War and into the Cold War, with the introduction of long-range strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons, Veridisia sought to introduce bombers that can be used in aerial engagements with enemy fighters. By 1956, the Veridisian federal government began investing for such aircraft to be developed for the Air Force and Navy, and in 1961, the Weapons Excellency Program was initiated. The program was meant to procure heavily-loaded fighters that could be used in air superiority and bombing missions. However, the program sought numerous, obsolete fighters produced, and it was canceled in 1970 due to investments wasted on developing weak aircraft. Sixty-two were produced for the program alone, but four remained operational two decades after the program's cancellation. One of the aircraft developed was the KF-5, which first flew on July 28, 1964 and was introduced on March 18, 1968.

The KF-5 is primarily designed for use in strategic bombing and interceptor missions, but it is capable of performing anti-ship and electronic warfare and reconnaissance. Starting in 1990, newer variants implement the use of ground precision.

The Veridisian military originally planned to replace its KF-5 fleet with the more successful VerdAir Valkyrie, but due to its smaller size to bombers, they will remain in service until the mid-2030s.

Weapons:

 2x Arch System 360.30 autocannons
 2x Drop Tanks
 12x LW-GPB-75 bombs
 8x GPB-72-500 bombs
 4x BVR-ARH 85 missiles
 4x WVR-IR 86 missiles

AG Activation Guide:

 AG-1 = Weapons
 AG-2 = Drop Tanks
 AG-3 = Afterburners
 AG-4 = Arresting Hook
 AG-5 = Parachute
 AG-6 = Lights

Photos:

A KF-5 flying over the Adriatic Sea during Operation Javelin Strike in June 1999.

A KF-5 landing on the VAC Perseverance. (2009)

A KF-5 carrying two GPB-72 MGW guided bombs. (2022)

A barely visible KF-5 taking-off with its afterburners at night. (1998)

A KF-5 shoots down a Sukhoi Su-27 with its autocannon.

A KF-5 bombing a World War II-era destroyer with four GPB-72-500 bombs.

Anyways, enjoy ;)