SWORD-BEARER was conceptualized as low-mid altitude Point-defense fighter. With this is mind SWORD-BEARER excels at fast manuever and tactical interception.

Controls:
AG1: Power to Cockpit Lighting
2: Stimulant, discussed in Counter-
measures
3&4: Progressive Flare and Chaff,
discussed in Counter-measures
5+VTOL: Canopy Control
6+TRIM: Airbrake Control Discussed in
Manueverability
7+VTOL: Refueling Probe

Maneuverability:
As discussed, this fighter is specialized in Point Defense. Due to fully articulated horizontal stabilizers and leading edge control surfaces, the aircraft is highly maneuverable. Trim and airbrakes are not recommended for manuver assistance as they are rear- dominant and off- balance the aircraft. The aircraft has best engine performance between 20-35 kft. However, SWORD BEARER can be expected to have good handling between <1-40 kft. It's ideal speed is between 757-1900 mph. At or above 2100 mph the aircraft experiences aggressive shaking while descending.

Weaponry:
SWORD BEARER has 6x under-wing, 2x wing-tip, 4x outer-intake, and 4x belly mounted Hardpoints.
These hard points are equipped with 14x INTERCEPTORs and 6x GUARDIANs.
The Aircraft also has a wing-mounted .50 cal machine-gun and a belly-mounted 50 mm auto-cannon with 350 rounds at 3000 RPM.
SWORD BEARER Should not be used for Air-to-Surface employment. If the aircraft is needed in this role it should be used with Air-to-Surface Cruise Missiles, Like CLEAVER, attached to the under-wing hardpoints. Cannon employment on surface targets is not recommended due to poor subsonic performance.

Counter-Meausers:
STIMULANT acts as a constant RF emitter which when employed will give an continuous LOCKED alarm to the adversary fighter. STIMULANT will hopefully make the adversary reactive and defensive.
PROGRESSIVE FLARES: The aircraft has 24 buckets of counter-measures separated into 3x groups of 8 buckets. Pressing the counter-measure button will utilize group 1 AG3 will utilize Group 2 and AG3 will utilize Group 3. This is to increase the longevity of the counter-measures.

Offensive Tactics Reccomendation:
INTERCEPTOR (INT) is the favored missile for SWORD BEARER. It should be employed between 1-2 and 5-12 mi separation from the target. Since the aircraft closure speed is rapid it is desired to employ an INT at first availability, and then over-shoot the target regaining speed and energy. Following the over-shoot, re-attack the target at 6-8 mi seperation. INT in a short range fight (1-2 mi) should be employed with a 15-35 degree nose-to-target lead to the Defender. This is to allow for the missile to have its proper kinematic capability against a target rapidly changing in azimuth. GUARDIAN should be used in forward and rear- hemisphere engagements to minimize the need for nose-to-target tracking matenance.

Defensive Tactics Reccomendation:
In full afterburner, SWORDBEARER can successfully outpace an INTERCEPTOR when fired beyond 5 mi. With this in mind, the best tactic against a missile already in the air is to simply turn away from the shooter and go into Afterburner. The best kinematic manuever against an offender before a shot is to pull back and to the left on the stick, Complete a full roll, and finish the roll in full after burner in a 20 degree dive perpendicular to the offender. From here the defender should attempt to gain more than 10 mi seperation from the offender to reset in his rear-henishpere.

Against Surface Threats:
It is best to establish line-of-sight with a Suface-fired missile. From here the Defender should wait until a 2-3 mi seperation between defender and the missile and then begin aggressive 3-dimensional manuever to defeat the missile at the "Last-Ditch". The 'Aggressive 3-dimensional manuever' is that described in defensive air-to-air reccomendations.