P-23 Virus

The P-23 Virus is a 2010 fifth-generation fighter designed and produced by UnitedTerra. One of the most advanced aircraft in the inventory of the UnitedTerran Air Force, it represents the pinnacle of modern aviation by incorporating the latest aerospace and stealth technologies. Overall an excellent fighter, the P-23's demanding controls mean only top pilots can use the Virus to its full potential.

Development
In late 2007, the UnitedTerra Navy issued a request for the development of a new carrier-capable fifth-generation fighter, due to rising tensions across Antarctica. Blueprints of the new jet, named the "XP-23A", were completed by February 2008, and its maiden flight took place in 2009 following a delay due to undisclosed engine problems. The UnitedTerran Air Force became interested in this aircraft once its capabilities were shown during a simulated combat trial. The first squadron of P-23As were put into service in early 2010, matching other air superiority aircraft with ease.

In 2011, Ed Island showed interest in the advanced design, and purchased two fighters to perform in performance trials. The aircraft outperformed every other design in the Ed Islandian inventory. In the end, Ed Island purchased manufacturing rights to the UnitedTerran P-23A, designating it the F-23A. Ed Island would further develop the fighter, removing its carrier capabilities but developing a two-seater F-23B trainer variant. The F-23 would later see service in the Ed-Snowinn War and Frosian War, where a small number in the latter were converted to an experimental UCAV configuration.

While the P-23 was a pioneer in advanced stealth and long-range air-to-air missile technology, its advantages were trimmed when other countries began to employ their own stealth fighters and radar jamming techniques. The aircraft's variable forward-swept wings were useful in close-range dogfights but susceptible to metal fatigue, creating cracks and folds and eventually mechanical failure. Due to UnitedTerra's reduced industrial capability, it could not practically improve the P-23. Instead, the country partnered with Wernher and Noah Enterprises to solve these issues.

Development on the P-23S Strike Virus began with an overhaul of the airframe and changing manufacturing to metal 3D printers. The new airframe uses redesigned engines with heat-resistant magnesium alloys to enhance thrust and fuel efficiency, compensated by expanded air intakes. The exhaust nozzles were changed to sawtooth low-observable asymmetric designs to lower the plane's infrared signature and reduce sound. The shapes of the weapon bays were altered and conformal fuel tanks were added to the top of the aircraft.

Other minor improvements include an IRST sensor on top of the nose, an EOTS sensor below the nose, and simplified landing gear. The P-23S' control systems were updated to allow full use of all of the aircraft's moving parts, and included both fly-by-wire and power-by-wire systems for redundancy. A two-seat cockpit was designed where a weapons officer may be present to operate the P-23S' advanced weaponry.

Design
The P-23A Virus is a fifth-generation fighter/interceptor with a striking, unique appearance. The aircraft incorporates an uncommon design with variable geometry technology with a forward-swept wing configuration. As the aircraft gains speed, the wings and vertical stabilizers fold inward to reduce air drag, and retract to their neutral position once it slows down. This unconventional design grants it an extreme degree of mobility, and the folded wings add a degree of stealth; however, this comes at a cost to the aircraft's armor, which is scaled back to provide such mobility.

The P-23A incorporates a weapons bay between the intakes on the underside of the aircraft. This weapons bay is capable of carrying all kinds of special weapons, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and various other mounts. The P-23A is powered by two three-dimensional thrust vectoring ERG-1000 engines, which provide the aircraft with the ability of Mach 2.5 flight, making it one of the fastest jet aircraft in Antarctica.

Specifications

 * Crew: 1-2
 * Length: 21.84m (71.65ft)
 * Wingspan: 18.30m (60.04ft) / 11.54m (37.86ft) when wings are folded
 * Height 4.36m (14.30ft) / 3.42m (11.22ft) when wings are folded
 * Empty weight: 16,800kg (16.8 metric tons)
 * Loaded weight: 25,000kg (25 metric tons)
 * Maximum Take-Off Weight: 35000kg (35 metric tons)
 * Powerplant (x2): ERG-1000 engines
 * Dry thrust: 116 kN each
 * Thrust with afterburner: 155+ kN each
 * Maximum speed: Mach 2.5
 * Service Ceiling: 108km (67 miles, 354,330 ft)
 * Combat Radius: 1,050km (652 miles)

Weapons

 * 1x 30mm 7 barrel rotary snowball cannon
 * 6x Target Air-to-Air Missile
 * 4x Long-range Air-to-Surface Missile
 * 10x Guided Penetration Bomb

Variants

 * P-23A: Standard variant
 * P-23S: Advanced strike variant, nicknamed Strike Virus.
 * F-23A: Ed Islandian-produced variant, with domestically produced avionics.
 * F-23B: Two-seater training variant with minimal ground-attack capabilities
 * F-23S: Ed Islandian-produced P-23S.

Trivia

 * Due to its shape and wing style, the P-23 is one of the most maneuverable aircraft available in Antarctica while operating at subsonic speeds.
 * The Ed Island-produced variant of the P-23 was previously designated F-23 and F/A-23 before entering service as the F-23A.