ATAF-E42

Note - LAF stands for Lathistian Air Force
The ATAF-E42 is a twin-engine, single-seat multi-role fighter, developed by Kenzar Aircraft Manufacturing for the Lathistian Air Force, and Lathistian Navy. It is capable of a wide variety of tasks, such as bomber intercepting, CAS, air superiority fighting, and much more. It is also capable of super-cruise.

Design
The design was commissioned in 1987 by the Lathistian Navy, after their LANA fighters where starting to get obsolete, compared to the new, high-tech fighters of the LAF. It was required to be a 4th gen fighter, capable of mach 1.5, and carrier-capable. The early test flight provided promising results, and from further development, the result was a 4th gen fighter, based of the ATAF-E4, capable of mach 2.8. It has 2 20 mm cannons mounted on the fuselage, and 6 internal air-to-air missiles, which can extend out during combat, or be swapped for 2 air-to-air, and 4 air-to-ground for strike missions. On its wings, it has 6 external pylons, usually fitted with 2 25 mm rotary gun-pods, or 2 drop-tanks. The navy has also made plans for a single-engine VTOL fighter, but it is most likely the ATAF-E42 will remain as a primary fighter for decades to come.

Introduction
On the 4th May 2022, at the Lathistian Air Show, the aircraft was unveiled to the public for the first time. One of these fighters was escorted to the show by 2 F-E3's, and made its entrance at the beginning. The LAF paid close attention to this project, from the day it was designed. After seeing how it performed, the LAF placed an order for 3,500 of these units. The first aircraft arrived for both navy and air force on the 1st February 1990, and immediately saw extended use on training exercises. In 2019, with the introduction of several newer variants of old fighters, the flaws of the ATAF-E42 started to show. Low maneuverability, among other things, was a primary flaw. But all the operators did not want to let such a fast aircraft go. It was later modernized with better radar, and put into the interceptor role.

Lathistia

 * LAF
 * Lathistian Navy

Liteir

 * Liteirian Navy
 * Liteirian Air Guard