The first F-40S, a rebuilt older F-40 using F-45 technologies, was test flown at Central AFB near Ailier City today on Cloneworld. This is part of a huge programme to update around 1000 older F-40s giving them another 20-25 years service use. The F-40S includes the avionics, radar and engines from the F-45 in a rebuilt strengthened fuselage which also has a number of changes to reduce RCS. The wing has also been replaced with a modified wing giving greater agility. A HCSAF General said the F-40S gave the HCSAF "75% of an F-45 for 50% of the price" though it would not" replace new build F-45 production". One omission from the prototype was vector thrust which the HCSAF would be added later during the flight test programme which is due to last until the end of 2108 with the first production F-40S builds taking place in 2109.
The HCSAF also revealed that they are working on a number of new projects, now possible due to the first sustained budget increases for over 12 years. The F-46 was notable from it's absence from the list which ties with speculation the HCSAF have abandoned this type finally. The types that were mentioned were the F-45C air superiority fighter version of the F-45, the AH-26X next generation battlefield helicopter and the C-441. This latter aircraft is a new version of the HCSAF's airlift backbone the C-440 with new engines and an improved fuselage.
