The LLFX F-47 has made its first flight at Central AFB on Cloneworld. The ultra-cheap low-technology warplane took off successfully and landed an hour later at the CAC factory in Micom. The subsonic F-47 is designed to replace 1000 ageing F-40s in secondary worlds where basic policing and air sovereignty is all that is needed.
The HCSAF have said that the F-47 could enter service in 2112. The F-47 is a key part of HCS plans to recapitalise its fighter fleet by the early 2120s. Currently the HCSAF has 3300 fighters (900 F-45As and 2400 F-40s) though the plan is for these numbers to be cut to 3200 in 10 years with a mix of 1800 F-45A/Cs, 1000 F-47s and 400 upgraded F-40s. However this number of fighters will only be affordable with the F-47s which will be around 60% cheaper to operate than the F-40s they are replacing and of course much cheaper than the F-45C.
