A veteran of the Clone Wars, the first DDS/NS warplane to achieve series production, the F-10A Shark has finally left service. The last squadron of F-10ASE's used in the LEO interception role were withdrawn after a ceremony on Proxima 7 earlier today. A flypast of F-10ASE's and their successor the F-10S Shark 2100 was made as part of the ceremony.
However, delays in producing the last twenty F-10SNGs has meant that the NS Terrestrial Forces Air Division (NS-TFAD) is short of fighters at the moment. Extending the F-10ASE's into 2122 was looked at but fatigue life and maintenance requirements were becoming big issues. NS-TFAD says the replacement planes should arrive next year.
The new long term LEO interception platform, the F-12 Hammerhead is said to have been delayed beyond 2123.
