Aukland-Levesque Longsword

The Aukland-Levesque Longsword (GA/TL-1) is a class of Human twin-engined, all-weather, atmospheric/exoatmopsheric starfighters. Envisioned as a high-speed, long-range interceptor for the UNSC Navy, the Longsword has since become a series of various aircraft in a number of unique roles and sizes for the air services of the United Nations Space Command.

Independent aeronautical engineers and  entered their design, then known only as the GA/TL-1, for the Navy's  replacement project in 2481. The Navy selected the newly christened Longsword five years later. It was heavily criticised for its massive 75 meter wingspan which dominated much of the hangar space aboard Fleet's ships with a size over twice that of the fighter it had replaced. Navy pilots and combat commanders, however, were thrilled with the capabilities Longsword offered with its twin fusion engines and modular weapons system, including the missile that would prove so effective against unshielded  warships in the coming Great War.

An estimated 1,308,000 airframes have been delivered to the UNSC since its introduction in 2489, the vast bulk of which were manufactured during the 27-year war with the Covenant. Orders continue for two of the class's most prolific designs, the F-709 interceptor and its smaller derivative, the F/A-712 strike fighter. Maintenance costs and requirements, however, have pressured the UNSC to drastically cut the numbers of its Longsword fleet in the post-war years. The combat-proven has emerged recently to replace the F-709 interceptor in many squadrons.

Variants

 * GA/TL-1X
 * F-708
 * F-708B
 * F-709
 * F-709G
 * F-709K
 * F-709N
 * F/A-712
 * F/A-712E
 * F/A-712F

Operators

 * New Colonial Alliance Army Air Service
 * 11th Attack Fighter Regiment (F/A-712F)
 * New Colonial Alliance Naval Air Service
 * 49 Squadron NAS (F-708A)
 * United Nations Space Command
 * United Nations Air Force
 * Aerospace Defense Command
 * 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing (F-709G)
 * 84th Fighter-Interceptor Wing (F-709K)
 * 325th Fighter-Interceptor Wing (F-709K)
 * Tactical Air Command
 * 37th Tactical Fighter Wing (F/A-712F)
 * 131st Tactical Fighter Wing (F/A-712F)
 * Colonial Marine Corps
 * VMFA-911 Devilcats (F/A-712E)
 * Colonial Navy
 * Fleet Air Forces
 * VF-24 Fighting Renegades (F-709N)
 * VF-24 Fighting Renegades (F-709N)