Project Truman

A joint project between the United Sentinel Space Command, United Sentinel Military, Project Truman saw the first development and deployment of the first space fighters and fusion drive by the United Sentinel Sates. The project was commissioned in 2010, the initial aim of the project to develop fusion drive by the end of the decade. The project saw slow process over the first two years, with little progress being made and started to fall behind. The head of the USSC Holly Jensen went before congress in an attempt to secure more funding for the project, stating the importance of developing the technology that it would have major economic and military benefits. She was successful, and congress agreed to increase funding. The project saw a massive increase in funding after joining with the military research division. Two engine types were developed over the following years. One engine built for small craft, the LFD-681, and one larger and a more powerful engine for larger craft the HFD-202. With this increase in budget an resources the project overtook its schedule, and it was decided that a fighter craft would be developed for the LFD-681, the fighter class would be named after Project Truman. Engine tests were limited due to the low supply of helium 3, fuelling the fusion drives was difficult, even with the limited nature of helium 3 tests continued. After the establishment of the Tycho Lunar Station, a helium 3 refinement plant came into operation, and tests increased with completion of the project soon following.

The F-57 Truman is a larger fighter then standard fighter air frames, coming in at 25 metres long, with a wing span of 19 metres. The fighter holds two LFD-681 engines as its main drive, and uses and number of rcs thrusters(reaction control system) for manoeuvring. The fusion drives are highly fuel efficient and the craft can operate for up to 48 hours before refuelling. The fighter features a set of vertical take off thrusters for ground based take off in low gravity environments. The cockpit of the fighter is sealed and pressurised, and have room for a number of features to make travelling long distances more comfortable, pilots are required to wear a Vacc suit at all times. The fighter is crewed by two pilots, one operating as the pilot the other as the gunner, the fight controls can be changed allowing the acting gunner to take control of the craft if need be.

At maximum burn the fighter can travel from earth to the moon in 8 hours, this includes the decelerating burn as the fighter nears its destination.

First F-57 concept

Armament

The F-57 is armed with a pair of RFMD micro rocket pods, these pods allow the fighter to fire a number of rockets in multiple directions for long and close range engagements. Two VC rapid fire Gatling guns, for close range engagements. and a pair of railguns, these weapons were not initially intended to be mounted on the craft. The addition of the railguns was the work of the United Osean Federations Osean Scientific Research Institute. The weapons were retro fitted into the fighters in a number of weeks. The fighter mounts several protective counter measures and integral ECM systems along side its main armament.

Example of the fighters manoeuvrability, similar to the colonial viper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI2jS0y_GcY