View source for F8A Lightning

{{for|the civilian variant|F8C Lightning}}
{{Vehicle
| uuid = 1e837261-78d9-4d5b-b17c-90d312d6a3dd
| name                            = F8A Lightning
| image                           = Sq42 SneakPeekF8.png
| manufacturer                    = ANVL
| series                          = F8 Lightning
| size                            = small
| role                            = Heavy fighter
| productionstate = Active for Squadron 42
| maxcrew                         = 1
| length                          = 26
| height                          = 8
| width = 24
| pledgeavailability              = Not available for sale
| releasedate                     = 2933
| galactapediaurl                 = https://robertsspaceindustries.com/galactapedia/article/bZwQ7r6nkE-f8a-lightning
}}

The [[Anvil Aerospace|Anvil]] '''F8A Lightning''' is a heavy fighter employed by the  [[UEE Navy]] to support space superiority. It was specifically designed to counter heavy [[Vanduul]] craft, such as the [[Glaive]] and [[Scythe]].  It is a more nimble and heavily armed fighter craft than its [[Hornet (series)|F7]] predecessor, trading off a second turret for more fixed weaponry. Use of the F8A Lightning is generally restricted to elite UEEN squadrons, though the [[F8C Lightning]] civilian variant is beginning to see greater adoption. 

== Features ==
{{List item
|Folding wings
|The folding wings enable it to fit in hangars built for fighters a class below.<ref name="jp1102">{{Cite Jump Point|title=Manufacturer Feature: Anvil Aerospace|volume=11|month=2|startpage=19|endpage=30|accessdate=2023-06-20}}</ref>
}}

== Specifications ==
{{Vehicle hardpoints}}

== Model ==
===Series variants===
{{Vehicle variants}}

* '''Unnamed trainer variant''': A military trainer variant with two seats in the cockpit.<ref name="iae2950">[https://youtu.be/PfB228kYlhI Star Citizen: IAE 2950 - Anvil Aerospace]</ref>

=== Special editions ===
* '''F8C Lightning Executive Edition''': The F8C Lightning Executive Edition is an exclusive edition F8C Lightning with a black and gold livery and a premium cockpit detailed with gold. It is only available to [[concierge]] members who hold the rank of [[Praetorian]] (US$15,000 pledged). Previously, it was only available to [[Legatus (rank)|Legatus]] (US$25,000 pledged) concierge members until the introduction of the Praetorian rank and the 600i Executive Edition.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://support.robertsspaceindustries.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002542733-Concierge-Levels-and-Rewards|text=Knowledge Base: Concierge Levels and Rewards}}</ref>

==Lore==
The F8A won the UEE Navy's [[Next Generation Star Fighter]] bid, surpassing [[Aegis Dynamics|Aegis']] [[Dogfighter 3000]] in the 2nd place and [[RSI]] [[Black Widow]] in the 3rd place, becoming the latest heavy fighter utilized by the navy.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=comm-link/transmission/12975-The-Aurora-Revealed|text=Jump Point Issue 5}}</ref> As of 2953, the F8 Lightning is currently in service on all RSI [[Bengal]] supercarriers.<ref name="jp1102"/>

=== Invictus Launch Week ===
[[File:Invictus-2950-naval-fleet-f8-01.jpg|thumb|[[999th Squadron]] special edition]]
During the 2950 [[Invictus Launch Week]], a special edition of the ship was seen accompanying the [[UEE Navy]] fleet around the [[Stanton system]]. It was flown by the [[999th Squadron]] and featured a red color and navy/squadron logos. Several Lightnings, together with [[F7A Hornet Mk II]]s accompanied a [[Javelin]], and two [[Idris-M]]'s.<ref>[[Star Citizen Alpha 3.9.1|Alpha 3.9.1]] in-game survey during [[Invictus Launch Week]]</ref>


== Development ==
The F8 Lightning was designed by [[Chris Smith]] (Lead Vehicle Artist)<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JWnN8cpX6k Reverse the Verse 2.16] {{trx|url=reverse-the-verse-2-16-austin}}</ref> and [[Gavin Rothery]] (Freelance Conceptist).<ref>[http://www.gavinrothery.com/820-park/ Gavin Rothery: Star Citizen Hardware and Ship Design]</ref>

== Gallery ==
{{for|a full gallery|:Category:F8A Lightning images}}
<tabber>
 RSI images=
{{gallery
|Sq42 SneakPeekF8.png
|F8.png
|F8_2.png
|F8 cockpit concept.jpg
|F8 Greybox 01.jpg
|F8 Greybox 02.jpg
}}
|-|
 999th Squadron=
{{gallery
|FN80.jpg
|Invictus-2950-naval-fleet-f8-01.jpg
|Invictus-2950-naval-fleet-F8A-landed.jpg
|Invictus-2950-naval-fleet-fighters.jpg
}}
|-|
 IAE 2950=
{{gallery
|IAE2950-day3-F8.jpg
}}
</tabber>

== Trivia ==
* Some F8As were captured by players during [[Invictus Launch Week]] event in May 2020. The F8As were first flown in [[Persistent Universe]] by the NPCs during the event and some players managed to kill the NPC pilot and steal the ship.<ref name="fleetweekmorph">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGE2Q6KgEcA We STOLE an F8A Air Superiority Fighter] by Morphologis on YouTube</ref>

== References == 
<references />

{{Navplate manufacturers|ANVL}}
{{Navplate vehicles}}
[[Category:Heavy Fighters]]


{{Short description|UEE Navy next generation space superiority fighter}}
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