View source for F8A Lightning

{{for|the civilian variant|F8C Lightning}}
{{Infobox vehicle
| name                            = F8A Lightning
| image                           = Sq42 SneakPeekF8.png
| manufacturer                    = ANVL
| series                          = F8 Lightning
| size                            = Small
| role                            = Heavy fighter
| productionstate                 = In production
| productionstatedesc             = Active for [[Squadron 42]]
| mincrew                         = 
| maxcrew                         = 1
| buycost                         = 
| rentcostac                      = 
| pledgecost                      = 
| originalpledgecost              = 
| cargocapacity                   = 0
| length                          = 26
| height                          = 8
| beam                            = 24
| combatspeed                     = 212
| maxspeed                        = 1337
| mass                            = 158774
| pledgeavailability              = Not available for sale
| releasedate                     = {{SDA|2933|sctime=yes}}
| developedfrom                   = [[F7A Hornet Mk II]]
| rsistoreurl                     = 
| 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. 

== Specifications ==
{{Editorial Note|'''Notes:''' Some of the following stats are extracted from the game file of [[Star Citizen Alpha 3.9.0|Alpha 3.9]] and some of the components may be placeholder.<ref>[https://scunpacked.com/api/ships/anvl_lightning_f8_fleetweek.json ANVL Lightning F8A on SCunpacked]</ref>}}

<tabber>
Avionics & Systems=
{{Vehicle avionics
| radarcount = 1
| computercount = 1
| radar1quantity = 1
| radar1size = 1
| radar1manufacturer = GRNP
| radar1name = [[Ecouter]]
| computer1quantity = 1
| computer1size = 1
| computer1manufacturer = 
| computer1name = S Computer
}}
{{Vehicle systems
| powerplantcount = 1
| coolercount = 1
| shieldgeneratorcount = 1
| powerplant1quantity = 1
| powerplant1size = 2
| powerplant1manufacturer = AEGS
| powerplant1name = [[Maelstrom]]
| cooler1quantity = 2
| cooler1size = 1
| cooler1manufacturer = AEGS
| cooler1name = [[Polar]]
| shieldgenerator1quantity = 4
| shieldgenerator1size = 1
| shieldgenerator1manufacturer = ASAS
| shieldgenerator1name = [[Shimmer]]
}}
|-|
Propulsion & Thrusters=
{{Vehicle propulsion
| fuelintakecount = 1
| fueltankcount = 1
| quantumdrivecount = 1
| jumpdrivecount = 1
| quantumfueltankcount = 1
| fuelintake1quantity = 2
| fuelintake1size = 1
| fuelintake1manufacturer = 
| fuelintake1name = S Fuel Intake
| fueltank1quantity = 2
| fueltank1size = 1
| fueltank1manufacturer = 
| fueltank1name = S Fuel Tank
| quantumdrive1quantity = 1
| quantumdrive1size = 1
| quantumdrive1manufacturer = TARS
| quantumdrive1name = [[Expedition]]
| jumpdrive1quantity = 1
| jumpdrive1size = 1
| jumpdrive1manufacturer = 
| jumpdrive1name = S Jump Module
| quantumfueltank1quantity = 1
| quantumfueltank1size = 1
| quantumfueltank1manufacturer = 
| quantumfueltank1name = S Quantum Fuel Tank
}}
{{Vehicle thrusters
| mainthrustercount = 1
| maneuveringthrustercount = 2
| mainthruster1quantity = 3
| mainthruster1size = 
| mainthruster1manufacturer = 
| mainthruster1name = Main Thruster
| maneuveringthruster1quantity = 2
| maneuveringthruster1size = 
| maneuveringthruster1manufacturer = 
| maneuveringthruster1name = Retro Thruster
| maneuveringthruster2quantity = 12
| maneuveringthruster2size = 
| maneuveringthruster2manufacturer = 
| maneuveringthruster2name = Gimbal Maneuvering Thruster
}}
|-|
Weaponry=
{{Vehicle weaponry
| weaponcount = 3
| turretcount = 1
| missilerackcount = 1
| utilityitemcount = 0
| weapon1quantity = 2
| weapon1size = 4
| weapon1manufacturer = BEHR
| weapon1name = [[M6A Laser Autocannon]]
| weapon2quantity = 2
| weapon2size = 3
| weapon2manufacturer = BEHR
| weapon2name = [[M5A Laser Autocannon]]
| weapon3quantity = 2
| weapon3size = 3
| weapon3manufacturer = KLWE
| weapon3name = [[CF-337 Panther Laser Repeater]]
| turret1quantity = 1
| turret1size = 5
| turret1manufacturer = 
| turret1name = Remote turret
| turret1weaponcount = 1
| turret1weapon1quantity = 2
| turret1weapon1size = 3
| turret1weapon1manufacturer = BEHR
| turret1weapon1name = [[M5A Laser Autocannon]]
| missilerack1quantity = 2
| missilerack1size = 3
| missilerack1manufacturer = BEHR
| missilerack1name = [[MSD-322 Missile Rack]]
| missilerack1missilecount = 1
| missilerack1missile1quantity = 4
| missilerack1missile1size = 2
| missilerack1missile1manufacturer = FSKI
| missilerack1missile1name = [[Ignite II]]
}}
</tabber>

== In-game description ==
<blockquote>Few vehicles employed by the proud men and women who serve in our Empire’s Navy inspire the awe of the legendary F8 Lightning. A force to be reckoned with, the F8 has secured Humanity’s freedom from numerous threats at home and abroad countless times.</blockquote>

== Model ==

=== Variants ===
* '''[[F8C Lightning]]''': The F8C Lightning is the civilian variant of the '''F8A Lightning'''.
* '''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>

== History ==
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>

=== 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 == 
{{Reflist}}

{{Navplate manufacturers|ANVL}}
{{Navplate vehicles}}


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