*Note: i am not, neither do i claim, to be an aerospace engineer. this design probably wouldn't fly in the real world, but i think it looks cool 
*
NuHawker F(A).5 Hurricane II Multirole Fighter
The election of the Fleet government and the XXI naval strategy review were a great boon to the Royal Navy. With the Fleet government's "Sea first" defence policy, the XXI reviews stressing the importance of maintaining sea control, and the growing importance of the Falklands and Ascension resource zone to the UK's economic boom, the navy found itself receiving the lions share of the defence budget (some 70% in the first few years). The strategic readjustment resulted in the reduction of the active army by 60%, and the downsizing of the Royal Air Force into little more than a local air defence unit. From this point, the Navy would handle all major expeditionary and defence activities.
What followed was one of the largest and fastest fleet build ups in recent history. The Navy begun a massive shipbuilding program, with top on their list, the modification of their existing carriers into Cat and trap units, and the construction of two more carriers. Also on the shopping list was a new carrier borne fighter to serve off these ships.
With front line air defence now firmly in the Navy's court, the Admiralty wanted a new, top of the line air superiority fighter to fly off their new flat tops. Several contenders, including the latest variants of the F-35 and Rafale, were considered and rejected as lacking in requirements. The Admiralty considered developing a completely new fighter, a costly yet achievable goal in the light of their new budget, and several designs were submitted by both British and foreign companies. The Admiralty settled on NuHawker and their design, the Hurricane II (a surprising move, since the Hurricane was the least developed of the designs submitted. It should be noted for completeness that several of those on the selection board latter took executive positions at NuHawker)
Development of the Hurricane II began in earnest, utilising the latest in computer technology, rapid prototyping and in-field crowd-sourcing to reduce development times and costs. Even using such advanced techniques, the Hurricane II project was delayed twice, and went over budget at least three times during its developmental cycle. despite this, NuHawekr managed to produce a prototype after seven years that was "at 80% capacity", with a full production model flying six months latter. Eight years after development began the Hurricane II was accepted into the Royal Navy as the F(A). 5.
The Hurricane II is a unique design, with its dorsal air intake and wing-tip vertical stabilisers. The intakes contain doors that close while the craft is on the ground to reduce the chance of FOD ingestion and allow the pilot to enter and exit the cockpit while the engines are running. The two engines are capable of putting out 60 kN of thrust each, and utilise thrust vectoring. The Hurricane II is capable of cruising at Mach 1.6 without afterburner, with a range of 1,200 km up to 2,300 kilometres at lower cruising speeds.
Sensors include a BASL MANDOLIN fixed ASEA radar forward, a smaller ASEA RWR above the engines, a distributed IR detection system, and a forward looking electro-optic system with integrated laser designator under the nose.
As well as onboard sensors, the Hurricane II has a full MARATHON data-link and is fully integrated into the Royal Navy's UMPIRE battlefield management system.
Primary weapons carriage is in the Hurricane II's two weapons bays, with four wing mounted pylons also available. Although primarily designed for air superiority missions, the Hurricane II was designed from the outset to be capable of Multirole missions. The primary anti air load-out consists of 6 Comet BVR missiles and two NGSAAM short range missiles. For ground strike missions, the Hurricane II can carry a variety of bombs, the most common load-out consisting of four PAVEWAY VII laser and GPS guided 500 lb. bombs. For surface strike missions against ships and long range land targets, the Hurricane can carry two Naval Air Strike cruise missiles. Larger missiles can also be carried on the external pylons.
With its many features and strengths, it was unfortunate that the Hurricane II's début was to be during the fiasco that was the first "Falkvinas" conflict. Although the Hurricane II easily outmatched the outdated Typhoon F4 fighters operated by the Falkvinas rebels, restrictive rules of engagement, issues with the UMPIRE management system and obstructive attempts by the admirals back in England to micromanage the whole campaign meant the Hurricane II never got to be utilised to its full potential. The Hurricanes only ever engaged in air combat once, towards the beginning of the conflict, a poor battle that, due to the glitches that plagued the UMPIRE system at the start of the conflict, resulted in a tie, two Hurricanes lost for two Typhoons. The Hurricanes would never meet the Typhoon in battle again, with most Hurricane assigned to bombing runs and over fleet CAP duty. 8 Hurricanes were lost by the time the British fleet retreated.
The Royal Navy operated 152 Hurricanes, equipping six front line squadrons, two stone frigate squadrons, two reserve squadrons and and two flights.
