Starbird

Starbirds, designated as AF-72s, are the original standard Military starfighter, originally manufactured by the SpaceForce Corporation. Newer and otherwise updated Starbirds, such as those designated as AF-73s, are still in service, and remain a prominent Starwatch asset, although Skyrunners became the most prominent.

Description
The original Starbirds are designed after Old Earth planes from the early modern era. They bear many similarities to the older era planes, most notably in the overall design of the starfighters, although their interiors consisted of advanced technology, such as fusion cores and oversized pulse cannons, which were later replaced with laser guns. Newer Starbirds are usually very similar to the original models, although most are notably sleeker, slightly smaller, and faster than the originals, and have different interior tech. Rather than Old Earth titanium and composites, the newer Starbirds utilized alloys and composites made from Keplerium, and later, Imperialite, often reinforced with nanotubes and other layers of armor and needed additions, which had become more compact than the time of the Trans-Galactic War.

Capabilities
Starbirds have a maximum atmospheric speed above those possible from Old Earth aircraft, and can operate in planetary atmospheres and space. Their armor provides strong protection against energy attacks, projectiles, physical force, and even supernatural attacks, and extra protection is added from their shielding systems. Starbirds carry a standard Light Drive that enables them to enter hyperspace and travel light years, and are armed with standard starfighter cannons, as well as point-defense systems, such as surface defense measures and strong frontal projectile shields in addition to standard shielding systems. Standard ejector seats and life support systems are also installed aboard Starbirds. They are armed with dual starfighter cannons located on the underside of their wings, and a torpedo launcher located on the underside of their nose. Other standard systems aboard Starbirds include advanced computers, scanners, navigational systems, and autopilot systems.

Background
Starbirds were first developed by the SpaceForce Corporation for the US government in the years before the Trans-Galactic War, and were the first Terran-made starfighters. They were later upgraded and used in the Trans-Galactic War against Imperial forces, designated as Alien Defense Force starfighters. The Starbirds were mass produced at a galactic scale following the end of the war, and were the first standard ship to be used by the newly formed Starwatch.