DECLASSIFIED

The F-40 Ghost was designed and developed through the Project X initiative in order to provide a middle ground between the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightening II and the Saab J-39 Gripen. The Ghost is smaller and cheaper than the F-35 while also being better suited to operation in difficult areas away from designated airfields. The F-40 retains the stealth and situational awareness of the F-35, however cannot match its payload and range. The F-40 was designed to help augment a nation's F-35 fleet, but the program could struggle with the aircraft's extremely limited stealth payload, being only two AIM-120s.

One of the Ghost's most impressive features can be found under the nose of the aircraft. Just in front of the landing gear, a glass section can be spotted with twin conical structures. These structures are internally mounted Tactical Airborne Laser Weapon Systems (TALWS). The TALWS is designed to intercept incoming missiles in front of the Ghost with a high-energy laser to either blind the seeker heads of heat seeking missiles or completely destroy the guidance systems or engines of radar guided/BVR missiles. Due to security concerns, the TALWS has not been modeled in an active state, so the TALWS in game is a static mockup.

Weapons:
1x Internally Mounted M61 20mm Rotary Cannon
2x AIM-120 AMRAAMs

Protection Systems:
TALWS: Inactive
Chaff: 32x
Flares: 32x

Controls:
1+full up VTOL: Open M61 Covering
2+full up VTOL: Open Weapon Bays
5: Drag Chute
6, full up VTOL: Retract Spine Beacon (for better stealth characteristics)
7: Landing Lights
8: Navigation and Beacon Light(s)
Down VTOL: Airbrake