Z-41 Bearcat

The Cyten-Ward Z-41 Bearcat is a Zokesian carrier-capable supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, all-weather-capable variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Bearcat was developed for the Zokesian Royal Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after the collapse of the F-52X Stealth Kargadan project. A large and well-equipped fighter, the Z-41 was the first of the Cyten-Ward All Mission Series fighters, which were designed incorporating air combat experience against stealth fighters during the Belkan War.

Z-41 Bearcat
Interceptor, air superiority, and multirole fighter
A Z-41B of VFQ-103, Zokesian Royal Navy
National Origin		Zokesia
Production History
Produced
2158 - Present
Designer		Ward Industries
First Flight		August 1, 2158
Unit Cost		47,989(√)
Number Built		391
Service History
In Service
2159 - Current
Used By		Arcovii-Zokesia, Atreus, Taiala, Ilishira, Arvene

Development

The Z-41 was being drawn up as its creator, Ward Industries, was in the midst of talks with merging with Cyten Aerospace. As a result, the Z-41 would be the last aircraft designed under the Ward Industries name. The project was 60% completed when Cyten-Ward merged and the aerospace geniuses of the UIF were brought onboard to refine the project. A merging of the two schools of thought led to multiple revisions of the final design, and on 1 August 2158 the Z-41 prototype took to the air for the first time. The Z-41 was instantly well liked by the Zokesian navy and made its first deployment in 2159 aboard ZNS Imperator Drekevak (CVN-22), replacing the F-52 Kargadan. The Z-41 serves as the Zokesian Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor, and tactical aerial reconnaissance platform into the 2200s. The Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) pod system was added as an optional extra in the 2190s and integrated into the Bearcat "B", and the type soon began performing precision ground-attack missions.

In 2200, a service upgrade program was created to re-engine the Bearcat with more powerful CW-100 Turbofans and integrate new electronics equipment. A total of 120 Z-41Cs have been built, with the remainder receiving upgrade in the years following.

Operational History

The Z-41 began operational service in 2159 and soon became the dominant Navy fighter of the Zokesian Royal Navy. It has deployed as the Carrier Air Wing's primary fighter since then, with a total of 27 successful cruises and 250,000 flight hours.

Exports

Z-41Cs of VFQ-103 and VFQ-2 in formation

Twenty Z-41TA model Bearcats were exported to Taiala in 2189, and 15-20 were delivered to Ilishria and Atreus mid-2190s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZevE4YIY_rY

Zokesian Z-41Bs in formation, 2196