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[[Image: lightning2.jpg|thumb|right|300 px|Imperial Lightning air superiority fighter rear view.]] The '''Lightning''' is mainly used by the [[Imperial Navy]] for establishing air superiority due to its increased manoeuverability maneuverability over the [[Thunderbolt]]. It is often seen and heard plummeting from orbit or being scrambled from naval bases.

The [[STC ]] data for the Lightning was discovered during the '''Saint-Saen Crusade''', which liberated twelve worlds in [[Segmentum Obscurus]]. They were found on '''Karnak II''' by an [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] explorator [[Explorator]] team and the designs immediatly immediately given to the Adeptus Mechanicus lords Lords of [[Cypra Mundi]]. Over It would take over 500 years later of research and trials, including readings of the [[Emperor's Tarot]] and cross-referencing with the archives of [[Mars]], before the designs were finally approved for production in supplying fleet carriers and cruisersof [[Obscurus|Battlefleet Obscurus]]. The Since then the designs have slowly been leaked disseminated to the navy Navy worlds of [[Bakka]] and [[Hydraphur]] and Lightnings are now more commonly seen alongside the Thunderbolt in both [[Segmentum Tempestus]] and [[Segmentum Pacificus]].¹

==In the 41st MillenniumTactical Role==The main role of the aircraft is to engage enemy craft and establish air-superiority over a battlefield. It is equipped , with vector-thrust engine a secondary mission of providing air escort for enhanced maneuverability and STOL[[Marauder Bomber]]s.<sup>1</VTOL capability. They sup> For this reason they are often based on orbiting ships or forward airbases, where their rocket booster allows them to quickly take off and engage enemy air forces. Ground-strips on the surfacebased Lightnings can also benefit from hydraulic "fast-launch" ramps which, they are used on patrolsin combination with their rocket booster engine, interception missions provides better acceleration and faster take-off time than conventional VTOL craft. Standard practice has three to cover [[Marauder]] missionsfour Lightnings so poised in a constant state of readiness. It is Although not their primary function, Lightnings may also armed with [[Hellstrike missiles]] making it good at act as a ground attack. Often they are used in combination aircraft, with [[Imperial Guard]] regiments and can be called in by Imperial commandersfree license to attack targets of opportunity. ==Navy wings known This role however is better suited to contain Lightnings==*the [[2774th Imperial Navy Fighter Wing|Imperial 2774th Navy Fighter WingLightning Strike]] - Wyrm squadron*[[3035th Imperial Navy Fighter Wing|Imperial 3035th Navy Fighter Wing]] - Firedrake squadron*[[717th Imperial Navy Fighter Wing|Imperial 717th Navy Fighter Wing]] - Warhawk squadron.¹

==Armament and UpgradesTechnical Specifications==The Lightning is armed with uses a longswept-barrelled [[Autocannon]] wing design and [[twinF100-linked]] [[Lascannons]]. It may also take up XB afterburning turbofans to 4 [[Hellstrike Missiles]] give it superior speed and better rate of climb and be upgraded with an dive compared to the [[Ejector SeatThunderbolt]], [[Flare or Chaff Launcher]]although it is lighter, [[Armoured Cockpit]]less rugged and more demanding on maintenance crews. Like the Thunderbolt, [[Infrait also features a rocket booster engine which allows for quick take-offs when using a "fast-red Targeting]]launch" ramp and for limited operational capability in space, although it is not a true "star-fighter" like the [[Illum Flares]] and [[Distinctive Paint Scheme or DecalsFury Interceptor]].¹

*¹:[[Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy]], p. 216, 223*²:[[Imperial Armour - Apocalypse II]], p. 25