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[[Image:LightningArt.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A squadron of Lightnings^{{Fn|1}}]]

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]] team and the designs immediately given to the Mechanicus Lords of [[Cypra Mundi]]. It would take over 500 five hundred years 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 cruisers of [[Obscurus|Battlefleet Obscurus]]. Since then the designs have slowly been disseminated to the Navy worlds of [[Bakka]] and [[Hydraphur]] and Lightnings are now commonly seen alongside the Thunderbolt in both [[Segmentum Tempestus]] and [[Segmentum Pacificus]].^{{Fn|1}}

The main role of the aircraft is to engage enemy craft and establish air-superiority over a battlefield, with a secondary mission of providing air escort for [[Marauder Bomber]]s.^{{Fn|1 }} For this reason they are often based on orbiting ships or forward air bases, where their rocket booster allows them to quickly take off and engage enemy air forces. Ground-based Lightnings can also benefit from hydraulic "fast-launch" ramps which, in combination with their rocket booster engine, provides better acceleration and faster take-off time than conventional VTOL craft. Standard practice has three to four Lightnings so poised in a constant state of readiness. Although not their primary function, Lightnings may also act as a ground attack aircraft, with free license to attack targets of opportunity. This role however is better suited to the [[Lightning Strike]].^{{Fn|1}}

The Lightning uses a swept-wing design and twin F100-XB afterburning turbofans to give it superior speed and better rate of climb and dive compared to the [[Thunderbolt]], although it is lighter, less rugged and more demanding on maintenance crews. Like the Thunderbolt, it also features a rocket booster engine which allows for quick take-offs when using a "fast-launch" ramp and for limited operational capability in space, although it is not a true "star-fighterstarfighter" like the [[Fury Interceptor]].^{{Fn|1}}

Standard armament for the Lightning is a long -barrelled , ventral-mounted [[Autocannon]] and [[twin-linked]] [[Lascannons]] on the wing tips. Four wing hardpoints allows it to carry up to four [[Hellstrike Missile]]s, [[Hellfury Missile]]s, [[Bomb]]s or six [[Skystrike Missile]]s. Other standard systems includes a pair of Parallax tracking augers located in the nose section, while many will mount [[Imperial Aircraft Upgrades|additional equipment]].^{{Fn|2}}

*[[2774th Imperial Navy Fighter Wing|Imperial 2774th Navy Fighter Wing]] - 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 ==Sources==*¹:[[Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy]], p. 216, 223*²:[[Imperial Armour - Apocalypse II]], p. 25