The F-4 Blackhawk was designed by one of the preeminent design teams of her day, responsible for five successful Pre-Contact space fighters. She quickly showed superiority to America’s first three gravtech fighters, and became the most common American starfighter of her generation. Even after being retired in favor of the Hellcat, the Blackhawk continued to serve in corporate and militia forces. Post-War Hellcats have eaten into that market, but the Blackhawk is still the most common privately owned starfighter in Terran space. Typically armed with twin laser cannons and side-mounted missile pods, numerous War-era upgrades gave her significantly more firepower, increased endurance, and advanced deflection grids. Now serving in her second century of life, the Blackhawk is still a popular and dangerous starfighter.

Blackhawk starfighter on Deviantart