Istalia

[XanderOne]

Ajace unveils the AF-52 "Tuono": the next Istalian air superiority fighter

The prototype of the stealth air superiority fighter has been officially presented, but the speed of development raises questions and leads to an investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office

.

January 5656

TORRE D'O SULENTO - The PAF-52, the final prototype of Ajace Aeronautics' new air superiority fighter, was presented yesterday at the "Tonio Ceccarelli" Air Force Base in Torre d'O Sulento. Its operational designation will be the AF-52 "Tuono", and according to the Ministry of Defense, it represents "a new generation of Istalian air superiority, interoperable and adaptable, ready for future scenarios."

The aircraft is a multirole, stealth, twin-engine, all-weather fighter, designed with an advanced carbon and polymer composite structure and a fuselage optimized for reduced radar signature. It is equipped with internal weapons bays and will be capable of supercruise, meaning it can fly at supersonic speeds without afterburners.

One of the most innovative elements concerns its integrated computational systems: the AF-52 will be able to execute missions autonomously, assign tasks to UAVs, and coordinate with other air, ground, and naval assets, as well as with air defense systems. ISR&T (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance & Targeting) capabilities will be enhanced by a distributed architecture across allied platforms, reducing the cognitive load on pilots.

Electronic warfare systems will also be crucial, including wide-spectrum monitoring, directional countermeasures, and advanced SAR modes such as ISAR, dot-SAR, and strip-SAR. The electro-optical suite will provide global day/night vision and an IR missile warning system, enabling passive situational awareness and targeting capabilities even in high-threat environments.

A technological marvel, the result of astonishingly rapid development: Ajace completed two prototypes, the last of which, as mentioned, is the final production model, in a timeframe that has baffled experts and observers. The company explained that development, begun shortly after the publication of the first Defense White Paper, had reached such an advanced stage, even though the project was formally shelved for budgetary reasons, that even a first prototype was developed, though it only completed three test flights. Despite the explanations, the timing still raises some eyebrows.

According to some journalistic investigations, Ajace never actually stopped development of the fighter. Technical collaborations, such as that with AUDISS-Leonardi for the engine, have apparently never stopped. The suspicion is that the company was counting from the beginning on the project being revived, strengthened by constant pressure from Air Force leaders, which intensified after the less than stellar results at the international Afterburn 4 exercise in Lodamun.

The Milona Public Prosecutor's Office has now intervened in the matter, opening a file that has already been forwarded to the Defense Prosecutor's Office for information and cooperation. The investigation aims to clarify whether there have been violations of regulations regarding military procurement and the use of public funds. Ajace Aeronautics and the Air Force General Staff have expressed their full willingness to cooperate with the prosecution, emphasizing that there has been no wrongdoing.

Regarding the entry into service of the new aircraft, the Ministry of Defense estimates it can begin series production within three years, thanks to the advanced stage of the program and the funds already allocated. If all goes according to plan, the AF-52 "Tuono" could take to the skies over Istalia before the end of the decade, becoming the symbol of a new era for national air defense.