Au-155 EIP

The Au-155 EIP (often mistaken as the Ta-155) was a large, high-speed interceptor designed by Aier Unlimited for the Canadian Air Force. Designed to the same requirement as Tarken's Arrow II, the Au-155 was rushed into service and would ultimately be retired first. The aircraft was large and unwieldy to fly but was no slouch. With a top speed of over 5000km/h, it broke the record for top speed in an in-service fighter aircraft.

Design and Development
With the new production of a strategic bomber (the Freeraid) from UCA, Canada started to suspect the Holiday Empire was gearing for conventional war. Aier Unlimited, the main producer of aircraft at the time, began their own rushed program for a long range heavy interceptor. Building heavily off of the Russian Sukhoi aircraft, the plane featured a slightly drooped nose, two engines, two tailfins and a set of canards. The engines used in the 155 would remain classified until the late 2080s, and to date are the most powerful engines ever mounted on a bomber interceptor.

Operational History
The 155 would break the record for the highest speed achived by an in-service fighter aircraft, managing over 5000kph at 14km above sea level. These planes were extremely expensive to maintain, with common mechanical and technical malfunctions. It had been rushed into service against what was essentially a fictional threat, and the lifespan of the aircraft showed it. A total of 25 Au-155s would be built, 5 of which would never fly, and none would ever sortie to intercept a live threat. The Au-155 would retire with a lifespan of only 8 years. One of these gigantic two seaters is held at the Smithsonian Air and Space museum, and all other aircraft had been scrapped.

Specifications
Crew: 1

Top Speed: >5000km/h

Service Ceiling: 20km

Dimensions (m): 12.16 x 3.83 x 21.27