Lockheed OCP-11 Starfire II
The Lockheed OCP-11 Starfire II is a third-generation fighter-orbiter and space interceptor fielded by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). It was introduced in 2051 and is the United States' newest heavy space fighter. It is named after the Lockheed F-94 Starfire which was the first U.S. Air Force jet fighter equipped with an afterburner.
The Starfire II is intended as the high of a high-low space fighter mix. It was designed as a large, semi-independent fighter platform capable of launching, escaping the Moon's orbit under its own power, and either loitering in High Earth Orbit or transiting to Mars or Europa. It is equipped with missiles and two 25mm autocannons loading proximity-fuse fragmentation rounds for engaging threats.
In defense of American interests on the Moon, the USAF operates two types of Starfire squadrons. The first are its alert fighter squadrons with Starfires maintained on the Moon itself or orbital defense platforms supporting a fighter detachment. When a threat is detected, Starfires part of alert squadrons may be scrambled with a single crew intended for a short-duration mission. Generally when a fighter escort is to be generated to support a larger task force, an alert fighter squadron assumes the duty. The second type is the loitering squadron, which generate Starfire "patrols" in strategic regions beyond the typical range of a short-duration sortie to decrease response times in certain regions. Generally in High Earth Orbit or the Moon's orbit loitering Starfires will hook into power satellites to increase their endurance, and they will carry two crews to operate in 12 hours shifts. Starfire squadrons protecting installations in the Asteroid belt also typically operate like this.