In part, the Swift has its origins amongst these experimental fighter prototypes that were developed. Specifically, a number of Supermarine-built prototypes had been ordered under Specification E.41/46, which had sought the production of an experimental fighter aircraft furnished with a swept wing. The first of these prototypes was designated as the "Type 510", which was heavily based on the straight-wing Supermarine Attacker, an early jet aircraft which was procured by the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) of the Royal Navy; the principal difference from the Attacker was that it had been modified with the addition of a swept wing configuration. During 1948, the Type 510 had conducted its maiden flight, a year after the first navalised prototype Attacker had flown. This flight made it the first British aircraft to fly with both swept wings and a swept tailplane. The Type 510 was also the first swept-wing aircraft to take off from and land upon an aircraft carrier during trials held for the Fleet Air Arm.