Slipjack Multi-Role Starfighter
Developed by the Confederate States of America prior the Glrrü War, the Slipjack Muli-Role Starfighter is the oldest starfighter in use by the Earth Defense Alliance. Numerous upgrades have kept the fighter in peak condition, and the Slipjack is expected to be the Alliance's front-line fighter for at least another generation.
Developed from the F-18, X-29, and X-31 jets, the Slipjack possesses a distinctive forward-swept wings, nose canards, and vectored-thrust engines, increasing the plane's agility while in the atmosphere. Also along the wings and tail fins are numerous maneuvering jets. The Slipjack has the ability to cut all forward thrust once its reached a certain speed, and use the maneuvering jets alone to spin the fighter on any of its axiis while its making a strafing run. A popular maneuver is to spin all the way around, and engage the main thrusters and/or afterburners to quickly reverse direction. Note that these maneuvers are not possible in the atmosphere.
Model: YF-11E
Class: Multi-Role Aerospace Fighter
Crew: 1
M.D.C. by Location:
- Wings (2): 260 ea.
- Tail Fins: 180 ea.
- Engines (2): 300 ea.
- Main Body: 520
- Reinforced Pilot's Compartment: 200
- Variable Force Field: 1,200 per side (7,200 total)
Speed:
Driving: Not possible.
Atmospheric: Mach 2.3 maximum, Mach 1 cruising
Space: Mach 8 maximum, Mach 5.5 cruising
FTL: The Slipjack does not normally come with a hyperdrive installed, but it can be added extra. Typically, the hyperdrive will let the Slipjack travel at 5 lightmonths an hour.
Range: Unlimited.
Statistical Data:
Height: 15 feet (4.6 m), including tail fins
Wingspan: 22 feet (6.7 m)
Length: 34 feet (10.3 m)
Weight: 11 tons w/out missiles, 14.3 tons fully loaded
Cargo: a 45 cubic foot (13.7 cu. m.) box behind the cockpit.
Power Plant: 2 Ion-Fusion Engines
EWS Power Redistribution System: This system enables the power from the engines to be redistributed to the weapon systems and the shield system. During normal operations, the power is distributed equally between the three systems. However, altering either the weapon or the shield systems by 25% will affect the thrust of the engines by 12.5%.
Afterburners: For brief periods of time, special fuel can be fed to the thrusters which increases thrust to Mach 12 (Mach 6 in an atmosphere). This can be used even when the engine output has been reduced by 50%.
Black Market Cost: Fifteen million credits for a brand new, fully equipped Slipjack with full M.D.C. and armaments. Six million for a rebuilt one, lacking missiles.
Weapons:
- Laser Cannon (2): Located in the nose of the Slipjack, these are primarily used in dogfighting, although a common tactic against larger vessels and ground installations is to have the Slipjack get in close enough to take out weapons emplacements. The guns can fire singly or fire-linked at the same target.
- Primary Purpose: Anti-Fighter
- Secondary Purpose: Anti-Weapons Emplacement
- Mega-Damage: 1D6x10 M.D., or 3D6x10 M.D. fire-linked
- Range: 5000 feet
- Rate of Fire: Standard
- Payload: Effectively unlimited
- Medium-Range Missile Hardpoints (8): The Slipjack has eight missile hardpoints on its wings for carrying missiles. The three hardpoints on the undersides of the wings can carry three missiles each, while the ones on the wingtips carry one missile each.
- Primary Purpose: Anti-Fighter
- Secondary Purpose: Assault
- Missile Type: Varies
- Mega-Damage: Varies with missile type
- Range: Varies with missile type, typically around 50 miles
- Rate of Fire: One at a time, or in a volley of 2, 3, 4, or 6 at a time.
- Payload: 20 missiles total.
- Long-Range Missile Hardpoints (2): Located on the fusilage of the Slipjack, each long-range missile hardpoint carries a single long-range missile.
- Primary Purpose: Assault
- Secondary Purpose: Bombardment
- Missile Type: Varies
- Mega-Damage: Varies with missile type
- Range: Varies with missile type, typically around 500 miles
- Rate of Fire: One at a time.
- Payload: 2 missiles total.
- Reverse Mini-Missile Launcher:
- Primary Purpose: Defense
- Missile Type: Varies, but typically Fragmentation (5D6 M.D.)
- Mega-Damage: Varies with missile type
- Range: Varies with missile type, typically around 1 mile
- Rate of Fire: one at a time, or in volleys of 2, 3, 4, or 6 at a time
- Payload: 12 missiles total.
- Note: Fires backwards only
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