ATFX-I-300-A War Hawk Mark V Advanced Technology Fighter:
CAF Prototype:
This experimental proto-type star fighter is the culmination of 5 years of reverse engineering by Consortium Armed Forces Research & Development teams assigned to study the one intact Spinerette fighter craft known to have been recovered sense these aliens were initially sighted. The ship not only employs advanced weapons of Consortium design, but also features a revolutionary incorporation of forcefield technology. Attempts to duplicate the alien's space fold systems resulted in the discovery of a new type of drive system that is not, as yet, fully understood. The first few attempts resulted in the destruction of their test bed fighters and the unfortunate loss of one pilot.
However CAF authority felt that the possible gains were worth continued study, so the project was allowed to go forward although with a reduced budget. Detailed studies of the alien star drive lead scientist to develop the Quantum Slip Stream Drive. This new drive system does not fold space, it allows, in theory, any so equipped vessel to create a quantum field oscillation about itself. This field creates the necessary conditions for light plus travel. When coupled with conventional contra gravity propulsion, the design teams noted an almost 150% increase in vessel speed performance. Unfortunately they have yet to perfect a formula which would allow a capitol star ship to make the same transition. It is assumed that once these drives can be produced in a more economic manner, that all CAF warships and exploration vessels will incorporate the new system. At this time there are only two fully functional Slip Stream units. 1 is installed in the proto type while the other remains at a secure facility in CCW controlled space. Unfortunately, the prototype was stolen by a test pilot and is thought to have been destroyed while escaping in an asteroid field in Free World Council space. There is talk that the ship might have actually been seized by the Free Worlds Council. From observations from the pursuing Warshield class cruiser, it appears that the fighter is operating up to all expectations. Work is being done on a second prototype at a much greater rate.
This Starfighter design uses modified starship speed and ranges. See Revised Starship Rules for Phase World for more details.
(Note: The power system is fusion not anti-matter because the author's opinion is that anti-matter is to dangerous to be used in vehicles that may be used in an atmosphere. If a starship powered by anti-matter was to detonate in an atmosphere it would cause huge planetary damage. At GM option, this can also be applied to all starfighters or this fighter can be changed to anti-matter.)
Model Type: ATFX-I-300-A
Class: Space Superiority Fighter / FTL Pursuit Fighter
Crew: One
MDC by Location:
Graviton Stream Cannons (2, wingtips): | 120 each | |
Advanced Tachyon Pulse Cannons (2, wingtips): | 100 each | |
Mini-Missile Launcher (Nose): | 80 | |
Missile Pylons (4, on the Underside): | 10 each | |
Pilots Cockpit/Escape Pod: | 240 | |
[1] Main Wings (2, Rear) | 250 each | |
[2] Slip-Stream Inducers (2, lower wings): | 150 each | |
[3] Main Body: | 600 | |
Pilots Compartment: | 240 | |
[4] Variable Force Field: | 200 per side (1,200 total) |
Notes:
[1] Destruction of a wing will mean that fighter relies on just contra-grav
flight systems. Fighter will loose al bonuses and have a -2 to dodge as
well as reducing the fighters atmospheric cruise speed by 25%.
[2] The Slip-Stream Inductors are used to enhance the ship's standard
star drive. FTL speeds and sublight acceleration are reduced without them.(one
light year per hour on FTL and about .3% of C in sublight acceleration
per Inductor.) These are small targets and require a called shot at -4
to be hit.
[3] The ships increased main body is accounted for by the addition
of a series low power gravitic force fields designed to increase the vessels
structural integrity. At nominal output the ship's hull (and other load
bearing members) density is increased by almost 100%. As a result of her
increased density the ship is 50% more likely to survive missile strikes.
(Half damage from explosive impact but not energy weapons.). Depleting
the MDC of the main body will put the fighter out of commission. All internal
systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. The
ship itself will be an unsalvageable floating wreck.
[4] Shields positions can be varied and all could be combined in one
shield. Shields regenerate at the rate of 5% (90 MDC) per melee
Speed:
Driving on the Ground: Not Possible.
Sublight: Has a special sublight engine that allows the ship
to travel up to 40 percent of the speed of light. Fighter can accelerate/decelerate
at the rate of 1.9 percent of light per melee. (If the Slip stream generators
are damage, reduce acceleration to 1.3 percent of light per melee)
Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum normal speed is Mach 8 (5931.6
mph / 9546 kph), fighter can enter and leave an atmosphere because flight
system is by contra grav. If the fighter is fully loaded, reduce maximum
speed to Mach 7 (5,190.2 mph/ 8,352.8 kph) in an atmosphere.
Stardrive: The fighter has a Gravitronic Slip Stream Drive system
which allows the ship to reach a maximum of four light-years per hour (2
Light Years per hour on standard CG Drive only.)
Statistical Data:
Height: 10 feet (3.04 meters)
Width: 51 feet (15.54 meters)
Length: 58 feet (17.67 meters)
Weight: 18 tons (16.3 metric tons)
Power System: Advanced Fusion with a 40 year lifespan
Cargo: A small (3 x 3 x 3 ft / 1 x 1 x 1 m ) compartment located
beneath and slightly forward of the pilot's seat.
Market Cost: Not yet available. Any government (Including the
CAF) would pay 2 billion credits or more for an intact and operational
model. It is believed that the prototype cost in the area of 500 million
credits to construct and that when the fighters reach production, they
will cost 100 milllion each to construct.
Weapon Systems:
Special Features:
Slipstream Failure:
Because the slip stream system is presently experimental, the system has a problem with failure at FTL speeds. This does not effect the system in sublight travel. The system only fails when activated. Once operating, the system will operate correctly. Eventually the problems with the system will be corrected.
Roll on table below to determine if the system fails to operate correctly:
Roll (D100): | Failure: |
01 to 03 | Complete Failure: The slipstream system does not operate: the ship may still travel at 2 light years per hour on normal Contra Grav. Drives |
04 to 09 | Partial Failure: The slipstream only operates at half capacity and fighter only travels at 3 light year per hour |
10 to 16 | Variable Output: The FTL booster does not keep fighter at a constant FTL speed. This complicates navigation and pilot must make a Navigation: Space roll with a -20% penalty or be 4D10% off course. |
17 to 00 | System works flawlessly |
Combat Bonuses:
The fighter is an extremely agile combat craft, easily out pacing other
fighters of it's class. The SIF and improved CG sub-light impellers provide
more precise control and more stable handling. A well trained pilot could
make this fighter one of the most effective star fighters in known space.
Listed bonuses are in addition to combat training.
[ Phase World TM, Kreeghor TM, and CAF are trademarks owned by
Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and
Palladium Books Inc.]
Image drawn and copyrighted by Jorge Albuquerque (jorgeabq@esoterica.pt) .
More Jorge Albuquerque artwork at 3D Station
Original concept and original design by Eric Johnson
Revised and updated by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune ).
Copyright © 1999, Kitsune & Eric Johnson. All rights reserved.