CSF-6X Lightning Medium Starfighter:

The economy of New Coventry is much stronger than it was ten years ago and their fleet is much larger than it has ever been. Because the Scorpion class fighter was not adequate to New Coventry's needs, New Coventry engineers developed a new fighter to fill the role of light fighter and the Badger has worked well for itself and the fighter has been sold to many other governments as well. Partially because of this and partially because pilots have commented on several problems with both the Black Eagle and the Katana fighters, there was pressure to develop a new fighter to replace them as well. The Black Eagle has fixed ordnance and variable missile loads were more desirable so the fighter can fill more missions. The Katana has short range guns and is slower than the Black Eagle fighter is. One fighter that could fill all the roles filled by both fighter was very desirable because carriers only have limited space and a limited number of fighters. It is likely that a modified version of the Black Eagle could have been developed to fill this role but due to red tape, it was virtually impossible that this would have been able to be developed. There could likely be fall out from this design in that a multi-role Black eagle may be developed. A final addition was insisted on. This was that the fighter would have to be FTL capable. The engineers sat down and designed a new fighter and what was even more incredible was that the prototype seems to actually meet or exceeds all standards that were laid down in the initial parameters for the design. The fighter is still in prototype stage having some minor problems worked out but they should enter production within the next couple of years.

Both the Black Eagle and the Katana fighters were studied before the Lightning was designed and the fighter seems to shows features from both of them. The truth is that only a few features have been directly copied from the fighters and for the most part, the Lightning is a new fighter design. The fighter's hull is a twin boom construction that is both tough and designed to operate in an atmosphere. The shields on the Lightning are as powerful than those on the Katana but while similar in design, they are actually evolved from the shields on the Badger light starfighter. Interestingly enough, the Badgers shields are in reality evolved from the old Human Alliance Osprey medium fighter's shields. The engines are similar to those on the Black eagle but are also an upgraded versions of those carried on the Osprey. The engines actually require less maintenance than those on the Black Eagle and are less expensive. The FTL drives are copied from the Black Eagle but New Coventry was able to get permission from the sub-component manufacturer for that system. The fighter carries the GR-1000 due to the fact that it is more powerful than most fighter rail guns. There is an added benefit that most rail guns New Coventry already uses is this type of gun and this allows for the reduction in types of rail gun ammunition. The rail gun is mounted under the cockpit. The laser cannons are copies of those on the Black Eagle but New Coventry already had a licence to produce them as repairs to their squadrons of Black Eagles. These are mounted on the sides between the engines and cockpit. The missile load is heavier than what can be carried on the Black Eagle and the fighter has a bay under each engine unit that can carry two cruise missiles in each. This can be changed out for eight long range missiles or sixteen medium range missiles as well as the being able to carry weapon pods similar but not identical to those carried on the Katana. On top of the engine booms are medium range missile launchers that have the capacity for sixteen medium range missiles between the two of them. The sensor suite on the fighter is excellent as well due to the fact that the fighter is expected to perform scouting missions as well as standard combat missions.

One area this fighter has cut down in is the cockpit. There are only places for two individuals in the cockpit and the storage space is smaller than that on the Black Eagle.

This fighter 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: CSF-6X
Vehicle Type: Medium Interceptor and bomber
Crew: One (has space for one passenger)

M.D.C. By Location:

	GR-1000 Rail Cannon (Center, under cockpit):	80
	Laser Cannons (2, built into body):	100 each
	Ordnance Bays (2, underside of engines):	150 each
	Medium Range Missile Launchers (2, Top of engines):	80 each
	[1] Main Body:	825
	Cockpit:	200
	[2] Variable Force Field:	300 per side (1,500 total)

Notes:
[1] 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.
[2] Shields positions can be varied and all could be combined in one shield. Shields regenerate at the rate of 5% (75 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 1.6 percent of light per melee. When the fighter is fully loaded with ordnance, reduce acceleration to 1.5 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. When the fighter is fully loaded with ordnance, , reduce maximum speed to Mach 7 (5,190.2 mph/ 8,352.8 kph) in an atmosphere.
Stardrive: The SF-101I-LR has a Gravitronic Drive system which allows the ship to reach a maximum of two light-years per hour.
Maximum Range: Effectively Unlimited by drive system but only has supplies for pilot for six weeks.

Statistical Data:
Length: 48 feet (14.6 meters)
Height: 11.5 feet (3.5 meters)
Width: 45 feet (13.7 meters)
Weight: 15 tons (13.6 metric tons)
Power System: Advanced Fusion with 30 year life span.
Cargo: Utility closet (4 x 2 x 2 feet / 1.2 x .6 x .6 m) for personal effects.
Market Cost: 65 million credits. Weapon pods cost around 10 million each except mini-missile launchers which cost only about 800,000 credits. Removal of the FTL drive would reduce the fighter cost by 20 million credits.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. GR-1000 Rail Gun: The Rail gun is mounted in under the nose of the starfighter and is the fighters primary weapon system. The rail gun is the same rail gun as is carried in the C.A.F. Scorpion Starfighter. Weapon is mainly used as an anti-starfighter and strafing weapon. Projectiles come out of launchers at close to the speed of light. Cannon uses a 30 mm projectile. The rail gun can be combined with the laser cannons.
   Range: 16 miles (26 km) through atmosphere and 1,600 miles (2,575 km) in space.
   Mega-Damage: 40 round burst does 4D6x10 M.D. (Weapon can be combined with laser cannon and still only costs one attack).
   Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the Pilot (usually 4 or 5).
   Payload: 10,000 Rounds (250 Bursts).
2. HI-Laser cannons (2): These laser cannons are virtually identical to those carried on the standard Black Eagle Starfighter and can be used simultaneously or can be fired individually. They can also be combined with the GR-cannon when the GR cannon is forward for greater damage if both are in range.
   Range: 5 miles (8 km) through atmosphere and 500 miles (800 km) in space.
   Mega-Damage: 2D4x10 per single blast or 4D4x10 per double blast (can be combined with rail gun at still the cost of one attack).
   Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 4 or 5).
   Payload: Effectively Unlimited
3. Medium Range Missile Launchers (2): On the top of each engine unit are medium range missile launchers. Weapon system is used for hitting enemy robots, fighters, and missiles. Weapon system is also used for anti-cruise missile. Missile has a top speed of Mach 15 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 6% of light per turn. Launchers can launch on multiple targets at the same time.
   Mega-Damage: varies with medium range missile type (See Phase World Missiles).
   Range: 160 miles (257.5 km) in an atmosphere and 80,000 miles (128,750 km/0.43 light seconds)
   Rate of fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, 8, or 16 missiles.
   Payload: 16 medium range missiles (8 each launcher)
4. Ordnance Bays (2): On the underbelly of the fighter engines are two ordnance bays that allows the fighter to carry missiles or other types of ordnance types such as phase cannons and mini-missile launchers. If carrying weapon pods, the fighter can carry up to two weapons pods. The weapon pods have to extend out of the bay before they are fired.
   1. Missiles: Each bay has two missile pylons. Individual pylons must carry all the same type ordnance but each pylon may carry different types of ordnance. Cruise missile are normally carried when on an anti-capital ship role and long and medium range missiles when fighting other starfighters. Cruise Missiles has a top speed of Mach 25 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 10% of light per turn (far faster than any starship). Long Range Missiles has a top speed of Mach 20 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 8% of light per turn (faster than any starship). Medium Range Missiles has a top speed of Mach 15 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 6% of light per turn. Since starships will no longer engage at rock throwing distances, whether weapons can be shot down is calculated from the speed of target, launcher, and missile. When drive goes dead, missile will still cruise unless set to self destruct but has very low odds of hitting starships (Great for hitting bases and planets because target does not move and missile when dead at -25% to detect.) Cruise missiles have minuses to hit small targets but are all considered smart missiles. Missiles can be launched on multiple targets simultaneously. Special weapon pods will eventually be designed to be mounted in these bays as well but none have been designed. Likely, the first weapon developed will be a phase weapon pod.
      Range: Cruise Missiles range is 8,000 miles (12,875 km) in an atmosphere and 4,000,000 miles (6,437,376 km/ 21.5 light seconds), Long Range Missiles range is 3,400 miles (5470 km) in an atmosphere and 1,800,000 miles (2,89700 km/9.7 light seconds) in space, and Medium Range Missiles range is 160 miles (257.5 km) in an atmosphere and 80,000 miles (128,750 km/0.43 light seconds).
      Mega-Damage & Properties: See Phase World Missiles (Cruise Anti-Matter does 4D6x100 MDC and Long Range Fusion does 2D4x100 MDC).
      Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of two, three, or four missiles.
      Payload: 2 Cruise Missile, 4 Long Range Missiles, or 8 Medium Range Missiles per ordnance bay.
   2. Mini-Missile Pod: This is a pack of mini missiles that can be used against ground targets, infantry, and against starships. Missile has a top speed of Mach 10 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 2% of light per turn (slightly faster than any starship except if it is exceeding it maximum safe acceleration). Mini-Missile is phase world are normally guided.
      Mega-Damage: varies with mini-missile type (See Phase World Missiles).
      Range: Missile range is 2 miles (3.2 km) in an atmosphere and 100 miles (161 km) in space
      Rate of fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, 8, or 12.
      Payload: 36 mini-missiles
   3. Plasma Ejector Pod: A very heavy weapon that fired superheated plasma. Very destructive weapon but limited in rate of fire and short ranged. The Ejector Pod is capable against tanks, Giant robots, and large starships.
      Range: 25 miles (40 km) in space and 1,200 feet (326 m) in an atmosphere.
      Mega-Damage: 1D4x100 M.D. per cannon.
      Rate of Fire: Twice per melee each (each shot counts as two melee attacks, even when linked together).
      Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
   4. Phase Cannon Pod: The weapon is designed to take out the Crew of target ship without damaging the target ship. Does no damage to inanimate objects but damages personnel and does do damage to force fields. Identical to weapon in star ghost starfighter.
      Range: 200 miles (320 km) in space and 2 miles (3.2 km) in an atmosphere.
      Mega Damage: 4D6 to all living targets in a 50 ft (9.1 m) diameter around blast point or 6D6 to force fields and creatures 10 feet (3.0 m) or larger. The damage is SDC to SDC targets and MDC to MDC targets.
      Rate of fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the Pilot (usually 4 or 5).
      Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
5. Special Bonuses: The fighter is very maneuverable; add +10% to the pilots piloting skill, +1 to strike, +3 to dodge. The fighter also have a very advanced terrain following system. All bonuses are in addition to pilots bonuses (Hand to hand and Starfighter Pilot: Basic or Elite).

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By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune ).

Copyright © 1999, Kitsune. All rights reserved.