Vixen class Light Starfighter (HAFN / CAF):

The Vixen was the main light starfighter operated by the Human Alliance before the formation of the Consortium of Civilized Worlds. It was never operated in the large numbers which the Osprey class starfighter was. For the most part, the light fighter was considered as flexible as the larger Osprey and was only operated from ground bases and from carriers. While the Osprey was adopted by the Consortium Armed Forces, the Vixen was not adopted and instead the Wolfen Falx Supina light starfighter was adopted. A few Vixen starfighters were operated by the Consortium due to production problems with the Wolfen light fighters. The Human Alliance also continued to operate the fighter until replaced by newer designs. Both the Consortium Armed Forces and the Human Alliance chose the Scorpion starfighter as their main starfighter. As a result, large numbers of these fighters were sold off. Purchaser of the surplus fighter include smaller governments, both inside and outside Consortium space, and mercenary companies. Small numbers of the Vixen are operated by the Free Worlds Council although most pilots prefer the Scorpion. Several companies specialize in repair parts for the Vixen and there are several companies which specialize in upgrades to the Vixen fighter. There is an upgrade version of the fighter known as the "Super Vixen" which is considered to be the equal of most light starfighters.

The Vixen was designed as a low budget fighter similar to the late Twentieth Century F-5 Tiger jet fighter. The engines on the Vixen were adapted from those mounted on an experimental extremely long range capitol missile. The missile program was eventually canceled but the engine design was virtually perfect for the new fighter. While the fighter was much heavier than the intended missile, the engines provide enough power that the Vixen is considerably faster than the Osprey. Still, the Human Alliance light fighter is not quite as fast as most of the newest generation of light fighters such as the Scorpion, Tanto, and Badger starfighters. One of the main disadvantages of the Vixen is that the light starfighter does not have defensive shields. The Scorpion shares this disadvantage although the latest versions of the Scorpion also mount shields. The Vixen mounts a pair of laser identical to those carried on the Osprey. The original prototype only mounted a single laser but it was decide that the fighter needed greater short range firepower for dogfighting. The fighters have a combination of internal missile bays and external hard points. The external hard points can carry either two cruise missiles or four long range missiles. The light fighter's bay can carry eight medium range missiles. Missile carried on the external hard points reduce the fighter's performance but the fighter can carry a full load of medium range missiles in the bay without reducing the fighters performance. The fighter is designed with an aerodynamic airframe and is capable in an atmosphere as well as in space.

This fighter uses modified starship speeds and weapon 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: SF-9
Vehicle Type: Light Interceptor or Attack Fighter
Crew: One (Pilot)

M.D.C. By Location:

	Wing Laser Cannons (2):	30 each
	Medium Range Missile bays (2):	50 each
	Missile Hard Points (2, on the Underside):	6 each
	[1] Main Body:	350
	Cockpit:	80

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.

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 1.5 percent of light per melee.
Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum normal speed is Mach 7.5 (5,560.9 mph / 8,949.4 kph), can enter and leave atmosphere because flight system is by contra grav. When loaded down with ordinance, fighters top speed in an atmosphere is Mach 4.5 (3336.5 mph / 5369.7 kph)
Maximum Range: Effectively Unlimited by drive system but only has supplies for pilot for two weeks.

Statistical Data:
Length: 36 feet (11.0 meters)
Height: 14 feet (4.3 meters)
Width: 34 feet (10.4 meters)
Weight: 6.6 tons (6.0 metric tons) empty and 8.5 tons (7.7 metric tons) fully loaded with cruise missiles
Power System: Advanced Fusion with 10 year life span.
Cargo: Minimal Storage Space, place for a rifle, handgun, small survival kit, signal flares, and food rations.
Market Cost: 25 million credits

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. Light Laser Cannons (2): On each wing of the starfighter is a laser cannon mount. They are not as efficient as modern laser cannons beams but are more massive than most modern laser mounts. This means that they are actual slightly more powerful and slightly longer ranged than those carried by the CAF Black Eagle. However, they are not as powerful as the rail gun mounted on the Black Eagle. The gun pods are controlled by the fighters pilot.
   Maximum Effective Range:  6 miles (9.7 km) through atmosphere and 600 miles (966 km) in space.
   Mega-Damage: 2D4x10+10 per single blast, or 4D4x10+20 per double blast
   Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 4 or 5).
   Payload: Effectively Unlimited
2. Medium Range Missile Launchers (2): On the side of the fuselage are two medium range missile bays. Weapon system is used for hitting enemy robots, fighters, and long range and cruise missiles. Missile has a top speed of Mach 15 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 6% of light per turn. Normally used for anti-fighter and point defense. Weapon system can be used on multiple targets.
   Maximum Effective Range: 160 miles (257.5 km) in an atmosphere and 80,000 miles (128,750 km/0.43 light seconds)
   Mega-Damage: varies with medium range missile type (See Phase World Missiles).
   Rate of fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, or 8 missiles.
   Payload: 4 medium range missiles per bay for a total of 8 medium range missiles.
3. Missile Pylons (2): The light fighter has two hard points. Each hard point can carry one cruise missile or two long range missiles. The pylon must carry all the same type ordnance. A Cruise missile is 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). 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, missiles will still cruise unless set to self destruct but has very low odds of hitting starships (Great for hitting bases and planets because the target does not move and missile when dead at -25% to detect.) Cruise missiles have minuses to hit small targets but all missiles are all considered smart missiles.
   Maximum Effective 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) and 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.
   Mega-Damage & Properties: See revised See Phase World Missile tables (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.
   Payload: 1 Cruise Missile or 2 Long Range Missiles per hard point

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By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Copyright © 2004, Kitsune. All rights reserved.