SF-11
CROSSBOW
The Crossbow is currently the frontline combat fighter of
the Terran Protectorate. It is a lightning fast, one-man fighter with excellent
agility, moderate range and good firepower. It is, however, very difficult to
master and maintenance-intensive.
The Crossbow is generally a carrier-deployed fighter, used
primarily by the fleet. However, it can be found on space stations and, less
commonly, on planetside bases. While very capable in atmosphere, it is built
for space combat.
The Crossbow’s standard load-out consists of two light
automatic rail guns that fire bursts of 40mm tungsten darts which shred their
target upon impact. Because the tungsten rounds are much lighter than a
traditional bullet, the Crossbow is able to store a large payload before weight
becomes a concern. Additionally, the Crossbow is armed with six medium-range
missiles, giving it a first-strike range of 150 miles. These can be replaced
with 18 short-range missiles. In a pinch, two long-range missiles can be added
to the wingtips, but this is rare.
The Crossbow’s designers made a decision to sacrifice
stealth and a reduced profile for speed and power. Its engines give off a
strong energy signature that, while they do not increase the detectable range
of the fighter, don’t allow for much in the way of stealth. “Loud and proud” is
a common slogan among Crossbow drivers. When stealth is needed, Crossbow pilots
will build up speed at long range and kill their engines. Fortunately, the two
main thrusters have a nearly instant warm-up time.
The fighter has a powerful avionics package that includes an
advanced combat computer that compensates for combat at incredibly high speeds
by utilizing highly advanced fuzzy logic to estimate the intentions of the
pilot and react accordingly. Newtonian physics in space combat are incredibly
hard to master for most species, requiring them to slow down considerably
during space combat in order to keep control. The Crossbow pilots are only
limited by what is called the “speed of situational awareness”, meaning the
speed at which the human brain can digest and react to what’s going on around
them. This is combined with a high-powered inertia compensation system that
allows the fighter to pull off maneuvers that would liquefy a human body under
normal circumstances.
These systems, and the incredibly powerful engines, are one
of the main reasons that the Crossbow utilizes mainly kinetic weaponry. It
needs all that power for other things. Even the powerful rail gun relies on
only a fraction of the energy needed for a directed energy weapon. The downside
is that its overall combat duration is limited when compared to some other
fighter craft. Frequently, Crossbow squadrons go into battle with a Holstein
Pinnace providing improved sensor and ECM capabilities, as well as armament
reloading; which can be done via a special mechanical arm built into the
Model: SF-11 Crossbow Space Superiority Fighter
Class: Starfighter
Crew: One (although the SF-11T, a training model, is a
two-seater)
M.D.C. by Location
Wings (2) – 150
*Outrigger Thruster Nacelles (2) – 120
*Central Thruster – 200
Stabilizers (3) – 75
**Main Body -- 400
Reinforced Pilot’s Compartment –150
*Destroying one of the three engines will reduce the
fighter’s top speed by 40%, as well as give the pilot a -10% to all control
rolls. Destroying all three will immobilize the vessel, causing it to likely
lose control.
**Depleting the main body of the fighter will cause the
airframe to disintegrate in 1D4 melee actions. Also note that the rail guns are
part of the Main Body, and not able to be targeted separately. Destroying the
wings has no effect in space, except that they anchor the outrigger engines to
the body.
Speed
Maximum Sublight Speed: 300,000 miles per hour, roughly Mach
405 (can get from the earth to the moon in a little under an hour…or to the Sun
in 13 days)
Maximum Acceleration/Deceleration: 12Gs per melee round.
FTL Speed: Not possible.
Top Atmospheric maneuvering speed: Mach 12 (can easily
breach the atmosphere of an earth-like planet…and maneuver while doing it)
Statistical Data
Height: 16 feet
Length: 40 feet
Width: 51 feet
Cargo: None, beyond a survival kit for the pilot.
Power plant: One 0.5 oz.
Range: Generally accepted range is 3.5 million miles, though
can coast much further through conservative use of fuel. Has two days of
consumables (air, water and food packs).
Cost: Not available for purchase.
Weapon Systems
1.
Medium-range missiles:
The Crossbow’s primary weaponry consists of six medium-range “smart” missiles.
Warheads come in a variety of types, from armor piercing to high explosive to
plasma, and allow the fighter to strike at targets over 150 miles away.
Primary Purpose: Assault
Mega-Damage: Varies with missile type. Standard Rifts
Missile damages.
Range: Approximately 150 miles in space, 50 miles in
atmosphere.
Rate of fire: 1 or 2 missiles per volley. Volleys are
limited only by payload and the hand-to-hand attacks of the pilot.
Payload: Six
2.
40mm High-Speed Electromagnetic Miniguns (2): Located along the sides of the main fuselage is a pair of
rail guns that fire bursts of 40mm tungsten darts. These weapons deliver a
massive amount of kinetic energy and shearing force to their target and have
proven incredibly effective against the Arkhons’ ceresteel plating, which is vulnerable to ballistics
weaponry.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Starfighter
Mega-Damage: 4D6x10 M.D. from a 20-round burst from both
weapons. Can only fire in bursts and always fire in tandem.
Range: 5 miles
Rate of fire: Equal to the hand-to-hand attacks of the
pilot.
Payload: 10,000 rounds, for a total of 250 twin bursts
before requiring a reload.
Optional Weapon systems
3.
Short-range missiles:
The Medium-range missiles can be replaced by 18 short-range missiles. This is usually
done when close-air support is required, such as defending a carrier from
attack, or supporting ground troops.
Primary Purpose: Assault
Mega-Damage: Varies with missile type. Standard Rifts
Missile damages.
Range: Approximately 15 miles in space, 5 miles in
atmosphere.
Rate of fire: Can be fired individually, in pairs, or in
volleys of 3 or 6. Volleys per melee are limited to the number of hand-to-hand
attacks of the pilot.
Payload: 18
4.
Long-Range Missiles: A long-range
missile can be attached to the tip of each wing, giving the fighter a more
potent means of attacking enemy capital ships and space stations.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Ship
Mega-Damage: Varies with missile type (always a smart bomb)
Range: About 5,000 miles…varies with missile type.
Rate of fire: Individually or as a pair.
Payload: 2
Sensors of note: Equipped with standard sensors, including radar and mass
detectors with a range of 10,000 miles.
Bonuses: +2 to dog fighting rolls, +2 to dodge.
