Design Contest: 5th Rim Worlds Republic.

[Vehrec]

At long last, after more than 50 years and 100 presidents, the death throes of the 4th Rim World Republic are over!  The Bugetary gridlock, the constant bickering in comittees, the neutering of the armed forces, at last, have all come to an end.  The Hexagon and it's dependants are now unified again, and the new parlimentary rules and constitution will prevent (hopefully) another disaster.  And we have done it all without putting another Amaris in charge of government like the 3rd Republic/Empire.  Gentlemen, the future will look back on us as the dawn of a new era, or the fateful last stand in the face of the Third Star league.

Of course, not all industry was perfectly mothballed in the 4th republic's paranoia about a coup.  I understand perfectly well that none of your companies have made a fighter in over 50 years, and that most of you have moved on to other fields-small craft, personal aircraft, Superheavy cargo VTOLs, Satellites, the list goes on.  But the preliminary assessment indicates that of the sites available to produce ASFs, your companies have the only remaining capability.  And that capability is pretty poor-thankfully, we're remote from Terra, but if we have spies there, then we'll be found out eventually.

So, our ASF fleet is nowhere younger than 50 years, most trend towards over 150, there aren't a lot of spare parts left, and we've lost the tooling to make everything.  Time to start from scratch.  We have identified five needs: Interceptor, Fast-Dogfighter, Dogfighter, Fire Support, and Attack.  Yes, yes, the Dicta Coburn, I know, we're not original.  We have three Wants-Close Attack, ECM/ECCM, and maximal utilization of facilities.  Close-attack is what you expect if you've read the same tactical manuals I have, and ECM/ECCM means we want to see some good electronis here and there.  As for facilities-well that's where you come in.  Funds are being released for both corporate and academics research, but for right now you'll have to make do with limited production of First Star league technology.  Don't expect any of this Exile-Clans Tech to fall into your lap, okay?  For that matter, be economical with the advanced technology we do have, Ground Forces want some for their Mechs as well.  That goes triply so for XL engines and advanced armor. 

So, go back to your teams at New Apollo Airbus, NovaStar Systems, Roe and Takayama, and XWA.  Tell them to make as many designs as they like, and let the Comittee sort out who gets to build what.  I know you each have your own specialties, and we will try to respect that, but we also need fighters badly.  You may or may not wind up producing what you design.  You may wind up producing nothing you've designed-needs of the state overrule private property in this case.  There's going to be a single clearing house for all licencing and fees, you'll get your money, but you've got to go design something before you can get it.

----------
Rules for Scoring: Score 1 point if your design is accepted or a line is in production for someone else's design, 2 points if you score a contract to build your own design, and 3 points if you and a rival company both have contracts to build the design.  Production Capacity will be expressed using the following codes Size-Capacity.  For example, a 40-12 indicates a line that can produce 12 40 ton or smaller fighters per year.  An x# indicates two or more lines of identical capacity and size.

• New Apollo Airbus likes big designs-score an extra 2 points if you design an accepted Heavy weight fighter. 100-8x2, 75-10
• Nova Star Systems is all about energy weapons: score an extra 1 point for each accepted flashbulb design. 60-18
• Roe And Takayama cares about family: score 1 extra point for each design role made or designed. 100-2, 75-6, 30-12
• eXtreme Weapons Armory is all about Bigger Guns.  Score 2 points for each accepted design that's 50% or more weapons and ammo by weight.  Heat Sinks don't count!!1!  100-2x4

[DarthMetool]

Code: [Select]

Okay, first, I've never really done more than dabble in aerospace fighter design.  When I saw this contest, I did a crash course in fighter design by reading a bunch of fan articles (including the Dicta Coburn).  So, if I just hijacked your contest to teach myself fighter design, I apologize.

V0 Viper P (25 tons, primitive/retrotech)  Interceptor (Close Attack)
  240 SFE (10/15/10), 10 shs, 3 tons/fuel, 3.5 tons/primitive armor (12/8/9), W: ML
  BV: 347     Cost: 1,308,769
  Prototype that could be put in to production for planetary militias and the mercenary market.

V1 Viper (20 tons)  Interceptor (Close Attack)
  180 SFE (11/17/11), 10 shs, 4 tons/fuel, 4 tons/armor (18/14/18), W: ML
  BV: 456     Cost: 1,348,600
  First production model.

V2 Viper S (20 tons)  Interceptor (Close Attack)
  260 XLFE (15/23/15), 10 shs, 4 tons/fuel, 4 tons/FA armor (20/16/19), W: ML
  BV: 565      Cost: 2,895,934
  Really fast interceptor.  Just remember.  Speed is life.

V3-T TwinViper (25 tons) Interceptor (Close Attack)
  250 SFE (12/18/12), 10 shs, 4 tons/fuel, 3.5 tons/armor (18/11/16), W: ML
  BV: 447      Cost: 1,662,431
  Based more closely on the 25 ton prototype as an alternative to the more expensive V2.

V3-T-X TwinViper (25 tons) Interceptor (Close Attack)
  325 XLFE (15/23/15), 10 shs, 4 tons/fuel, 4 tons/FA armor (20/16/19), W: ML
  BV: 565      Cost: 3,681,806
  More advanced version.  Again, speed is life.

V3-T1 TwinViper (25 tons)  Interceptor (Close Attack)
  300 XLFE (14/21/14), 10 shs, 4 tons/fuel, 4.5 tons/FA armor (24/18/20), N: 2 MLs, W: ML
  BV: 853      Cost: 3,708,056
  More refined version of the T-X.  Slightly slower with double the firepower.

V4 Viper G (20 tons)  Interceptor (Close Attack/ECM)
  240 XLFE (14/21/14), 10 shs, 4 tons/fuel, 3.5 tons/FA armor (18/14/16), Guardian ECM, W: ML
  BV: 583      Cost: 2,932,600
  ECM version meant to accompany a squadron.

V5-D Death Adder (30 tons)  Interceptor (Close Attack)
  300 XLFE (12/18/12), 10 dhs, 4 tons/fuel, 7.5 tons/FA armor (43/29/33), N: 2 MPLs, W: ML
  BV: 942      Cost: 4,308,015
  Slightly heavier version using pulse laser technology.

D-0 Star Kite (55 tons, primitive/retrotech)  Dogfighter
  265 SFE (6/9/6), 17 shs, 5 tons/fuel, 11 tons/primitive armor (43/28/18), N: 2 MLs, W: LL, A: ML
  BV: 872      Cost: 2,508,201
  Retrotech prototype available to sell on the mercenary market.  Best used with slashing attacks or firing only the large lasers.  Watch that heat scale.

D-1 Star Kite (55 tons)  Fast Dogfighter
  275 SFE (7/11/7), 18 shs, 5 tons/fuel, 10.5 tons/armor (44/41/42), N: 2 MLs, W: LL, A: ML
  BV: 1116     Cost: 2,812,501
  Medium dogfighter with decent speed.  Like the D-0, watch that heat scale.

D-1(u) Star Kite (55 tons)  Fast Dogfighter
  275 SFE (7/11/7), 13 dhs, 6 tons/fuel, 10.5 tons/FA armor (62/41/44), N: LL, W: LL, ML
  BV: 1392     Cost: 3,076,681
  Upgrade refit involving improved materials and heat dissipation system.

D-2 Star Kite (55 tons)  Fast Dogfighter
  330 XLFE (8/12/8), 14 dhs, 6 tons/fuel, 11.5 tons/FA armor (74/44/44), N: LL, W: LL, ML, A: ML
  BV: 1552     Cost: 7,982,393
  Following the transitional D-1(u), the D-2 is faster and better able to handle the weapons array.

BM-1 Bushmaster (60 tons)  Dogfighter (ECCM)
  240 SFE (6/9/6), 20 shs, 7 tons/fuel, 12 tons/armor (72/43/34), N: Beagle Active Probe, W: PPC, A: ML
  BV: 1165     Cost: 3,194,100
  Simply a platform to carry the Beagle Probe into combat.

BM-1(u) Bushmaster (60 tons)  Dogfighter (ECCM)
  240 SFE (6/9/6), 15 dhs, 6 tons/fuel, 12 tons/FA armor (81/45/44), N: PPC, Beagle Active Probe, W: PPC
  BV: 1463     Cost: 3,622,840
  Straight upgrade adding a third PPC and the heat sinks to fire all three at once.

Z-8 Headhunter (45 tons, primitive/retrotech)  Fast Dogfighter
  270 SFE (7/11/7), 10 shs, 5 tons/fuel, 14.5 tons/primitive armor (45/33/44), N: LL, W: SL
  BV: 730      Cost: 2,010,776
  Actual prototype and not supposed to be available for sale.  Could be done for militias and mercenary teams that sign on with the Republic.

Z-9 Headhunter (45 tons)  Fast Dogfighter
  270 SFE (8/12/8), 14 shs, 5 tons/fuel, 10.5 tons/armor (43/41/43), N: LL, W:ML, SL
  BV: 964      Cost: 2,342,139
  Production model of the Headhunter.  Best used for slashing attacks.

Z-9(u) Headhunter (45 tons)  Fast Dogfighter, Fire Support
  270 SFE (8/12/8), 10 dhs, 7 tons/fuel, 12.5 tons/armor (72/43/42), N: ER LL, W: ML, SL
  BV: 1135     Cost: 2,528,829
  Another straight upgrade of a fighter.  Better heat system, armor and upgraded main weapon allowing for some fire support when necessary.

Z-10 Headhunter (45 tons)  Fast Dogfighter, Fire Support
  315 XLFE (9/14/9), 12 dhs, 7 tons/fuel, 13 tons/FA armor (78/53/48), N: ER LL, W: 2 MLs
  BV: 1467     Cost: 6,478,841
  Takes the Z-9(u) as a transitional design and takes it up another notch, upping the speed, armor and heat system.  Two extra medium lasers are added.

Z-11 Headhunter (45 tons)  Fast Dogfighter
  270 XLFE (7/11/7), 12 dhs, 5 tons/fuel, 12.5 tons/FA armor (78/51/44), N: LPL, W: 2 MPLs
  BV: 1236     Cost: 5,749,476
  This fighter takes the dial down one notch from the Z-10 and swaps the lasers for pulse versions.

Z-12 Headhunter (45 tons)  Interceptor (Close Attack)
  360 XLFE (10/15/10), 10 dhs, 7 tons/fuel, 12.5 tons/FA armor (78/51/44), N: 2 MLs, W: 2 MLs
  BV: 1330     Cost: 7,027,641
  Merely a thought exercise and not a serious submission for a heavy interceptor.

T-1 StarShark (80 tons) Dogfighter (Close Attack)
  320 SFE (6/9/8), 11 dhs, 5 tons/fuel, 8.5 tons/FA armor (42/42/26), N: AC/20 (4 tons ammo), 2 MPLs, W: 2 SRM-6s (1 ton ammo each), A: 2 MLs
  BV: 1447     Cost: 5,039,253
  First attempt at a heavy dogfighter.  Probably will be used more for close attack missions than dogfighting.

T-2 StarShark (80 tons)  Dogfighter, Fire Support, Attack\
  320 XLFE (6/9/8), 15 dhs, 5 tons/fuel, 9.5 tons/ FA armor (45/42/41), N: Gauss Rifle (3 tons ammo), 2 ER LLs, W: 2 SRM-4s w/ArtIV (1 ton ammo each), A: 2 MLs
  BV: 2024     Cost: 13,108,853
  Inevitable attempt to do a total upgrade.  Seems expensive.

R-S1 Razorwing (40 tons)  Fast Dogfighter (Close Attack)
  280 SFE (9/14/9), 12 shs, 5 tons/fuel, 8 tons/armor (44/31/22), N: MPL, W: MPL
  BV: 717      Cost: 2,204,480
  Decided a budget dogfighter was needed for contrast.

R-S1(u) Razorwing (40 tons)  Fast Dogfighter (Close Attack)
  280 SFE (9/14/9), 10 dhs, 5 tons/fuel, 8 tons/FA armor (44/36/28), N: MPL, W: MPL, SPL
  BV: 813      Cost: 2,382,080
  Upgraded version for export and the mercenary market.

CT-5 Keystone (65 tons)  Fire Support, Dogfighter
  260 SFE (6/9/6), 14 shs, 6 tons/fuel, 12.5 tons/armor (74/42/42), N: ML, W: LRM-20 (2 tons ammo each), A: 2 SLs
  BV: 1378     Cost: 3,377,447
  A fire support platform first, and a dogfighter a distant second.  Watch that ammo count.

CT-6 Keystone (65 tons)  Fire Support, Dogfighter
  260 SFE (6/9/6), 10 dhs, 6 tons/fuel, 12.5 tons/armor (74/42/42), N: ML, W: LRM-20 w/ArtIV (3 tons ammo each), A: ML
  BV: 1577     Cost: 3,708,035
  Simply an upgrade, the Artemis IV changed the silhouette enough to justify a different designation.

BB-1 Kangaroo (40 tons)  Fire Support, Dogfighter
  160 SFE (6/9/6), 12 shs, 6 tons/fuel, 7 tons/armor (44/23/22), N: ML, W: LRM-10 (2 tons ammo each), A: ML
  BV: 790      Cost: 1,748,720
  A light fire support fighter that takes after the old Rogue.

BB-2 Kangaroo (40 tons)  Fire Support, Dogfighter
  160 SFE (6/9/6), 10 dhs, 6 tons/fuel, 7 tons/FA armor (44/27/29), N: ML, W: LRM-10 w/ArtIV (2 tons ammo each), A: ML
  BV: 883      Cost: 2,115,920
  An upgrade to include Artemis IV gear to the missile racks.

SP-1W Camel (70 tons)  Fire Support, Dogfighter
  280 SFE (6/9/7), 12 dhs, 5 tons/fuel, 12 tons/armor (62/44/42), N: ER LL, W: LRM-20 (3 tons ammo each), A: ML
  BV: 1622     Cost: 4,057,245
  A little harder hitting, the Camel has the laser to punch holes first and the missiles to sandblast armor off.

SP-2W Camel (70 tons)  Fire Support, Dogfighter (ECM)
  280 SFE (6/9/7), 11 dhs, 7 tons/fuel, 13.5 tons/armor (72/51/42), Guardian ECM, N: ER LL, W: LRM-15 w/ArtIV (3 tons ammo each), A: ML
  BV: 1660     Cost: 4,407,435
  Trades raw firepower for more accurate on-target firepower.  Carries the Guardian ECM to spoof enemy electronics.

G1 Goonybird (55 tons)  Fire Support, Dogfighter
  220 SFE (6/9/6), 10 shs, 5 tons/fuel, 11 tons/armor (45/43/45), N:AC/2 (2 tons ammo), ML, W: LRM-10 (2 tons ammo each), ML, A: ML
  BV: 1145     Cost: 2,624,226
  This one is the result of my amusement at putting an AC/2 on a fighter.

G1(u) Goonybird (55 tons)  Fire Support, Dogfighter
  220 SFE (6/9/6), 10 dhs, 6 tons/fuel, 10 tons/FA armor (48/43/45), N: AC/2 (2 tons ammo), ML, W: LRM-10 (2 tons ammo each), ML, A: ML
  BV: 1199     Cost: 2,790,106
  Just a swap of dhs and FA armor instead of the shs and std armor.

G2 Goonybird (55 tons)  Fire Support, Dogfighter
  275 XLFE (7/11/7), 10 dhs, 5 tons/fuel, 11 tons/FA armor (50/50/47), N: AC/2 (2 tons ammo), ML, W: LRM-10 w/ArtIV (2 tons ammo each), ML, A: ML
  BV: 1431     Cost: 7,248,226
  Takes the G1(u) and runs a bit further with it.

G3 Goonybird (55 tons)  Fire Support, Dogfighter
  220 XLFE (6/9/6), 10 dhs, 6 tons/fuel, 10 tons/FA armor (48/43/45), N: Ultra AC/5 (2 tons ammo), ML, W: LRM-10 w/ArtIV (2 tons ammo each), ML, A: ML
  BV: 1393     Cost: 6,290,106
  Some of you reading this probably kept yelling at me to do this, so here is the one with the Ultra AC.

Getting into the home stretch here.

SK-0 SkyBlade (90 tons, primitive/retrotech)  Attack
  325 SFE (5/8/9), 30 shs, 5 tons/fuel, 18.5 tons/primitive armor (72/42/42), N: 3 MLs, W: PPC, A: ML
  BV: 1318     Cost: 4,378,130
  Fully intended as a first-run attack fighter.  Once better attack platforms come online, these are intended to be rotated to training units and sold on the secondary market.

SK-0(u) SkyBlade (90 tons, retrotech)  Attack
  325 SFE (5/8/9), 32 shs, 7 tons/fuel, 15.5 tons/FA armor (92/72/41), N: 3 MLs, W: LL, ML, A: ML
  BV: 1536     Cost: 5,178,385
  This is the factory refit version for units that can't get the full production version.

SK-1 SkyBlade (90 tons)  Attack
  270 SFE (5/8/9), 36 shs, 5 tons/fuel, 17.5 tons/armor (92/73/42), N: PPC, 2 MLs, W: PPC, A: ML
  BV: 1743     Cost: 5,066,155
  Full production version.

SK-2 SkyBlade (90 tons)  Attack
  270 SFE (5/8/9), 25 dhs, 5 tons/fuel, 17.5 tons/armor (92/73/42), N: PPC, W: 2 PPCs.
  BV: 2067     Cost: 5,585,255
  Because I wanted 5 PPCs on a fighter.

VS-1 Voidshark (75 tons)  Attack (ECM)
  225 SFE (5/8/7), 11 dhs, 6 tons/fuel, 16 tons/armor (92/61/42), Guardian ECM, N: AC/10 (3 tons ammo), 2 SRM-4s (2 tons ammo), W: LPL, ML, A: CASE
  BV: 1634     Cost: 4,135,931
  An attack platform meant to carry the Guardian ECM on a squadron level.

VS-2 Voidshark (75 tons)  Attack (ECM)
  225 SFE (5/8/7), 12 dhs, 6 tons/fuel, 16.5 tons/armor (92/64/44), Guardian ECM, N: LB-10X AC (3 tons ammo), 3 Streak SRM-2s (1 ton ammo), W: LPL, ML, A: CASE
  BV: 1744     Cost: 4,487,931
  Felt the 10X would be a good fit.

DW-1Y Dire Wyvern (100 tons)  Attack, Fire Support
  300 SFE (5/8/10), 10 shs, 5 tons/fuel, 20 tons/armor (104/72/72), N: Gauss Rifle (2 tons ammo), W: Gauss Rifle (2 tons ammo each), A: 2 MLs
  BV: 2691     Cost: 6,265,500
  Because Gauss Rifles.

DW-2Y Dire Wyvern (100 tons)  Attack, Fire Support (ECM)
  300 XLFE (5/8/10), 10 shs, 6 tons/fuel, 24 tons/FA armor (154/92/92), Guardian ECM, N: Gauss Rifle (3 tons ammo), W: Gauss Rifle (3 tons ammo each), A: 2 MLs
  BV: 3259     Cost: 15,985,800
  Because munchkin Gauss Rifles.

DV-1 Devil Whale (95 tons)  Attack (Close Attack)
  285 SFE (5/8/9), 20 dhs, 5 tons/fuel, 17.5 tons/FA armor (120/75/43), N: AC/20 (3 tons ammo), 2 SRM-6s (2 tons ammo), W: SRM-6 (1 ton ammo each), 2 MPLs, W: 2 MLs
  BV: 1983     Cost: 6,094,626
  This one came about when I realized I didn't have a large close attack fighter.

Sorry for the massive entry. 

[Vehrec]

Well, you broke every single rule and flooded the contest with way too many entries, but I think that since nobody else has bothered to respond in over a month...you might also be the winner?

[DarthMetool]

Well, you broke every single rule and flooded the contest with way too many entries, but I think that since nobody else has bothered to respond in over a month...you might also be the winner?

Sorry about that.  I've never been too good at word problems so it was a bit hard for me to parse out the rules from the fluff.

EDIT:  Thanks for the clarification.  Want me to edit out my previous post?
EDIT2: And does Star League tech include stuff like laser insulators?

[Vehrec]

Hmm, maybe I should have stated a bit more clearly:

DA RULES:
You must pick on of the four fluffed companies, New Apollo Airbus, NovaStar Systems, Roe and Takayama, and XWA.

You must design within the confines of the listed manufacturing capacity.

Unwritten but implicit: Don't 'spam' designs out to fill every weight class

Also implicit: Design for the 7 listed roles: Interceptor, Fast-Dogfighter, Dogfighter, Fire Support, Close-Attack, E-War, and Attack.  So, 7 designs, or fewer, if you can combine them effectively.

Bonus points: Design for the 'flavor' of a given company, which are Big Planes, Flashy Lasers, Corperate synergy between designs, and ALL THE GUNS.

[DarthMetool]

Let me know if this is better.  Actual entry.  (Ignore my first post in the topic)

Roe and Takayama: Fruit Bats Design Team

St3R Stingray (30 tons)  Roles: Interceptor (Close Attack)
 240 SFE (10/15/10), 10 HS, 4 tons/fuel (320), 6.5 tons/FA armor (42/20/22)
 N: Sm. Pulse Laser, W: Md. Pulse Laser
 BV: 584
 Cost: 1,842,415
  Basic interceptor and the first of four space frames utilizing the 240-rated fusion engine.

D210 Vampire Hound (40 tons)  Roles: Fast Dogfighter (Close Attack, ECCM)
 240 SFE (8/12/8), 10 DHS, 5 tons/fuel (400), 9 tons/FA armor (42/39/41)
 N: Beagle Active Probe, Md. Pulse Laser, W: 2 Md. Pulse Lasers
 BV: 968
 Cost: 2,434,080
  Designed for countering enemy ECM and second-tier intercepting.

GV10 Star Venom (60 tons)  Roles: Dogfighter, Attack (Close Attack, ECCM)
 240 SFE (6/9/6), 16 DHS, 6 tons/fuel (480), 11 tons/FA armor (73/41/42)
 N: Beagle Active Probe, 3 Md. Pulse Lasers, W: Lg. Pulse Laser, A: Md. Laser
 BV: 1225
 Cost: 3,565,640
  Primary dogfighter with secondary attack and close attack roles.

T85F Thunderstreak (80 tons)  Roles: Attack (ECM)
 240 SFE (5/8/8), 17 DHS, 7 tons/fuel (560), 14 tons/FA armor (92/53/52)
 N: Narc Missile Beacon (3 tons), 4 Md. Pulse Lasers, W: LRM-15 (2 tons each), Md. Laser, A: Guardian ECM, 2 Md. Lasers
 BV: 1801
 Cost: 4,986,880
  The last of four frames using the 240-rated engine, this bird is essentially a cut-down, third-rate Ahab.  In a pinch when the ammo runs out, it can act as a close attack fighter.  That is not recommended.

V-1 Red Vulture (75 tons)  Roles: Fire Support, Dogfighter (ECM)
 300 SFE (6/9/7), 13 DHS, 6 tons/fuel (480), 12 tons/FA armor (75/43/54)
 N: ER Lg. Laser, 3 Streak SRM-2s (1 ton), W: LRM-15 (2 tons each), A: Guardian ECM, 2 Md. Lasers
 BV: 1700
 Cost: 4,771,181
  Built for fire support and a secondary dogfighter.  Carries the Guardian ECM for added protection while performing the first role.

The Stingray is the first-tier interceptor (and planetary defense), followed by the Vampire Hound to pierce enemy ECM.  The Star Venom can perform as both dogfighter in the ensuing brawl and as an attacker on slow dropship targets.  The Thunderstreak's Narc Beacon complements the Red Vulture's fire support role, and both share some parts commonality.

Manufacturing recommendations:
100-2: 1 Thunderstreak, 1 Red Vulture
75-6: 1 Red Vulture, 2 Star Venoms, 3 Vampire Hounds
30-12: 12 Stingrays

[KaiserDunk]

Here's my interceptor idea, the 25-ton Voidshark.

Code: [Select]

                    AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  Voidshark Light Fighter
Tech:              Inner Sphere / 3067
Vessel Type:       Aerospace Fighter
Rules:             Level 2, Standard design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              25 tons
Frame:             NSX-12
Power Plant:       VBXL 300 XL Fusion
Safe Thrust:       14
Maximum Thrust:    21
Armor Type:        VBFA Ferro-aluminum
Armament:         
    2 NSS Type IIE ER Medium Laser
    2 NSS Type IE ER Small Laser
Manufacturer:   Nova Star Systems
  Location:     Voidbank
Communications System:  VBC-7
Targeting & Tracking System:  VBT-15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==Overview:==
   With the proclamation of the Fiffth Rim Worlds Republic, there was an
intense drive to update and renovate the Rim Worlds Republic Naval fighter
squadron.   One company that sought to take up the challenge was Nova Star
Systems. a company that had been mostly known for the manufacture of energy
weapons and power transmission equipmenmt.   While they did not have a long
history of military contracts, what NSS did have was a core team of highly
skilled and flexible engineers who had a relatively free hand.   These
engineers were eager to meet the challenge of designing a new AeroSpace
fighter around the strengths and limitations of what their comapny could
achieve.   Working at speed, the team was able to come up with a lightweight
design based on speed, maneuverability, and simplicity of design.   The new
fighter was rushed into prototype form under the code-name Voidshark, after a
small local predatory fish known for its vicious swarming attacks.

==Capabilities:==
   The Voidshark was designed around speed and maneuverability, but the
engineers realized that a fighter based on just speed alone would have a
spaceframe with the effective strength of paper, so they made room in the
weight for some armor.   As a result, the Voidshark has a suprisingly sturdy
frame for such a light fighter, which enables it to both withstand crushingly
high G-forces in combat as well as withstand some oncoming enemy fire.   While
other fighters might be able to outrun a Voidshark, very few can outturn or
outdive one.
   The firepower of the Voidshark is based on what the Nova Star Systems
engineers knew best, energy weapons.   The two nose-mounted NSS Type IIE ER
Medium Lasers give the fighter a suprisingly heavy punch at a decent range. 
Ther Voidshark is designed with the main weapons in a semi-palletized pannier
below the cockpit, allowing the compact lasers to be dropped down for ease of
maintenance and repair.   The wing-mounted Type IE lasers give the fighter a
better close-in punch while allowing for an excellent heat-management profile
that is very forgiving and allows a pilot to utilize the weapons as much as
needed.

==Deployment==
   The Voidshark has not yet entered any extensive production, but enough
service examples to fill outy a squadron have been manufactured to better test
the new fighter under combat conditions.   While the evaluations have not yet
been completed, the results so far are promising and it is hoped that the
fighter will soon enter full production.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  Voidshark Light Fighter
Mass:              25 tons

Equipment:                                                              Mass
Power Plant:  300 XL Fusion                                              9.50
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 14
      Maximum Thrust: 21
Structural Integrity: 14                                                  .00
Total Heat Sinks:    10 Double                                            .00
Fuel:                                                                    5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters:                                            3.00
Armor Type:  Ferro-aluminum  (81 total armor pts)                        4.50
                           Standard Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Nose:                                 28
   Left/Right Wings:                  20/20
   Aft:                                  13

Weapons and Equipment      Loc        SRV    MRV    LRV    ERV  Heat    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 ER Medium Laser          Nose         5      5     --     --   10      2.00
1 ER Small Laser           RW           3     --     --     --    2       .50
1 ER Small Laser           LW           3     --     --     --    2       .50
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                                    Heat: 14     25.00
Tons Left:                                                                .00

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:        3,778,594 C-Bills
Battle Value:      802
Cost per BV:       4,711.46
Weapon Value:      871 (Ratio = 1.09)
Damage Factors:    SRV = 15;  MRV = 7;  LRV = 0;  ERV = 0
BattleForce2:      MP: 14,  Armor/Structure: 2 / 0
                   Damage PB/M/L: 2/1/-,  Overheat: 0
                   Class: FL;  Point Value: 8