"Firebat" Conventional Fighter

[Cavgunner]

Firebat

Mass: 30 tons
Frame: Wakazashi  E
Power Plant: Shinobi 210 Fusion Engine
Armor: Shinobi Standard
Armament:
     4 Diverse Optics Type 20 Medium Laser
Manufacturer: Wakazahsi Enterprises
     Primary Factory: Al'Nair
Communication System: Duotec 5
Targeting & Tracking System: RCA Instatrac Mark II
Introduction Year: 3025
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-X-D
Cost: 802,240 C-bills

Overview
With excellent performance and formidable firepower, the Firebat stands apart from the slow and heavy conventional fighter designs in common use today.

Capabilities
Pilots describe the Firebat as a joy to fly. It is quite fast for a medium-sized atmospheric fighter, and like most conventional fighters it is also highly maneuverable. The use of a fusion engine allows for a nose-mounted quartet of medium lasers without excessive tonnage being wasted on heat sinks or amplifiers. This armament equals or exceeds that of most light aerospace fighters. A VSTOL system allows the aircraft to operate from unprepared airfields. Finally, the Firebat can accommodate 4 tons of fuel internally, which is quite generous for an aircraft of this type.

Like all conventional fighters, the Firebat's main weakness is a lack of protection. Even so, the fighter is equipped with as much armor as the frame can accommodate.

Deployment
With the increasing availability of fusion engines in the mid-3020's, Wakazashi Enterprises marketed the Firebat as an export-market conventional fighter that was premium in performance but not in price. At half the cost of a light aerospace fighter, it was an immediate success. Demand for the aircraft currently far exceeds production capacity.

History
When faced with aerospace fighters, Firebat pilots are expected to use speed and agility to gain an advantageous position. An aerospace fighter that cannot dislodge a Firebat from its tail is in serious trouble. However, a Firebat pilot must always remember that most aerospace fighters can still destroy the aircraft in one or two salvoes.

Code: [Select]

Type: Firebat
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 30
Battle Value: 422

Equipment                                          Mass
Engine                        210 Fusion           13.5
Safe Thrust: 7
Max Thrust: 11
Structural Integrity:         0                       
VSTOL Equipment:                                    1.5
Heat Sinks:                   10                      2
Fuel:                         640                   4.0
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor                  30                      2

                           Armor   
                           Value   
     Nose                    10   
     Wings                  7/7   
     Aft                     6     


Weapons
and Ammo              Location   Tonnage  Heat   SRV  MRV  LRV  ERV
4 Medium Laser          NOS       4.0      3      5    0    0    0 



[Retry]

A potential upgrade path could be replacing a ML + 1 HS for a SPL + targeting computer.  Overall a small reduction in potential damage for more accuracy and an ability to inflict significantly more damage to conventional infantry.

[Cavgunner]

That would definitely be an upgrade worth considering. The version featured here would primarily rely on bombs to defeat infantry.