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.
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