(Okay, I'm a noob ... be merciful, and tell me what I did wrong ...)
While the Lyran Commonwealth is not a traditional market, Guiterrez Aerospace of Ellison would like to submit the Picaroon SX for consideration for this RFP.
The Picaroon is, of course, a well known and highly regarded light ASF, found in units across the LCN. With great maneuverability, and the unmatched striking power of its Magna Supernova heavy PPC, it serves ably in the interception and strike roles. However, speed comes at the cost of medium levels of armour, and the Magna 210 XL does not come cheap for its size.
Therefore, for the budget fighter proposal, we submit the Picaroon SX.
Durability is first and foremost. Not only does the airframe use well-established and mature technologies, the ferro-aluminium bodywork is 30% heavier than the standard model's. THis comes at the cost of maneuverability, with gross thrust reduced 25% to a maximum of 4.5Gs under overthrust. The Picaroon SX retains it's forefather's deep fuel tanks, capable of over 2 burn-days at 1G. And of course, the main weapon - intuitively aligned to the pilot's expectations - is capable of inflicting crippling damage on most opponents short of DropShips.
Strike roles are more than possible with 5 bombs a standard load. Two more may be carried, but the impact on thrust is generally considered too much for most missions.
Particular attention has been paid to long-duration flight, with the cockpit designed for maximum ergonomic efficiency. More roomy than the average Cutter berth, and with additional capacity for both nutrients and sanitary capacity, pilots will be combat-ready even after long patrols. And pilots are able to purchase their personal MegaFlux Personal Entertainment pack (keeps you entertained AND combat ready better than any competing personal entertainment package!) commercially, with accompanied free MultiFlexsubscription, and military certification for use in the Picaroon SX, and other fine Guiterrez products such as the Lancer and Stingray.
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 Magna Supernova Heavy PPC
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3150
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-X-D
Cost: 5,201,653 C-bills
Type: Picaroon SX
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 35
Battle Value: 1,124
Cost: 2,655,386 Cbills
Equipment Mass
Engine 140 Light Fusion 4.0
Safe Thrust: 6
Max Thrust: 9
Structural Integrity: 6
Heat Sinks: 12 [24] 2.0
Fuel: 400 5.0
Cockpit 3.0
Armor Factor 296 16.00
(Ferro-aluminium)
Armor
Value
Nose 74
Wings 71/71
Aft 71
Weapons
and Ammo Location Tonnage Heat SRV MRV LRV ERV
Heavy PPC NOSE 10.0 15 15 15 15 0
The theory - 15 point hits. In a bricked airframe. It's not perfect, but you're not going to get fast bricks, let alone cheap fast bricks. This is 80%-90% of the cost of a Stingrady, and no-one laughs about them - and the Picaroon SX has 100BV on top of those Stingrays.
Given they're being sold to ... recently become friends, shall we say? you don't want them too good ... Definitely a pack fighter.
TO be honest, I'd just have submitted the stock Picaroon, but for the armour requirement. And it's the SX after another product that came about by crippling the original; that also proved to be a magnificent feat of marketing, and very commercially successful.
