Metalworks EFV-10 Springhawk Exoskeleton Flying Vehicle:

Metalworks is a company which builds a multitude of different designs including aircraft, heavy armor, and power armor designs. The main headquarters of the company are west of the city of Tolkeen and they are known to sell several Triax designs as well as their own designs. Metalworks produces several jet pack designs but they produce a more interesting design. The design operates in a very similar role to a jet pack but uses a pair of ducted fans instead of a jet or rocket thruster. This design is called the "Springhawk." It is believed that the engineers copied the design from a pre-rifts design.

This design is sold for both military and civilian applications. It has several key advantages over a standard jet pack. The flight system has a longer endurance than most jet packs. In addition, the vehicle is far quieter than a standard jet pack, although far from silent, and also does not produce the huge thermal signature of a jet pack. It is used for personal travel and by several mercenary companies for covert roles where a normal jet pack would be too noisy.

While several companies have tried to copy the Springhawk for their own manufacture, most have run into problems. The design is made from lightweight alloys which few companies specialize in. The pilot of the vehicle rides the design standing up while strapped into it. The pilot is completely exposed. On either side of the pilot is a control for the vehicle. There is a large fan with variable pitch blades on either side of the pilot. There are nop wings and the design relies completely on the fan system for light. The landing gear is skids similar to what is fitted on some helicopters.

Power is provide by E-Clips to make the design more versatile. A fuel cell system would require too much space and to keep costs down, a fusion power system was not considered either. A “short” energy clip will give power for one hour at cruising speed while a "long" energy clip will supply power for two hours. The flight system can take up to four energy clips giving the flight system a potential duration of eight hours with four long energy clips. Cruising speed is around 100 miles per hour with a maximum speed of 120 miles per hour. Reduce duration by around one third if operating at maximum speed. Of course the flight system can hover in one place. Maximum altitude is around 12,000 feet.

The design has no integral weapon although the pilot can carry small arms and wear body armor as well. It is not fitted with any sensor systems and relies on the pilots eyes and any enhancements in their armor. There is a maximum payload of around four hundred pounds including the pilot. This means that theoretically the flight system could carry a set of Terrain Hopper power armor if the pilot is fairly light. While the power armor has a built in flight system, it is far more noisy than the Springhawk flight system. There are reports of some pilots mounting Naruni force field systems on their Springhawks. There are also rumors of a version of the Springhawk which uses special materials to make it invisible on radar systems although nothing has been confirmed.

Model Type: EFV-10
Class: Exoskeleton Flying Vehicle
Crew: One (Maximum weight 420 lbs / 190 kg)

M.D.C. by Location:

	[1] Lifts Fans (2):	10 each
	Landing Skids / Gear (2):	10 each
	[2] Main Body / Power Plant:	40

Notes:
[1] Destroying a lift fan cause the flight system to crash.
[2] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the flight system down completely, rendering it useless and causing it to crash if in flight. Note: The pilot is completely exposed in all directions except for the back.

Speed:
Running: Not Applicable
Flying: Cruise speed is 99.4 mph (160 kph) with a maximum speed of 124.3 mph (200 kph.) Traveling above cruising speed reduces flight time by one third. Maximum altitude is 12,470 feet (3800 meters).
Flying Range: Can carry up to four e-clips for power. Each short E-Clip gives sixty minutes of flight time and each long E-Clip gives one hundred and twenty minutes of flight time.

Statistical Data:
Height: 8.3 feet (2.5 meters).
Width: 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) with ducts
Length: 5.3 feet (1.6 meter)
Weight: 396.8 lbs (180 kg) empty.
Cargo: Maximum weight of 420 lbs (190 kg) including pilot
Power System: Electric, powered by E-clips (Can use up to four)
Market / Black Market Cost: 40,000 Credits

Weapon Systems:
None standard although pilot can use small arms

Special Equipment:
The Springhawk is not fitted with the sensors or other equipment of a standard set of body armor or power armor. The design relies on the pilot’s equipment.

Silenced Engine and Rotor Blade System: The EFV-10 Springhawk is so quiet that at moderate ranges, it gets a prowl roll of 35% in daylight and 60% in darkness.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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