USSF SF-70 Star Talon Aerospace Fighter:
The Star Talon was the first trans-atmospheric starfighter built by any military prior to the coming of the Rifts. The fighter was built by Grumman Aerospace Engineering. The fighter design had only been put into service for only a period of three years before the coming of the Rifts and the vast devastation that resulted from the coming of the Rifts. There were some planet based units of this fighter and there was a full compliment of them on the space cruiser George Washington but other than those, there were no models of this fighter in orbit. There were five squadrons on Earth that had been in final preparations to be sent to Freedom Station at the time of the Rifts and two months from then, five squadrons were scheduled to be sent to the U.S. Moon colony interests. Unfortunately, all fighters on Rifts Earth are thought to have been destroyed.
The Star Talon is design in a delta wing configuration but has four wings so the wings form a wide X when looked at from the front or the back of the fighter. The fighter also has four engines that are fairly widely spaced, This is so the fighter has a higher maneuverability in space. The fighter also has small maneuvering thrusters on all other sides. The fighter has four smaller canard wings just before the cockpit to increase atmospheric maneuverability. The fighters cockpit is in the traditional location of a standard fighter cockpit. The only problem with the physical design of the fighter is that the fighter has reduced stealth when compared to many fighters constructed at around the same time period. The fighter has four special hooks, They extend from the top and bottom of the fighter and are used to catch fighter on landing and used to hook fighter into a starships catapults for launching. Fighter is launched using catapults so that the fighter can quickly clear the landing path of other fighters and so the fighter’s engines will not do damage to the launching bay.
The engines are the FT-1500 second generation fusion pulse engine that uses power from the fighters fusion reactor to use the fighters reaction mass to provide an incredible thrust to weight ratio. This engine is not equaled by any engine on Rifts earth or in the orbital community and can make a trip to Mars from Earth in 4 days using the fighters thrust. The engines are designed so the thrust of the engines can be vectored up to 25 degrees to allow the fighter to make both a short take off or landing while in an atmosphere.
The fighter is well armed. In the front of the fighter under the cockpit are two ion cannons. This weapon is supplemented by the KEM-1000 Kinetic Energy Missile which while the payload is limited, the weapon has a longer range. Unlike many fighter built at te same time, the Star Talon's missile payload is not in internal bays. Instead the ordnance in carried on the fighters wing's and under the main body of the fighter. The fighter is not fitted to carry bombs.
Because of the possibility of pilot ejection, the whole cockpit is designed to eject. The cockpit has a homing beacon and emergency radio that will last for one week. The fighters cockpit also has independent life support that will last for two days before being depleted.
This starfighter follows theoretical information about starships operating non chemical propulsion in space. This has meant much greater speeds and accelerations. Listed is the formula to allow player and game masters to calculate the fighters velocity.
- Velocity = Acceleration x Time + Initial Velocity
Distance Traveled = Acceleration x ½ x Time ² + Initial Velocity x Time
1 G = 32 feet (9.8 m) per second ²
Designation: SF-70 Star Talon
Vehicle Type: Quadruple Engine Aerospace Interceptor/Attack
Fighter
Crew: One
M.D.C. by Location:
| Forward Mounted Ion Cannons (2, Sides of Cockpit): | 50 each | |
| Kinetic Energy Missile Launcher (Nose): | 80 | |
| Rear Grapple: | 10 | |
| Forward Canards (4): | 40 each | |
| [1] Wings (4): | 150 each | |
| Engines (4): | 175 each | |
| Landing Gear (3): | 20 each | |
| Pilots compartment: | 175 | |
| [2] Main Body: | 450 |
Notes:
[1] Destroying two wings on the same side of the fighter will cause
the vehicle to crash from loss of control if it is flying within an atmosphere.
If only one wing is destroyed, the fighter will be -2 to strike and -4
to dodge. Destruction of the fighters wings has no effect on the fighter
in space but fighter will be unable to re-enter an atmosphere safely if
both wings on a side are lost.
[2] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the aircraft down
completely, rendering it useless and causing the fighter to crash if in
flight in an atmosphere.
Speed:
Driving on Ground (Taxiing): Only possible for take offs and
landings as well as for parking and storage. Speed is 40 mph (64 kph) when
traveling and not on take off or landing.
Flying; In atmosphere: The fighter can easily achieve escape
velocity (Mach 32.6 / 25053 mph / 40320 kph) within 3 minute. The fighter
has a maximum acceleration of 7 G. When the fighter is operating within
an atmosphere, pilot will normally keep velocity below Mach 7.5 (5771.25
mph / 9288 kph). The fighter has enough thrust to be launched from a platform
at a standstill position. The fighter is normally launched from a runway
and requires only a short runway for take offs and landings because the
fighters thruster are directional. The fighter will often use Ski-Jump
style launchers for quicker takeoffs.
If the fighter is over half loaded, The fighter can still leave the
Earths atmosphere but must keep velocity below Mach 10 (7695 mph / 12,384
kph) to prevent stress damage to the fighter. Once fighter leaves the thickest
portion of Earth's atmosphere, the fighter can accelerate at full to achieve
escape velocity. Fully loaded, the fighter still has enough thrust to be
launched from a standstill position and fighter can still use ski-jumps
for take offs. When fighter is fully loaded, the fighter requires more
runway distance to take off to prevent stress and cannot make short landing
due to the extra weight..
[ For gamers who do not wish to use revised rules, The fighter can
reach a top speed of Mach 7.5 (4,950 mph/ 7,920 kph) and the fighter is
fully trans-atmospheric. The fighter is also STOL (Short Take Off and Landing)
and only needs a short runway. If the fighter is over half loaded, its
maximum speed is Mach 4.4 (2,904 mph / 4,646.4 kph). The fighter also needs
an extended runway when over half loaded.]
Flying; Space: The fighter does not have an effective top speed
but is limited by acceleration. Fighter can reach a top acceleration of
9 G but is limited by the fighters computer to 7 G to prevent pilot blackout.
The fighter will often travel at an acceleration of 0.5 to 1 G for extended
periods for patrol. Because the fighter is mostly unshielded from the effects
of radiation and hypervelocity atomic particles, the fighter is not operated
at speeds exceeding 20% of the speed of light.
When the fighter is over half loaded, the fighters acceleration is
limited to 5 G of acceleration. The fighter can be launched from a larger
starship at great velocities but may not be able to decelerate to a direct
stop before running out of fuel.
[ For gamers who do not wish to use revised rules, The fighter can
reach a top speed of Mach 15 (9,900 mph / 15,840 kph), If the fighter is
over half loaded, reduce its maximum speed is Mach 11 (7,260 mph / 11,616
kph)]
Maximum Effective Range: Conditionally unlimited, while the fusion rector gives
power for two decades of service, when the fighter is operating in space,
it is limited by the fighters reaction mass. The reaction mass consists
of mainly Deuterium (Hydrogen 2) and Helium 3. The fighter can be refueled
at ground based facilities, space stations, and star ships as long as they
have the special facilities. The ship can also be refueled by fuel shuttles.
The fighter carries 4 days of reaction mass for travel at 0.5 G of
acceleration. Double the consumption of fuel for 1.0 G of acceleration
and double the consumption for every 1.0 G of acceleration beyond 1 G.
this means the fighter will burn 128 times faster at 7 G than at 0.5 G.
This allow the fighter about 45 minutes of fuel at 7 G. The fighter will
often accelerate for a period of time and then shut down the engine and
travel using the fighter velocity. If the fighter uses more than half of
its reaction mass when accelerating, the fighter will be unable to decelerate
fully and the fighter will normally only use a third or less of its fuel
on accelerating so it does not run into a problem. If the fighter runs
out of fuel then it must be recovered by another vehicle traveling faster
or be lost..
The fighters engine acts like the conventional engines used on other
nuclear powered aircraft while operating within an atmosphere except provides
more thrust to the fighter than any engines presently on Rifts Earth and
the engines do not use reaction mass while operating in an atmosphere.
The fighter also carries supplies for pilot for a period of fourteen
days and the life support will support pilot for up to two months before
needing to be recharged.
[ For gamers who do not wish to use revised rules, assume the fighters
duration is effectively unlimited]
Statistical Data:
Height: 35.86 feet (10.93 meters)
Wing Span: 86.35 feet (26.32 meters)
Length: 72.18 feet (22 meters)
Weight: 21 tons (19.1 metric tons)
Cargo: Minimal (Storage for small equipment).
Power System: Nuclear Fusion with average life span of 20 years
Black Market Cost: If found it would probably be worth 125 million
for a new, undamaged, and fully operation fighter complete with missiles
and all weapons. The fighter would be worth about 150 million IOU in the
orbital community.
Weapon Systems:
- Ion Pulse Cannons (2): They are mounted on either side of
the pilots cockpit and are forward firing but do have a 30 degree arc of
fire. The weapons are powerful but have only average ranges. The weapons
are used for dogfighting, anti-missile defense, and strafing runs. This
is the main weapon of the fighter. These weapons are similar to those carried
on the New Navy Manta Ray multi-environment attack ship.
Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 m) in an atmosphere and 32,000 feet (9,600 m) in space. [Non revised rules, cut space ranges by 3/4]
Mega Damage: 1D6x10 for one pulse cannon, 2D6x10 for both pulse cannons (Each counts as one attack
Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 4 or 5).
Payload: Effectively Unlimited - KEM-1000 Kinetic Energy Missile: Mounted in the Nose of the
Fighter. The weapon launchers a large rod of high tensile strength mega-damage
material. The rod is initially driven by a magnetic accelerator and uses
a rocket propellant to increase the speed to even greater speeds. This
weapon reaches incredible speeds by this method. The missile travels at
6,500 mph (10,460 kph) faster than the fighter when it launches the projectile.
These missiles can be used against unmoving targets beyond the weapons
normal range when used in space but suffers the same penalties that normal
missiles do.
Maximum Effective Range: 8,000 feet (2,400 m) in an atmosphere and 64,000 feet (19,200 m) in space. [Non revised rules, cut space ranges by 3/4]
Mega Damage: 3D4x10+20 per missile / projectile.
Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 4 or 5).
Payload: 48 - Body Hard Points: The fighter has hard points on the main
body of the fighter. The hard points can be used for either missiles or
a special reconnaissance pod with extended sensor abilities. The reconnaissance
pod takes the place of all main body missiles.
- Missile Racks: The fighter has missile racks on the bottom
of the fighter. These racks can carry any missile from short range missiles
to long range missiles. Missile are assumed to accelerate at 2 times normal
mach speed in Gs greater than the starships speed when used in space. Missiles
can be launched at non moving targets beyond the powered range of the missiles
to hit targets without the chance of the launching ship being hit by missiles
itself but penalties exist when launching missiles beyond normal missile
range. Missiles can be mixed and matched at the rate of four shot range
missiles or two medium range missiles for one long range missile.
Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, assume powered range is 8 x normal in space (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
Mega-Damage: Varies with missile types (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) missiles.
Payload: 4 long range missiles, 8 medium range missile, or 16 short range missiles - Reconnaissance Pod: The center hard point can carry a reconnaissance
pod in place of all missiles. This Pod included a neutrino sensor, a enhanced
quality radar, higher visual magnification, and high quality data recording
system.
Neutrino Sensor: All fusion and fission reactors output neutrinos (So do stars and anti-matter systems as well). The ship uses a specialized magnetic field to capture and focus neutrinos into a sensor designed to detect neutrinos. The system also eliminates neutrinos from the sun although it is impossible to detect a target if the sun is directly in the sensor as well due to the sun overloading the ability of the system to detect neutrinos. The Neutrino sensor has a range of 50 miles (80 km) in an atmosphere and has a range of 5,000 miles (8,050 km) in space. The sensor has a 35% chance of being able to be able to differentiate between fusion and fission reactors.
Radar: Range of 800 miles (1,288 km) in an atmosphere and 80,000 miles (128,750 km) in space., the system can identify and track up to 1024 targets simultaneously although it is not a targeting radar. It is also gives the fighter the ability to make high quality radar maps using this system
Visual Magnification: Visual magnification multiplies all images by about 5000 times which allows visual identification and tracking of fighter sized objects out to 400 to 500 miles.
- Missile Racks: The fighter has missile racks on the bottom
of the fighter. These racks can carry any missile from short range missiles
to long range missiles. Missile are assumed to accelerate at 2 times normal
mach speed in Gs greater than the starships speed when used in space. Missiles
can be launched at non moving targets beyond the powered range of the missiles
to hit targets without the chance of the launching ship being hit by missiles
itself but penalties exist when launching missiles beyond normal missile
range. Missiles can be mixed and matched at the rate of four shot range
missiles or two medium range missiles for one long range missile.
- Wing Missile Racks (4): The fighter can carry missile on
two hard points on each of its wings. These racks can carry any missile
from mini missiles to medium range missiles. Missile are assumed to accelerate
at 2 times normal mach speed in Gs greater than the starships speed when
used in space. Missiles can be launched at non moving targets beyond the
powered range of the missiles to hit targets without the chance of the
launching ship being hit by missiles itself but penalties exist when launching
missiles beyond normal missile range. Missiles can be mixed and matched
at the rate of four mini missiles or two short range missiles for one medium
missile.
Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types , assume powered range is 8 x normal in space (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
Mega-Damage: Varies with missile types (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) missiles.
Payload: 8 medium range missiles, 16 short range missile, or 32 mini missiles total. - Rear Grapple: the fighter has a grapple that is used for
docking with vehicles that do not have landing bays and to grab items.
The Grapple is fired at a target and uses a claw to grab the target and
the grapple has a breaking strain of 100 tons.
Maximum Effective Range: 1,640 feet (500 meters)
Mega Damage: None (S.D.C. Targets will take 1D4x10 S.D.C.)
Rate of Fire: Once per four melees rounds
Payload: 1 shot but may be retracted and used again - Anti-Missile Chaff Dispenser: Located at the very tail of
the fighter are two chaff dispenser. When tailed by a missile, a cloud
of chaff and other obtrusive particles can be released to confuse or detonate
the enemy's attack. Rifts Earth and Mutants In Orbit decoys systems
are assumed to not operate on Phase World missiles due to technological
difference. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (Add +20%
to rolls for smart missiles.)
Effect:- 01-50 Enemy missile or missile volley detonates in chaff cloud - Missiles
are all destroyed.
51-75 Enemy missile or missile volley loses track of real target and veers away in wrong direction (May lock onto another target.)
76-00 No effect, enemy missile or missile volley is still on target.
Payload: Eight (8)
Special Equipment:
The fighter has all the standard features of a standard fighter plus
these special features listed.
- Heat Shielding: The fighters hull is made out of heat shielding ceramic materials. The shielding causes plasma weaponry to do half damage to the fighter.
- Active Jamming System: Causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/ bases can detect that it is jamming, and some missiles will home in on. Jamming also causes -4 to all radar guided weapons.
- Radar: Range of 500 miles (805 km) in an atmosphere and 50,000 miles (80,500 km) in space., the system can identify and track up to 96 targets simultaneously, It is also capable of Terrain Following for low altitude flight. The fighter can fire missiles at up to twenty four targets at the same time using this system.
- V. A. S.: Visual magnification that multiplies all images by about 1000 times which allows visual identification and tracking of fighter sized objects out to 80 to 100 miles.
- E.S.M.: Radar Detector, Passively detects other radars being operated..
- Laser Navigational System: Allow flight at low altitude without use of Radar. Gives a map of the Terrain.
- +1 to initiative
+1 to strike with nose gun or with mini-missiles
+3 to dodge
+5% to all piloting skills
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[ Beyond the Supernatural®, Heroes Unlimited®, Nightbane®, Ninjas & Superspies®, Palladium Fantasy®, and Rifts® are registered trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
Image drawn and copyrighted by Dany Boucher (korborak@istar.ca) .
More Dany Boucher artwork at Fantasy Art of Elfwood.
Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).
Copyright © 1998 & 2001, Kitsune. All rights reserved.