B-FTL-01X Katana FTL Booster Pack (CAF / Bushido Industries):

This is an experimental piece of equipment built by Bushido Industries. The equipment is basically a small Unmanned Module that gives the BIF-67 Katana Tactical Fighter the ability to travel at FTL speeds. The booster pack fits on the top of the fighter behind the cockpit so that the pilots view is not restricted if visual system are damaged. Originally, there were two proposed versions with one fitting underneath the fighter and replacing the fighters two weapon mounts but the system would also have also interfered with the fighters landing gear. The booster pack does have some penalties and slightly reduces the fighters maneuverability, sublight acceleration, and atmospheric top speed. The booster pack is streamline so the reduction in atmospheric speed is not as serious as might be expected otherwise. Because of the reduction in performance cause by the booster, the booster pack has been designed to detach from the fighter in 15 seconds (1 melee). The pack takes about fifteen minutes to be reattached via EVA. The crew must have advanced engineering skills (such as Aircraft Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Starship Mechanics, or Weapons Engineer) or the time taken to reattach the pack is doubled. The booster pack has a special locator beacon so that when a special signal is transmitted the booster pack can then be found. To operate the FTL booster back, the Katana fighter must have two upgrades although both are relatively minor. The first is that the fighter needs to have an upgrade navigational system added to the ships computer that enables the ship to navigate between star systems and upgraded FTL communication equipment. The second is that the upper rear of the fighter needs to be modified with attachment for the booster pack and computer interfaces between the fighter and the booster pack.

The equipment has performed fairly well in field tests although there have been some rate of failure. Bushido Industries is attempting to market this module to the C.A.F. as well as independents. Bushido executives hope that with the pack, the Katana fighter will be able to replace the Black Eagle as the long range medium fighter of the C.A.F.

This starfighter booster design uses modified starship speed and weapon range rules. See Revised Starship Rules for Phase World / Three Galaxies for more details.

(Note: The power system is fusion not anti-matter because the author’s opinion is that anti-matter is to dangerous to be used in vehicles that may be used in an atmosphere. If a starship powered by anti-matter was to detonate in an atmosphere it would cause huge planetary damage. At GM option, this can also be applied to all starfighters or this fighter can be changed to anti-matter.)

Model Type: B-FTL-01X

Vehicle Type: FTL booster pack

Crew: None, but fighter requires pilot.

M.D.C By Location:

[1] Main Body:

250

Notes:

[1] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will put the FTL booster out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. The booster itself will be an unsalvageable floating wreck.

Speed:

Driving on the Ground: Not Possible.

Sublight: The module does not have a normal engine but the booster does reduce the Katana space fighter’s acceleration. While the fighter can still reach a top speed of up to 40 percent of the speed of light but the fighter can accelerate/decelerate at the rate of 1.2 percent of light per melee (reduced from 1.4% of light per turn)

Atmospheric Propulsion: The module does not have a normal engine but the booster does reduce the Katana space fighter’s atmospheric speed. Maximum speed is Mach 7 (5,190.2 mph/ 8,352.8 kph) in an atmosphere (Reduced from Mach 8). The fighter can still can enter an atmosphere because flight system is using contra grav.

Stardrive: The booster provides the starfighter with the ability to travel at a maximum of two light years per hour.

Maximum Range: The booster propulsion system gives effectively unlimited range but the starfighter’s life support can only support the pilot for three weeks.

Statistical Data:

Length: fighter is 50 feet (15.2 m) and booster pack is 20 feet (6.1 m) longHeight: fighter is 12 feet (3.66 m), booster pack is 4 feet (1.21 m), and combined is 16 feet (4.88 m) in height.

Width: fighter is 40 feet (12.2 m) and booster pack is 30 feet (9.14 m)

Weight: fighter weighs 15 tons, booster weighs 8 tons, and combined weighs 23 tons

Power System: Advanced Fusion with a 10 year lifespan

Cargo: None

Market Cost: 35 million credits for booster pack to legitimate governments. Bushido Industries will probably also probably sell the booster packs on the black market for 40 to 60 million.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

The booster pack has no effect on the fighters weapon systems but does reduce the fighters combat performance. The special bonuses due to the high maneuverability of the Katana fighter are not applicable while the booster is attached although bonuses from Starfighter Combat (Basic or Elite) still apply. In booster pack is dropped, bonuses are again applicable.

Booster Failure:

Because the booster pack is presently experimental, the system has a problem with failure of the booster system. The system only fails when activated. Once operating, the system will operate correctly. Eventually the problems with the system will be corrected.

Roll on table below to determine if the system fails to operate correctly:

Roll (D100):	Failure:
01 to 03	Complete Failure: The FTL booster does not operate
04 to 09	Partial Failure: The booster only operates at half capacity and fighter only travels at 1 light year per hour
10 to 16	Variable Output: The FTL booster does not keep fighter at a constant FTL speed. This complicates navigation and pilot must make a Navigation: Space roll with a -20% penalty or be 4D10% off course.
17 to 00	System works flawlessly

Note on Katana's Weapon Systems:

Instead of the Missile Pylons being able to carry only four cruise, long range, or medium range missiles, the fighter can carry either one cruise missile, two long range missiles, or four medium range missiles. The fighter can carry a maximum of four cruise missiles, eight long range missiles, or sixteen medium range missiles. Pylons can carry different ordnance or may all carry the same ordnance.

[ Phase World TM, Kreeghor TM, and CAF TM are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]

[ Beyond the Supernatural®, Heroes Unlimited®, Nightbane®, Ninjas & Superspies®, Palladium Fantasy®, and Rifts® are registered trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Concept partially by Ki-Tarn Zilkia (Ki-tarn@sybercom.net).

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