• Home
• Palladium
• Phase World Vehicles
• Free Worlds Council
• FWC-FF-100 “Long Tooth” class modified Flying Fang Starfighter

FWC-FF-100 “Long Tooth” modified Flying Fang Starfighter (FWC):

The backbone of the Free Worlds Council fighters groups have always been the Flying Fang. In that respect, they have more in common with their main enemy than anybody else. The Flying Fang is considered an adequate fighter in most roles but little more could be said about it.

Even so, due to the fact that the Free Worlds Council forces captured a major fighter manufacturing area when they seceded, they ended up manufacturing a large Flying Fangs themselves. In addition, the Free Worlds Council was also glad to capture as many fighters as they could as well. With those they captured, a larger numbers needed to be considered to be operated by human and similar sized humanoids.

Engineers often like to tinker and the Free Worlds Council did not initially have the military bureaucracy in order to inhibit such things and even today that the Consortium and Human Alliance have. As a result, a number of enterprising technicians made modifications to the Flying Fangs under their care to make the fighters more efficient. These included such modifications and refitting the engines to produce more speed and have replaced weapons with more powerful ones.

These ideas and modifications came to the attention of some senior officers in the Free Worlds Council and instead of trying to clamp down, many of these enterprising technicians were snatched up for a new development project. The project was to develop a modified Flying Fang design which could still be manufactured using facilities designs to build the fighter with minimal modifications while being a vastly more capable design. They wanted a fighter which could devastate the standard Flying Fang.

The eventual design, which was an incredibly time consuming development, was known as the “Long Tooth.” The first few of the new “Long Tooth” design were simply standard Flying Fangs which were modified. One of the reasons why it was so time consuming was that at first they were practically hand built. These did at least show the superiority of the new design however.

When the production design came of the assembly line, the new design required far fewer parts. Eventually, the part reduction was about 25% reduced compared to the first few prototypes. In addition, the later fighters were far less prone to break down than the early models of the “Long Tooth.”

While the manufacturing facilities within the Free Worlds Council have fully switched over to manufacturing the “Long Tooth” design, the vast majority of Flying Fang designs within the Free World Council are of the basic Trans-Galactic Empire design. It is estimated that as of now, only around twenty percent of Flying Fangs being operated are on the “Long Tooth” design. It will be years, if not decades, until the new design completely replaces the original fighter.

In general appearance, the “Long Tooth” looks very similar to a standard Trans-Galactic Empire Flying Fang with one of the most notable differences being that the engines are larger than those on the standard model. In addition, there is a large gun pod under the fighter. The gun pod is the key to the fighter’s close range weapon system. This gun pod replaces the two internal rail guns in the nose of the fighter.

In most models, a copy of the GR-1000 gravity rail gun is mounted but a small number carry the PC-200 phase cannon. It takes only a few minutes to switch between gun pods. Originally carried on the Consortium Scorpion light fighter, the gravity rail gun is one of the most powerful point defense rail guns. The phase cannon is more commonly carried on raiding missions when an attempt is being made to capture a ship intact being that it can kill the crew without damaging the vessel itself.

Less noticeable is that the fighter has four hard points which are designed with the ability to carry a single capital missiles, a pair of long range missiles, or four medium range missiles. Otherwise, the basic weapon systems of the “Long Tooth” fighter are identical to those carried by a standard Flying Fang.

As one might expect from the larger size of the engines, they are more powerful and produce much greater thrust. As a result, the “Long Tooth” is around twenty percent faster than the standard Flying Fang in both space acceleration and basic atmospheric performance. The new Kreeghor “Sharktooth” however does have better performance but is a light fighter design.

There is a variant of the “Long Tooth” which mounts a faster than light engine. Only a relatively small number of fighters mount this engine. It is believed that this engine is a direct copy of the engine carried on the long range variant of the Consortium Black Eagle fighter. Consortium military intelligence agencies have been watching closely to see if they can figure out where the Free World Council got the design. Part fo the concern is that the Consortium does not want to be seen as directly aiding the Free Worlds Council against the Trans-Galactic Empire. There has been some weak diplomatic protest in regard to this. On models of the “Long Tooth” which carry the faster than light drive, the drive replaces the mini-missile launcher.

Finally, there have been a handful of prototypes of a further upgraded “Long Tooth.” All of these prototypes have dispensed with the mini-missile launchers and carry the faster than light drive. It does use the standard frame of the standard “Long Tooth” but replaces much of the standard equipment. These include a variety of systems carried on designs from other powers. The main shields and engines come from the Bushido Industry Katana design. Due to the fighter actually being lighter than the Katana, it is actually slightly faster. In addition, the fighter carries an experimental auxiliary thruster. While only of limited duration, this gives performance equal to some of the fastest fighters in the Three Galaxies. The laser cannons actually come from those carried on the Black Eagle space fighter. The one problem is that these prototypes are tremendously expensive costing twice that of a standard “Long Tooth.”

This starfighter 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.)

Vehicle Type: Space/Atmospheric Fighter.

Crew:   One.

Notes:

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

[2] Shields positions can be varied and all could be combined in one shield. Shields regenerate at the rate of 5% (60 M.D.C. Standard / 90 M.D.C. Advanced) per melee round.

Speed:

Driving on the Ground: Not Possible.

Sublight: Has a special sublight engine that allows the ship to travel up to 40 percent of the speed of light. Standard Fighter can accelerate/decelerate at the rate of 1.2 percent of light per melee and Advanced Model can accelerate/decelerate at the rate of 1.5 percent of light per melee. This is with the under belly weapon pod (Rail gun or Phase Cannon). Without the fighters weapon pod, the Standard Fighter can accelerate/decelerate at the rate of 1.25 percent of light per melee and Advanced Model can accelerate/decelerate at the rate of 1.55 percent of light per melee (both slightly faster) on normal engines. On auxiliary thrusters, the advanced model has a maximum acceleration of 1.8 percent of light per melee maximum.

Atmospheric Propulsion: Standard Fighter and Advanced Model have a maximum cruise speed is Mach 4.8 (3,653.8 mph / 5,880.3 kph), both can enter and leave an atmosphere because flight system is using contra grav. This is with the gun pod carried on the fighter, without the gun pod the fighters maximum cruise speed is Mach 5.0 (3,806.1 mph / 6,125.3 kph).

Stardrive: The Long Range Models have a Gravitronic Drive system which allows the ship to reach a maximum of two light-years per hour.

Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited by internal fuel (25 year duration) but only has supplies for pilot for three weeks. On the advanced model, auxiliary thruster range is limited to approximately 15 minutes.

Statistical Data:

Length:                40 feet (12.2 meters).

Height:                15.5 feet (4.7 meters) with weapon pod and 14 feet (4.3 meters) without weapon pod.

Width:                 40 feet (12.2 meters).

Mass/Weight:      12 tons (10.8 metric tons) with weapon pod and 10 tons (9.1 metric tons) without weapon pod.

Power System: Advanced Fusion with 25 year life span.

Cargo: Minimal Storage Space, place for a rifle, handgun, small survival kit, signal flares, and food rations.

Market Cost: 65 million credits for a standard “Long Tooth”, 95 million credits for a long range version, and 125 million credits for the prototype models. These fighters are rarely available on the open market but some have been sold especially for the right prices. In some cases, early models with sell for 15% less than normal.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. Two (2) Horn Lasers Cannons: There are two lasers carried on the “Long Tooth.” In all cases, both of the lasers can be combined together and with the GR-1000 gravity rail gun or the PC-200 phase cannon for greater effect. Rarely is the phase cannon combined with the lasers however.

   1. Standard: These are carried on the Standard “Long Tooth.” The cannons are taken straight from the standard Kreeghor Flying Fang, the fighter carries two laser cannons with one on each of the horns of the starfighter. The main problem with this weapon system is that the lasers are fairly short ranged.

      Maximum Effective Range: 2 miles (3.2 km) in an atmosphere and 200 miles (320 km) in space.

      Mega-Damage: 2D6x10 for both cannons (1D6x10 if one is destroyed) and 6D6x10 when the laser cannons and the rail gun are combined at close range.

      Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the Pilot (usually 4 or 5).

      Payload: Effectively Unlimited

   2. HI-Laser cannons: Fitted into the advanced model, these laser cannons are identical to those carried on the standard Black Eagle Starfighter and can be used simultaneously or can be fired individually. These cannons have both better range and damage than the Laser Cannons carried on the standard Long Tooth but are mounted in identical locations.

      Maximum Effective Range: 5 miles (8 km) through atmosphere and 500 miles (800 km) in space.

      Mega-Damage: 2D4x10 per single blast or 4D4x10 per double blast (can be combined with rail gun at still the cost of one attack - Inflicts 4D6x10 + 4D4x10 per attack).

      Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 4 or 5).

      Payload: Effectively Unlimited.

2. One (1) Weapon Hard Point: The fighter has one hard point in the middle of the belly of the fighter. The pods are streamlined and the fighters are designed to always carry the weapon pod. By far the rail gun is the most common pod carried on the fighter with the Phase Cannon only in Privateer type missions. Weapon may be combined with laser cannons but it is rare if the laser cannons and the phase cannons are combined.

   1. GR-1000 Gravity Rail Gun: The rail gun is the same rail gun as is carried in the C.A.F. Scorpion Starfighter. Weapon is mainly used as an anti-starfighter and strafing weapon. When used in space, projectiles are fired from rail gun at a significant fraction of the speed of light in space and when used in an atmosphere are fired at a slower but still at hypersonic speeds. The gravity rail gun uses a 30 mm projectile.

      Maximum Effective Range: 16 miles (26 km) through atmosphere and 1,600 miles (2,575 km) in space.

      Mega-Damage: Rail gun inflicts 4D6x10 M.D.C. for a 40 round burst and can be combined with the laser cannons when the laser cannons and the rail gun are both within range.

      Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 4 or 5).

      Payload: 10,000 Rounds (250 Bursts).

   2. PC-200 Phase Cannon Pod: The weapon is designed to take out the crew of target ship without damaging the target ship. Does no damage to inanimate objects but damages personnel and does do damage to force fields. Identical to weapon in star ghost starfighter.

      Maximum Effective Range: 2 miles (3.2 km) in an atmosphere and 200 miles (320 km) in space.

      Mega Damage: 4D6 to all living targets in a 50 ft (9.1 m) diameter around blast point or 6D6 to force fields and creatures 10 feet (3.0 m) or larger. The damage is S.D.C. to S.D.C. targets and M.D.C. to M.D.C. targets.

      Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 4 or 5).

      Payload: Effectively Unlimited.

3. Two (2) Medium Range Missile Launchers: On each side of the of the fighter is a medium range missile launcher. Weapon system is used for hitting enemy robots, fighters, and missiles. Weapon system is also used for anti-cruise missile. Missile has a top speed of Mach 15 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 6% of light per turn. Normally used for anti-fighter and point defense. Weapon system can be used on multiple targets.

   Maximum Effective Range: Medium Range Missile range is 160 miles (257.5 km) in an atmosphere and 80,000 miles (128,750 km/0.43 light seconds) in space.

   Mega-Damage: Varies with medium range missile type (Multi-warhead heavy warheads inflict 5D6x10 M.D.C. each - See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details.)

   Rate of Fire: Can fire medium range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) medium range missiles.

   Payload: 8 medium range missiles (4 each launcher.)

4. One (1) Mini-Missile Launcher (Standard and non FTL Models Only): The fighter has a mini missile launcher mounted on top of starfighter above the cockpit. Fires mini-missiles used for offensive and defensive purposes. Missile has a top speed of Mach 10 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 2% of light per turn (slightly faster than any starship except if it is exceeding it maximum safe acceleration). If the fighter is of the Long Range variation then it does not carry the mini-missile launcher.

   Maximum Effective Range: Mini-Missile range is 2 miles (3.2 km) in an atmosphere and 100 miles (161 km) in space.

   Mega-Damage: Varies with mini-missile type (See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details.)

   Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2) mini-missiles.

   Payload: Twenty-four (24) mini-missiles total.

5. Four (4) Missile Pylons: On the underbelly of the fighter are four missile racks that allows the fighter to carry one cruise missile, two long range missiles, or four medium range missiles each. Individual pylons must carry all the same type ordnance but each pylon may carry different types of ordnance. Cruise missile are normally carried when on an anti-capital ship role and long and medium range missiles when fighting other starfighters. Cruise Missiles have a top speed of Mach 25 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 10% of light per turn (far faster than any starship.) Long Range Missiles have a top speed of Mach 20 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 8% of light per turn (faster than any starship.) Medium Range Missiles have a top speed of Mach 15 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 6% of light per turn. Whether weapons can be shot down is calculated from the speed of target, launcher, and missile. When drive goes dead, missile will continue to travel in a straight line unless set to self destruct but has very low odds of hitting starships (Great for hitting bases and planets because target does not move and missile, when unpowered, is at -25% to be detected.) Cruise missiles have minuses to hit small targets but are all considered smart missiles. Missiles can be launched on multiple targets simultaneously.

   Maximum Effective Range: Cruise Missile range is 8,000 miles (12,875 km) in an atmosphere and 4,000,000 miles (6,437,376 km/ 21.5 light seconds) in space, Long Range Missile range is 3,400 miles (5,470 km) in an atmosphere and 1,800,000 miles (2,897,000 km/9.7 light seconds) in space, and Medium Range Missile range is 160 miles (257.5 km) in an atmosphere and 80,000 miles (128,750 km/0.43 light seconds) in space.

   Mega-Damage & Properties: See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details (Cruise Anti-Matter warheads inflict 4D6x100 M.D.C. each and Long Range Fusion warheads inflict 2D4x100 M.D.C. each.)

   Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), three (3), or four (4) missiles.

   Payload: One (1) cruise missile, two (2) long range missiles, or four (4) medium range missiles per pylon / hard point.

6. Bonuses: The “Long Tooth” is very maneuverable and is in fact slightly more maneuverable than the original Flying Fang. The fighter has +1 to Strike, +1 to Dodge, +1 to dogfighting, and +1 to initiative. These are addition to bonuses from starfighter combat.

---

[ Altara TM, Brodkil TM, Bushido Industries TM, CAF TM, Catyr TM, CCW TM, Consortium of Civilized Worlds TM, Coyles TM, Free Worlds Council TM, Gene Splicers TM, K-Hex TM, Kankoran TM, Kittani TM, Kreeghor TM, Kydian TM, Machine People TM, M.D.C. TM, Mega-Damage TM, Metzla TM, M’Kri Hardware TM, Monro TM, Mutants in Orbit TM, Naruni Enterprises TM, Noro TM, Paradise Federation TM, Phase World TM, Psylite TM, Rifter TM, SAMAS TM, S.D.C. TM, Seljuks TM, Splugorth TM, Sunaj TM, Trans-Galactic Empire TM, Tri-Galactic Military Service TM, United Worlds Warlock TM, U.W.W. TM, Wolfen TM, and Zembahk 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).

Copyright © 1999 & 2015, Kitsune. All rights reserved.

---