Icaria SF-106 Psaraetós (Upgraded Osprey) Medium Fighter:

Due to its location on the nexus of multiple trade routes, the Icaria star system is quite wealthy. In terms of economic power, the Icaria star system rivals a number of multi star system entities although it cannot really be said to compare to any of the really big ones.

Much of the trade flowing though the Icaria system is between different areas of the Consortium of Civilized Worlds even though the system is not an actual member. This is something that the leadership of the Consortium is a bit chagrin about and the system has been offered membership several times. The population however prefers the idea of remaining independent and has voted down the offer each time. Still, the star system does its absolute best to remain on the friendly side of the Consortium.

Even before the formation of the Consortium, the Icaria star system had a defense treaty with the Human Alliance. The system was already important to the Human Alliance and, like the Consortium, had been offered membership. These treaties have been maintained ever since with the Human Alliance often operating ships within Icaria controlled space. The two navies also often train together as well.

In addition, the Icaria military is one of the most powerful for a single star system. Even so, it is hard for a military to be completely self sufficient. Even though the Icaria system had extensive ship building facilities, they did not have the facilities to built their own fighters. As a result, they purchased their fighters with the Human Alliance Osprey filling the medium fighter role and the Vixen filling the light fighter role. In general, the Icaria military preferred Human Alliance systems so operating another design would likely increase logistics.

Eventually the Human Alliance and Consortium both began retiring front line Osprey and Vixen fighters although the Icaria navy continued to operate large numbers of these fighters. Both fighters remained popular with pilots in the Icaria military forces. There were however concerns with the age and combat capabilities of these older fighters.

Upgrading or replacing were both considered with the eventual decision of upgrading them being partially due to a concern with costs. It was decided to redesignate the upgraded fighters with the upgrade to the Osprey becoming known as the SF-106 Psaraetós and the upgrade to the SF-9 Vixen becoming known as the SF-109 Stríngla.

Some fighters had been lost due to both skirmishes and normal operations although more Vixens were lost than Ospreys due to a lack of force fields. As well, it was decided to increase slightly the numbers of fighters in service. By this time, the fighters were no longer being manufactured and a number of retired Human Alliance and Consortium fighters were purchased.

The Psaraetós can be considered a less ambitious upgrade than the Stríngla design and was started slightly before the upgrade to the lighter fighter. Still, the upgrades do much to make the fighter a much more effective fighter. Many compare the upgrade to the Psaraetós in a similar manner to the Vector Super Osprey but it is many ways a less comprehensive upgrade.

As with the Stríngla, every effort is made to zero the number of effective operating hours of the fighter. Many had been operated for decades by the Icaria navy and others had been in Human Alliance and Consortium service for just as long or even longer. The fighters are stripped to the frame for a full inspection.

The rebuilding includes a complete replacement of the original armor materials with more advanced alloys and composites. The new materials are relatively inexpensive yet allow the fighter to withstand quite a bit greater damage. Part of the upgrade also includes a complete replacement of electronic systems with the current standards equal to many of the better fighter systems in Consortium designs.

Even though the variable shield generators are not replaced, some components are replaced which allow for lower maintenance. The shield generators on the Osprey were considered first generation systems and needed far more maintenance than more modern system. In the same respect, the fusion plant and original engines are retained although again they are modified to operate longer between needing to be maintained.

The original Osprey was built in two models, one was an interceptor armed with long range missiles and an attack version armed with capital missiles. Part of the upgrade is to modify the bays so that they can perform either role. The large bays can each carry two capital missiles, four long range missiles, or even eight medium range missiles. The secondary bays are also modified so they can carry medium range or short range missiles.

Most Psaraetós fighters retain the twin two centimeter laser cannons of the original Osprey design. It was considered adequate generally and not considered worth replacing in fighters already upgraded. The last twenty percent of the medium fighter rebuilt however replace the lasers with more powerful two and a half centimeter particle beams. Range of the particle beams is the same as with the lasers.

In Human Alliance and Consortium service, the Osprey is operated generally by a crew of two. Throughout its Icaria service, the medium fighter generally has been operated by only a single pilot. It was considered too expensive to completely replace the cockpit so the Psaraetós retains a two person cockpit.

Only relatively recently has a true replacement medium fighter has been developed. Known as the SF-1 Kopis (Sword) medium fighter, it is the first indigenous Icaria fighter design. Compared to the Osprey, the Kopis is faster and carries its heavy ordnance in semi-recessed hard points instead of bays. While this reduces atmospheric performance, it allows for a larger payload to be carried. The new medium fighter does have a pair of lighter missile bays however.

The replacement fighter is just starting to come into squadron service with present plans that it will take several years to completely replace the Psaraetós. As a result, only a relatively small number of the older fighters have been decommissioned. A small number of them however have been sold to interested parties.

A small number of Psaraetós fighters were modified as test beds for the new shield and drive systems carried on the SF-1 Kopis. They are not in squadron service however and are not included in this writeup. There are also no plans to upgrade any more of the older fighters in this manner.

This starfighter 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: SF-106 Psaraetós (Upgraded Osprey).

Vehicle Type: Multi-Role Fighter.

Crew: One (Retains compartment for crew of two).

M.D.C. By Location:

	Wing 2.0 cm Laser Cannons (2 - Older Fighters):	50 each
	Wing 2.5 cm Particle Beam Cannons (2 - Newer Fighters):	80 each
	Heavy Missile Bays (2):	140 each
	Light Missile Bays (2):	100 each
	[1] Main Body:	725
	Cockpit:	120
	[2] Variable Force Field:	200 per side (1,200 total)

Notes:

[1] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will put the starfighter out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. The fighter 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.) 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. Fighter can accelerate/decelerate at the rate of 1.2 percent of light per melee.

Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum normal speed is Mach 6 (4,567.3 mph /7,350.3 kph), can enter and leave atmosphere because flight system is using contra grav. Because missiles are in a bay, they do not reduce the fighters atmospheric top speed.

Maximum Range: Effectively Unlimited by drive system but only has supplies for pilot and weapon officer for four weeks.

Statistical Data:

Length: 48 feet (14.63 meters).

Height: 15 feet (4.57 meters).

Width: 42 feet (12.80 meters).

Weight: 15 tons (13.61 metric tons) empty and 21 tons (19.05 metric tons) fully loaded.

Power System: Advanced Fusion with 24 year life span.

Cargo: Minimal Storage Space, place for a rifle, handgun, small survival kit, signal flares, and food rations. Does not include missile bays.

Market Cost: A small number of these fighters have been sold for around 40 million credits. All are relatively early models without the particle beams. Costs approximately 5 million to upgrade from the standard SF-6 Osprey medium fighter. While no longer produced, the SF-6 Osprey costs approximately 25 million credits.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

Two (2) Wing Mounted Guns: The original SF-6 Osprey mounts a pair of 2 cm lasers on the wing tips. Initially these were retained but later upgrades replaced these with a pair of 2.5 cm particle beams. Because the 2 cm lasers are generally considered quite adequate, there are no plans to replace the lasers in earlier upgrades. Approximately twenty percent of the Psaraetós mount the particle beams.
1. Two (2) Wing 2 cm Light Laser Cannons: On each wing of the starfighter is a laser cannon mount. They are not as efficient as modern laser cannons beams but are more massive than most modern laser mounts. This means that they are actual slightly more powerful and slightly longer ranged than those carried by the CAF Black Eagle. However, they are not as powerful as the rail gun mounted on the Black Eagle. The gun pods are controlled by the fighters pilot.
  
  Maximum Effective Range: 6 miles (9.7 km) through atmosphere and 600 miles (966 km) in space.
  
  Mega-Damage: 2D4x10+10 per single blast, or 4D4x10+20 per double blast.
  
  Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 4 or 5).
  
  Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
2. Two (2) Wing 2.5 cm Particle Beam Cannons: On each wing of the starfighter is a particle beam. These particle beam cannon mounts are designed to do more damage than most laser cannons but have less range. Still, it is considered in many ways the best compromise weapon with both good range and inflicting heavy damage. Can be combined together and can be linked with a rail gun on the centerline.
  
  Maximum Effective Range: 600 miles (960 km) in space and range is 6 miles (9.6 km) in atmosphere.
  
  Mega Damage: 3D6x10 M.D. per cannon or 6D6x10 M.D. for both.
  
  Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 4 or 5).
  
  Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
Two (2) Large Missile Bays: The fighter has two heavy missile bays. Each missile bay can carry two cruise missile, four long range missiles, or sixteen medium range missiles. Each bay must carry all the same type ordnance although different bays can carry different ordnance. Cruise missiles are normally carried when on an anti-capital ship role and long 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, missiles 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 the target does not move and missile, when unpowered, is at -25% to be detected.) Cruise missiles have penalties to hit small targets but all missiles are all considered smart missiles. These missile launchers are normally controlled by the weapons officer but can be controlled by the pilot in emergencies.

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 Missiles 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 multi-warheads inflict 5D6x100 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), four (4), or eight (8) missiles.

Payload: Two (2) Cruise Missile, Four (4) Long Range Missiles, or Eight (8) Medium Range Missiles per missile bay (Maximum of four cruise missiles, eight long range missiles, or sixteen medium range missiles.)
Two (2) Light Missile Bays: On the outside of the heavy missile bays are two smaller missile bays. The bays have been modified to be able to carry short range missiles as well as medium range missiles. Weapon system is used for hitting enemy robots, fighters, and long range and cruise missiles. 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. Short Range Missiles have a top speed of Mach 10 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 4% 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 and Short Range Missiles range is 10 miles (16.1 km) in an atmosphere and 500 miles (804.7 km) in space.

Mega-Damage: Varies with medium or short range 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), four (4), or eight (8) missiles.

Payload: Eight (8) medium range missiles or Sixteen (16) short range missiles each bay (maximum of 16 medium range missiles or 32 short range missiles.)

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Image created and copyrighted by Dieter Ludmann (dieter.ludmann@inka.de) .

More Dieter Ludmann artwork at DL-SPACE

Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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