Icaria SF-109 Stríngla (Upgraded Vixen) Light Fighter:

While usually it is the major powers, the Consortium and Trans-Galactic Empires especially, that are considered when discussing the Three Galaxies, there are uncountably vast numbers of independent governments within the Three Galaxies. Some are multiple star systems while others are only a single star system. As one might expact, most single star systems are fairly weak economically but there are a number of exceptions.

One of these of course is Phase World. Another, although not of the same scale, is the Icaria system. As with Phase World, trade is the reason why. The Icaria system has nothing like the gates of Center but instead is located where multiple trade routes come together. Even though not part of the Consortium, much of this trade is between Consortium Worlds.

In fact, the system has been offered Consortium membership in the part. In most cases, a system has to petition to join the Consortium but Icaria is a rare exception. Each time however, the population of Icaria has rejected the offer when put to a vote. They prefer to remain independent.

Because of the systems value to the Consortium yet still independent, there is always a danger of the Trans-Galactic Empire invading. There are other smaller powers, although still multiple systems, who might like to control the trade through the system as well. As a result, it has always been important to maintain strong defenses.

This is partially done through a defense treaty with the Human Alliance where the large power will aid the system if attacked. In addition however the system has a powerful navy including ships up to battlecruiser sized and with multiple carriers. In fact, the fleet is one of the largest single fleets in the Three Galaxies for a single star system and one of the most advanced as well.

While Icaria had extensive ship building facilities, they did not originally have the facilities for the construction of fighters. Instead, the system purchased Human Alliance fighters, mainly the SF-6 Osprey medium fighter and SF-9 Vixen light fighter. While the fighters were still manufactured, these fighters were ordered from the companies which produced them although later orders came from Human Alliance and Consortium military stocks.

Both of the fighters remained popular among crews but as time went on, there were concerns with the fighters needing to be either replaced or upgraded. There was a long drawn out discussion where eventually it was decided to upgrade the fighters instead of either purchasing replacement designs or developing their own indigenous fighter designs. At the same time, additional Vixen and Osprey were bought from Human Alliance and Consortium stocks to replace losses as well as some minor expansions in fighter squadrons. Due to the lack of shielding on the Vixen, losses of the light fighter were greater than with the Opsrey.

The rebuilding of both the Vixen and Osprey are similar although the lighter fighter is a bit more extensive in certain respects. The upgraded version of the SF-6 Osprey is known as the SF-106 Psaraetós and the SF-9 Vixen is known as the SF-109 Stríngla in Icaria navy service.

As part of the upgrades to the fighter, the Vixen is completely stripped and rebuilt. Every effort is made to zero the effective time in service of the light fighter. As part of the rebuilding, new composite and alloys replace the original armor material making the Stríngla a fair amount tougher than the original Vixen. In addition, the wingtips are slightly extended to improve lift. As well, the original electronics are completely replaced with modern systems.

When the Icaria military decided to upgrade the Vixen, they wanted to add a variable force field to the fighter while not taking the place of one of the missile bays as was with the Vector Aerospace Super Vixen. The idea which the engineered came up with is reminiscent of conformal fuel tanks. A pair of extensions are built onto the sides of the fighter’s fuselage where the shield generators are mounted. It took quite a bit of careful engineering to produce them so that they would have minimal drag.

In spite of the fact that the engines were originally developed for a missile, the engines of the original SF-9 Vixen are retained although changes to the fusion power system increase time between needing to be refueled slightly. Because of the extra mass of the Stríngla, acceleration of the light fighter is slightly decreased along with atmospheric performance. Even so, it is considered minimal and most pilots consider the upgrades to more than compensate.

Part of the upgrades was an attempt to add another hard point, a centerline hard point which a gun pod could be mounted. This was not successful and was abandoned after an attempt and the light fighter retains the original pair of hard points. The bays however were modified so that they can carry either medium range or short range missiles. Usually however, medium range missiles are carried in the bays. A total of eight medium range or sixteen short range missiles can be carried in each bay.

In the first batches of fighters upgraded, the 2 cm lasers mounted on the wingtips of Vixen were retained in the Stríngla but later fighters replace this with the same 2.5 cm particle beams which are carried on the SF-1 Kopis medium fighter. Only approximately one quarter of Stríngla mount the new particle beam. The lasers are considered reasonably effective and there is little cause to replace the lasers in earlier fighters.

There is much debate currently about replacing the Stríngla in service with some adamantly opposed to the idea. One design being considered is the SF-135 Bearcat as a possible replacement although there are a number of others also being considered. Pilots are strongly opposed to the SF-69 Scorpion light fighter even an upgraded version of the Consortium standard light fighter.

Instead of purchasing a replacement design, some pilots and engineers are proposing instead developing a new fighter based on the SF-109 Stríngla but with upgraded engines possibly with the same type of auxiliary thruster as the Bearcat mounts. In addition, these new built Stríngla would mount the 2.5 cm particle beams carried on later fighters and would likely be reinforced for a centerline hard point for a gun pod for a total of three hard points.

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-109 Stríngla (Upgraded SF-9 Vixen).

Vehicle Type: Light Interceptor or Attack Fighter.

Crew: One (Pilot).

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
	Light Missile Bays (2):	100
	Missile Hard Points (2, on the Underside):	10 each
	[1] Main Body:	450
	Cockpit:	125
	[2] Variable Force Field:	200 per side (1,200 total)

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.) 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 1.45 percent of light per melee.

Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum normal speed is Mach 7.25 (5,518.8 mph / 8,881.7 kph), can enter and leave atmosphere because flight system is using contra grav. Internal ordinance does not reduce performance but when loaded down with external ordinance, fighter’s top speed in an atmosphere is Mach 4.25 (3,235.2 mph / 5,206.5 kph.)

Maximum Range: Effectively Unlimited by drive system but only has supplies for pilot for two weeks.

Statistical Data:

Length: 36 feet (10.97 meters).

Height: 14 feet (4.27 meters).

Width: 35.2 feet (10.72 meters).

Mass/Weight: 7.1 tons (6.44 metric tons) empty and 9.0 tons (8.16 metric tons) fully loaded with cruise missiles.

Power System: Advanced Fusion with 12 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 and hard points.

Market Cost: Estimated to be valued at 32.5 million credits although not presently sold. Costs approximately 10 million to upgrade from the standard SF-9 Vixen light fighter. While no longer produced, the SF-9 Vixen costs approximately 25 million credits.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

Two (2) Wing Mounted Guns: The original SF-9 Vixen 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-five percent of the Stríngla 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) Light Missile Bays: On the side of the fuselage of the Stríngla are missile bays. Originally designed for medium range missiles, they have been modified to be able to carry medium range or short 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.)
Two (2) Missile Pylons: The light fighter has two hard points. Each hard point can carry one cruise missile, two long range missiles, or four medium range missiles. The pylon must carry all the same type ordnance. A Cruise missile is 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. Normally used for anti-fighter and point defense. When drive goes dead, missiles will still 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.

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) or four (4).

Payload: One (1) Cruise Missile, Two (2) Long Range Missiles, or four (4) Medium Range Missiles per hard point.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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