Designation:

XF-14 (A, B, C, D, E) "Tempest" Autonomous AI-Controlled Aerospace Superiority Fighter (AAASF)

I. Background Information:

With the end of the Draconian Civil War and the war against the Ayenee Space Coalition won, the Nerimian Defense Initiative found itself at a vital crossroads as it began to transform itself into a military force not only capable of defending the existing territory of the Nerimian Confederation, but projecting military force outward against currently-existing threats and those that had not yet materialized. Supreme Commander Cameron Blackblade's proposed Titan Programs, would effectively double the fighting strength of the NDI every two years for thirty years. A major part of this effort was the complete modernization, and in some cases, replacement of existing military units. As the cost of training skilled aerospace fighter pilots ballooned, the CONSTRACOM quickly realized that in order to fully equip its naval forces with strike craft, hundreds of millions of pilots would be needed.

Advancements in construction technology allowed units such as the SF-25 and SF-26 to be produced in record time, but there simply were not enough pilots to match the construction capabilities. The scientists of CONTRA quickly answered the call with the development of the Hyperion-C Advanced Neural Net CPU, which was every bit the equivalent (in some cases, the superior) of the human brain in terms of raw power. The first generations of the Hyperion-C were no better than Green-level pilots, but as the CPUs began to gain invaluable experience, the CPUs were cloned and new Hyperion-C units began to leave the factory with the equivalent of a Human pilot at the Veteran-level.

The XF-14 series fighters are by far the most superior fighters in space, possessing unparalelled speed, acceleration, and agility in combat conditions. They are exceptionally fast and are capable of reaching velocities that were never possible with Human pilots. They are not only capable of high-speed attacks in flight, but are equipped with anti-grav propulsion systems that allow them to perform as close-air support craft when deployed in an atmosphere. Their weapons systems are considerable, including powerful TRC-20 phased pulse cannons that are exceptionally effective against other strike craft and even heavily armored ground vehicles. Their secondary weapons come in the form of eight wing-sheath long or medium-range missiles and seventy-two high-maneuverability micro-missiles in a ventral compartment. Its default weapons load-out gives the mecha considerable ability to mix it up against targets of all types at all ranges.

II. Type:

• XF-14A: Unmanned all-weather aerospace tactical combat drone.
• XF-14B: Unmanned all-weather atmosphere-optimized tactical combat drone.
• XF-14C, D: Unmanned all-weather space-optimized tactical combat drone.

III. Service History:

• XF-14A: First generation tactical combat drone. Served with the NDI Spacy from 2065-2072.
• XF-14B: First generation atmosphere-optmized tactical combat drone. Served with Tactical Aerospace Forces from 2065-present.
• XF-14C: Second-generation tactical combat drone. Served with the NDI Spacy from 2072-2079.
• XF-14D: Third-generation tactical combat drone. Served with the NDI Spacy from 2079-2080.
• XF-14E: Fourth-generation tactical combat drone. Served with the NDI Spacy from 2080.

IV. Dimensions

V. Propulsion:

XF-14A, C, D, E:

• Genesis Propulsion Systems' TX-294i ion impulse drives (2)
• Argus Millitech DT5 Hyperpulse Drive (E Version)
• Argus Millitech W5 Gravimetric Drive (2) (E Version)
• Genesis Propulsion Systems' Type 55 anti-grav coil system
• Eridanus Shipyards' I-11 Mk93 vernier thrusters (12)
• Argus Millitech Y-4 Inertial Nullification System
• Argus Millitech G-51 Hyperspace Fold Booster (optional)

XF-14B:

• Genesis Propulsion Systems TX-292g ion impulse drives x 2
• Genesis Propulsion Systems' Type 55 anti-grav coil system

Powerplant:

• Argus Millitech Westguard series hyperspace tap

VI. Speeds

Speed(sublight): 0.99c (Can accelerate from motionlessness to this speed in less than five seconds).
Speed (hyperpulse): ~1,750c
Speed(Auxiliary Drives): 0.99c (Can accelerate from motionless to this speed in roughly three minutes).
Space Fold: Range Unlimited. The fold booster can propel the craft through hyperspace at speeds exceeding 30,000,000c.

Maximum Range: 140 LY (the fold booster is designed for relatively short trips and its core must be replaced at set intervals)

VII. Electronics

Combat Computer System:

• Oracle Microsystems/CONTRA Hyperion Type C Advanced AI Neural Net System & Integrated Communications Suite (2)
• Oracle Microsystems/CONTRA Hyperion Type D Advanced AI Neural Net System & Integrated Communications Suite (2)

Radar Tracking:

• Oracle GHX-42G X-Band spherical pulse-Doppler, providing long-range detection of all targets at all altitudes. Equipped with special 'stealthy' and passive modes.
• Oracle HHX-144E Hyperwave Phased Array, providing spherical extreme-range detection of targets at all altitudes. Equipped with special 'stealthy' and passive modes.

Optical Tracking:

• Oracle RLQ-10 "Deadeye" Optical Sensor Clusters x 2, for long-range spherical infra-red imaging, optical and ultra-violet detection and tracking.
• Lotus Electronics L-4 multi-frequency laser ranger and designator

Tactical Electronic Warfare Systems:

• Oracle VRL-422(C) active sensor jammer
• Nightshade Electronics threat warning reciever
• Chaff and smoke dispensers
• Flares (heat, quintessence, and ion)

Stealth Systems:

• SG-24 "Phantom" 5-D Distortion Field Generator
• Zanarium "stealth armor"

VIII. Armaments:

Cannons:

• TRC-20 "Banshee" Phased Pulse Cannons (4): An electromagnetic weapon - sends rapid pulses of exceptionally strong interphased electromagnetic energy resulting in a 80 terrawatt blast that forces its way through all known shield technology and produces a dramatic shearing effect which quickly destroys the target ship's materials - named for the fact that in an atmosphere, the pulse creates an atmospheric disturbance similar to a quasi-human scream at 180 dB.
• Argus Millitech DC-50 Particle Disruptor Cannon (1): A powerful particle-based weapon (1.7 petawatts) mounted in the nose of the aircraft that has a specific, disruptive effect on enemy force fields, and will short out a low power field completely, while high power fields may temporarily and locally cease to function. Against heavily-armored targets, the blast is phased in such a way that it actually breaks down the molecular cohesion of the target.
• LA-7 Phased Pulse Cannons (2): An electromagnetic weapon -- sends rapid pulses of exceptionally stronged interphased electromagnetic energy resulting in a 65 terrawattl blast that forces its way through all known shield technology and produces a dramatic shearing effect which quickly destroys a target ship's materials. Mounted in fast-tracking turrets on dorsal and ventral surfaces to shoot down incoming enemy missiles.
• Phoenix Arms Type 12 Energy Wave Projection Cannon (1): [E Versions Only!] The XF-14E mounts an attached Type 12 long-barrel energy wave projection cannon that generates a 35,000 TW blast that is completely devastating to almost all non-starship targets. It gives the XF-14 incredible range and destructive power.

Missiles:

• Phoenix Arms' ARM-6 "Shito" short-range high-maneuverability micro-missiles (72) with variable warhead (10-30 KT) and feral acquisition targeting systems.
• Phoenix Arms' ARM-20 "Bolter" medium-range missiles (8) with variable warheads (25-60 KT) and feral acquisition targeting systems.
  OR
• Phoenix Arms' ARM-24 "Starscream" long-range missiles (8) with directed energy plasma-fusion warheads (1-5 MT) and feral acquisition targeting systems.

IX. Defensive Systems

The armor on the XF series fighters is a new development in low-mass composite materials Andrium™ plating that became the standard for all NDI fighters after its application to the SF-28S Scorpion. Aside from the superb protection provided against projectiles, missiles, and other kinetic-impact weapons, this armor is also resistant to plasma globes (annihilation discs), lasers, and to a lesser extent, particle guns, owing to the fact that the armor can flake off and evaporate in layers under fire from such high-energy weapons, taking much of the weapon's energy and coverting it to the latent heat of sublination in the armor. The armor stops all small arms fire, and has excellent resistance to all weapons commonly mounted on combat mecha.

Previously, all NDI fighters were slightly more vulnerable than enemy counterparts due to their lack of force field technologies. With the inclusion of a barrier shield on the brand-new XF-15 Maverick, the NDI Procurement Dept. decided to include barrier shields on all newly produced mecha and work to install these shielding systems on all pre-existing mecha. The force fields surround the mecha in a powerful shield that can deflect any and all manners of physical and energy attacks, but can be depleted during an attack. Given time, a shield will recharge to full strength. In field tests, the shield can sustain operations after a significant barrage of attacks from an enemy mecha.The fighter also equips a damper field to defend itself against scalar EM weaponry.bytigr

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