Indie Faction Tech Restricted Ship P2A "Skyspark" Interceptor

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P2A "SKYSPARK" INTERCEPTOR

AFFILIATION
SHADE.

MANUFACTURER
Kurtiss-Heath Aircraft Corporation.

CLASS
Snubfighter.

ROLE
Interceptor.

COMPOSITION
Titanium and armored glass.

DIMENSIONS
Length - 12.5 meters.CREW
1 pilot.

PASSENGER CAPACITY
N/A.

CARGO CAPACITY
50 kilograms.

HANGAR CAPACITY
N/A.

CONSUMABLES
3 standard days.

SPEED/MANEUVERABILITY
The P2A Skyspark interceptor has a top speed of 100 MGLT and has decent maneuvering characteristics.

ARMAMENT

• 1x medium raygun (medium laser cannon equivalent).

EQUIPMENT

• 1x ejection seat.

DESCRIPTION​

The P2A Skyspark interceptor is a light starfighter designed and manufactured under the auspices of the Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Establishment, better known as SHADE, the global defense organization of the planet Tolvis VII. Serving as the planet's first line of defense against the alien slavers which have plagued this otherwise backrocket world, the Skyspark is rightly regarded as being among the supreme accomplishments of Tolvite aerospace technology, although ironically, it could not exist without the help of some of the very aliens it was designed to fight.

The Skyspark is, in many ways, a crude, primitive ship, especially by broader Galactic standards. Its shape and structural elements were designed entirely by the Tolvites, who are currently in a late pre-atomic stage of technological development. Although they have made great strides over the last few years, helped by the study of alien artifacts as much as preparations for a looming global conflict, the aerodynamics and layout of the P2A remain primitive in concept. This is not to say it isn't sturdy, however; built of advanced new alloys - the Skyspark is the first Tolvite craft to make extensive use of titanium, especially impressive when the planet's first all-metal aircraft only flew less than 20 years ago - and well braced for strength and rigidity, it has been able to achieve performance characteristics that were the stuff of science fiction on Tolvis VII not very long ago.

The P2A Skyspark has a stepped conical fuselage, with 4 straight, tapered wings emerging in a cruciform pattern. The ship's cockpit is located in the "step" of the cone, and grants excellent visibility forward, up, down and to the sides, with the pilot seated in a cantilevered chair which can be ejected in an emergency. Ahead of the cockpit, the upper nosecone contains the ship's sole armament, a crude "raygun" derived from reverse-engineered blaster weaponry and similar in principle to an ancient beam tube.

In terms of propulsion, the P2A was originally projected to use an experimental liquid-fueled rocket motor, which would have severely limited operational time and required the use of an expendable booster system or air-launch to engage targets outside a planetary atmosphere. However, using a few captured alien vessels to establish limited contact with the outside Galaxy, SHADE was able to secure a supply of Kuat Drive Yards-manufactured 2AF-300 ion engines. These engines, intended for high-performance courier starships, give the Skyspark greatly expanded range and speed over original projections, and make it the first Tolvite craft which can truly be said to be capable of fighting the alien slavers on roughly equal terms. The engines are beyond the ability of the Tolvites to manufacture, however, and supplies of replacement parts can be tenuous at times.

Notably, the Skyspark does not incorporate repulsorlifts into its design, and does not even have the conventional wheeled landing gear common to Tolvite aircraft. The design is a "tail sitter" with a vertical takeoff and landing position, requiring a significant amount of skill on the part of the pilot to perform either maneuver safely.

Aside from the engines, the Skyspark is an all-Tolvite design, as evidenced by the analog cockpit gauges, all-riveted construction, and lack of many modern amenities, such as integrated life support and shields. For the moment, the P2A Skyspark is used exclusively by SHADE, and is stationed at various interceptor bases scattered across the planet. It comprises Tolvis VII's first line of defense against alien intruders.

LEGALITY​

Restricted. P2A Skysparks are starfighters, and are subject to extra licensing requirements and increased scrutiny by authorities.

INTENT​

To create a vessel for use by characters and NPCs from the planet Tolvis III.

RESTRICTIONS​

Essentially all examples of the P2A Skyspark were built for and are operated by the Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Establishment's Space Interceptor Command. This ship is not available to beings not affiliated with SHADE without good reason.

 

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Approved