Needlejet

(Version 1.01 - Last Modified: 06/30/2004)

After landing on Chiron, the Human colonists had few resources, even the largest factions had little more then basic industrial centers and agricultural labs salvaged from supply pods released from the SS Unity. Within these supply pods was a wide variety of items that planners back on Earth determined the colonists would need upon reaching Chrion, from plant seeds to hydroponic labs to simple manufacturing plants. Also in these supply pods were simple weapons and vehicles, the basis for the early militias that would develop into the armies controlled by the factions. Finally, there were simple airplanes designed for exploring the planet quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately, these airplanes were not developed for war. They had no armor, little room for weapons, and were not especially fast, so their use in the early wars was limited to reconnaissance missions.

It did not take long though to develop real war planes. It was actually a strange amalgamation of resources that allowed the first needlejet, as they came to be known, to be produced. The University of Planet faction developed the engine, the Spartan Federation developed the jet's frame, Morgan Industries was the financial backers and initial purchasers, the Human Hive and the Free Drones were the initial producers, and eventually the Data Angels secured all the parts of the jet and sold them to all of the other factions. Within a few years, all of the factions had developed the ability to build the jets independently, although only a few factions, like the Spartan Federation, built needlejets in any large numbers.

The needlejet is a very basic fighter jet, combining technology that was new in the mid twentieth century with the best computers and weapons that the twenty-second century could offer. The combination has created a powerful, but slow moving jet. Designed to handle the roles of an air superiority fighter and attack fighter, the needlejet is not as specialized as many fighters deployed on Earth prior to the departure of the SS Unity, but it is an amazing achievement for the Human colonists on Chiron.

Vehicle Information:

• Vehicle Type: Combat Aircraft
• Crew: One pilot

S.D.C. by location:

Ceramic Armor

• Forward Mounted Cannon - 80
• Bomb Bay Hatch - 100
• Small Tail Fins (2) - 50 each *
• Main Wings (2) - 120 each **
• Main Body - 200 ***

Plasma Steel Armor

• Forward Mounted Cannon - 100
• Bomb Bay Hatch - 150
• Small Tail Fins (2) - 60 each *
• Main Wings (2) - 150 each **
• Main Body - 350 ***

Silksteel Armor

• Forward Mounted Cannon - 120
• Bomb Bay Hatch - 200
• Small Tail Fins (2) - 80 each *
• Main Wings (2) - 200 each **
• Main Body - 500 ***

Armor Rating: 9
Notes:

*	Destroying one of the small, tail fins reduces maximum speed by 5% and piloting skills receive a penalty of -10% on all maneuvers. Destroying both small fins reduces maximum speed by 25% and the penalty to piloting skill is -20%.
**	Destroying one of the large, main wings, and the VTOL engine in that wing, will send the aircraft into a spin to the ground. The jet will crash and the pilot and passengers will be killed unless the eject before the plane hits the ground.
***	Depleting the S.D.C. of the main body will shut down the vehicle, including life support, communications, weapons, and engine, causing it to plummet out of the sky and crash.

Speed:

• Flying: The jet propulsion system enables the aircraft to reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.5 (1117.5 mph / 1800 km/h) and climb to an altitude of 60,000' (18,288 m). The aircraft has a minimum gliding speed of 60 mph (96.6 km/h); if it goes any slower, it may stall and crash, unless engaged in VTOL. Cruising speed tends to be between 250 mph (402.3 km/h) and Mach 1 (745 mph / 1200 km/h).
• Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited by drive system, but the engines generally overheat after 20 hours of continual use.

Statistical Data:

• Height: 16' (4.9 m)
• Width: Wingspan of 65' (19.8 m)
• Length: 30' (9.4 m)
• Weight: 22 tons (20.0 metric tons) fully loaded
• Reactor System: Micro-Fusion Reactor with a life span of 10 years.
• Cargo: Small space behind pilot's seat capable of holding a few days of rations, a rifle, a few extra clips, and some personal items.
• Market Cost: 15.6 million for an unarmed needlejet.

Weapon Systems:

1. Forward Mounted Cannon
   The needlejet comes equipped with a powerful cannon that is used in strafing runs and in dogfights. The exact type of cannon depends on where the needlejet was built.
   • Rate of Fire: The turret can fire six times per melee.
   • Payload: Effectively unlimited
   
   
   Laser Cannon
   The laser cannon consist of a long range laser cannon and is deployed by the Free Drones faction and the Cult of Planet faction.
   • Range: 3000' (930 m)
   • Damage: 5D6 per shot
   • Cost: 10,000 credits
   
   
   Impact Beam Cannon
   The impact beam cannon is based off of the widespread Impact Beam technology. Powerful and with a longer range then laser cannons, this cannon is used by all of the factions except those that use the laser cannons, gatling cannons, and the powerful chaos laser cannons.
   • Range: 4000' (1220 m)
   • Damage: 6D6 per shot
   • Cost: 12,000 credits
   
   
   Gatling Beam Cannon
   The gatling beam cannon is a specially modified version of the impact beam turret that has been developed by the Spartan Federation.
   • Range: 4500' (1372 m)
   • Damage: 3D6 per shot or 1D4x10 per volley of three shots.
   • Rate of Fire: The turret can fire 18 single blasts or six volleys per melee.
   • Cost: 15,000 credits
   
   
   Chaos Laser Cannon
   The chaos laser cannon consists of the powerful Chaos Laser recently developed by the University of Planet and is used by that faction and the Cybernetic Consciousness.
   • Range: 5000' (1524 m)
   • Damage: 1D6x10 per shot
   • Cost: 18,000 credits
2. Wing Hard Points (6)
   Each wing of the jet is equipped with three special hard points for carrying missiles. The hard points can carry short range, medium range, or long range missiles, and while all missiles on a single hard point must be the same, each hard point can carry a different type of missile.
   • Missile Design: General Purpose Missile
   • Missile Type: Multipurpose
   • Missile Guidance Systems: Select one guidance system for short range missiles, select two guidance systems for medium range missiles, and select three guidance systems for long range missiles.
   • Missile Warhead: Armor Piercing, Fragmentation, High Explosive, and Plasma / Napalm only.
   • Range: 6 miles (9.7 km) for short range missiles, 80 miles (128.7 km) for medium range missiles, and 800 miles (1288 km) for long range missiles.
   • Speed: 900 mph (1448 km/h) for short range missiles, 1800 mph (2897 km/h) for medium range missiles, and 2500 mph (4023 km/h) for long range missiles.
   • Damage and Blast Radius: Varies with type of missile warhead.
   • Rate of Fire: If long range missile are used, then missiles can be launched one at a time or in volleys of any size up to 6 missiles. If medium range missiles are used then missiles can be launched one at a time or in volleys of 2, 3, 6, 12, or 18 missiles. If short range missiles are used then missiles can be launched one at a time or in volleys of 2, 3, 6, 12, 18, or 36 missiles. Different missile sizes cannot be mixed in the same volley.
   • Payload: Each hard point can hold six short range missile, three medium range missiles, or one long range missiles, for a maximum total of 6 long range missiles, 18 medium range missiles, or 36 short range missiles.
   • Cost: 500 credits for each hard point, missiles must be purchased separately.
3. Bomb Bay
   Along the bottom of the jet is a bomb bay designed to hold and launch bombs of all sizes. Unfortunately, due to its design, the Needlejet can only hold one size of bomb in the bomb bay at any one time.
   • Missile Design: General Purpose Bomb
   • Missile Type: Multipurpose
   • Missile Guidance Systems: Select one non-autonomous guidance system for small bombs, select two non-autonomous guidance systems for light bombs, select one guidance system for medium bombs, select two guidance systems for heavy bombs, and select three guidance systems for extra-heavy bombs.
   • Bomb Warhead: Armor Piercing, Fragmentation, High Explosive, and Plasma / Napalm only.
   • Damage and Blast Radius: Varies with type of bomb warhead.
   • Rate of Fire: One at a time or in any size of volley up to the maximum number of bombs carried by the jet.
   • Payload: The Bomb Bay can hold 30 small bombs, 15 light bombs, 8 medium bombs, 4 heavy bombs, or 2 extra-heavy bombs.
   • Cost: 2000 credits for the bomb bay, bombs must be purchased separately.

Standard Systems:

1. Long Range Radar
   The vehicle is equipped with a short range radar. Radar system has a range of 350 miles (563.3 km) and can identify and track up to 48 targets.
2. Combat / Targeting Computer
   System calculates, stores, and transmits data onto view screens in the vehicle's cockpit. The computer assists in the tracking of targets. The system also has a data base of targets and has the ability to identify most common targets. Vehicles operated by the same faction are designed to share data automatically and act as fire control for other vehicles as well. As a final feature, the computer creates a map of the area based on sensor data.
3. Laser Targeting System
   The system is designed to assist in the selection and focusing on a specific target. The system gives a bonus of +1 to strike using long range weapons but must have line of sight. As well, most mini-missiles are designed to follow the laser beam to the target.
4. Visual Magnification
   This system allows magnification of x2 to x32 and it displays on a view screen in the cockpit. The vehicle also has data recording equipment for 24 hours at the highest resolution and 144 hours at lowest resolution.
5. Thermo-Imager
   Range: 4 miles (6.4 km). Finds the infrared radiations of things that are warm. Also enables the pilot to see in smoke, shadows and darkness. System has the disadvantage of being able to be detected.
6. Nightvision Optics
   Range: 50 miles (80.5 km). Uses light amplification to make a picture. Emits no light but will not work in absolute darkness. System can be dazzled by sudden bright lights but does not physically blind the pilot.
7. Infra-Red / Laser Detector
   The system is designed to detect any infrared or laser beams which paint or target the vehicle. The vehicle has special sensors built into the exterior every few inches. Sensors gives the strength of the signal and the computer can often determine if they have been detected from the signal strength.
8. Radar Detector
   System is designed to passively detect other radars being operated. System give information such as relative strength and number of signals. Sensors gives strength of the signal and the computer can often determine if the vehicle has been detected from the strength of the signal.
9. Internal Active Jamming Gear
   Causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/ bases can detect that they are being jammed, and some missiles will home in on jamming signals. Jamming also causes a -4 penalty to strike to all radar guided weapons.
10. Compass and Clock Calendar
    In addition to other features, the vehicles is fitted with a compass, high quality digital maps, and a clock calendar. The vehicles has an inertial navigation system where the computer plots the location of the vehicle based on last recorded location and speed and course of travel. The computer will attempt to use recorded data from other sensors to refine the location. The computer also can use star positions for navigation purposes. location.
11. Radio Communication
    The vehicle is equipped with a long range directional communication system. The system has an effective range of 500 miles (804.7 km). The Vehicles is also fitted with a radio scrambler to prevent others from easily listening in on communications.
12. Advanced Life Support
    The crew compartments in the vehicle is reinforced to protected the crew from attacks. The compartment is air tight and is suitable for use in most hostile environments including underwater, with a maximum depth of 500' (152.4 m). The vehicle has a computer controlled life support system with artificial air circulation, gas filtration, and humidifier. The system is designed to be able to recycle the air to keep a breathable atmosphere for up to four weeks. The vehicle also has an independent oxygen supply which automatically engages and purges the interior in conditions of contaminated air environment inside of vehicle. The vehicle carries a twelve hour emergency oxygen supply. The vehicle displays present atmospheric conditions including toxins in the air and amount of oxygen back to wearer. The vehicle has an internal cooling system and temperature control and it can be set for wearer preferences. The system displays temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure.
13. High Temperature Insulation
    The vehicles is made from high temperature materials that are designed to resist temperatures up to 400 degrees centigrade. Normal fires inflict no damage but extremely high temperature fire, such as plasma and magic fire, inflict full damage.
14. Radiation Shielding
    The vehicles has radiation shielding which is far more effective than what is found on body armor. As well, the vehicle's armor is equipped with sensors to monitor the amount of radiation that the vehicle is exposed to. This is displayed to the pilot of the vehicle.
15. Protective Optics
    The vehicle is designed with optics which are designed to protect the crew against blinding. All pilot compartment windows are polarized to quickly darken and the crew can also look through video displays.

Faction Modifiers:

1. Spartan Federation
   Although not the most technologically advanced faction on Chiron, the Spartan Federation is in the unique position of having access to most of the leading edge technologies and having the natural ingenuity to apply those technologies to their war machines. Increase the speed of the fighter to Mach 2 (1490 mph / 2400 km/h), increase the life span of the reactor to 12 years, and the fighter gains a bonus of +2 to dodge due to its increased maneuverability. In addition, it possess a more powerful radar system that has a range of 450 miles (724.2 km) and can track up to 60 targets.
2. Free Drones
   The Free Drones faction is behind in technology, so their vehicles are not as capable as the vehicles built by other factions. Decrease the speed of the vehicle to Mach 1 (745 mph / 1200 km/h) and decrease the life span of the reactor to only 8 years.