Confederation heavy fighter Excalibur
A next generation fighter currently undergoing trials, the F-103A Excalibur heavy fighter is ConFleet’s first attempt into copying Kilrathi cloaking technology. Specifically designed to outfly and outfight the Kilrathi Bloodfang super heavy fighter, the Excalibur can take on any fighter in the Kilrathi arsenal and win. It can be configured to fly any mission in any space or planetary environment. It packs heavier beam weaponry, missile loadout, and shielding then any ConFleet heavy fighter in service with the speed and acceleration to rival even light fighters.
Throughout the war, the Kilrathi have always maintained an edge over the Confederation wherever cloaking technology was concerned. The existence of cloaked fighters took years to prove even after the destruction of the TCS Tiger’s Claw and many capital ships and pilots have lost their lives under the guns of the now infamous Strakha stealth fighters. The Confederation has always tried to integrate a cloaking device into its fighters with little success until Special Operations forces captured a fully-functional Strakha fighter. With the successful adaptation of the stealth technology the new F-103 Excalibur will finally allow Confed to close the stealth technology gap.
As the Confederation’s first true stealth fighter, the Excalibur should prove itself able to effectively destroy any fighter in the Kilrathi fleet and was specifically designed to incorporate the best characteristics of Confed’s current ships of the line. Its advanced power plant provides speed, agility, and acceleration that rivals the Arrow, it can enter planet airspace and fight in atmospheric conditions like the Hellcat, and, as with the Longbow bomber, a jump drive will allow for cross-system raids without a need of a capship. In addition, the Excalibur will incorporate a fully functioning Kilrathi-derivative cloaking which will render it undetectable to electronic sensors and the visual eye.
The Excalibur will have more powerful beam weaponry than even the Thunderbolt: four tachyon and two reaper cannons integrated by an auto-tracking system should enable pilots able to destroy even the most armored Kilrathi fighters with a few quick salvos. Complemented by a heavy missile loadout, the Excalibur will become ConFleet’s most dangerous fighter, capable of performing and meeting multiple mission requirements and goals.
The first Excaliburs are currently undergoing testing and the first squadrons will enter service very soon. When they do, the Confederation Space Force will become virtually invincible.
Type Heavy Fighter
Length 32 meters
Mass 18 metric tonnes
Max Velocity 500 KPS
Guns Tachyon Cannon (4), Reaper Cannon (2) replaced postwar by Ion Gun (2)
Missiles 12 IRs, or 4 IRs and 4 HS
Armor 110 cm
Shields 250 cm
Decoys 16-30
Cloak Shroud Cloaking Device
Jump Drive Yes
