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The introduction of the Ammon Aerospace Fighter spurred the development of the Gaugamela, Sogdiana, and Granicus which then sparked construction of the Halicarnassus and Miletus. These six new second line designs continued to drive forward a revitalization of aerospace fighters in the Clans especially since the discovery of cached Star League equipment. This mothballed material could be stripped down and refitted with modern Clan technology to produce much needed replacements for garrison units. With these guardians of newly won Clan possessions increasing in importance such projects continued to take shape.

A low end 95-ton replacement for the high end Hydaspes which uses an expensive Extra-Light (XL) Engine is necessary for two reasons. One, the current Hydaspes fleet is currently transitioning to front line service in the form of the new Hyberborean OmniFighter requiring replacement. Two, the Ghost Bear’s new 100-ton Halicarnassus use of an XL Engine has already filled the high-end role of the Hydaspes. Enter Clan Coyote who has just aided their traditional Wolf allies in building the Gaugamela and before that their scientists assisted in the completion of the Ammon.

The Coyote’s have two secondary production slots available at the Omega Orbital Production Plant 2 around Tamaron. One of these small assembly plants was to produce the 25-ton Chaeronea and the other the new 65-ton Ammon. As I see it there are two possible ways this story can go. Coyote Technologists still smarting from the failure of their ‘Total Modularity’ concept during the Quicksilver Trials and ever ready to take a shot at their blood rivals in the Cloud Cobra Clan forward this design. Seizing their rival’s precious fighter weight class could be a coup for these science driven Yotes.

Or Coyote Spiritualists (Warden Missionaries) might help the Cloud Cobras build a new craft together. Either way the new Wardmaster, a Reactionary, would back the modernization of the aerospace forces in these rear-guard formations which have long been neglected. The Clan reliance on Star League era ‘upgrades’ and a handful of Golden Century replacements is dangerous given the dramatically expanding role of second line units in the invasion. While modernizing these forces is important to the Clans, he recognizes they should limit the commitment of their finite resources.

It is therefore important that your design entries use existing frames which sit unused in cache storage and recycle components from other designs already in production. This will facilitate the upgrade of existing craft into service and speed the deployment of this design into Clan service. Since production facilities will be limited to a single secondary line the reutilization of salvageable fighters is vital. Specifications call for standard Fusion Engines only to be applied in all entries to reduce the commitment of resources. What role and the capabilities this new fighter will use are up to you but please consider the Clans’ five (5) existing second line craft as well as the already accepted six (6) designed as part of Quicksilver.

New Clan AeroFighter Force for Quicksilver
Chaeronea      25 tons      225 (11/17)      TRO3067   Smoke Jaguar
Sogdiana       25 tons      300XL (14/21)   QS #3      Ice Hellion
Issus          40 tons      240 (8/12)      TRO3067   Snow Raven
Granicus      50 tons      250XL (7/11)      QS #4      Nova Cat
Tyre         55 tons      165 (5/8)      TRO3067   Steel Viper
Ammon       65 tons      260 (6/9)      TRO3067   Diamond Shark
Gaugamela       70 tons      280 (6/9)      QS #2      Wolf
Miletus      80 Tons   240 (5/8)      QS #6      Jade Falcon
Halicarnassus      100 tons   400XL (6/9)      QS #5      Ghost Bear

Existing Clan AeroFighter Intro Dates
Chaeronea      25 tons      225 (11/17)   TRO3067 (2849)   Smoke Jaguar
Issus          40 tons      240 (8/12)   TRO3067 (2842)   Snow Raven
Tyre         55 tons      165 (5/8)   TRO3067 (2907)   Steel Viper
Xerxes         85 tons      340 (6/9)   TRO3067 (2827)   Smoke Jaguar
Hydaspes      95 tons      285XL (5/8)   TRO3067 (2840)   Cloud Cobra

OmniFighter Design Basis
Sarmatian      25 tons      SB-26 Sabre      20th Quicksilver Trial
Apache       30 tons      Royal Spad      21st Quicksilver Trial
Zulu         55 tons      Starfire         22nd Quicksilver Trial
Qashqai      65 tons      Lucifer         23rd Quicksilver Trial
Cimmerian      85 tons      Xerxes         24th Quicksilver Trial
Hyberborean      95 tons      Hydaspes      25th Quicksilver Trial
Kubulai      85 tons      Rapier         26th Quicksilver Trial
Gypsy          35 tons      Avar         27th Quicksilver Trial
Shoshone      60 tons      Gotha         28th Quicksilver Trial
Maori         65 tons      Ammon      29th Quicksilver Trial

Aerospace Design Basis
Sogdiana      25 tons      Sabre
Granicus      50 tons      Samurai
Gaugamela      70 tons      Jagatai

As detailed in a recent Chattermail to the ilKhan from Master Technician Olivia (thanks marauder648) which detailed a Review of Brian Caches existing aerospace frames are available which might facilitate deployment (and make it easier to use minis, no duplicates please). Also, as with the power plants outlined above use existing components where available to reduce development time and save costs. Please remember I love fluff and your story matters here so explain why your design is the best and how it fills the role described. Clan Level 2 is the tech level for this contest just after Tukayyid so no ATMs, AP Gauss, Heavy Lasers, or Light Active Probes! Teamwork is also very welcomed so if you have an idea it is acceptable to collaborate.

Criteria
Era: 3052, just following the Truce of Tukayyid
Tech: Clan Level 2
Mass: 95 tons
Engine: Standard Fusion

Designers have two weeks to complete this contest so please have your entries in by Friday November 16th, 2018 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, good luck!!!