ZULU
OverviewAlthough it was introduced to the Clans in late 3052 as part of Project Quicksilver, the Snow Raven designed
Zulu OmniFighter was the result of a development program first begun in September of 3050. Based not upon an existing Clan or Star League Defense Force aeroframe, the
Zulu was the result of the capture of six test platforms for the SF-1X
Starfire Aerospace Fighter during Wave I of Operation Revival.
In 3049, Hanse Davion received a request from Katrina Steiner to allow Lyran forces to conduct tests on the
Starfire; this new 55-ton Aerospace Fighter had been restricted to use by the NAIS Cadet Cadres. However, internal discontent within the LCAF over the fears that the Federated Suns was keeping newly recovered 'lost technology' for themselves had forced Archon Steiner into making this request.
Archon Steiner made clear that the decision was entirely up to Prince Davion; she did note, however, that the acceleration profile of the new AFFS fighter would fill some gaps in the LCAF's fighter force . . . and that perhaps more testing by pilots outside the NAIS would accelerate development and eventual production.
As a token gesture, Prince Davion released six
Starfires to the LCAF, where they were assigned to the elite 17th Skye Rangers on Barcelona. Ambiguous over the new (and unproven) air-frames, the Rangers nonetheless put the
Starfires into service. Reports indicate that while the armament package proved to be a disappointment, the Ranger Pilots were impressed with the thrust and handling . . . both of which were a vast improvement over the LCAF
Lucifer.
Unfortunately, Barcelona was a target of Clan Jade Falcon in Wave I of the Clan Invasion in early 3050. The
Starfire test squadron was caught unawares by an Elemental para-drop and all six air-frames were captured intact, taking no part in the defense (and fall) of Barcelona.
After an intensive survey and several test flights, the Falcons were not impressed by the heretofore unseen and unfamiliar Aerospace Fighter. It was at that point that a Snow Raven liaison officer (Star Captain Terrance N'Buta, an
abtakha originally from Clan Star Adder) called for a Trial of Possession for the six fighters.
Showing their disdain for the captured Inner Sphere fighter craft, the Falcons defended with a Solahma Pilot flying a second-line
Ammon against N'Buta in his
Visigoth. The Snow Raven won the fight and his Clan took possession of the
Starfires.
Arriving back in the homeworlds in September of 3050, Raven Scientists and Technicians examined the air-frame, engines, electronics, components, and weapons. Although it was a poor fighter (in the opinion of Raven Pilots), the basic design was sound and the air-frame itself was surprisingly agile. Khan Lynn McKenna ordered the Scientists to develop the air-frame into a new OmniFighter (as the
Starfire had originally been designed to accept semi-modular weapon pods as a test-bed for various armament packages).
Design and development proceeded over the next two years until Project Quicksilver was announced. Having already produced twenty prototypes which were undergoing testing, Khan McKenna is said to have laughed when the ilKhan announced a competition for a new 55-ton OmniFighter design. The Ravens submitted the
Zulu to the ilKhan the following
day, much to Ulric Kerensky's surprise.
AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
VALIDATED
Class/Model/Name: Zulu (Base)
Tech: Clan / 3052
Vessel Type: Aerospace OmniFighter
Rules: Level 2, Custom design
Rules Set: AeroTech2
Mass: 55 tons
Frame: MXA-22C-OF
Length: 17 meters
Power Plant: Stormcrow 330 XL Fusion
Safe Thrust: 8
Maximum Thrust: 12
Armor Type: Raven Comp B2A Ferro-aluminum
Armament: None fixed
22.0 tons of pod-space
Manufacturer: Crest Foundries
Location: Lum
Communications System: SR Comm 7
Targeting & Tracking System: Type 11D
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name: Zulu (Base)
Mass: 55 tons
Equipment: Mass
Power Plant: 330 XL Fusion 12.50
Thrust: Safe Thrust: 8
Maximum Thrust: 12
Structural Integrity: 8 .00
Total Heat Sinks: 10 Double .00
Fuel: 5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters: 3.00
Armor Type: Ferro-aluminum (240 total armor pts) 12.50
Standard Scale Armor Pts
Location: L / R
Nose: 65
Left/Right Wings: 65/65
Aft: 45
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 0 33.00
Tons Left: 22.00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 9,541,064 C-Bills
Battle Value: 700
Cost per BV: 13,630.09
Weapon Value: 0 (Ratio = .00)
Damage Factors: SRV = 0; MRV = 0; LRV = 0; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 8, Armor/Structure: 6 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: -/-/-, Overheat: 0
Class: FM; Point Value: 7
Specials: OmniCapabilitiesMassing 55 tons, the
Zulu incorporates tried and tested components in a brand-new airframe based on the Inner Sphere
Starfire Aerospace Fighter. Designated as the MXA-22C-OF, the space-worthiness, ample internal volume, and agility of the original
Starfire frame so impressed the Raven Scientists studying their captured examples that they created a version able to use existing Clan Omni-Pods.
Determined to keep the project 'in-house' for as long as possible, the Ravens decided to use their existing 330 Extra Light fusion engine (modified for use as an aerospace drive) from their existing
Stormcrow production facility. This 12.5 ton engine would easily fit within the engine housing of the new fighter, replacing the existing 15.5-ton standard fusion drive (rated at 275) of the
Starfire. Although the frame did require some internal reinforcement to handle the increased maximum acceleration, this was a relatively simple matter as the frame was being duplicated with more advanced Clan materials anyway.
The communications system and targeting & tracking array installed were standard Raven components taken from the
Issus production line. The SR Comm 7 was a reliable and rugged piece of equipment, while the Type 11D T&TA was modern with full up-dates for all current generation Clan weapons.
The Scientists retained the existing five tons of fuel tankage and all eleven of the internal hardpoints for carried ordnance, drop-tanks, and sensor pods.
The Raven Comp B ferro-aluminum armor from the
Issus was also adapted, but rather than the 5.0 tons carried by that second-line Aerospace Fighter, the new
Zulu would use a slightly modified formula (Raven Comp B2A) and mount
twelve and one-half tons! This level of protection (with an armor rating of 240 it would higher than any existing Clan OmniFighter except the heavy-weight
Jengiz,
Scytha, and
Kirghiz) would transform the design into a rugged craft able to sustain damage that would send other fighters into a death spiral. Able to resist penetration by Clan ER Medium Lasers and Medium Pulse Lasers across the nose and wings (and ER Small Lasers astern!), the
Zulu would provide Raven Pilots with greater protection than any known medium-weight design . . . in Clan space OR the Inner Sphere.
Ten double-strength heat sinks were banked in the engine core, leaving the
Zulu with twenty-two tons of pod-space for weapons and equipment. An amount that Khan McKenna found to be entirely reasonable given the acceleration and protection of the new OmniFighter.
ConfigurationsThe
Zulu Prime is a lethal and highly accurate OmniFighter. The main weapon is a Large Pulse Laser mounted in the nose. Six Medium Pulse Lasers (mounted two each in the right wing, left wing, and aft) act as secondary weapons at closer ranges, while an ECM Suite provides electronic jamming of hostile systems for the Pilot and his Star-mates. Thirteen double-strength heat sinks allow this configuration to remain heat neutral when using all five forward mounted weapons.
Configuration A is also fitted with thirteen DHS. However, the main gun for the
Zulu A is a massive LB-20X autocannon with three tons of ammunition (15 bursts). Typically, Raven Techs will load a mixture of slug and cluster ammunition types, allowing the Pilot to decide which best meets his tactical situation. Four ER Medium Lasers (mounted two each in the right wing and left wing) are the only secondary weapons. Much like the Prime, the
Zulu A remains heat-neutral on a full Alpha-Strike.
Configuration B is armed with three Streak SRM-6 launchers (one each in the nose, right wing, and left wing, fed by three tons of ammunition for 45 total salvoes). Eight ER Lasers back up the Streak systems: two ER Medium Lasers (mounted in the nose) and six ER Small Lasers (two each in the right wing, left wing, and aft). Fifteen DHS provides enough cooling for the Pilot to engage a target with all forward-mounted weaponry without overheating. Since the Quicksilver Trials have begun, observers have noted that when the Streaks fail to lock on target, the
Zulu B is over-sinked and have requested the substitution of at least one DHS for additional weapons.
Configuration C is intended for fast-strike missions. The only forward armament consists of twin ER PPCs mounted in the nose. Fifteen DHS allows for the constant use of these weapons, which are tied into a three-ton Targeting Computer for more accurate fire. The only secondary weapons are two ER Medium Lasers positioned to fire astern to cover the Pilot's six on strikes against hardened targets. Raven Pilots have christened the
Zulu C as a 'DropShip buster' for its concentrated forward firepower.
Intended for use in the space superiority and dog-fighting role, the
Zulu D provides perhaps the highest possible amount of damage potential in any of the existing configurations. Twelve Extended-Range Lasers are mounted, tied into a two-ton Targeting Computer, and cooled by twenty-one double-strength heat sinks! The nose and both wings carry an identical battery of twin ER Medium Lasers and twin ER Small Lasers . . . six each in total. And the OmniFighter has the cooling capacity to fire them all constantly without any overheat worries.
Configuration E provides long-range missile support. The main gun is comprised of two LRM-20 missile launchers outfitted with Artemis IV and fed by four tons of ammunition (24 total missile flights). Three Medium Pulse Lasers (two in the nose, one firing astern) are the secondary guns. Although only carrying the base ten DHS, the
Zulu E is as cool-running as the other known configurations.
Finally, Configuration F is intended for high-risk recon flights. Incorporating an Active Probe in the nose, the
Zulu F is armed with three ER Large Lasers (nose, right wing, and left wing) with eighteen DHS allowing for the fighter to remain heat neutral on a forward-arc Alpha Strike. A single ER Medium Laser is mounted aft to cover the rear arc of the fighter and discourage lighter aerospace craft from pursuing too closely. Interestingly, the
Zulu F has shown in the Quicksilver Trials to also excel in the
anti-recon role. The Active Probe allows the Pilot to identify and target hostile ASF or OmniFighters at extreme ranges, while the triple ER Large Lasers are hard-hitting and possess the longest engagement range of any Clan weapon system currently in service.
Class/Model/Name: Zulu (Prime)
Total Heat Sinks: 13 Double 3.00
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Large Pulse Laser Nose 10 10 10 -- 10 6.00
2 Medium Pulse Laser RW 7 7 -- -- 8 4.00
2 Medium Pulse Laser LW 7 7 -- -- 8 4.00
2 Medium Pulse Laser Aft 7 7 -- -- 8 4.00
1 ECM Suite Aft -- -- -- -- 0 1.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 34 55.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 10,741,158 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,278
Cost per BV: 4,715.17
Weapon Value: 2,647 (Ratio = 1.16)
Damage Factors: SRV = 40; MRV = 36; LRV = 4; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 8, Armor/Structure: 6 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 4/4/1, Overheat: 0
Class: FM; Point Value: 23
Specials: omni, ecm
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name: Zulu (Configuration A)
Total Heat Sinks: 13 Double 3.00
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 LB 20-X AC Nose 12 12 -- -- 6 12.00
Ammo (LB 20-X) 15 --- 3.00
2 ER Medium Laser RW 7 7 -- -- 10 2.00
2 ER Medium Laser LW 7 7 -- -- 10 2.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 26 55.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 11,131,627 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,116
Cost per BV: 5,260.69
Weapon Value: 2,223 (Ratio = 1.05)
Damage Factors: SRV = 37; MRV = 29; LRV = 0; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 8, Armor/Structure: 6 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 4/4/-, Overheat: 0
Class: FM; Point Value: 21
Specials: Omni
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name: Zulu (Configuration B)
Total Heat Sinks: 15 Double 5.00
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Streak SRM 6 Nose 12 12 -- -- 4 3.00
Ammo (Streak 6) 15 --- 1.00
2 ER Medium Laser Nose 7 7 -- -- 10 2.00
1 Streak SRM 6 RW 12 12 -- -- 4 3.00
1 Streak SRM 6 LW 12 12 -- -- 4 3.00
Ammo (Streak 6) 30 --- 2.00
2 ER Small Laser RW 5 -- -- -- 4 1.00
2 ER Small Laser LW 5 -- -- -- 4 1.00
2 ER Small Laser Aft 5 -- -- -- 4 1.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 34 55.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 10,955,517 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,184
Cost per BV: 5,016.26
Weapon Value: 2,697 (Ratio = 1.23)
Damage Factors: SRV = 65; MRV = 32; LRV = 0; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 8, Armor/Structure: 6 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 7/5/-, Overheat: 0
Class: FM; Point Value: 22
Specials: omni
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name: Zulu (Configuration C)
Total Heat Sinks: 15 Double 5.00
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 ER PPC Nose 15 15 15 -- 30 12.00
2 ER Medium Laser Aft 7 7 -- -- 10 2.00
1 Targeting Computer 3.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 40 55.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 10,847,939 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,704
Cost per BV: 4,011.81
Weapon Value: 3,179 (Ratio = 1.18)
Damage Factors: SRV = 32; MRV = 28; LRV = 9; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 8, Armor/Structure: 6 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 3/3/3, Overheat: 0
Class: FM; Point Value: 27
Specials: omni
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name: Zulu (Configuration D)
Total Heat Sinks: 21 Double 11.00
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 ER Medium Laser Nose 7 7 -- -- 10 2.00
2 ER Small Laser Nose 5 -- -- -- 4 1.00
2 ER Medium Laser RW 7 7 -- -- 10 2.00
2 ER Medium Laser LW 7 7 -- -- 10 2.00
2 ER Small Laser RW 5 -- -- -- 4 1.00
2 ER Small Laser LW 5 -- -- -- 4 1.00
1 Targeting Computer 2.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 42 55.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 10,550,705 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,592
Cost per BV: 4,070.49
Weapon Value: 2,816 (Ratio = 1.09)
Damage Factors: SRV = 70; MRV = 35; LRV = 0; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 8, Armor/Structure: 6 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 8/5/-, Overheat: 0
Class: FM; Point Value: 26
Specials: omni
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name: Zulu (Configuration E)
Total Heat Sinks: 10 Double .00
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 LRM 20+ArtIV Nose 16 16 16 -- 12 12.00
Ammo (LRM 20) 24 --- 4.00
2 Medium Pulse Laser Nose 7 7 -- -- 8 4.00
1 Medium Pulse Laser Aft 7 7 -- -- 4 2.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 24 55.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 11,326,064 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,307
Cost per BV: 4,909.43
Weapon Value: 2,892 (Ratio = 1.25)
Damage Factors: SRV = 42; MRV = 35; LRV = 7; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 8, Armor/Structure: 6 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 5/5/3, Overheat: 0
Class: FM; Point Value: 23
Specials: omni, if
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name: Zulu (Configuration F)
Total Heat Sinks: 18 Double 8.00
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe Nose -- -- -- -- 0 1.00
1 ER Large Laser Nose 10 10 10 10 12 4.00
1 ER Large Laser RW 10 10 10 10 12 4.00
1 ER Large Laser LW 10 10 10 10 12 4.00
1 ER Medium Laser Aft 7 7 -- -- 5 1.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 41 55.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 11,020,064 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,209
Cost per BV: 4,988.71
Weapon Value: 2,437 (Ratio = 1.10)
Damage Factors: SRV = 30; MRV = 23; LRV = 8; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 8, Armor/Structure: 6 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 3/3/3, Overheat: 0
Class: FM; Point Value: 22
Specials: omni, prbDeploymentWith its relatively high thrust (4-g's safe and 6-g's maximum), the
Zulu serves as an intermediary design between the light-weight
Batu and
Sulla and medium-weight
Turk and
Visigoth in terms of thrust profile and agility. Well able to serve in a variety of mission roles, this new Snow Raven OmniFighter promises to fill a much-needed niche in the Clan Toumans. The unprecedented levels of armor protection (for a medium-weight fighter design) also has the potential to keep Raven Pilots relatively safe from injury or death, a fact which has endeared the design to some and is considered cowardly by others.
Still, the overall performance
Zulu has turned the heads of nearly
all Khans observing the Quicksilver Trials. Khan N'Buta of Clan Star Adder has already announced that if the
Zulu wins the competition he will be seeking to add the fighter to his Touman, as have the Khans of the Cloud Cobras, Diamond Sharks, Ghost Bears, Hell's Horses, Ice Hellions, Jade Falcons, Nova Cats, Steel Vipers, and Wolves.
And Khan McKenna continues to laugh as she watches.
Author
Topic: Quicksilver Program #22: 55 ton Clan Omnifighter (Read 3083 times)