OBT Forum

VARANGIAN Light OmniFighter



While Clan Goliath Scorpion was (by and large, at least) happy with their previously developed Comanche and Sarmatian OmniFighters, the Clan found that they lacked a true light interceptor.  While the Comanche was partially able to fill that role, the Scorpion Pilots decided that they needed a lighter, faster OmniFighter as well.

Thus was born the Varangian.  Based on a 40-ton chassis, this sleek and smoothly curved delta-wing interceptor would be powered by a 360XL fusion engine that provided a safe thrust of 5.5-g's and an overthrust of 8.5-g's . . . roughly equal to the acceleration curve of the 25-ton Sabre.  As with the Scorpion's previous two OmniFighters, the design team provided excellent (at least for its weight class) armor protection with 9.5 tons of ferro-aluminum armor plating (providing protection against threshold criticals from Clan ER Medium and Medium Pulse Lasers on the nose and IS Medium Lasers on the wings) along with five full tons of fuel storage.  Furthermore, the Scorpion engineers installed a fixed Active Probe in the nose, making the Varangian an excellent reconnaissance fighter as well.

This left very little tonnage for weapons and other equipment, something that has forestalled any other Clan from adopting this OmniFighter for their own Touman.  Just 5 tons remained . . . barely a half-ton more than the 30-ton Vandal.

But while the armament capacity was light, the Varangian proved to be as fast and maneuverable as all but the swiftest and lightest of current Clan Aerospace Fighters or OmniFighters.  Only the Bashkir and Vandal exceeded the acceleration, with just the Charonnea matching it.

And against those fighters (and the majority of Clan fighters!), the Varangian won out on both endurance and armor protection.

In the words of Clan Goliath Scorpion Pilots, "what can catch us can not defeat us; what can defeat us cannot catch us."

This OmniFighter is also able to carry external ordnance or fuel drop-tanks on eight external hardpoints.  Carrying a full load reduces safe thrust to "merely" 4.5-g's and overthrust to 7-g's.

                    AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  Varangian (Base)
Tech:              Clan / 3011
Vessel Type:       Aerospace OmniFighter
Rules:             Level 2, Custom design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              40 tons
Frame:             Coriolis IV-ASF
Length:            15 meters
Power Plant:       Skorpion Type I 360 XL Fusion
Safe Thrust:       11
Maximum Thrust:    17
Armor Type:        Compound GS Ferro-aluminum
Armament:         
    1 Active Probe
Manufacturer:   Roche QuadPlex Alpha
  Location:     Roche
Communications System:  JNE Integrated
Targeting & Tracking System:  TRTTS Mk II with Targeting Computer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  Varangian (Base)
Mass:              40 tons

Equipment:                                                              Mass
Power Plant:  360 XL Fusion                                             16.50
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 11
      Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11                                                  .00
Total Heat Sinks:    10 Double                                            .00
Fuel:                                                                    5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters:                                            3.00
Armor Type:  Ferro-aluminum  (182 total armor pts)                       9.50
                           Standard Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Nose:                                 62
   Left/Right Wings:                  42/42
   Aft:                                  36

Weapons and Equipment      Loc        SRV    MRV    LRV    ERV  Heat    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe             Nose        --     --     --     --    0      1.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                                     Heat: 0     35.00
Tons Left:                                                               5.00

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:        7,794,600 C-Bills
Battle Value:      597
Cost per BV:       13,056.28
Weapon Value:      0 (Ratio = .00)
Damage Factors:    SRV = 0;  MRV = 0;  LRV = 0;  ERV = 0
BattleForce2:      MP: 11,  Armor/Structure: 5 / 0
                   Damage PB/M/L: -/-/-,  Overheat: 0
                   Class: FL;  Point Value: 6
                   Specials: omni, prb
The Prime Configuration features just a single weapon system:  an Extended-Range Large Laser mounted in the nose.  Able to engage targets at extreme range, the ER Large Laser also packs a concentrated punch.  A one-ton Targeting Computer ensures that the Pilots of the Prime are better able to land their shots on target. 

                    AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  Varangian (Prime)
Tech:              Clan / 3011
Vessel Type:       Aerospace OmniFighter
Rules:             Level 2, Custom design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              40 tons
Frame:             Coriolis IV-ASF
Length:            15 meters
Power Plant:       Skorpion Type I 360 XL Fusion
Safe Thrust:       11
Maximum Thrust:    17
Armor Type:        Compound GS Ferro-aluminum
Armament:         
    1 Active Probe
    1 ER Large Laser
Manufacturer:   Roche QuadPlex Alpha
  Location:     Roche
Communications System:  JNE Integrated
Targeting & Tracking System:  TRTTS Mk II with Targeting Computer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  Varangian (Prime)
Mass:              40 tons

Equipment:                                                              Mass
Power Plant:  360 XL Fusion                                             16.50
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 11
      Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11                                                  .00
Total Heat Sinks:    10 Double                                            .00
Fuel:                                                                    5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters:                                            3.00
Armor Type:  Ferro-aluminum  (182 total armor pts)                       9.50
                           Standard Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Nose:                                 62
   Left/Right Wings:                  42/42
   Aft:                                  36

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 Targeting Computer                                                     1.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                                    Heat: 12     40.00
Tons Left:                                                                .00

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:        8,109,600 C-Bills
Battle Value:      1,368
Cost per BV:       5,928.07
Weapon Value:      1,530 (Ratio = 1.12)
Damage Factors:    SRV = 10;  MRV = 8;  LRV = 4;  ERV = 0
BattleForce2:      MP: 11,  Armor/Structure: 5 / 0
                   Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/1,  Overheat: 0
                   Class: FL;  Point Value: 14
                   Specials: omni, prb
Configuration A retains the one-ton Targeting Computer, but replaces the ER Large Laser with a quartet of ER Medium Lasers in the nose.  While not possessing as much range as the ER Large Laser, they quad-mounted ER Mediums are able to inflict 2.8 times the damage in a single gunnery pass.

                    AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  Varangian (Configuration A)
Tech:              Clan / 3011
Vessel Type:       Aerospace OmniFighter
Rules:             Level 2, Custom design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              40 tons
Frame:             Coriolis IV-ASF
Length:            15 meters
Power Plant:       Skorpion Type I 360 XL Fusion
Safe Thrust:       11
Maximum Thrust:    17
Armor Type:        Compound GS Ferro-aluminum
Armament:         
    1 Active Probe
    4 ER Medium Laser
Manufacturer:   Roche QuadPlex Alpha
  Location:     Roche
Communications System:  JNE Integrated
Targeting & Tracking System:  TRTTS Mk II with Targeting Computer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  Varangian (Configuration A)
Mass:              40 tons

Equipment:                                                              Mass
Power Plant:  360 XL Fusion                                             16.50
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 11
      Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11                                                  .00
Total Heat Sinks:    10 Double                                            .00
Fuel:                                                                    5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters:                                            3.00
Armor Type:  Ferro-aluminum  (182 total armor pts)                       9.50
                           Standard Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Nose:                                 62
   Left/Right Wings:                  42/42
   Aft:                                  36

Weapons and Equipment      Loc        SRV    MRV    LRV    ERV  Heat    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe             Nose        --     --     --     --    0      1.00
4 ER Medium Laser          Nose         7      7     --     --   20      4.00
1 Targeting Computer                                                     1.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                                    Heat: 20     40.00
Tons Left:                                                                .00

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:        8,289,600 C-Bills
Battle Value:      1,934
Cost per BV:       4,286.25
Weapon Value:      2,201 (Ratio = 1.14)
Damage Factors:    SRV = 27;  MRV = 23;  LRV = 0;  ERV = 0
BattleForce2:      MP: 11,  Armor/Structure: 5 / 0
                   Damage PB/M/L: 3/3/-,  Overheat: 0
                   Class: FL;  Point Value: 19
                   Specials: omni, prb
Configuration B retains two ER Medium Lasers in the nose and mounts four ER Small Lasers as well (two each in the right and left wings), all tied into a one-ton Targeting Computer.  The Varangian B is a compromise between firepower and range and as such seldom sees use in combat.  Only Configuration D is used less by Scorpion Pilots.

                    AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  Varangian (Configuration B)
Tech:              Clan / 3011
Vessel Type:       Aerospace OmniFighter
Rules:             Level 2, Custom design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              40 tons
Frame:             Coriolis IV-ASF
Length:            15 meters
Power Plant:       Skorpion Type I 360 XL Fusion
Safe Thrust:       11
Maximum Thrust:    17
Armor Type:        Compound GS Ferro-aluminum
Armament:         
    1 Active Probe
    2 ER Medium Laser
    4 ER Small Laser
Manufacturer:   Roche QuadPlex Alpha
  Location:     Roche
Communications System:  JNE Integrated
Targeting & Tracking System:  TRTTS Mk II with Targeting Computer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  Varangian (Configuration B)
Mass:              40 tons

Equipment:                                                              Mass
Power Plant:  360 XL Fusion                                             16.50
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 11
      Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11                                                  .00
Total Heat Sinks:    10 Double                                            .00
Fuel:                                                                    5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters:                                            3.00
Armor Type:  Ferro-aluminum  (182 total armor pts)                       9.50
                           Standard Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Nose:                                 62
   Left/Right Wings:                  42/42
   Aft:                                  36

Weapons and Equipment      Loc        SRV    MRV    LRV    ERV  Heat    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe             Nose        --     --     --     --    0      1.00
2 ER Medium Laser          Nose         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                                                     1.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                                    Heat: 18     40.00
Tons Left:                                                                .00

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:        8,117,100 C-Bills
Battle Value:      1,649
Cost per BV:       4,922.44
Weapon Value:      1,820 (Ratio = 1.10)
Damage Factors:    SRV = 33;  MRV = 12;  LRV = 0;  ERV = 0
BattleForce2:      MP: 11,  Armor/Structure: 5 / 0
                   Damage PB/M/L: 4/2/-,  Overheat: 0
                   Class: FL;  Point Value: 17
                   Specials: omni, prb
Configuration C, on the other hand, concentrates on delivering damage, albeit at close range.  Eight ER Small Lasers are mounted (four in the nose, two each in the right and left wings) divided into four bays of two ER Small Lasers each.  All eight guns are tied into a one-ton Targeting Computer for maximum accuracy.  While possessing no ability to engage targets at Medium range and beyond, the Varangian C is able to deliver a frightening amount of damage in close and is a fearsome strafer in ground attack assignments.

                    AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  Varangian (Configuration C)
Tech:              Clan / 3011
Vessel Type:       Aerospace OmniFighter
Rules:             Level 2, Custom design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              40 tons
Frame:             Coriolis IV-ASF
Length:            15 meters
Power Plant:       Skorpion Type I 360 XL Fusion
Safe Thrust:       11
Maximum Thrust:    17
Armor Type:        Compound GS Ferro-aluminum
Armament:         
    1 Active Probe
    8 ER Small Laser
Manufacturer:   Roche QuadPlex Alpha
  Location:     Roche
Communications System:  JNE Integrated
Targeting & Tracking System:  TRTTS Mk II with Targeting Computer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  Varangian (Configuration C)
Mass:              40 tons

Equipment:                                                              Mass
Power Plant:  360 XL Fusion                                             16.50
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 11
      Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11                                                  .00
Total Heat Sinks:    10 Double                                            .00
Fuel:                                                                    5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters:                                            3.00
Armor Type:  Ferro-aluminum  (182 total armor pts)                       9.50
                           Standard Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Nose:                                 62
   Left/Right Wings:                  42/42
   Aft:                                  36

Weapons and Equipment      Loc        SRV    MRV    LRV    ERV  Heat    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe             Nose        --     --     --     --    0      1.00
2 ER Small Laser           Nose         5     --     --     --    4      1.00
2 ER Small Laser           Nose         5     --     --     --    4      1.00
2 ER Small Laser           RW           5     --     --     --    4      1.00
2 ER Small Laser           LW           5     --     --     --    4      1.00
1 Targeting Computer                                                     1.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                                    Heat: 16     40.00
Tons Left:                                                                .00

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:        7,944,600 C-Bills
Battle Value:      1,365
Cost per BV:       5,820.22
Weapon Value:      1,563 (Ratio = 1.15)
Damage Factors:    SRV = 39;  MRV = 0;  LRV = 0;  ERV = 0
BattleForce2:      MP: 11,  Armor/Structure: 5 / 0
                   Damage PB/M/L: 4/-/-,  Overheat: 0
                   Class: FL;  Point Value: 14
                   Specials: omni, prb
Finally, there is Configuration D.  Not well liked among the Scorpion Pilots, the Varangian D is used when the situation demands that every shot must count.  Only two Medium Pulse Lasers (mounted in the nose and tied into a one-ton Targeting Computer) are fitted, making this Configuration low-damage compared to the A, B, and C variants.

                    AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  Varangian (Configuration D)
Tech:              Clan / 3011
Vessel Type:       Aerospace OmniFighter
Rules:             Level 2, Custom design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              40 tons
Frame:             Coriolis IV-ASF
Length:            15 meters
Power Plant:       Skorpion Type I 360 XL Fusion
Safe Thrust:       11
Maximum Thrust:    17
Armor Type:        Compound GS Ferro-aluminum
Armament:         
    1 Active Probe
    2 Medium Pulse Laser
Manufacturer:   Roche QuadPlex Alpha
  Location:     Roche
Communications System:  JNE Integrated
Targeting & Tracking System:  TRTTS Mk II with Targeting Computer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  Varangian (Configuration D)
Mass:              40 tons

Equipment:                                                              Mass
Power Plant:  360 XL Fusion                                             16.50
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 11
      Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11                                                  .00
Total Heat Sinks:    10 Double                                            .00
Fuel:                                                                    5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters:                                            3.00
Armor Type:  Ferro-aluminum  (182 total armor pts)                       9.50
                           Standard Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Nose:                                 62
   Left/Right Wings:                  42/42
   Aft:                                  36

Weapons and Equipment      Loc        SRV    MRV    LRV    ERV  Heat    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe             Nose        --     --     --     --    0      1.00
2 Medium Pulse Laser       Nose         7      7     --     --    8      4.00
1 Targeting Computer                                                     1.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                                     Heat: 8     40.00
Tons Left:                                                                .00

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:        7,989,600 C-Bills
Battle Value:      1,284
Cost per BV:       6,222.43
Weapon Value:      1,566 (Ratio = 1.22)
Damage Factors:    SRV = 14;  MRV = 14;  LRV = 0;  ERV = 0
BattleForce2:      MP: 11,  Armor/Structure: 5 / 0
                   Damage PB/M/L: 2/2/-,  Overheat: 0
                   Class: FL;  Point Value: 13
                   Specials: omni, prb
The Varangian has not yet been seen in the Touman of other Clans.  The lack of pod-space seems to be the primary reason that it has not been adopted.  However, Clan Goliath Scorpion has embraced the design and appears to have formalized their OmniFighter assignments, with every OmniFighter Star in the Touman containing two Varangian, four Comanche, and four Sarmatian OmniFighters.

Critics have voiced concern that having such a regimented structure means that those hostile to Clan Goliath Scorpion know excactly what to expect in combat . . . but Scorpion Pilots simply shrug and reply, "bring it on if you believe you can achieve victory."  And, to be certain, simply knowing how many and what kind of OmniFighters Clan Goliath Scorpion fields means little if one cannot deploy fighters as swift, as well protected, and as well armed in reply.