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The XA-11 Skyhawk Attacker was "developed" by shade-tree engineers on the colony world of Wayside during their civil war. The original vehicle was built, partly, from a wrecked out VF-1 nose unit, with jets from a T'sentraedi Gulag Officer
Since then, however, the craft has seen a greater deployment, as those who worked on it have put their information on the galactic internet; This, then, has been copied, added to by each new presenter, and copied ad nauseum. Most of those who build them to so as private pleasure craft, or as working planes (the Skyhawk has great potential both as crop duster and limited-space observation and light transport; it's also fun to fly). The combat abilities of the Skyhawk are slightly limited; It's not sturdy enough to carry the kind of firepower for single-punch kills against Heavy Mecha, i.e. Destroids, and not nearly enough speed to take on fighters; It can't even realistically escape BY SPEED ALONE. However, a few Skyhawk pilots have managed to duck behind various cover and obstructions, effectively disappearing for a few critical seconds. Additionally, Skyhawks need practically NO runway space; in the distance needed to take off a full-load FA-18, a half-dozen Skyhawks can take off. Their simpler overall design allows them to use about ⅓ the maintenance area of most other aircraft. Trial and error has revealed the Skyhawk's niche as wingman for A/BG-20 Thunderbolt Guardians. A typical mission profile is an Air Liaison Officer (ALO) piloting an A-11 laying down a little suppression fire then LANDING (leaving the engines running) and calling in specific air strikes for the Thuds (and other support craft). Friendly fire incidents involving Skyhawk-supported Thuds HAVE NEVER HAPPENED; Equally, "collateral damage" (civilians killed in the crossfire) have dropped to 0.01% if pre-deployment levels. This has generally been attributed to the ALO's ability to be both pilot AND grunt at the same time. The Skyhawk is compatible with Rifleman Power Armor and lighter power armors, but nothing heavier. Name: A-11 Skyhawk. Model Type: Light Attacker. Class: Aircraft. Crew: One. Passengers: One or two people can hang on in an emergency. MDC By Location: | |||||
| Fuselage- Canopy- Power Packs (2)- Landing Skids (2)- | 200 50 100 each 100 each | Forward Cannons (2)- Panel Wings (2)- Taileron- | 80 each 50 each 45 | ||
| Speed and Statistical Data: | |||||
| Flying: Generally around 380 MPH (½ Mach). Range: Generally around 1,000 miles. Celing: Around 500 ft. Length: Generally around 20 ft. Width: Generally around 4½ ft. Height: Generally 5 ft. | Weight: Generally around ¾ ton. Cargo: Pilot supplies only. Any other cargo can endanger the craft. Power System: Twin Jet Engines; Exact types vary; Lifespan and Output: Also variable. Cost and Availability: A few thousand credit; Routinely available. Black Market Cost and Availability: Generally the same. Most of these come from the black market to begin with. | ||||
| Weapons Systems: Fairly limited; The Skyhawk was originally intended as little more than a stunt plane. | |||||
| 1. Heavy Guns: The main weapons system of the Skyhawk are the twin forward mounted cannons, used as much to cause their own havoc and devastation as to identify the target for other aircraft, such as the A/BG-20. Purpose: Assault/Anti-Armor MD and Range: Varies by type used. Rate of Fire: Varies by type used. Payload: Varies by type used. Cost and Availability: Varies by type used. 2. Missiles: The Skyhawk can generally carry one or two missiles under the skids. These are usually Mini-missiles or SRM's; A few carry MRM's, but most of those who try this end up having one problem or another. A common choice in either case is the CU-l8(t/r) missiles of EAG-81 Malcorn JSTARS fame. Purpose: Usually Assault/Anti-Tank. Missile Type: Mini- or Short-Range Missiles. Medium Range Missiles are NOT recommended. MD and Range: Varies by type used. Rate of Fire: Volleys of 1 or 2 for most missiles. Payload: 2. Cost and Availability: Varies; Fairly common. | 3. Light Guns: Various light weapons can be installed; In the example above, a pair of 20ᴍᴍ are mounted on the chin of the craft (the grey guns). Purpose: Assault/Anti-Aircraft MD: Varies by type used; Around 30-60 MD max. Range: Varies by type used; Around 1 mile. Rate of Fire: Varies by type used. Payload: Varies by type used. Cost and Availability: Varies by type used. | Features: | |||
Effect: 01-50: Enemy missile or missile volley detonates in chaff cloud - Missiles are all destroyed. 51-75: Enemy missile or missile volley loses track of real target and veers away in wrong direction (may lock onto another target). 76-00: No effect, missile is still on target. Also note that the chaff cloud will also blind nearby heat sensors (and optically based sensors at night) for 1 melee. They will suffer the following penalties: Reduce melee attacks/actions, and combat bonuses by half. Also, a cloud of smoke approximately 252 ft. Duration: 1D4 melee rounds. Rate of Fire: Once per melee. Payload: 6 chaff/flares. | |||||
