Zero

Zero
Production information
Manufacturer	Blow/Hookson Technologies
Production Year	2703
Model	ZRO-114
Class	Light Aerospace Fighter
Tech Base	Star League
Cost	1,601,545
Technical specifications
Mass	35 tons
Structural Integrity	7
Frame	Saroyan Cavalier
Power Plant	Bangkock 140 Fusion Engine
Fuel	400 points
Armament	1 Large Laser 1 LRM-10 1 Medium Laser
Communications System	Orbitcom Model 11
Tracking & Targeting System	PS/1/12
Heat Sinks	10
BV (1.0)	738
BV (2.0)	881

Description

The Zero debuted in 2703 as a light, well-armed and armored Aerospace Fighter for the SLDF. It was designed with heavy firepower at a variety of ranges, while also being faster and better-armored than other light fighters. In particular, the Zero's wings are mounted in front of the pilot, along with the engine cooling system, as a means of providing protection against ground fire during an assault. The wings of the Zero can also fold back, saving hangar space, but also enabling a couple of unique tactics. During atmospheric operations, folding the wings can allow for an extra burst of speed, especially in a dive. Another tactic used by Zero pilots is to fold the wings while approaching the atmospheric interface. By deploying the wings at just the right moment, the Zero can literally bounce off the atmosphere.

The Zero's only drawback is its dispersed fuel system, with five separate tanks holding a ton each of fuel. Should the battle computer malfunction or one of the myriad fuel lines connecting them is severed, the Zero can easily lose most of its fuel in a matter of seconds. Though the fuel lines, and the craft itself, are well-protected with ten tons of standard armor, Zero pilots must be well aware of this potential problem.

Zeroes disappeared from the Inner Sphere during the Succession Wars, though ComStar was able to maintain, and later upgrade, their stock of fighters for use during the Battle of Tukayyid, and the Clans maintained a few for use by disreputable, or solahma, units. Since then, ComStar and Word of Blake have begun deploying upgraded versions of the fighter more frequently in the Chaos March.

Weapons and Equipment

The Zero's weapon systems are all tried and battle-tested. The Holly LRM-10 system provides it with long range firepower, while the two Blow/Hookson Technologies laser systems, the Blow Mark III Large Laser and Blow Mark II Medium Laser, are dependable and durable in even the most extreme situations. The Large Laser is also unique in that the pilot can adjust its focus between five different settings in mid-flight. At its narrowest, the Mark III is capable of producing a devastating coherent beam, while at its widest it can disrupt the target's electronics and tracking system. Other lasers, including the Mark II, can only be adjusted by a ground crew, and are typically set to produce a concentrated beam.

Variants

• ZRO-115 

  Not to be outdone by the Clans, Comstar upgraded their Star League era Zero and introduced this variant in 3055. They removed the LRM-10 launcher and Large Laser and replaced it with a Kingslaughter ER PPC and 2 Streak SRM-2 launchers. The older model's single heatsinks were upgraded to double heatsinks to combat the increased heat generated by its new weapons. BV (2.0) = 985

• ZRO-116b 

  This variant introduced in 2707 traded all of the standard weaponry for a nose-mounted Large Pulse Laser and three Medium Pulse Lasers for support. One Medium Pulse laser was mounted in the nose, while the others were mounted in each wing. The single heat sinks were replaced with ten double strength freezers to keep the heat under control. BV (2.0) = 1,044

• ZRO-CX-3 

  In 3073 this Zero variant was built as part of ComStar's rearmament program to extend the effective range of the ZRO-115 even more. The ER PPC was upgraded to use a PPC Capacitor and the Streak missile launchers were replaced by a single Enhanced LRM-5 launcher.

Design Quirks

The Zero ZRO-CX-3 variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:

• Atmospheric Flyer
• Fragile Fuel Tank
• Prototype

Bibliography

• AeroTech 2 Record Sheets
• Combat Operations
• Experimental Technical Readout: ComStar
• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)
• Record Sheets: Operation Klondike
• Technical Readout: 2750
• Technical Readout: 3057
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade

Yùn
Production information
Manufacturer	Mujika Aerospace Technologies
Production Year	3107
Model	Y-2
Class	Light AeroSpace Fighter
Tech Base	Inner Sphere
Technical specifications
Mass	40
Structural Integrity	5
Frame	Mujika Aerospace Type 16
Power Plant	Rawlings 120
Armor	Hellespont Aerolite Stealth
Fuel	5 tons
Armament	1x ER Medium Laser 2x Streak SRM-6s
Communications System	Endicott Type 32 Maser with Guardian ECM Suite
Tracking & Targeting System	Dwyerson Mark XI
Heat Sinks	12 Double Heat Sinks
BV (2.0)	953

Description

Produced by Mujika Aerospace Technologies of St. Ives, the Y-2 Yùn is a light Stealth AeroSpace Fighter, produced for the Capellan Confederation in the early thirty-second century. The fighter is uniquely designed to act in the close air support role while also being able drop a squad's worth of Battle Armor onto the battlefield.

The design's creation was inspired by Detroit Consolidated Aerospace's Troika, which originated the novel concept of delivering Battle Armor by Aerospace Fighter.

Weapons and Equipment

Designed to insert a Battle Armor Squad discretely to their designation target, a 4 ton Infantry Compartment is fitted in the fighter's main fuselage. The Yùn uses 8.5 tons of Hellespont Aerolite Stealth armor with a Guardian ECM Suite to be able to quietly protect and deliver its troops to their drop zone.

The fighter is armed with single Ceres Arms Extended Range Medium Laser in the nose, while backed up by pair of 6-tubed Sian/Ceres Stalking Cougar Streak SRM launchers also found in the nose. In addition to its built in payload of weapons, the fighter is able carry number of external ordnance and equipment to enhance its ability to support the troops on the ground.

Notes

The Y-2 Yùn has the following Design Quirk:

• Easy to Pilot

Bibliography

• Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged
• Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation