Cheetah

Revision as of 17:20, 12 October 2012 by Doneve (talk | contribs) (found new not added F-14-S variant in AeroTech 2 Record Sheets)
Cheetah 3025.jpg
Cheetah
Production information
Manufacturer Imstar Aerospace
Model F-10
Class Light
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Cost 1,669,463[1]
Technical specifications
Mass 25 tons
Structural Integrity 12
Frame Imstar 10/f
Power Plant GM 250-a
Fuel 320 - 4 tons
Armament
Communications System Lassitor-3QS
Tracking & Targeting System IMB SYS 3600
Heat Sinks 10
BV (1.0) 484[2][3]
BV (2.0) 448

Description

A House Marik production of a Star League design, the Cheetah is a light support or reconnaissance ASF. With little armor, the Cheetah is designed to use speed to evade enemy defenses to complete a mission, but is at a serious disadvantage if faced with heavier aerospace fighters. The high thrust rating and speed comes at a cost of significantly high fuel consumption, limiting the Cheetah to a short range in the basic variant.

Armament

Well armed for a light aerospace fighter, the F-10 Cheetah has a Starflash I Small Laser in the nose and a Starflash II Medium Laser in each wing. The lasers give the Cheetah a heavy punch for supporting other fighters or ground troops.

Variants

  • F-11 - This upgraded variant uses an XL Engine, and change the armor to Ferro-Aluminum. The lasers are changed to pulse models. BV (1.0) = 583[4]
  • F-11-R - The reconnaissance version of the Cheetah-R strips the two Medium Lasers and adds fuel. This version is not intended to fight an enemy, as the single Small Laser can offer only token resistance. BV (1.0) = 236[5][6], BV (2.0) = 197
  • F-12-S - The Cheetah-S removes the Medium Lasers and one ton of fuel, to be replaced by an SRM-4 pack and ammo. This variant is used as a defensive craft for installations or Dropships. BV (1.0) = 329[11][12], BV (2.0) = 299
  • F-13 - This model upgrades the lasers to extended-range models, and mounts a ER Medium Laser to each wing. The armor is changed to Ferro-Aluminum for better protection and add double heat sinks for a better cooling management. BV (1.0) = 973[13]
  • OF-17 "Hawkeye" - This special reconnaissance variant removes all the standard weapons and armor and replaces them with a Hyperspectral Imager, Vehicular Stealth Armor and a Guardian ECM. By shutting down their engines and using a ballistic flight path, several of these Cheetahs sailed past Terra's defenses before Operation SCOUR came to Humanity's birthworld. The last minute data gathered by these units allowed Coalition commanders to modify their strategy. BV (2.0) = 352[14]
  • OF-17A-R - This version of the OF-17 uses a Small Cockpit to make room for two aft mounted Small Lasers. Retaining the Stealth Armor and Hyperspectral Imager of the OF-17 is fine, but the cramped cockpit has led to complaints from the Lyran pilots assigned to it. Unfortunately, the Lyran procurement agency isn't willing to listen, so the pilots will have to live with the cramped conditions and useless small lasers. BV (2.0) = 290[15]

References

  1. Record Sheets: 3039
  2. Record Sheets: 3039
  3. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 28
  4. Record Sheets: 3039
  5. Record Sheets: 3039
  6. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 29
  7. Technical Readout: 3057, p. 178
  8. Objective Raids, p. 117
  9. Record Sheets: 3039
  10. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 30
  11. Record Sheets: 3039
  12. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 31
  13. Record Sheets: 3039
  14. Experimental Technical Readout: Marik, p. 12
  15. Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 165

Bibliography