Hellcat (Aerospace Fighter class)

Revision as of 19:44, 20 March 2018 by Cache (talk | contribs) (added note)
Hellcat ASF 3057.png
Hellcat
Production information
Manufacturer Mitchell Vehicles
Lycomb IntroTechnologies, Inc.
Lockheed/CBM Corporation
United Outworlders Corporation
Production Year 2671[1]
Model HCT-213
Class Medium Aerospace Fighter
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Cost 2,992,080[2]
Technical specifications
Mass 60 tons
Structural Integrity
Frame Lycomb 6
Power Plant 240
Fuel
Armament
Communications System Telecron L50[3]
Tracking & Targeting System Telecron M75[3]
Heat Sinks 20
BV (1.0) 1,079[2][4]
BV (2.0) 1,262[5][6]

Description

"...[T]he Hellcat subscribes to the school of thought that even a brick will fly if it has enough thrust."[7] The Hellcat was designed by Mitchell Vehicles and was originally introduced in 2671, a product of Mitchell Vehicles' need to diversify from its mainstay armored vehicle production in the wake of the general decline in conflict and arms sales after the Reunification War. However, the design was considered lackluster because of its lack of advanced equipment and the SLDF did not purchase many of these craft. The Hellcat really made its name being used by mercenary units, security companies, militia forces and others who valued the ease with which the Hellcat could be maintained and resupplied as well as the rugged nature of the design.[5]

Having been proven a sturdy design, the Hellcat found its way into SLDF garrisons and second-line formations. Though production ceased at Mitchell's Graham IV plant, the design has continued to be produced at at least three other facilities by other companies,[5] with Hellcats emerging from such factories as the Lycomb-Davion IntroTech plants on New Avalon[8] and Demeter[9] - although the latter was destroyed by the Capellan Confederation early in the First Succession War[10] - and the Lockheed/CBM Corporation plant on Tharkad for centuries. This, combined with the Hellcat's durability, allowed it to survive the Succession Wars, a feat many Star League-era craft cannot claim.[5]

In addition to these Star League-era production facilities, in the thirty-first century a new Hellcat design would begin production from the United Outworlders Corporation plant on Ramora under the auspices of the Outworlds Alliance and Clan Snow Raven, quickly enjoying success at the hands of Alliance pilots against raiders in 3074, and subsequently entering service in second-line Snow Raven Clusters.[5]

Weapons and Equipment

The Hellcat is armed exclusively with laser weaponry, making it a superb strafer. However, the craft is considered better in zero-G operations. The craft is really only limited by the amount of fuel it carries.

Variants

  • HCT-213D 
    The HCT-213D Hellcat is an anti-DropShip variant. This craft replaces all 3 large lasers with 2 SRM-6s in each wing, 4 tons of ammo, and an additional Heat Sink. BV (2.0) = 1,087[11]
  • HCT-213R 
    The HCT-213R Hellcat is used for reconnaissance, and drops the nose-mounted large laser for more fuel. BV (2.0) = 1,181[12]
  • HCT-213S 
    The HCT-213S Hellcat is a space-superiority fighter. The HCT-213S replaces the wing-mounted lasers for a PPC (the description requires 2 tons of something else to be removed, but it does not specify)[13]. BV (2.0) = 1,271[14]

Related Aerospace Fighters

  • Hellcat II - The Hellcat II is an extremely radical modification of the Hellcat, which reduces the overall mass by 10 tons.

Notes

The Hellcat was introduced in AeroTech (1st edition) as one of the six original designs, but lacked model number, release date, or any description beyond its game stats. It was finally given a detailed description in line with that of other aerospace fighters in Technical Readout: 3075.

Gallery

References

  1. MUL online date for the Hellcat (Aerospace Fighter class)
  2. 2.0 2.1 Combat Operations, p. 138
  3. 3.0 3.1 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 188, "HCT-213 Hellcat"
  4. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 100
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 188, "HCT-213 Hellcat"
  6. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 73
  7. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 188
  8. "Handbook: House Davion, p.183
  9. Field Report 2765: Federated Suns, p. 11, "Arcadian Cuirassiers"
  10. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 152, "Lycomb-Davion IntroTech"
  11. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 74
  12. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 75
  13. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 188
  14. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 76
  15. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 77

Bibliography