Hellcat II

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Hellcat II
Production information
Manufacturer	Mitchell Vehicles
Model	HCT-213B
Class	Medium AeroSpace Fighter
Tech Base	Star League
Cost	2,837,292
Technical specifications
Mass	50 tons
Structural Integrity	7
Frame	Wakazashi IX
Power Plant	Rawlings 250 Fusion Engine
Fuel	400 points
Armament	1 Medium Laser 2 Large Lasers
Communications System	Telecron L50
Tracking & Targeting System	Beagle Active Probe
Heat Sinks	15
BV (1.0)	1,077
BV (2.0)	1,147 1,153

Description

First introduced in 2710, the Hellcat II is one of the least-known or recognized fighter, in part because it was one of the last additions to the SLDF before the Amaris Civil War. The craft is intended as a heavy aerospace scout, a task for which it carries a Beagle Active Probe, providing the ability to pierce normal ECM at much longer ranges than other scanning devices.

Originally protected by fifteen tons of standard armor, three tons was removed to improve the handling characteristics of what test pilots called a "flying tank." However, commanders felt that the weaker protection meant that the fighter would be unable to accomplish its primary mission. The problem was solved with replacing the standard armor with Ferro-Aluminum which, though more expensive, provided superior protection for less weight, and improved heat dissipation.

Though bearing a similar name to the Hellcat, the Hellcat II possesses little or no resemblance to that older fighter.

Armament & Capabilities

With an armament consisting entirely of laser weaponry, the Hellcat II excels at strafing. The fighter also has very good maneuverability and heavy armor for a 50-ton craft. This, combined with the Beagle Probe, mean that the Hellcat II can pick its dogfights judiciously.

Armament of the craft include 2 wing-mounted Diverse Optics/A Large Lasers and a rear-facing Starflash Medium Laser. Both large lasers are linked directly to the Beagle, which allows for greater accuracy at any range.

Variants

• Hellcat HCT-212 - Armed with two Large Lasers, co-axed with pair of Medium Lasers, with one set of each type of laser mounted in wings. The craft has 16 Heat Sinks. It does not have the Beagle mounted in it, and the craft is prone to over heating if all weaponry is fired at once. BV (2.0) = 1,212

• Hellcat HCT-213C - This variant carries a Large Pulse Laser in each wing and a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers in the nose. To discourage pursuit, it carries a single rear-firing Medium Laser. The targeting system is tied into a Beagle Active Probe mounted in the nose. Two heat sinks have been removed, but the remaining thirteen are double strength models. BV (2.0) = 1,308

• Hellcat HCT-214 - The craft is configured with Beagle Active Probe mounted in nose. The craft is armed with two ER Large Lasers with pair of Medium Lasers in each of the wings. It has also been fitted with 14 Double Heat Sinks. BV (2.0) = 1,375

• Hellcat HCT-215 - Based on the 214 variant, the 215 retains the Beagle-Probe. The Large Lasers are replaced with Five Light PPCs, two mounted in each wing together with an ER Medium Laser and the fifth mounted up front. Heat management has improved, with the number of Double Heat Sinks increased to 15. Armor and internal structure have also been reinforced on this variant. BV (2.0) = 1,686

Related AeroSpace Fighters

• Hellcat - The Hellcat II was designed as a radical redesign of the Hellcat, which is 10 tons heavier.

Bibliography

• Combat Operations
• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)
• Record Sheets: Operation Klondike
• Technical Readout: 2750
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3075