SEP Fighter Models

Strike Class (Medium Fighter)

The Strike is designed to be an all around fighter. It is capable of space and atmospheric flight with the added ability to actually land on the surface of a planet and still break orbit on its own propulsion. It is well balanced between maneuverability and combat. This is the most common type of fighter in the Space Exploration Program (SEP) and is the standard fighter assigned to pilots. Other types of fighters are typically only available to higher ranking officers, battle proven pilots, or by special assignment.

Dual Strike Class (Medium Fighter)

Nearly identical to the Strike class, the Dual Strike has one major difference. This class of fighter allows a pilot and a gunner. In order to make room for the larger than average cockpit, some minor sacrifices were forced to be made. However, the added advantage of having a gunner typically more than balances out for the loss. This is a more recent development in the SEP fighter types and not many available. Currently, only a small compliment has been granted to each of the exploration class ships.

Interceptor Class (Light Fighter)

This is a light class type of fighter designed for speed. For the sake of speed, some weapon systems and armor have been sacrificed. The main purpose of this type of fighter is to get from point A to point B as fast as possible in a fighter. There are many times when speed is important, such as trying to catch someone escaping, getting somewhere before the enemy, or if time is simply a factor for any number of reasons. In most cases, this fighter is more meant to stall the enemy for reinforcements to arrive as opposed to actually defeating them.

This type of fighter is most commonly found on a space station where the fighter's speed is more important due to lack of mobility of the station. However even most exploration class ships have at least a small compliment of these crafts as it is unknown what may arise when exploring the unknown. It is most commonly issued for special assignment, but can also be requested as a standard fighter by a proven pilot if so desired. Due to the lack of armor though, a pilot must be skilled at avoiding fire to successfully pilot this fighter and still survive.

Demolisher Class (Heavy Fighter)

With this model of fighter, the main purpose is for combat. Speed is heavily forfeited for the sake of armor and weapons. This is mainly for combat more than traveling and has trouble traveling too far from the main vessel. One important note about this fighter is that it is not designed for atmospheric combat and suffers penalties if it is attempted. If for any reason it is forced to make a landing on a planet, it will not be able to break orbit and will require a special pick up to return to the ship.

The type of drive system used for the Demolisher class was experimental at the time. Though it offers greater maneuverability and is rather inexpensive, it has a dependency on a fuel supply. For this reason it is dangerous to travel too far from the main ship because if it runs out of fuel, it will not be able to return without a special pickup. There has been some debate about replacing the drive which isn't so fuel dependant, but for the sake of maneuverability the current drive system has remained. Currently, the Demolisher class is the only SEP fighter which uses this type of drive.

This fighter is mainly designed for combat with little other purpose. The Demolisher class composes a majority of the compliment for most war class ships. Each of the exploration class ships have also been equipped with a fair number of these fighters as it is impossible to determine what threats they may come across. Typically this fighter is only assigned when battle is almost guaranteed or by special request from proven pilots if so desired.

Reconnaissance Class (Light Fighter)

A new type of fighter built more for stealth and reconnaissance than for actual combat. This does not mean it is incapable of holding its own in a battle, just that it is not its primary purpose. This is the newest type of fighter and the most uncommon. There have only a small handful of these fighters in the entire SEP and even fewer currently assigned to a ship. The Reconnaissance has only been released from experimental status and become an official fighter class of the SEP.

Due to the limit availability they are only available for very special assignment and for command level officers. In the next year or two, several more of the Reconnaissance class fighters are expected to be produced. After this time it is believed that they will be common enough to be available to proven pilots upon request. However, the success and usefulness of these crafts in the field will play a major roll in the rate of their manufacturing.

Phoenix Class (Heavy Fighter; Officer Model)

This is a beefed up version of the Strike class. With the added armaments and weapons, it is on nearly equal to power to the Demolisher class. Due to the added armaments and weight, the Phoenix does suffer from having its bonuses cut in half when piloting within an atmosphere. Despite this fact, it is able to land on the surface of a planet and still escape orbit on its own propulsion. However the Phoenix class has one special feature not typically equipped on most other types of fighters. The Phoenix class is equipped with a self destruct device.

Due to power of this device, and the self-sacrifice required, this is class of fighter is limited only to high ranking officers. In order to be issued a Phoenix class a pilot must be at least a Lt. Commander or higher in rank and a proven pilot. This device is not to be taken lightly and can be deadly to even friendly forces in the wrong hands. Some officers have opted for removal of the self destruct device for the option of a gunner making it similar to the Dual Strike in this manner. This is rarely done though as most leaders understand that someone in power should be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect military secrets the officer may know, but more importantly protect the lives of fellow crew members by helping to destroy seemingly impossible odds.