KF-227 Salthi

KF-227 Salthi
Type	Light Fighter
Primary User	Kilrathi Empire
Length	24 meters
Mass	12 metric tonnes
Max Velocity	480 KPS
Cruise Velocity	300 KPS
Acceleration	Excellent
Max Y/P/R	14/12/12 deg/s
Guns	2 Laser Cannons
Missiles	1 Paw DF
Armor	3 cm fore 2 cm aft 1.5 cm sides
Shields	3.5 cm
Cloak	No
Jump Drive	No
Crew	1 (Pilot)
Devices	Jump Drive (Later variants)

Salthi-class Target Identification circa 2654

The KF-227 Salthi Light Fighter was a Kilrathi fighter. It was included in Joan's Fighting Spacecraft Vega Sector Supplement for 2654.092.

Overview

The KF-227 Salthi Light Fighter was the standard light fighter for the Kilrathi Empire from the 2630s to the 2660s. This small fighter was the fastest in the Kilrathi arsenal during that time period, and exhibited excellent acceleration. These fighters were produced in the thousands during the time prior to the onset of the Terran-Kilrathi War.

The Salthi, however, was one of the most technologically-deficient fighters the Kilrathi ever produced. It carried a small missile payload, deployed weak shields, and had no ejection capability. In fact, their shields were so weak that it was possible for a Confederation fighter to destroy the fragile craft in a single volley.

The Salthi is forced to always bank to the left, because of the way the fighters engines and ducts are arranged. James Taggart discovered this flaw when four Salthi fighters attacked him during a mission above the planet Accord in the Alliance System.

Besides serving as a combat fighter, the Salthi also saw extensive service as a reconnaissance fighter and interceptor. While not the most durable of any spacecraft, it was a vital part of the Kilrathi war effort and saw action in some of the war's most brutal battles.

Service History

Salthis first flew in the mid-2630s, and saw extensive action in the Vega Sector Campaign of the 2650s. They were often seen raiding Confederation transports or escorting Kilrathi transports at those times when they were not on patrol.

The most famous Salthi pilot of that decade was ace Kilrathi pilot Bhurak Starkiller, who flew his entire career in a Salthi and eventually amassed 64 kills prior to his death in 2654 at the hands of famed Confederation pilot Major Michael Casey.

Salthis often served as reserve fighters, as well as scouts and security forces within the Kilrathi Empire. During the late 2660s, the Salthis returned to prominence on the front lines as the Terran Confederation began to overrun Kilrathi planets on the frontier. One such squadron would see action at the Battle of Vukar Tag. They also fought a Terran carrier during the defense of Bordrav.

In 2669, Kahl of the Sixth Fleet of the Claw sold surplus Salthis to the Church of Man, a radical Terran religious sect that was growing in strength within the Gemini Sector. He had hoped to disorganize Terran forces by prompting them to believe that the Kilrathi intended on invading Gemini by deploying his own fighters amongst various terrorist organizations. However, the Church of Man and Kahl were both destroyed before the plan materialized.

The Salthi underwent a radical overhaul during the late 2660s and this resulted in the deployment of the Hrakthi-class Scout, which carried a cloaking device and sensor system. It was also unarmed. These squadrons were normally stationed on Bhantkara-Class Carriers during the final years of the War, and proved effective in their role as reconnaissance fighters.

After the Kilrathi War ended in 2669, the Salthis continued to serve within the remnants of the defeated Kilrathi Empire until slowly fading into obscurity. A squadron of Hrakthis were eventually sold to the Free Republic of the Landreich for their own use.

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  Salthi-class line drawing from Joan's Fighting Spacecraft.

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  Salthi-class Target Identification circa 2669

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  Salthi-class circa 2669 used by both Kilrathi Empire and Retros