F-103 Excalibur

F-103 Excalibur
Type	Heavy Fighter
Manufacturer	Douglas Aerospace
Primary User	Terran Confederation
Additional Users	Black Lance
Introduction	2669
Length	32 meters
Mass	18 metric tonnes
Max Velocity	500 KPS
Max Afterburner Velocity	1300 KPS
Max Afterburner Acceleration	1100 k/s^2
Max Y/P/R	70/75/70 DPS
Guns	Tachyon Cannon (4), Reaper Cannon (2) replaced postwar by Ion Gun (2)
Missiles	12 IRs, or 4 IRs and 4 HS
Armor	110 cm
Shields	250 cm
Decoys	16-30
Cloak	Shroud Cloaking Device (2669) / Optional during interwar period
Jump Drive	Yes
Crew	1

The F-103 Excalibur Heavy Fighter is a starfighter in the service of the Terran Confederation.

Overview

The Excalibur is a heavy fighter that was first developed in the 2660s. At the time of its introduction in 2669, it was one of the most advanced starfighters in Terran service. It was designed as a space superiority fighter and was fitted with a large and powerful armament designed exclusively for this role. It could also be adjusted to serve a variety of roles, and its weapons loadout could be configured to carry heavy weapons of various sorts. It also could be fitted with a cloaking device for the purpose of high-priority stealth missions.

History

The Excalibur was developed in the 2660s during the Terran-Kilrathi War. By 2669, several combat-capable prototypes were being field-tested. In 2669, the TCS Victory was selected to host field tests for the Excalibur in the relatively peaceful Tamayo System. A prototype piloted by Major Jace "Flash" Dillon was sent to the Victory to carry out these tests. It was during a Kilrathi incursion in Tamayo that the Excalibur saw its first combat action.

After the destruction of the TCS Behemoth in its failed attempt to destroy the Kilrathi homeworld of Kilrah, the Confederation elected to deploy the Temblor Bomb to destroy the planet. A handful of Excaliburs were sent to the Victory to carry out the mission. Colonel Blair's Excalibur had been configured to carry the Temblor Bomb, and the entire squadron of starfighters had been fitted with the first Terran incarnation of the cloaking device. Colonel Blair and his squadron penetrated the Kilrah System and soon assaulted the planet. Colonel Blair's entire wing was shot down, but the Colonel himself managed to break through the planet's defenses and deploy the T-Bomb, destroying Kilrah and finally ending the Terran-Kilrathi War.

The Excalibur continued to see limited service after the end of the Kilrathi War. In 2673, the Black Lance acquired several of these fighters for use in raids against the Union of Border Worlds as a means of provoking war between it and the Confederation.

By 2681, the Excalibur remained active, but had since been superseded by newer starfighters developed during peacetime. Many of these served in battle against the Nephilim.

F-103 Excalibur Target Identification, circa 2669.

F-103 Excalibur Target Identification, circa 2673.

Variant Comparison

Stat\Variant	F-103 Excalibur (2669)	F-103 Excalibur (2673)
Class:	Heavy Fighter	Heavy Fighter
Length:	32 meters	32 meters
Mass:	18 metric tonnes	18 metric tonnes
Max Velocity:	500 kps	500 kps
Acceleration:	1100 k/s^2	1100
Max Y/P/R:	70/75/70 deg/s	70/75/70 deg/s
Shields:	250 cm	250 cm
Armor:	110 cm	110 cm
Guns:	Tachyon Cannon (4), Reaper Cannon (2)	Tachyon Cannon (4), Ion Gun (2)
Missile Hardpoints:	4x3 Medium (3IR/3IR/3IR/3IR)	4x3 Medium (2HS/2IR/2IR/2HS)
Missile Decoys:	30	16
Jump Capable:	Yes	Yes
Crew:	1 (Pilot)	1 (Pilot)
Cloaking Device:	Shroud Cloaking Device	Full Spectrum Cloak Optional
Service Entry:	2669	Postwar

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  The F-103 Excalibur, circa 2673.