KF-227 Salthi

KF-227 Salthi
Type	Light Fighter
Primary User	Kilrathi Empire
Additional Users	Church of Man
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)

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.

Official Authorized Wing Commander Confederation Handbook

KF-227 Salthi
Length	6.5 meters
Mass	12 tonnes
Max Velocity	480 KPS
Cruise Velocity	300 KPS
Guns	2 Laser Cannon
Missiles	1 Missile Mount
Armor	Fore and aft phase shields rated to 3.5 cm 3 cm fore armor/2 cm aft armor 1.5 cm port/starboard armor

This small, dangerously fast and maneuverable ship was seen more frequently in the early stages of the Terran/Kilrathi war. At present, it seems to be falling out of favor in the Empire, at least for front-line use. Intelligence suggests that the Salthi is still seeing a great deal of use deeper inside the Empire, for scouting and planetary defense.

A coordinated wing of four or more Salthi can represent a severe challenge to an opposing pilot, but their light defenses mean that even a single hit from most Confed fighters can take one out of action. Offensively, the Salthi's inability to respond to a a missile assault with equivalent power is a debilitating flaw.

Salthi possess sophisticated targeting routines equivalent to those of a Dralthi. They are not jump-capable, do not mount a tractor beam, and have no ejection system. A Salthi's life-support system is capable of supporting a Kilrathi warrior for about 7 hours.

Salthi-class Target Identification circa 2654

Fighter Tactics

The following table is taken from the Wing Commander I & II - The Ultimate Strategy Guide.

Enemy Near

No Damage - 70% try to tail; 30% random offense
Medium Damage - 80% try to tail; 20% random offense
Almost Destroyed -100% run away at full afterburners

Enemy Slow

No Damage - 80% strafe attack; 20% get distance
Medium Damage - 50% strafe attack; 50% try to tail
Almost Destroyed -100% run away at full afterburners

Enemy Far

No Damage -100% intercept enemy fighter
Medium Damage -100% intercept enemy fighter
Almost Destroyed -100% run away at full afterburners

Enemy Tailing

No Damage - 90% break left; 10% random defense
Medium Damage - 90% break left; 10% random defense
Almost Destroyed - 100% run away at full afterburners

Head-to-Head

No Damage - 50% random defense; 50% random offense
Medium Damage - 80% random defense; 20% rand. offense
Almost Destroyed - 100% run away at full afterburners

On Enemy Tail

No Damage -100% random offense
Medium Damage -100% random offense
Almost Destroyed - 100% random offense

Missile Coming

No Damage -100% random defense
Medium Damage - 20% break left; 80% random defense
Almost Destroyed - 100% run away at full afterburners

Laser Hit

No Damage - 100% random defense
Medium Damage - 25% break left; 75% random defense
Almost Destroyed -100% run away at full afterburners

Enemy Destroyed

No Damage - 100% veer away
Medium Damage -100% veer away
Almost Destroyed – 100% veer away

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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