F-54 Epee

F-54 Epee
Type	Light Fighter
Manufacturer	Terran Confederation
Primary User	Terran Confederation
Additional Users	Free Republic of the Landreich, Union of Border Worlds
Introduction	2660s
Length	12.4 m
Mass	13 metric tonnes
Max Velocity	480 KPS
Cruise Velocity	250 KPS
Max Afterburner Velocity	1360 KPS
Acceleration	Excellent
Max Y/P/R	10/10/10 DEG/S
Guns	2 Particle Cannons
Missiles	2 DFs, 2 HSs
Turrets	None
Armor	3/3.5/3.5/3 cm
Shields	6 cm
Decoys	None
Jump Drive	None
Crew	1
Devices	None

The F-54 Epee was a Confederation light fighter that saw much action during the later half of the Terran-Kilrathi War.

Epee Target Identification circa 2665

History

The F-54 Epee, like the P-64 Ferret, was a light fighter whose primary purpose was to serve as a patrol and escort craft for various star systems and capital ships on the war front. They were also highly maneuverable, capable of holding their own against enemy dogfighters with relative ease. However, the Epee maintained many dissimilarities from the Ferret. For one, it had superior armament, and on occasion could carry out heavy ordnance for offensive missions against the Kilrathi fleets. Such armament, combines with its speed, made it a potentially dangerous foe on the battlefield.

The Epee's major disadvantage, however, was that it lacked the armor of the Ferret, possessing only half the amount used on the Ferret. At such a disadvantage, the Epee could be an even more vulnerable target than the Ferret in the sights of a professional Kilrathi pilot.

The Epee served all along the frontlines of the Terran-Kilrathi War during the 2660s, and squadrons were readily stationed on various installations and fleet carriers like the famed TCS Concordia. Their greater ordnance made them a highly-favored light fighter when the mission necessitated a heavier strike.

The Epee was soon phased out by successors such as the Arrow V, but found their way into the navies of other Terran factions, such as the Free Republic of the Landreich and the Union of Border Worlds. By 2681, they were rarely seen on the frontlines.

Variant Comparison

Stat\Variant	2665
Class:	Light Fighter
Length:	12.4 meters
Mass:	13 metric tonnes
Max Velocity:	480 kps
Acceleration:	Excellent
Max Y/P/R:	10/10/10 deg/s
Shields:	6/6 cm
Armor:	3.5 / 3.5 / 3.0 cm (Front, Rear, Sides)
Guns:	Particle Cannons (2)
Missile Hardpoints:	2x1 DF, 2x1 HS
Torpedo Hardpoints:	Optional
Missile Decoys:	N/A
Jump Capable:	No
Crew:	1 (Pilot)