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.
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
Salthi-class line drawing from Joan's Fighting Spacecraft.
Salthi-class Target Identification circa 2669
Salthi-class circa 2669 used by both Kilrathi Empire and Retros
