KF-227 Salthi
| KF-227 Salthi | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Light Fighter |
| Primary User | Kilrathi Empire |
| Additional Users | Church of Man |
| Introduction | Mid-2630's |
| General Characteristics | |
| Length | 24 meters |
| Mass | 12 tonnes |
| Crew | 1 (Pilot) |
| Performance | |
| Maximum Yaw | 14 dps |
| Maximum Pitch | 13 dps |
| Maximum Roll | 12 dps |
| Acceleration | Excellent |
| Velocity | |
| Cruise | 300 kps |
| Maximum | 480 kps |
| Armament | |
| Guns | |
| Laser Cannons (2) | |
| Default Missile Loadout | |
| Paw DF (1) | |
| Components | |
| Modules | |
| Jump Drive (Later variants) | |
| Cloaking Device | No |
| Jump Drive | No |
| Defense | |
| Shields | |
| Fore | 3.5 cm equivalent |
| Aft | 3.5 cm equivalent |
| Armor | |
| Front | 3 cm |
| Rear | 2 cm |
| Right | 1.5 cm |
| Left | 1.5 cm |
| |
| Salthi-class Target Identification circa 2654. | |
History
This nimble, twin-engined fighter was introduced around the opening of hostilities and for two decades remained the fastest combat spacecraft in either the Confederation and Kilrathi navies. Ironically, given its sustained speed, the mass produced Salthi would come to represent the folly of Kilrathi engineering in the eyes of its Terran opponents: a poorly designed engine duct system in early model ships completely prevented Salthi pilots from turning right. James Taggart discovered this flaw when four Salthi fighters attacked him during a mission above the planet Accord in the Alliance System. Like most early war Kilrathi designs, the Salthi also lacks an ejection system.
Though the Salthi served with some distinction in reconaissance and interceptor roles during the wars early campaigns, it was probably the most obvious casualty of the Terran Confederation's full guns innovation. Low level shield generators meant that a single energy burst from a heavy fighter could destroy a Salthi. All the same, noted Kilrathi ace Bhurak nar Caxki ("Starkiller") flew his entire career in Salthi -- scoring a total of sixty-four kills before his death at the hands of Maj. Michael Casey in 2654.
The Empire began to actively remove the Salthi from the front lines during the final years of the battle for Vega. By the opening volleys of the First Enigma Campaign, no Salthi squadrons remained in front line service. Large numbers of Salthi were assigned to reserve, scout and security units deeper within the Kilrathi sphere of influence, creating a large surplus of the small fighter. This surplus would create an unexpected renaissance for the design in the last months of the war. As Terran forces encroached further on Kilrathi homeworlds, reserve Salthi units began to once again see more action. In 2667, a Salthi unit served in the doomed defense of Vukar Tag. Most notably, a flight of six Salthi actually managed to torpedo a human carrier during the 2669 attacks on of the Bordrav colony.
In one of the war's more unorthodox tactics, Kahl of the Sixth Fleet of the Claw developed a plan to sell surplus Salthi to the Terran Church of Man. The hope was that the appearance of military grade equipment among pirates and raiders would help disorganize Confederation forces as a prelude for a major invasion of the Gemini Sector. An unexpectedly strong military response to the renegade church, coupled with Kahl's death during a combat mission finished the plan before it could come to fruition.
At the same time, the fleet also premiered a final Salthi variant. The Hrakthi-Class Scout was an unarmed Salthi fuselage mated with a full cloaking device and an extensive sensor suite. Hrakthi squadrons would go on to serve with distinction in the final days of the war onboard Bhantkara heavy carriers. A Free Republic of the Landreich squadron would continue to fly captured Hrakthi throughout the post-war years.
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
Wing Commander
| Class | Light Fighter
|
|---|---|
| Length | 24 meters |
| Mass | 12 tonnes |
| Max Velocity: | 480 KPS |
| Cruising velocity: | 300 KPS |
| Afterburner Velocity: | 1360 KPS |
| Acceleration: | Excellent |
| Max. YPR | 14/12/22 DPS |
| Weapons | Laser Cannon (2) |
| Paw Dumbfire (1) | |
| Armor (Fore/Aft/Sides) | 3/2/1.5 cm |
| Shields (Fore/Aft) | 3.5 cm |
| Shield Recharge: | 10 seconds |
| Missile Decoys: | none |
| Jump Capable: | No |
| Life Support: | 7 hours |
| Service Entry: | Mid-2630's |
Joan's Fighting Spacecraft - Vega Sector Supplement for 2654.092
| Class | Light Fighter
|
|---|---|
| Length | 24 meters |
| Mass | 12 tonnes |
| Max Velocity: | 480 KPS |
| Cruising velocity: | 300 KPS |
| Afterburner Velocity: | 1360 KPS |
| Acceleration: | Excellent |
| Max. YPR | 14/12/12 DPS |
| Weapons | Laser Cannon (2) |
| Paw Dumbfire (1) | |
| Armor (Fore/Aft/Sides) | 3/2/1.5 cm |
| Shields (Fore/Aft) | 3.5 cm |
| Shield Recharge: | 10 seconds |
| Missile Decoys: | none |
| Jump Capable: | No |
| Life Support: | 7 hours |
| Service Entry: | Mid-2630's |
Official Authorized Wing Commander Confederation Handbook
| Class | Light Fighter |
|---|---|
| Length | 6.5 meters |
| Mass | 12 tonnes |
| Max Velocity: | 480 KPS |
| Cruising velocity: | 300 KPS |
| Afterburner Velocity: | 1360 KPS |
| Acceleration: | Excellent |
| Max. YPR | 14/12/12 DPS |
| Weapons | Laser Cannon (2) |
| Paw Dumbfire (1) | |
| Armor (Fore/Aft/Sides) | 3/2/1.5 cm |
| Shields (Fore/Aft) | 3.5 cm |
| Shield Recharge: | 10 seconds |
| Missile Decoys: | none |
| Jump Capable: | No |
| Life Support: | 7 hours |
| Service Entry: | Mid-2630's |
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.
Gallery
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
