Talk:F-44 Rapier II

INFORMATION by Source

Claw Marks

Comm Relay - Page 3

TCSO Show Scheduled

Vidstar Saranya Carr, exotic heroine of the popular Luna Jones, JumpScout serial, is accompanying the TCSO troupe to the Tiger's Claw. Carr, 25, stated, "You bet your life I'm happy to be working with the TCSO. I mean, you see Luna Jones blowing Kilrathi fuzzies out of space every week, but Saranya Carr doesn't know a nav computer from a dialogue transceiver. Since I can't help our fighting forces directly, I'm proud to be able to entertain and build morale. Besides," she adds, "I'm not completely unselfish. Perhaps I can persuade someone to give me a ride in one of those new Rapiers..."

Joan's 2654

Line Image URL -

Class: Medium Fighter Length: 24 Meters Mass: 13.5 tonnes Maximum Velocity: 450 kps Cruise Velocity: 250 kps Acceleration: Excellent Maximum Yaw: 10 dps Maximum Pitch: 10 dps Maximum Roll: 10 dps Ship's Weapons: Laser Cannon (2), Neutron Guns (2), Dumb-Fire Missiles (2), Spiculum IR (Image-Recognition) Missile, Pilum FF (Friend or Foe) Missiles (2). Ship's Armor: Fore Shield: 7 cm equivalent; Aft Shield: 7 cm equivalent. Front: 5 cm; Right: 3cm; Left: 3cm; Rear: 4 cm

Know your Qualification Ribbons

If you can't tell a Rapier from a Raptor at a distance, you probably can't tell them apart on their Fighter Qualification Ribbons, either. Try your recognition skills on the Fighter Qualification Ribbons above. Each is awarded when you've completed your first mission in that class of fighter. Clockwise, from upper left: Hornet Scimitar Raptor Rapier

Blueprints

Stats same as Joan's

Ultimate Strategy Guide

For Tighter Up or Down Movements, Roll and Turn

he arrangement of thrusters on Hornets, Scimitars, and Raptors produces an unusual flight characteristic: up and down movements cannot be completed in as tight a radius as a turn to the left or right. Aerospace engineers are trying to correct the flaw in the new Rapier class, but it is still unknown whether their efforts have been successful.

Using Your Ship's Guns

Laser Cannon - At this point, the laser cannon was employed only on the Hornets, although scuttlebutt indicated that a new class of fighter, the Rapier, would use them as well.

Neutron Guns - It eventually showed up as the second gun on the Rapier, but at the time the Raptor was the only ship that carried the neutron gun.

Full Guns - On the Raptor, and eventually the Rapier, you could fire two guns at once. With the Raptor it was the mass driver and neutron. Later, on the Rapier it was the laser and neutron.

Omicron Wing (Gimle System)

It was the biggest disappointment of my career. Before I hit sick bay, Halcyon had told me I would be flying with Angel in the Gimle System. Now, Lieutenant Mariko was testing the prototype Rapier instead. Imagine, 450 KPS with enough acceleration to pull six gees, a laser cannon for distance, a neutron for trading punches in close, and the maneuverability to keep up with a Salthi. Now that's a machine.

As soon as I heard Omicron Wing had returned from their three-point patrol, I dashed to the bar and waited for their grand entrance. Everyone had the same idea and pushed into the tight quarters, to hear their report first-hand. They were beaming as they entered.

"Comparing a Rapier with any other ship we fly is similar to comparing the first hydrogen propulsion units with the ion drives we use now," said Angel. "Navigation point 1 was clear, but four Dralthi attempted to prevent our progress at 11,000 kilometers before Nav 2."

"We all know how quick and evasive they can be. With the Rapier, we hit them with the lasers as they approached at long range, and then matched every twist and turn when they came in close. I switched to neutrons, and since we can outrun them by about 50 KPS, just stayed on their tails and fired. A few shots and they were screaming about the black void of space. Spirit was just as successful using full guns."

"The two Gratha that we hit before Nav 3 display the real value of the Rapier," noted Spirit. "I just avoided their initial run toward us, then used my speed and maneuverability to take down their shields with my guns. One note of caution, however. Since the Rapier's maximum velocity is more than 100 KPS faster than the Gratha's, you risk collisions with the enemy if you aren't careful. Once the Gratha's shields were weakened, I took them out with a Spiculum IR and a Pilum FF. I fired the Pilum even though Angel was close by. I knew the Rapier would help her avoid the missile if it locked onto her ship."

Tau Wing (Gimle System)

Captain Devereaux and Lt. Mariko weren't pleased when the prototype Rapiers were assigned to other pilots, especially when they heard their next mission briefing. Halcyon ordered them to check out a large group of bogies at Nav 2, flying the heavy Raptor.

Wing Commander

Beta Wing (McAuliffe System)

Talk to ICEMAN

Maverick. They call me Iceman.
Don’t let Knight fool you. The Scim’s a gun-heavy slug.
Forget finesse, just head straight in, guns blaring.
Give me a ship that takes skill.
A Raptor, even a Hornet… or one of those new Rapiers.
If half of what they say is true, the Rapier’s a true artist’s ship!

Omicron Wing (Gimle System) Talk to SHOTGLASS

   Hey, Maverick. How’s it goin’?

   You heard about those new Rapiers? Ever'body's talkin' about 'em.

   I'm not so sure about 'em, though.

   I flew jus' about my whole career in Scimitars an' Raptors.

   Liked the Raptor best, even though she didn't handle too good.

   She sure was fast once you got her goin', though!

Talk to HUNTER

   Maverick, , mate Have you 'eard the news?

   The Claw's gettin' a prototype Rapier to test fly!

   I've been lookin' over the specs on 'er.

   She's tagged a light fighter, but she's better armed than a Scimitar.

   There's a pair of laser cannons, for distance work...

   ...an' a set of neutron guns, for the dirty infightin'!

Talk to MANIAC

   I'm lookin' forward to seein' one of these new Rapiers!

   They say she's got tougher shields than anything in the fleet.

   She must be just about invulnerable!

   Ian St. John

   'Ang about, there, mate...

   She may 'ave God's own shields, but she's armored like a light fighter.

   If they knock down the shields, she's no tougher than a Hornet.

   Todd Marshall

   Wow, I never thought about that...

Mission Briefing

   Now, there's just one more thing about this mission I need to mention...
   We've just gotten a pair of prototype starfighters, Rapier-class.
   The brass wants to know how the Rapier performs in action...
   ...so I want you to put her through the paces.

   Ian St. John
   Good job, Maverick, you lucky bloke Let me know 'ow she feels!

   Peter Halcyon
   Now, I don't want you going nuts out there, Maverick...
   This is a hot piece of hardware, but it hasn't been tested under fire.
   No one really knows what she can do ... or what she can't.

   Christopher Blair
   I understand, sir. Don't try anything too fancy...

Debriefing

   Peter Halcyon
   Welcome back, Maverick.
   What'd you think of the Rapier?

   Christopher Blair
   She's quite a ship, sir.

Peter Halcyon

And what did you think, Devereaux?

Jeannette Devereaux

I must agree with the Maverick, mon colonel. It is quite a vessel.

   Jeannette Devereaux

   I believe that it will prove more effective even than the Raptor...

Jeannette Devereaux

...especially against the more nimble Kilrathi fighters.

Tau Wing (Gimle System)

Talk to KNIGHT

   So, Maverick. Now you've flown a Rapier. You like it?

You nod as you sip your drink.

   Joseph Khumalo
   I read that we're getting the first Rapier squadron on active duty.
   Colonel's already named the squadron Black Lion...
   I wonder who'll be assigned to it?

Epsilon Wing (Dakota System)

Colonel's office

   Peter Halcyon 
   Glad to hear it. We’ll be leaving Dakota soon, and I need to make some personnel changes. 
   Effective immediately following the jump, you’ll be reassigned. 
   I want you in one of the new Rapier-class mediums, in Black Lion Squadron. 

   Christopher Blair 
   Yes, sir. You won’t be sorry.

WC Arena

Another multi-variant mess...thanks Arena... :) ... --Dundradal 18:44, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

Are the Missiles right here? according to the ships database the A and B variants have spiculums not javelins! --madman 16.56, 30 July 2010

Variant Comparison

Stat\Variant	YF-44 (2654)	F-44A (2654)	F-44B (2654)	F-44C (2654)	F-44G (2654)	F-44H (2654)	Blade (2701)	Vanguard (2701)	Cavalier (2701)
Length:	24 meters	24 meters	24 meters	19 meters	19 meters	19 meters	19 meters	19 meters	19 meters
Mass:	13.5 metric tonnes	13.5 metric tonnes	13.5 metric tonnes	15.0 metric tonnes	15.0 metric tonnes	15.0 metric tonnes	15.0 metric tonnes	18.0 metric tonnes	20.0 metric tonnes
Max Velocity:	450 kps	450 kps	450 kps	450 kps	450 kps	450 kps	415 kps	365 kps	300 kps
Max Afterburner velocity:	1300 kps	1300 kps	1300 kps	1300 kps	1300 kps	1300 kps	815 kps	690 kps	570 kps
Acceleration:	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	150 k/s^2	150 k/s^2	150 k/s^2
Max Y/P/R:	10/10/10 deg/s	10/10/10 deg/s	10/10/10 deg/s	10/10/10 deg/s	10/10/10 deg/s	10/10/10 deg/s	90/90/90 deg/s	75/75/75 deg/s	65/65/65 deg/s
Shields:	8.5fb cm	7.0fb cm	8.5fb cm	8.5fb cm	8.5fb cm	11.5fb cm	280 cm	230 cm	280 cm
Armor:	6.5f/5lr/5.5r cm	6.5f/3lr/4.0r cm	8.5f/5.0lr/8.5r cm	6.5f/5.0lr/5.5r cm	6.5f/5.0lr/6.5r cm	7.5f/6.5lr/7.5r cm	415 cm	500 cm	550 cm
Guns:	MK 25 Laser Cannon (2), MK 40F Neutron Gun (2)	MK 25 Laser Cannon (2), MK 40F Neutron Gun (2)	MK 25 Laser Cannon (2), MK 40F Neutron Gun (2)	MK 25 Laser Cannon (2), MK 40F Neutron Gun (2)	MK 25 Laser Cannon (2), Particle Gun (2)	MK 25 Laser Cannon (2), Particle Gun (2)	Meson Blaster (2), Tachyon Gun (2)	Laser Cannon (2), Neutron Gun (2)	Ionic Pulse Cannon (2), Laser Cannon (2)
Missile Hardpoints:	1x2 Dart DF, 1x2 Pilum FF, 1x1 Spiculum IR	1x2 Dart DF, 1x2 Pilum FF, 1x1 Spiculum IR	1x4 Dart DF, 1x4 Pilum FF, 1x2 Spiculum IR	1x2 Dart DF, 1x2 Pilum FF, 1x1 MAMV	1x2 Dart DF, 1x2 Pilum FF, 1x2 Javelin HS	1x2 Dart DF, 1x2 Pilum FF, 1x2 Javelin HS	3x20 (60DF), 2x5 (10HS)	4x20 (80DF), 3x5 (15Porcupine)	4x20 (80DF), 2x10 (20IR)
Missile Decoys:	none	none	none	none	2 Chaff	2 Chaff	none	none	unlimited
Devices:	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Sonar, Shield Battery, Gun Power Core	Deployable Turret, Sonar, Gun Power Core, Gun Battery	Deployable Turret, Shield Power Core, Shield Battery
Jump Capable:	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes