KF-227 Salthi in fleet colors, Vega Sector circa 2654.

KF-227 Salthi operated by the Church of Man, Gemini Sector circa 2669.

This nimble, twin-engined fighter was introduced around the opening of hostilities and for two decades remained the fastest combat spacecraft in either power's navy. 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. Like most early war Kilrathi designs, the Salthi also lacks an ejection system.

Though the Salthi served with some distinction in reconnaissance and interceptor roles during the war's 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 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.

Wing Commander Class: Light Fighter Length: 24 meters Mass: 12 tonnes Max. Velocity: 480 kps Cru. Velocity: 300 kps Aft. Velocity: 1360 kps Acceleration: Excellent Max. Y/P/R: 14/12/22 dps     3.5 cm         3 cm       1.5 cm n/a 1.5 cm       2 cm         3.5 cm     Shield Recharge: 10 sec Guns- (2) Laser Cannon Missiles- (1) Paw DF Decoys: None Cloak: No Jump Drive: No Crew: 1 (Pilot) Life Support: 7 hours Service Entry: Mid 2630's

Claw Marks Class: Light Fighter Length: 24 meters Mass: 12 tonnes Max. Velocity: 480 kps Cru. Velocity: 300 kps Aft. Velocity: 1360 kps Acceleration: Excellent Max. Y/P/R: 14/12/12 dps     3.5 cm         3 cm       1.5 cm n/a 1.5 cm       2 cm         3.5 cm     Shield Recharge: 10 sec Guns- (2) Laser Cannon Missiles- (1) Paw DF Decoys: None Cloak: No Jump Drive: No Crew: 1 (Pilot) Life Support: 7 hours Service Entry: Mid 2630's

Handbook Class: Light Fighter Length: 6.5 meters Mass: 12 tonnes Max. Velocity: 480 kps Cru. Velocity: 300 kps Aft. Velocity: 1360 kps Acceleration: Excellent Max. Y/P/R: 14/12/12 dps     3.5 cm         3 cm       1.5 cm n/a 1.5 cm       2 cm         3.5 cm     Shield Recharge: 10 sec Guns- (2) Laser Cannon Missiles- (1) Paw DF Decoys: None Cloak: No Jump Drive: No Crew: 1 (Pilot) Life Support: 7 hours Service Entry: Mid 2630's

Righteous Fire Class: Light Fighter Length: 24 meters Mass: 12 tonnes Max. Velocity: 400 kps Cru. Velocity: 300 kps Aft. Velocity: 1000 kps Acceleration: 600 k/s^2 Max. Y/P/R: 135/145/137 dps     20 cm         15 cm       12 cm n/a 12 cm       13.5 cm         20 cm     Shield Recharge: 10 sec Guns- (2) Particle Cannon Missiles- (2) Stalker HS (10) Proton Torpedo Decoys: None Cloak: No Jump Drive: Yes Crew: 1 (Pilot) Life Support: 7 hours Service Entry: Mid 2630's

Righteous Fire Elite Class: Light Fighter Length: 24 meters Mass: 12 tonnes Max. Velocity: 400 kps Cru. Velocity: 300 kps Aft. Velocity: 1000 kps Acceleration: 600 k/s^2 Max. Y/P/R: 135/145/137 dps     20 cm         15 cm       12 cm n/a 12 cm       13.5 cm         20 cm     Shield Recharge: 10 sec Guns- (2) Steltek Gun Missiles- (2) Javelin HS (10) Proton Torpedo Decoys: None Cloak: No Jump Drive: Yes Crew: 1 (Pilot) Life Support: 7 hours Service Entry: 2669