The Rebel Faction

F/A-3 Hellhound

Name/Type: Hellhound
Designer/Manufacturer: Stellar Enterprises
Combat Role: Air Superiority/Attack
Crew: 1 ACU-203 Control Unit
Length: 9.5 Meters
Width: 12 meters
Speed: 195 MGLT (255 MGLT under Boost), 2040 Kph
Acceleration: 40 MGLT/s
Maneuverability: 230 DPF
Hyperdrive: None
Shield Rating: 65 SBD
Hull Rating: 30 RU (60 RU in certain locations)
Weapons: 4 Heavy Laser Cannons, 1 Dual Rapid-Fire Chin Laser Cannon (on turret), 12 Proton Torpedo wing bays (1 warhead per bay, 4 hardpoints.
Countermeasures: Full ECM Package, Targeting Computer Jammer.

Description: This fighter is special designed for service with the Stellar Enterprises Defense Force. With threats growing in the galaxy it was decided to build a new fighter from the ground up instead of upgrading or buying others. This would always allow the company to maintain and support the fighter without outside sources.

With a manpower shortage as well as a limited amount of well trained pilots in the galaxy the choice was made to build an automated fighter with the capability of being remote controlled. These fighters also have no need for life support systems or inertial compensators allowing more of the interior space to be used for weapons and other systems. The lack of a pilot allows these craft to conduct rapid, high G force maneuvers that would otherwise blackout or kill a living pilot.

High Output Ion Engines: These new HOI engines are designed to be smaller, lighter, yet have a greater output than conventional drives. With years of research into magnetics and magnetic acceleration, Stellar Enterprises engineers were able to develope ionic accelerators that propelled charged ions at a greater speed than before. This in turn increased the engines output and allowed the fighter craft to achieve higher speeds, while at the same time saving fuel use. These engines, combined with the decrease in the fighter's mass allow it extremely high acceleration rates.

These engines are also designed with a "quick reverse" ability. This allows the thruster to change the directions of its firing. By setting the ionizer in the middle of the engine assembly, small doors are able to close inside the housing and shunt the ion stream in different directions. During normal flight the forward shunts are shut and the accelerators are directed to pushed the ion stream to the rear of the engine. By shutting the rear shunts and opened the forward ones, the ion stream could be propelled out to the front of the fighter by also reversing the accelerator direction and running the current towards the front of the engines, pushing the ions with it.

This ability coupled with the fact that each engine can act seprately, allows the craft to perform very intricate maneuvers. The fighter has the ability to fully reverse one side and turn around instantly on an unexpected enemy. Other maneuvers could be performed without warning as well without the fear of G forces killing the killing. Micro thrusters located on each wingtip help as well.

Carbon Matrix Armor: These fighters are constructed from Stellar Enterprises trademaked Carbon Matrix. This makes the ships both sturdy and capable of taking a small beating from enemy fighters. As with other ships that utilize this armor type, damaged sections do not degrade the hull integrity of surrounding areas. This armor is also light weight and allows the fighter to carry more in terms of weapons, shields, and other systems.

This strength allowed the designers to experiment and come up with a new way designing the wings. Each wing is constructed with two reinforced parallel hollow sections. Between these wing structures were cabron matrix support beams. These beams were positioned equally appear and it was seen that they created a box configuration with two open sides. The boxs were turned into weapons bays and in total 12 advanced fighter torpedoes were able to be included into the Hellhound's arsenal. One torpedo per each box bay.

Cognative Interphase: This is a revolutionary system of remote control that was developed to be used with Stellar Enterprises fighters, bombers and even to be fitted on larger ships at a later date. It borrows from what was learned during the development of the SafeGuard combat suit and its helmet system.

The system allows the pilot to sit onboard the carrier ship and mentally control the fighters. Unlike the other helmet system, however, this one actually projects everything the fighter sees inside the pilots mind. By using holocams situated around the Hellhounds exterior, a computer system onboard the carrier transfers these images into brainwaves and feeds them into the pilot's head. It causes what appears to be dreams, but ones that happen while the pilot is awake. Every action the pilot does in these "dreams" is interprated and sent via secure laser comm to the fighter as direct commands.

Unlike actually flying, the pilot can get a 360 degree view of the surrounding area and conduct manveures by just thinking about them. He also has the freedom to try and perfect new tactics since there is no fear of him getting killed or injured. Also, unlike being inside the fighter, the pilots always get second chances to learn from their mistakes. The downside is that this system requires intensive training and not many people can prefect its use. It is also known to cause great mental strain on the part of the pilot after prolonged use requiring frequent vacations and downtime.

With a limited amount of pilots available some carriers carry one pilot for three different fighters to allow 4 people the control of a whole squadron. With the fighter's advanced Automated control system each one could follow orders or fight on their own. A pilot could control one ship while having the other two in the flight cover them or carry out other orders. If left alone, however, the fighters have the ability to fight as teammates and create new tactics to exploit weakness of the enemy. With their datalinks, the fighters are in constant communication with each other and always know where the others are.