Zach Sweigart
Starcom Solutions ZR-1A "Tekkan"
The USMF's elite pilots (those given the rank of Paladin) are a tough breed whose exploits are well known across the galaxy. Though qualified on a wide array of different craft (including ones not used by the USMF) most Paladins operate solo or in small groups; often great distances from allied bases or capital ships and thus have found great use in one-man fighter craft with FTL capability.
Miniaturizing FTL jump drives is a complex and costly process, but the benefits of a faster-than-light starfighter are numerous. For years, the USMF Paladins utilized the AX-20 "Katana" in this role. While a sturdy and fast ship, the Katana's production foundry was completely destroyed in the beginning stages of the Dimension Wars, and as such, it's service numbers dwindled further from the already small amount (in comparison to non-FTL fighters in the fleet).
Starcom Solution's answered the call for a "faster-than-light jack of all trades" by introducing the "Tekkan" (a name of Japanese origin inspired by its spiritual predecessor "Katana"). Starcom Solutions, living up to it's name, conquered the complex issue of small FTL jump drives with a unique solution; the drive systems were built at the capital ship shipyards on Saturn and then shipped to Neptune where quantum technology was used to shrink the units down to a smaller size.
Impressed by the originality of Starcom Solutions' engineering prowess, the USMF quickly requested a Tekkan for immediate trial runs. The first Tekkan produced (which was painted red with white markings as tribute to the Katana) passed its tests with flying colors (no pun intended) and was assigned to Paladin Kira Janus.
The Tekkan features twin heavy repeating lasers (much like those found on Hyperius Industries' "Scorpion"-class heavy fighter) and twin "Mjölnir"-type lightning cannons, which fire thunderous bolts of energy across great distances. These weapons pack quite the punch and require no ammunition, but require a great amount of charge time. If safety protocols are bypassed, the capacitor banks can overcharge and result in a devastating chain reaction.
(Pictured above is the AX-20 "Katana" which the "Tekkan" replaces. I paid tribute to the original craft by using a similar layout to it's wings and main thrusters, as a sort of easter egg.)
Starcom Solutions ZR-1A "Tekkan"
The USMF's elite pilots (those given the rank of Paladin) are a tough breed whose exploits are well known across the galaxy. Though qualified on a wide array of different craft (including ones not used by the USMF) most Paladins operate solo or in small groups; often great distances from allied bases or capital ships and thus have found great use in one-man fighter craft with FTL capability.
Miniaturizing FTL jump drives is a complex and costly process, but the benefits of a faster-than-light starfighter are numerous. For years, the USMF Paladins utilized the AX-20 "Katana" in this role. While a sturdy and fast ship, the Katana's production foundry was completely destroyed in the beginning stages of the Dimension Wars, and as such, it's service numbers dwindled further from the already small amount (in comparison to non-FTL fighters in the fleet).
Starcom Solution's answered the call for a "faster-than-light jack of all trades" by introducing the "Tekkan" (a name of Japanese origin inspired by its spiritual predecessor "Katana"). Starcom Solutions, living up to it's name, conquered the complex issue of small FTL jump drives with a unique solution; the drive systems were built at the capital ship shipyards on Saturn and then shipped to Neptune where quantum technology was used to shrink the units down to a smaller size.
Impressed by the originality of Starcom Solutions' engineering prowess, the USMF quickly requested a Tekkan for immediate trial runs. The first Tekkan produced (which was painted red with white markings as tribute to the Katana) passed its tests with flying colors (no pun intended) and was assigned to Paladin Kira Janus.
The Tekkan features twin heavy repeating lasers (much like those found on Hyperius Industries' "Scorpion"-class heavy fighter) and twin "Mjölnir"-type lightning cannons, which fire thunderous bolts of energy across great distances. These weapons pack quite the punch and require no ammunition, but require a great amount of charge time. If safety protocols are bypassed, the capacitor banks can overcharge and result in a devastating chain reaction.
(Pictured above is the AX-20 "Katana" which the "Tekkan" replaces. I paid tribute to the original craft by using a similar layout to it's wings and main thrusters, as a sort of easter egg.)