Deltassius
"Dragonfly" Fighter-Bomber
The "Dragonfly" is a fighter-bomber based on the "Lancer" archetype suggested on "The Rocketpunk Manifesto." Designed to attack SHIPS, the dragonfly features powerful engines to accelerate to great speeds on its attack vector. Like a dive bomber, the Dragonfly aims to release its payload as closely and accurately to its target as possible before making a last-minute maneuver to veer off. Instead of a traditional munition, however, it bears a rod of high-density metal with enough of a basic rocket engine to separate from the fighter and provide minor course corrections.
The mass torpedo is a rod of high density metal with a simple rocket system which has been scored to break up on impact, this allows it to impart as much force upon its target as possible- a concept similar to hollow-point bullets. The mass torpedo is also resistant to point defense, as a hit will usually break it into a number of high velocity projectiles rather than deflecting away. (And, most notably, it cannot be detonated prematurely like a traditional munition.) Although torpedos are typically made of tungsten, there have been reports of specimens with magnesium oxide, and even radioactive material layers having been deployed against habitats.
The Dragonfly comes equipped with an adequate pair of conventional cannons to spar with other fighters, as well as a hybrid gyroscope and adjustable rocket maneuvering system capable of pointing them in the needed direction quickly. The fixed nature of its armaments and its typical mission parameters put it at a disadvantage against purpose built interceptors and point defense ships. The Dragonfly is best deployed with additional craft to support it.
The Rocketpunk Manifesto:
www.rocketpunk-manifesto.com/2007/08/space-fighters-not.html
"Dragonfly" Fighter-Bomber
The "Dragonfly" is a fighter-bomber based on the "Lancer" archetype suggested on "The Rocketpunk Manifesto." Designed to attack SHIPS, the dragonfly features powerful engines to accelerate to great speeds on its attack vector. Like a dive bomber, the Dragonfly aims to release its payload as closely and accurately to its target as possible before making a last-minute maneuver to veer off. Instead of a traditional munition, however, it bears a rod of high-density metal with enough of a basic rocket engine to separate from the fighter and provide minor course corrections.
The mass torpedo is a rod of high density metal with a simple rocket system which has been scored to break up on impact, this allows it to impart as much force upon its target as possible- a concept similar to hollow-point bullets. The mass torpedo is also resistant to point defense, as a hit will usually break it into a number of high velocity projectiles rather than deflecting away. (And, most notably, it cannot be detonated prematurely like a traditional munition.) Although torpedos are typically made of tungsten, there have been reports of specimens with magnesium oxide, and even radioactive material layers having been deployed against habitats.
The Dragonfly comes equipped with an adequate pair of conventional cannons to spar with other fighters, as well as a hybrid gyroscope and adjustable rocket maneuvering system capable of pointing them in the needed direction quickly. The fixed nature of its armaments and its typical mission parameters put it at a disadvantage against purpose built interceptors and point defense ships. The Dragonfly is best deployed with additional craft to support it.
The Rocketpunk Manifesto:
www.rocketpunk-manifesto.com/2007/08/space-fighters-not.html