The aeMk.7 Mantaray was the backbone of the Griffon interstellar force. It utilized a unique, organic-looking, unibody shell with a form that leant to natural maneuverability and adeptness in both atmosphere and vaccuum. It was packed with technological wizardry, and relied heavily upon a complex onboard power distributor and computer guidance system. They were incredibly expensive, and difficult to repair, but when in the hands of well-trained pilots, they made for formidable fighters.
Fabrication of the basic shell was simple enough – the lower half, or "shoe", was cast and pressed in a factory from alloy sheets, and then components were fused and outfitted into its interior. Once the internals were in place, the upper half, or "cap", was cast and pressed as well, and then fused onto the shoe. This effectively closed the body up, and made everything very compact and streamlined, but made upgrade and repair nearly impossible. This construction methodology was in stark contrast to AEC's line of cargo ships, but appealed to the likes of a Griffon military that didn't have extensive ranks of qualified maintenence personnel or vast supplies of components.
A single pilot commanded the fighter, aided by an elaborate flight coordination computer directly behind the seat. The Remote Control Coordination Computer wasn't so much there to affect the flight of the Mantaray as it was to act as a booster in the coordination of arMk.13 Stingray remote-controlled craft, that would be frequently accompanying Mantarays on missions. Signals would be broadcast from a Griffon capital ship and relayed and coordinated through any Mantarays in the area. Through the use of this computer, a Mantaray pilot not otherwise occupied with combat could put his Mantaray on autopilot and control Stingrays remotely. It made for a very effective weapon system, albeit highly complex. A Mantaray could have the RCCC (also called the RC-cubed or "cube") removed and the space taken by a second seat for use as a trainer or civilian craft.
In the employ of Griffon forces, the Mantaray has a feared reputation among those that oppose them. It operates in ghostly efficiency, sporting acute sensor systems ruthlessly effective weapons load-outs. An emerging tactic of the Griffon Navy was to use Mantarays as the silent spearhead to a close-behind phalanx of heavier ships.
Craft ........ AEC - Mantaray
Type ......... Superiority Fighter Cargo Capacity ......... None
Scale ........ Starfighter Consumables ............ 1 week
Length ....... 12 meters Hyperdrive Multiplier .. x2
Pilot Skill .. Starfighter Piloting Hyperdrive Backup ...... None
Crew ......... 1 (2 with mod) Nav Computer ........... Yes
Passengers ... None Maneuverability ........ 4D
Hull ......... 138 Space Movement ......... 100
Shields ...... 72 Atmosphere ............. 370; 1010kmh
Can Land? .... Yes Hangar Space ........... None
Sensors ...... Normal: 400, Focus: 20, Passive: 100
Weapon Skill ...... Starship Gunnery
Weapon Slots ...... 8 total (4 permanently filled)
Stock Weapons:
Four Heavy Laser Cannons (linked):
Weapon Rating .... Class 5 Damage ........ 6D
Fire Arc ......... Cannon Fire Control .. 3D
Space Range ...... 1-3/12/25 Atmo Range .... 100-300m/1.2km/2.5km
BASE COST NEW: 385000 cr BASE COST USED: 32000 (no RCCC)
SUGGESTED DOWNPAYMENT: 80800 (new), 19200 (used)
| AEC Mantaray |
| Notorious squadrons : Shadow Eagles Squadron
Independent owned : Furious Storm |