Disclaimer: Image comes from the Cyberbunk 2021 website, so I don't own it. Enjoy.
Project Morning Star
Jane's LA Weapons would like to apologize for the lack of information on the following aircraft, but due to security concerns, Los Angeles has declined to...
<<Data feed interrupted!>>
>Hey boys and girls, this is your favourite smart AI dictator here with the latest low down on LA's latest kill-toy. Here it is, straight from the horse's mouth. Enjoy all you matrix deckers and net-runners!<
>And to you LA intelligence goons, consider this revenge for blocking my aid efforts in Mogadishu. Nyah!<
<<5:21pm -- 04/05/200X -- CORTANA -- PASNet Server CLASSIFIED -- Data Upload complete >>
Evaluation Report: Project Morning Star
Sir,
As stated in Interim Report MM-02934, Project Morning Star is performing well above early and even current projections are displaying for such a craft.
Because of this, it has been decided to list the current capabilities and loadout of Morning Star's latest iteration and submit for consideration to begin field testing in Syria.
Technical Capabilities:
The current version of Morning Star, classified Mark 6, is currently fitted with a prototype pulse-detonation forward engine system and a turbo-fan ducted thrust system provided by Arasaka and GMLA, and while I am unable to provide details in specifics, the output of the engine systems combined with the experimental powerplant, provided a thrust ratio beyond our wildest expectations.
The current version's armour is made up of newly designed 6th Generation MDC super-alloys underneath neo-ceramics, nano-kevlar and a layer of super-refined iridium creating a heavily protected monster of a craft capable of resisting even the newest generation Hellgun and Powergun systems.
Again, the proper forms will be submitted for consideration to utilize this armour in mass-production.
Weaponry:
Current weapon statistics at this date have proven to be effective against all the targets listed as priority in previous reports. The list of current armaments is as follows:
-Fixed forward 6cm tri-barrel powergun.
-30mm Electro-thermal autocannon.
-Firelinked MDC Laser Cannons.
-Internal Rotary Munitions Rack.
-Hardpoints fitted with:
+Nike-4 Cruise Missiles.
+Hellfire V Anti-Tank Missiles.
+Harpoon VI Anti-ship Missiles.
+VC-9 Rocket Pods.
Special Equipment:
The equipment in the current version of Project Morning Star is<<Data Feed Interrupted! New Data Feed inserted!>>
>Sorry darling, but you only show the world what we want you to show. And as for Mogadishu, don't kid yourself, that's our territory now.<
<<5:21pm -- 04/05/200X -- Quoth The Raven (Nevermore!) -- Server TOP SECRET>>
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Sta.sh
Yet another reason I have trouble warming up to the aesthetics of the F-22 Raptor.(You know what, I'm going to say it "Raptor" is a lame-ass name. Ever since Jurassic Park it's been run into the ground.) It's internal weapons bays are certainly functional, but they prevent the aircraft from ever acquiring that bad ass "bristling beast" look.
I also like technical pictures where little numbered bullet points identify all of a machine's bell and whishtles. This was a good find.
The external weaponry and sensors would be best, methinks.
And you're right about needing a lot of guts to play a game of last stand with this on a strafing run, problem is that you might hit one or two spots, and then get to show the world just how much guts you have...literally.
Hyper-Density Penetrators or Tempest Shells might do the trick... well, the latter much more if the Morning Star is not heavily shielded against EMPs.