TIE Viper

Designation: Space Superiority Fighter

Allegiance: Galactic Empire

Designer: Colonel Matthias Walstrum, 116th Imperial Fighter Wing

Class: TIE Viper

Dimensions: CLASSIFIED
(Slightly larger than the TIE Interceptor in Length and Width, with 25 percent more mass)

Weaponry:
-x4 BlasTech Light Laser Cannon (Single, Dual, or Quad Linked)
-x2 Kruppx Concussion Missile Launchers (single/dual; 6 missiles total/3 per launcher)

Defenses:
-x1 Novaldex Type Zeta Deflector Shield Emitter

Crew:
-x1 Pilot/x1 Astromech

Passenger Capacity – NONE

Design Specifications:

The TIE Viper began as a TIE Interceptor. The chassis remains the same basic configuration: ball cockpit, stabilizer-wing struts, and solar-pannel wings. However, the cockpit was removed and an additional fuselage assembly added. In that assembly was an astromech droid much like that aiding pilots of enemy X-wing fighters, albeit in resided size and scope as no astronavigation duties exist. The droid is an HTF-12 produced exclusively by Arakyd Industries. Inside the assembly itself is an upgraded solar ionization reactor that powers a small but powerful Novaldex Shield Generator. The twin ion engines are affixed directly aft of the assembly behind the cockpit.

Mounted below the wing strust and cockpit are two concussion missile tubes. The missiles are identical to those mounted on the TIE Defender prototype currently in testing.

The shields mounted to the Viper are only one-half as strong as those aboard the Incom T-65. However, given the complete lack of shields on most TIE models, the Viper will allow for a drastically increased survival rate for Imperial pilots and allow those who have been hit but survive to become veterans and aces much faster. This will make Imperial pilots decidedly more lethal.

As for cost, the TIE Viper is six times as expensive as the TIE Interceptor: one squadron of Vipers will be the equivalent of an Interceptor Wing. That said, the Vipers will be issued to elite units and veteran Interceptor formations. They will be phased in as quickly as possible, however, as yet, production will remain at an abbreviated rate so as to complete testing and reduce any design flaws before too many of the craft are produced. An estimated production rate of one squadron every other week can be expected as reasonable. Should reports from combat units be free of design flaws and production errors, rates of assembly will be dramatically increased.

With the regards to the TIE Defender currently in the early stages of Development, the Viper is ¼ as expensive and does not possess a hyperdrive: a carrier vessel must be employed for deep space combat missions.

Affixed is a preliminary design schematic.



(((yes I am reposting - -it is mine, will be used by my forces - -you dont have to use it if you dont want to.))