Re: Lightweight Fighters

Haun, Gilles, SSG wrote:
> 
> >Subject:	  Re: Lightweight Fighters
> ><snip>
> >Dean Gundberg wrote:
> ><snip>
> >>  Lightweight Fighters
> ><snip>
> >>  Any comments?
> >>
> >>  Dean
> >>  <dean.gundberg@bcbsnd.com>
> >
> >Dean,
> >	Comment, 1 EA, as requested.
> >
> >One could make a good case for the current FT 'fast fighter' as
> >a lightweight fighter. (I.E. higher thurst to weight ratio than
> >the standard fighter.)
> >
> >The mass number in the construction of ships includes the fighter
> >and all support equipment/weapons/crew/spares, the actual weight/
> >mass of the fighter is almost zero when constructing the ship.
> >
> >Good thought, but I think your covered.
> >John L.
> 
> taking into account the thrust to weight ratio and the speeds
attainable
> by 'light fighter/fast fighters', couldn't it be surmised that one of
> these 'light fighters is more specifically designed for dog-fighting. 
I
> know the rules are already in place for that, but could they possibly
> get a better manueverability bonus?  Also, being 'light', wouldn't
they
> also act more as fast 'interceptors' rather fighters and have
> restrictions on carryable payloads?
> 
> just my thoughts.
> 
> Gil
> The guy with no tag line
> (haung@emh10.eustis.army.mil)

Gil,
     You really cannot say you don't have a tag line, if you state
that you don't have a tag line, you cannot have a tag line to state
that you don't have a tag line on.   Got that, I didn't.

Change subject:
     The problem that will develop is simple:  soon the fighter will
be all things to all people.   How about a Heavy fast interceptor
torpedo bomber. (I am just looking forward to fighting one of those!)
In the real world, the more functions an aircraft is called upon 
to perform, the less ability it will show in the performace of any
one function. 
     Phil Pournelle did a thing on combined fighter abilities which
included FTL fighters, I would suggest asking him for a retransmit
of his thoughts.

Bye for now,
John L.   (also tagline challenged)