Re: [DS] Air Superiority Rules

I'd just like to add an aircraft type which is modelled after the
Raptors in my
story. They are not intended for spaceborne operations. These fighters
are
maximized for air ops and ground support. They can carry a heavier
payload than
spaceborne fighters and can interface from space on their first mission
to the
planet with the help of an interface pack which limits their normal
payload by
50%.

They cannot operate in space per se, iother than conduct the interface.
On the
ground they have superior manueverability at half teh cost of a
spaceborne
fighter. They are VTOL and can operate from unimporved strips with
limited
support. The Raptor carries a RAFC and a GMS AAM (the KLosrait) which
can guide
via IR or radar.The krait has a normal engagement range of 30km, which
is halved
against the Kra'Vak in the early part of the war. The Krait is capable
of being
launched 70 degrees offbore. 4 are carried in internal bays on the side
of the
A/C.

For air to ground operations the Raptor has an internal bay which can
carrier
8x1000 lb bombs of Hellfire GMS/M in a rotary launcher. The Raptor also
has four
external hardpoint where it can carry an additional eight Hellfires or 4
1000lb
bombs. These can be either gravity bombs, CBUs, or or LGBs. The
hellfires can be
configures for anti-area defense.

The advantage that the Raptor has over it's spaceborn cousins is a
higher
payload, greater loiter time, and greater resistance to ground fire.
because it
can oprtate from unimproved fields with limited maintenace for longer
poeriods,
it's a much better support A/C for extended operatins.They're also
cheaper than
their spaceborne cousins.

The disadvantages are no spaceborne capabilities so they are not
suitable for
quick strike operations. They filled a niche role in the miltary
aviatoin
market.

Los