Description
The Dart is a small, wedge shaped space craft. The pointed nose houses the sensor suite, the cockpit is on the rear dorsal surface with access from above. The aft section houses the two EM drive clusters, a claymore mine launcher, and access to the missile drum ammunition canister. The dorsal surface has the twin plasma canons and the missile launcher barrel.
Control Systems
Due to the speed and distances involved in space combat the flight controls all use the pilot's ICE wetwear. During combat the pilot essentially becomes the Dart interceptor. This provides the Dart interceptor with unparalleled combat agility giving the Dart an offensive edge over any opponent.
High-g manoeuvring
The dart uses the same liquid filled cockpit that is in use by the Spitfire. This gel-filled cockpit provides increased g-force resistance by using a liquid breathing system which is difficult to compress.
Safety Systems
Dart is fitted with a two-stage ejection system. The entire cockpit assembly is modular and capable of being ejected up and back. The cockpit is fitted with opal packs, a millipede manoeuvring system, life support, hibernation equipment, and atmospheric re-entry capability. This is a great escape survival system when used in a space environment. Not so good when used on the carrier! On this occasion the cockpit pod is ejected directly to the rear with only just enough force to clear the dart and push the pilot to safety.
The second system is a more conventional seat ejection system. This is used when the ejection has taken place in near orbit and the pod is pulled in to a degenerative orbit. The cockpit is capable of making an atmospheric re-entry but not a soft landing. Intelligent systems monitor the pods trajectory finding a suitable, and safe landing area. At the required time the seat ejection system activates. The pilot and seat are ejected clear of the pod in a conventional manner. The seat then falls clear allowing the pilot to activate their parachute. This parachute is changeable depending on the planets atmospheric composition.
The parachute system has its limitations. As most orbital combat happens over habitable planets the parachute system usually works. The flight crew fit an appropriate parachute when getting the sCraft ready for flight. It doesn't work so well over industrial planets that have reduced atmospheres where a parachute can't generate enough drag to slow the pilot's decent down enough. On these occasions it is usually safer for the pilot pod to make a controlled crash landing.
Propulsion Systems
Swiftstar EM Drive Clusters
The swiftstar drive system comprises of the EM drive clusters and a sunburst fusion reactor. This makes for a very fast craft capable of attaining 42g acceleration. Twin EM drive engines are fitted each with their own fusion reactor. To permit the pilot to survive such punishing g-forces a new inertial compensation system was developed. The cockpit pod is fitted with a modified ElectroGravitic compensation system. This is essentially a reversed EGdrive that effects the cockpit and pilot. It can cancel out much of the g-forces that a pilot receives to a more manageable level.
The Dart Interceptor has been in use for many years with a variety of designs.
- Dart - 1
- Dart - 2
- Upgraded EmDrive and pilot compensation system
- Dart - 3
- Weapons upgraded to casemate with plasma and nuclear pellet launcher options.
- Dart - 4
- Dart - 5
- Dart - 6
- Dart - 7 - Gladius
- Introduction of soul fighter technology