Northrup AD-5A Adder

  The Northrup AD-5A is a development of the UD-6A Iroqouis Tactical Transport. Using a smaller size and a one man cockpit, the AD-5A was designed for performing combat missions without the hindarance of any cargo carried. Though less capable in some respects, the Adder is a good blend of mobility of firepower and mobility.
  Using a combined vectored thrust/turbofan propulsion system, the AD-5A can go anywhere. When in flight mode, the engines switch to turbofan mode (Complex Action to change modes) and permit forward flight, with full afterburning capability if needed. However, the vectored thrust engines are still on because of the inherent instability of the vehicle. When in vectored thrust mode, maneuverability is better and crisp, all axes of movement can be performed and becomes a steady weapons platform. Vectored thrust mode is instantly activated by the flight computer at very low speeds and at altitudes less than 500m.
  The flight computer handles most of the operations in all flight regimes due to the previously mentioned instability of the Iroquois. It performs all nominal diagnostic tasks, fuel management, and so on. This adds 2 to the autonav rating, which is applied above and is used in tests involving movement. When the Iroquois is damaged to Serious, the flight computer will be destroyed and all tests will suffer a +4 modifier (plus normal damage modifiers) until it is fixed, or replaced. If the flight computer is repairable (gamemasters discretion), then it will require an Electronics B/R (8) to repair it.
  The crew of the AD-5A is only one person, which sits in a semi-reclined ejection seat. The aircraft is fully rigged, and has APPS as standard, to protect the occupant in case of a crash. There is a small area for any personal gear the pilot wishes to take, preferably survival gear.
  The body is a full lifting body configuration, and which requires the turbofans and the vectored engines to keep aloft. The engine vents, five, which four are mounted behind the main weapon bays, and the fifth one is mounted behind the Vigilant cannon to provide lift in the front as well. It has Radar Absorbent Material to reflect radar waves from the aircraft, and has been shaped to maximize it's stealth capability. 80 chaff/flare tubes are mounted on the aircraft, with 40 (chaff)/40 (flare) cartridges, protection against both air-to-air and surface-to-air threats. An internal retractable refuelling probe is mounted behind the cockpit in between the massive intakes for in-flight refuelling. Additionaly, the aircraft mounts the helpful Contingency Maneuver Controls to help the computer keep the aircraft aloft when damaged.
  Sensors are the Marconi 78 Series for targeting and other functions, and the nose has a APQ-1169 radar, which has a range of 100 kilometers in air to air mode, with a air to ground mode that has a range of 30 kilometers. It can perform all detailed ground mapping, including frequency agile pulse against ground targets, and doppler and doppler beam sharpening against air threats, as well as monopulse. The APQ-1169 can also designate for radar guided munitions, and has a range of 20 kilometers. EW protection is provided by the Marconi P700 and P710 ECM and ECCM systems respectively. Interestingly, the AD-5A only mounts a Marconi U99 ECD system. This is the highest available on the market, and rumors circulate that the use of ED was not intended, as the role it performed precluded the use of the system. Another note is the use of a sensor turret mounted in the nose. This gives it a good 70º cone of coverage, and only mounts a laser designator, either to self designate for it's own weapons or for other weapon systems. The use of the Battletac FDDM system enhances it's spotting capability dramatically.
  Weapon systems on the AD-5A are no less impressive. The Adder mounts two main bays located in front of the thrusters, and secondary pods on the sides of the aircraft. The forward bays each have 5 hardpoints on each side, allowing the AD-5A to carry a wide variety of weaponry. The inner wing hardpoint is only designed for self-defense AAMs, and can only close within certain tolerances on what is mounted. They open and allow exhaust to escape when opened. The main pods deploy on cross-wise pylons that are 3.24 meters long and each mount eight Mk. 16I "Banshee" 150mm rockets, and two tubes that each hold three Ballista missiles. Each tube is designed to fire a Ballista missile 5 meters forward, to prevent damage to the other missiles. Despite this, a door protects the other missiles in case of a rocket misfire. Mounted on the nose is a turret mounted Vigilant Rotary Autocannon, which is fed from a 500 round drum. This can elevate +10º and depress -40º. The turret can rotate 100º to either side, or a total coverage of 200º around the front of the aircraft.

  Handling | Speed | Accel | B/A | Sig | Autonav | Load | Cost
  3 | 150/5,000 | 250 | 7/15 | 10 (8/7)* | 4 | 200 kg | 14,101,200¥

  Seating: 1 bucket ejection seat
  Access: 1 canopy
  Economy: .3/.3**
  Fuel: 8,000 liters
  Cargo: 2 underseat
  Landing/Takeoff Profile: VTOL
  Sensors: Military I (8)
  ECM/ECCM: Military I (8)/Military I (8)
  ECD: Military III (6)
  Additional Features: Datajack Port, Rigger Adaptation, APPS, Thermal Baffles (2), Improved Signature (Stealth Shaping 2), Inflight Refuelling Probe, Radar Absorbent Material (2), Sensor Turret with Laser Designator, 80 chaff/flare tubes, Contigency Maneuver Controls (6), Battletac FDDM.
  Armament: Integral Armament consists of:
  - Nose mounted Vigilant Rotary Autocannon fed from a 500 round belt, which has Level 6 Gunnery Recoil Adjusters mounted as well.
  - 16 x Mk.16 rockets.
  - 12 x Ballista.
  - 10 hardpoints for 3,003 kg worth of ordnance.
  Weight (combat): 18,362 kilograms
  * Reduce Signature to 7 when all pods are deployed, and reduce to 8 when only the forward pods are deployed.
  **VTOL economy per km. Hovering Economy is 75 liters per minute.
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  1999, Fresh Productions.
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