Source: Technical Readout 3025
Mass: 25 tons
Frame: Imstar 10/f
Engine: GM 250-a
Armament:
1 Starflash I Light Laser
2 Starflash II Medium LasersManufacturer: Imstar AerospacePrimary Factory: VariousCommunications System: Lassitor-3QS
Targeting and Tracking System: IMB SYS 3600
Overview:
The Cheetah Class fighter is a Marik variant of a Star League design. The original Cheetahs served as small support or reconnaissance craft. The designer, Imstar Aerospace, produced a craft that shunned armor protection for high speed and striking power. Unable to take large amounts of damage, the Cheetah could either attempt to blast light enemy fighters with its superior weapons or use its impressive speed to outrun larger craft.
After the Star League's collapse, House Marik copied the Cheetah design. As more and more factories in Marik space were geared up to produce Cheetahs, the Cheetah quickly became the standard House Marik fighter.
Capabilities:
In space, the Cheetah's high thrust rating makes it one of the Inner Sphere's most maneuverable aerospace fighters, capable of flying circles around medium or heavy fighters. Its one light Starflash I and two medium Starflash II lasers give it more striking power than most other light craft. If hit by a heavy laser or missile volley, however, the lightly armored Cheetah is in serious trouble.
Though it is an agile craft, many pilots report that the Cheetah is difficult to control in atmospheric flight. Its high speed also makes it guzzle fuel, keeping the Cheetah's flying range limited. As a DropShip escort, the Cheetah performs well, especially in large numbers. They swarm enemy fighters, flying at such high speeds that enemy ships find them almost impossible to track.
Reconnaissance flights are one of this fighter's specialties. The Cheetah-R, a recon version whose medium lasers have been replaced with external fuel tanks, is the model usually assigned to this job. Able to outrun larger aircraft, the Cheetah-R has gathered data of incalculable value to House Marik in many battles.
The Cheetah has also been modified for ground attack. Its high thrust rating enables it to carry a large ordnance payload without losing too much maneuverability. A squadron of dive-bombing Cheetahs sweeping in at low altitude has been known to wreak havoc on BattleMechs, infantry, and armored vehicles. Many a crucial attack has been either foiled or helped by Cheetah air support