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LR-42B 'Bautang'

Built for ZeroG Challenge - https://empyriononline.com/threads/zerog-challenge-build-01.36343/
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Second iteration of warp-capable light interceptor based on LR-40 chassis.
Rising Zirax threat created a demand for fast, nimble fighter that could intercept and harass enemy forces in neighboring systems before a full battle-group could arrive.

Initially LR-42, the craft was elongated version of the LR-41 Interceptor, with a warp drive situated behind cockpit and minimal changes to the frontal area. Initial combat testing showed that such design suffered from sluggish controls, relatively high cost and an unreasonably large profile. Upon arrival, battle-groups would find husks of disabled LR42 interceptors, with Zirax patrols already retreated from the nearby space.

Due to poor results, the project was abandoned in favor of smaller, more agile battlegroups - often consisting of a warp capable light frigates (jurry-rigged LF-17 and LF-17B were favored variants, since it allowed lighter craft to dock directly on outer hull of the ship) with an escort wing of LR41 interceptors; However, high cost of such battlegroups led to relatively small numbers deployed in active combat - there was still an unfulfilled need for warp-capable light interceptors.

To fulfill the demand, the LR42 project was revisited again, and a more radical approach was taken. Frontal armor was thinned, and the warp drive was placed in front of the cockpit; Fuel, ammo and weapon systems were reduced to minimum to provide space for small constructor, cargo and food storage, as well as an auxiliary thruster in the back of the ship to allow pilots to disengage combat and survive in case of crash landings. One of the frontal mounting plates was discarded to reduce weight, and engine system was rewired to support now asymmetric design of the craft.

Now resembling LR-40 scout more than the LR-41 interceptor it was initially based on, the low cost of the craft managed to impress authorities enough to order a small batch of these fighters in spite of their lack of firepower.

Combat tests showed that the craft would often loose warp engines early in the encounters due to combat damage, but the craft would remain functional enough to harass the engaged fleet long enough for the main battlegroup to arrive. Although incapable of prolonged engagements due to small fuel tanks, the low cost allowed many fringe sectors to maintain small wings of these fighters as their own security force that could be pooled and quickly dispatched to defend nearby sectors. Nicknamed 'Bautang' (origins for such naming are unclear), this ship proved popular with pilots, and often ships with disabled warp-drives would be refurbished with additional frontal armor and fuel tanks to serve as local patrols, becoming a cheaper variant of the LR41 for the local forces.

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Armamanent:
1x Rocket launcher
3x Gatling guns
1x Additional hardpoint available.

Hull:
Hardened Steel

Contains fridge, cargo box, constructor, o2 tank.
2x ammo boxes.

Warp-capable.

See screenshot for full specifications and construction cost

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Edit:

After some combat testing, ended up removing the forward fuel tank (so, single tank only); It would sometimes cause a chain explosion and destruction of cockpit if hit head on for awhile; Current iteration has quite higher chances to survive engagements, and works as intended (after loosing front, can still fly away to safety, instead of being blown out of the cockpit).