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I-71K "Fantom" light interceptor

Single-seat light interceptor.

I-71K "Fantom" - single-seat, 6x GSh-6-23, 1x AZ-9B self-loading rocket launcher complex

Length: 10m
Wingspan: 7.5m
Height: 4m
Displacement, approximate: 27.9 tons
Powerplant: 400kW, with twin 360kWh batteries providing a peak output of 1.44MW each
Time to 104.5m/s: approx. 8.9s

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Although dual-role fighters were immensely popular and saw heavy use in the space around Earth and her nations' various colonies, they were still built around aerodynamic constraints that pure vacuum fighters were not bound to. As a result, development of space-only combat vessels continued apace with their more versatile but less capable cousins. Typically, the spacecraft had more complex internal systems using the space and mass afforded them by not having to worry about strong gravitational forces, lift, or drag; they could often fly further, manoeuvre more responsively, and carry much heavier armaments. Self-loading weapons systems became common, firing both guided and unguided munitions. It became common for fighters and interceptors to carry four or more large automatic cannon, instead of the one or two more often seen on their dual-role cousins.

The I-71 (Lyrazova OKB Project 881) was born out of a requirement for a small, light interceptor with a heavy gun armament and space to mount the new AZ-9 self-loading launcher complex. Unique among interceptor designs, speed was not a major concern, and so the I-71 was only slightly faster than the I-24 it was designed in parallel with. Instead, range was emphasised, with a hybrid setup of four 100kW microreactors and two 1.44MW batteries. In a typical mission profile, the reactors would serve as trickle-chargers to the batteries, the main power source for the fighter.

In accordance with its purely space-based role, traditional landing gear was eschewed in favour of a docking port that would be used to both charge the batteries, pre-heat systems, and allow the transfer of fuel and ammunition while landed aboard a carrier ship or station. This allowed for more internal volume to be devoted to more critical systems, including several redundant gyroscopic control systems which allowed for on-the-fly adjustment of control response. This ability provided experienced pilots with an immense advantage in combat, while avoiding the hazards of overwhelming newer pilots with a twitchy craft.

Introduced into service a few months after the I-24PM, the I-71 has seen numerous small revisions and remains in widespread VKO service.

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Required mods:

Armour Thrusters
Letters Mod
Armour Ramps Pack
Attachable Connectors
Small Ship Lights

This I-71K is painted in overall dark gunmetal, with red ID flashes on the wings and anti-glare on the nose.