JF-21
| Jf-21 series | |
 JF-21 Production Aircraft. | |
| Spacecraft Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Base Hull | Modified Mig 21-bis |
| Length | 15.00 m |
| Width | Wingspan 7.154 m |
| Height | 4.125 m |
| Mass | 8,725 kg |
| Drive Type | Speed: Single waved ion drive Acceleration: Twin fusion torch. |
| Drive Rating | Atmosphere: Max velocity Mach 2.1 Space: Max velocity 0.18c limited |
| Armament | Single Coilgun 4 underwing hardpoints capable of mounting common missiles, or underwing fuel tanks. |
| Primary Manufacturer | Roughriders Various Licensed. |
| Owner | Roughriders |
| Flag of Record | Various depending on Faction |
| Faction | Roughriders, Colonials |
| Launched | Early 2020 (Prototype) |
| Purpose | Point Defense Interceptor. |
| Primary Crew | 1 (humanoid) |
| Other Crew | none |
| Operational Status | Active |
Overview
Look Jet, I know you can fly in space, but you need to get your own spacecraft for this. You can't carry *everything* on your back, can you?
So said Benjamin Rhodes to Jet Jaguar shortly after she joined the Roughriders. Jet, not wanting to fly in a cramped F-Ezig, or another fencar, purchased the cheapest airframe she could find out of her own pocket. An ex-Indian Airforce Mig-21bis. This became Jet's original unnarmed prototype, named Screamin' Demon. The production version came about due to a Commander from the Twelve Colonies of Kobol just happened to see the prototype undergoing pre-flight testing, and immediately concluded that it met all their requirements, with the added advantage of not having any onboard AI. Roughrider production lines were full, so instead the production was licensed to the Colonials themselves as a stopgap before the introduction of the ever-delayed Viper.
The 21 has no onboard AI, or computer assistance to the controls. It has no interwave receiver and only a basic lightspeed radio as standard. It doesn't even have a life-support system, the pilot is either required to wear a pressure suit in the cockpit, or be an android not needing oxygen. The navigational computer and radar system are shared with the older F-EZig, with which the 21 also shares the same basic basic armament of a coilgun and 4 underwing hardpoints capable of mounting most standard missiles.
Most of the cockpit instruments are just modified versions of the originals, with the machmeter recalibrated so that it now reads in fractions of C, redlining at .19. The original radar screen was replaced with a simple TFT display that can switch between the spacecraft's navigational computer, or combat radar. Most everything else in the 21 is done through a combination of analogue gauges, chunky switches that thunk satisfyingly and indicator lights lit by incandescent bulbs.
Handwavium use was restricted to the airframe and the main engines. Everything else is either carried over from the original aircraft design to the point where a good few parts remain compatible, or has been newly built out of hardtech.
The 21's big trick is it's hybrid propulsion system, based on high-speed research craft. Already fast with it's speed drive, the acceleration drive boosters bring it up into the real high-speed class. The 21 is one of the fastest regular production spacecraft in Fenspace, although with only a few minute's endurance at top speed. However, rather than using complicated controls like Benjamin Rhodes' waved Ion drive , the 21 uses the simple expedient of mounting a pair of acceleration drives on the tips of each wing, and adjusting the speed-drive field so that both thrusters are just outside the field's effect.
This speed comes at the price of maneuverability and control, along with an increase in stress on the wing main spars which can increase to the point that a thruster snaps off. Because of this, a safety system is fitted to all production models cutting booster and engine power at .18c or if wing-flex exceeds certain limits. There have been no engine-loss accidents reported on 21's fitted with this system. Rumours fly of unrestricted 21's being tracked at much higher speeds....however, these rumours remain just that.
The 21 has yet to appear in in common use, with only the 12 Colonies being a major user of the type, most factions prefer either almost-as-fast Ga-15's and TIE's or Thunderhawks if they need raw speed, or an F-EZig if they need something simple and reliable. It's primary combat advantage over other combat spacecraft is it's price, robustness and the acceleration rate on boost. Production is generally licensed out to reputable factions to be handled in-house, however a few may have been specifically built by the Roughriders for Belters without the ability to build their own.
Attributes:
Missile with a Man in it: The JF-21 is best described as a big engine, a big booster, small wings, a pilot and not much else. It's fast as hell, but isn't even fitted with a life support system, never mind an onboard AI or even a flight control computer. The pilot is required to wear a pressure suit. Instrumentation is basic, simply a modified version of the original aircraft's analogue gauges. The radar system and navigational computer are taken directly from an F-Ezig, and aren't hooked into the craft's controls.
Analog girl in a digital world: The 21 lacks any sort of computer control system for an AI to interface with, the craft's controls are mechanical... stick inputs directly activating thrusters, or hydraulics actuating the Jet's aerodynamic controls. If an AI wants to pilot a 21, they must have a humanoid body, or a Jury-Rigged control system.
Tough as Nails: Bigger than an F-Ezig, with a simple but robust construction, the 21 has an astonishing ability to absorb punishment and still limp home. There's very little to actually damage. Maintenance is simple enough, and many parts in the cockpit can be swapped straight with it's terrestrial cousin. New parts can be manufactured easily by any reasonably competent gadgeteer with access to basic machine tools. Or duct tape.
Short legged: The 21 only has a range of about 2AU on speed-drive power... though ferry range is unlimited through use of the acceleration drive.
Blazing arrow: The two boosters give an acceleration drive boost for about ten minutes, adding on top of the 21's current speed. While the boosters are burning the 21's maneuverability is severely restricted. A skilled pilot can adjust the vector slightly, but doing so risks throwing the spacecraft into a difficult to recover spin.
Class Quirks
Fishbeds Fishbeds, roly poly Fishbeds: The 21's maneuverability improves notably if the Pilot is listening to Fish Heads by Barnes and Barnes. However, though you can ask a fishbed anything you want to, they won't answer because they can't talk... the 21's radio system is disabled for the duration of the music. The pilot should also test SAN the longer it is playing.
The Right Stuff: Lacking any sort of AI assistance, the 21 is not an easy spacecraft to fly. The 21 will refuse to start it's engines for a pilot it feels is incapable of handling it's performance. It seems to prefer pilots who have previous flight or combat experience, though this is by no means a guarantee or requirement. Needless to say, some Fen who consider themselves hotshot pilots have gotten nasty surprises. The 21 is a very different animal when compared with an F-EZig or TIE.
Shake, rattle and roll: When approaching it's top speed, the 21 starts to shake like it's been driven over a rough road at high speed, threatening to get out of control. Instruments vibrate and blur becoming difficult to read. Panels clatter loudly in the cockpit and non-critical nuts and bolts will come lose and drop to the floor. Not normally dangerous... provided the pilot doesn't exacerbate the effects, but can be extremely distracting.
Screaming Demon: Sound may not travel in a vacuum... but somehow, people are still able to hear these things approaching on an attack run, passing with a sound often described as like a crack of a whip, mixed with a banshee's howl and a thunderous boom. They're even louder in an atmosphere.
You must Think in Russian: Most of the instrumentation is untranslated from the original Cryllic, except for a few notes here and there where it's absolutely important. What onboard computers there are default to Russian on startup, and must be changed each time. The setting never sticks. A cheat-sheet is usually provided, though it isn't always comprehensive. Pilot's seem to learn quickly what everything means anyway.
Jet's Screamin' Demon
The Screamin' Demon is a prototype version. Jet's personal spacecraft is further stripped of armaments, radio, navigational computers and onboard radar, for the simple reason that Jet doesn't need these. She has her own onboard systems. The liberated space is used to carry cargo. Jet's personal craft also carries a set of drop-tanks under the wings, effectively doubling it's range. Usually it's enough to get Jet where she wants to go.
Trivia
The 21-series falls into the same speed class as the Magnificent Midnight and Ga-15 Fearless, having a safety limited top speed of .18c. They are theoretically capable of going much faster, with several pilots reporting a peak velocity of 'off-scale high', earning themselves a right royal chew-out in the process.
