Exocoet-class fighter

The Exocoet-class hybrid fighter is a curiously archaic design from Stroalsent Spinnerspace. While air-superiority fighters have been rendered obsolete with the dominance of orbital bombardment, smaller communities still demand the ability to take to the skies and defend their land.

Stroalsent Spinnerspace answers this demand with the Exocoet and sweetens the deal with a number of significant improvements to help the craft remain competitive.

To begin with, the Exocoet's elongated toroidal multiplier engines allow efficient and prolonged propulsion in atmospheric environments, giving it great range. Secondly, those engines are convertible into conventional fuel engines, adding the ability to greatly accelerate, and even further granting it the ability to operate even outside of atmosphere for short periods of time. Its mobility is further enhanced by an aerodynamic fuselage that allows it to use air pressure to execute rapid and intricate maneuvers even without added thrust. Additionally, its lightweight frame allows for hoglium anti-gravity generators which permit risky stunts at low altitude as well as astounding rotational maneuvers in zero-gravity environments. While the Exocoet is also capable of diving below a liquid surface, it cannot fire its weapons, nor maintain depth without forward momentum, so this is rarely utilized except as an evasive tactic

In terms of firepower, the Exocoet is comparable to starfighters, although atmospheric flight makes targeting computers less reliable forcing pilots to multitask between piloting and firing.

Even with these advanced features, the Exocoet is not widely-used. Its limited functionality in space discourages its inclusion into carrier fleets. Furthermore, its limited crew and negligible cargo and utility make it unsuitable for anything aside of combat. Where it excels, however, is giving rural communities a surprising edge should their colony come under attack by overconfident marauders.