Huntress-class Fighter

The Huntress-class fighter is one of the first space superiority fighters to be prototyped. However, the release of the Vespa-class fighter's blueprints on the Net forced Groush & Balg Tribals to delay the production due to the numerous unpatented designs "borrowed" from their prototype. Even then, as the popularity of the Vespa soared and production lines were dedicated to the mass production of the fighter, the Huntress was once again denied a market. Now, many years later, the excellent starfighter is beginning to bear its teeth as a competitive craft.

The Huntress was designed to be equally dangerous in vacuum and atmosphere, with aerodynamic wings that manage to keep a limited silhouette. Its acceleration gives even the Komar-class interceptor a run for its money. And out of necessity, it has excellent maneuverability.

In terms of armament, it carries weapons hardpoints as well as missile launchers, making it comparable to most other fighters, however in addition it has mounts for carrying larger payloads including torpedoes. This makes it among the most well-armed fighters short of a dedicated gunship. The forward-mounted cannons have limited firing arcs, making it difficult for the Huntress to engage with pursuing targets. These weapons can be retracted aftward, which limits their firing arcs even further, however this also places them closer to heat management and engines, allowing the weapons to fire at a higher rate for greater effect.

Access to the craft's interior is through a ventral docking hatch, allowing a pilot to quickly embark when landed on a surface or docked with a fighter-launch system. While the cockpit is equipped with a variety of state-of-the-art interface, ergonomic seating, and sound system, pilots have complained that the high-performance comes at the cost of nearly intolerable G-forces, causing blackouts in all but the most experienced crew.

While the Huntress may have lost the popularity contest to the now nearly ubiquitous Vespa, it gradually replacing its nemesis for large-scale military fleets such as the Gor Adukk Ma. Single-seat starfighter enthusiasts predict that the Vespa will eventually become a hobbyist craft, but even then, its future as such is uncertain. Just last year a squadron of retired GAM pilots calling themselves the Starparty began performing stunt maneuvers, and since then there has been a spike in civilian orders for custom Huntress fighters.