Spek Zhio
Freelance Spacefarer
Infinity-Class S.R.F.
[ Skyhopper Force Recon ]
[ Skyhopper Force Recon ]
- Aditional Images:
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- Infinity-Class S.R.F. in Action:
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- Pilot & Nose Close-Ups:
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- Dual-Engine Unit Showcase:
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- Weapon Mount Detail:
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- Panorama
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OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To provide an agile and fast airspeeder, designed for hit-and-run reconnaissance with adequate suborbital dogfighting capabilities.
- Image Source: Star Citizen
- Canon Link: Airspeeder, Skyhopper
- Permissions: Gir Quee
- Primary Source: N/A
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
- Manufacturer: Lucerne Labs
- Affiliation: Order of the Silver Jedi, Directorate
- Market Status: Closed-Market
- Model: Infinity-Class Skyhopper Force Recon [S.F.R.]
- Modularity: Weapon and Ion Thruster [As detailed on the relevant submissions]
- Production: Minor
- Materials:
- Carbonite Nanofiber & Fibermesh - chassis
- Duraplex - canopy, cowling, leg shield
- Fiberplast - fuselage
- Duraplast - plating
- Plasteel - flight controls, instrument panel
- Elastex, Gel-foam - seat
- Sensors : Aerial Sensor, Targeting Computer
- Assorted Components : weapon mount and cannon, deflector shield generator, thruster components, avionics, gorgeous silver pinstriping, etc...
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Classification: Airspeeder [Skyhopper]
- Role: Rapid Mobility Reconnaissance (RIF) Aircraft
- Size: Extremely Small [Not much larger than an average Speeder Bike]
- Weight: Extremely Light [Lightweight chassis built from a carbonite nanofiber and fibermesh composite plus additional polymers for the canopy, fuselage, and plating]
- Armaments: High
- Single nose-mounted Juyo-class Ripper Cannon
- Defenses: Average
- Primary : Deflector Shield Generator : Sirplex Z-9 Deflector Shield Projector
- Secondary : Platting : Lightweight Duraplast Alloy
- Maneuverability Rating: High [Joint thrust vectoring]
- Speed Rating: Very High [Ion Propulsion]
- Propulsion: [Dual-Engine Unit]
- DCJ-45 Repulsorlift Generator
- Nimble-7 Ion Propulsion System [Modified Installation]
- Minimum Crew: 1
- Optimal Crew: 1
- Passenger Capacity: 0
- Cargo Capacity: None
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Capable of extreme speeds without jeopardizing maneuverability, even during suborbital flights, thanks to its dual-engine configuration
- Remarkable at hit-and-run thanks to its rapid mobility, suitable for Reconnaissance-in-Force (RIF) operations
STRENGTHS
- Incredibly fast and nimble.
- Superior armament, balanced for its weight
WEAKNESSES
- Weak shield and hull forces a pilot to rely on its maneuverability and speed to dodge enemy fire
- Lack of advanced reconnaissance systems due to the need of having to compensate for the added weight of the weapon, shield deflector, and hull
DESCRIPTION
The Infinity-Class Skyhopper Force Recon, or S.F.R., is the Lucerne Labs superlative Reconnaissance-in-Force - RIF - vehicle. This open-canopy airspeeder is capable of unmatchable speeds and sudden changes in direction, that makes it the quintessential hit-and-run aircraft. Born from a unique blend of old and new technologies, plus fastidious R&D carried out by multi-disciplinary engineering teams, and across multiple scientific fields, it exhibits the hallmark expertise in avionics and armament that Lucerne is well-known for.
Since first acquiring the rights to install Incom Corporation's old DCJ-45 Repulsorlift Generator on its vehicles, and taking a lesson from the success of the T-16 Skyhopper's dual-engine configuration, Lucerne Labs decided to create its own improved version of a skyhopper. Pairing the aged but reliable Incom repulsorlift with their much more powerful Nimble-7 Ion Propulsion System, Lucerne achieved a breakthrough in terms of suborbital flight. Both in regards to maximum speed and acceleration, as well as altitude. Unfortunately, that was not enough to make the design stand out from their remaining ship roster.
Years were spent on improving the original design. First, the standard architecture of the Nimble-7, favoring starships, was proven to be unfavorable for an atmospheric aircraft. In spite of the engine's light frame, its ion stream deflectors were still too bulky. In fact, Lucerne's research concluded that the lighter the aircraft's profile, the better its speed, even with the tradeoff of losing power to the ion engines. Alas, sacrificing the deflectors for speed, severely affected the vehicle maneuverability as well as crippled its booster fuel-injector. These obstacles were overcome by completely redesigning the nozzle with a joint coupling gimbaled engine for thrust vectoring, swiveling its direction relative to the aircraft's center of gravity. Furthermore, fluid injection is now reactive, for ancillary regulation of force shifts. Further control was then achieved by decoupling the repulsorlift generator into two ventral nacelles, along which exhaust vanes were placed. Finally, the nacelles themselves align the repulsorlift's subnuclear knots into a directional matrix, allowing them to act as vernier thrusters for finer adjustments.
Thus, the second breakthrough was made, and the Infinity-Class Skyhopper prototype built - with current production models still employing the same engine configuration. With an engine unit perfectly suited for never-before seen speed and maneuverability on a repulsorcraft, it became necessary to assign a function to the vehicle, before the next step of development could be carried out. And, seeing as weight and size were of utmost importance in order to retain its achieved flight parameters, the engineers at Lucerne Labs concluded that there was only one possible answer - the skyhopper was to be built into a reconnaissance aircraft.
Nevertheless, installing advanced sensors, stealth field generators, larger fuel chambers for prolonged flights, and strong platting and shielding, would be counterproductive to the improvements they had achieved so far. Once again, due to much increased weight. In conclusion, the decision was ultimately made to tailor the Infinity-Class for RIF operations, rather than covert. A RIF unit comprised of Infinity speeders, should be able to scout and assault the enemy force by surprise, eliciting a much stronger response, and therefore more accurately gauge the opposition's strength. The Infinity unit should then be able to easily retreat and elude any attempts of pursuit.
With this in mind, a compromise was achieved in terms of the aforementioned technologies. A single yet reliable and not very heavy Juyo-class Ripper Cannon was added to the airspeeder, balanced by the ubiquitous Sirplex Z-9 Deflector Shield Projector in the rear. Only lightweight polymers were employed and aptly distributed throughout the vehicle, in order to attain optimal balance and aerodynamic contour. This ensures that the Infinity's greatest strengths are not its cannon, plating, or shield, but its insurmountable speed and mobility. Turning the Infinity into an unparalleled hit-and-run vehicle for planetside recon.
In fact, and as all prospective Infinity pilots are instructed, the ship's shield and hull are just there to give you time to retreat. They cannot endure a prolonged beating.
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