Viper Mk7

VIPER Mk VII

The Viper Mark VII was the latest in a long line of Viper fighters operated by the Colonial Fleet and was the standard fighter as of the time of the new Cylon attack. Like the well known Viper Mark II, the Mark VII was the Colonial Fleets primary space superiority and attack craft.

The front-line fighter retained the basic layout of the venerable Mark II Viper but had fully integrated avionics which were designed to provide both better flight information and superior battle management. As with the Viper Mark II, the majority of the sensor systems are mounted in the fighter's nose. Slightly larger than the Viper Mark II, it is still an extremely small fighter designed for a simple pilot. Size limitations of the Battlestars, especially the launch bays, which the fighters commonly operate from precludes the Viper Mark VII from being that much larger than its predecessor.

The Mark VII was designed, like previous Viper models, for atmospheric flight. The fighter has three thrusters, even more powerful than those carried on the Viper Mark II, and has multiple maneuvering thrusters for operation in space. As well, thrust vectoring further increases the fighter's maneuverability. The Viper Mark VII does not carry a jump drive and no small Colonial Fleet craft besides the much larger Raptor carries a faster than light jump drive.

For weaponry, the Viper Mark VII carries three electromagnetic weapons instead of two which are carried on the Mark II. Two are mounted in the Wing Roots like the Viper Mark II but the Mark VII has an additional mount at the base of the vertical stabilizer. These forward firing mounts fire the same 30 mm projectile at incredible velocities and the Viper Mark VII carries 1000 rounds per gun mount. For additional weaponry, the Viper Mark VII mounts a missile bay under the main fuselage which can carry up to eight missiles or a single heavy nuclear weapon. The fighter also has two wing hard points for additional missiles, munition pods, or additional ordnance. Missile payload of the Mark VII is similar to that for the Mark II version of the light fighter.

Velocity = Acceleration x Time + Initial Velocity

Distance Traveled = Acceleration x _ x Time _ + Initial Velocity x Time

1 G = 32 feet (9.8 m) per second _

Model Type: Viper Mk VII
Vehicle Type: Light Starfighter
Crew: One

[1] MEC-A12 30 mm Thraxon Kinetic Weapons (3):
Missile Bay (1, underside):
Missile Hard Points (2, under wings):
Engines (3):
Landing Struts (3):
Reinforced Pilots Cockpit:

Speed:

Flying; In atmosphere: The fighter can easily achieve escape velocity (Mach 32.6 / 25053 mph / 40320 kph) within about 3 minutes. Fighter can reach a top acceleration of 9 G but is limited by the fighters computer to 7 G to prevent pilot blackout. When the fighter is operating within an atmosphere, pilot will normally keep velocity below Mach 7.5 (5771.25 mph / 9288 kph). It is a VSTOL design, it cannot be launched from a standstill, but needs a short runway (700 meters when fully loaded)

Flying; Space: The fighter does not have an effective top speed but is limited by acceleration. Fighter can reach a top acceleration of 9 G but is limited by the fighters computer to 7 G to prevent pilot blackout. The fighter normally operates at 1 G except in combat to conserve fuel.

Range: The fighter has enough fuel for 60 minutes at maximum normal performance of 7 G. Can only operate for 15 minutes at 9 G. If fighter is operating at less maximum performance, the fighter's range is vastly increased. The fighter has 64 hours of endurance if operating at only 1 G and for every increase of 1 G, the fighter burns reaction mass twice as fast. Fighter uses Tylium (likely some hydrogen or helium isotope) for fuel for a fusion reactor. The fighter can operate with engines on standby to increase fighters range.

Fighter has supplies for pilot for 6 days.

Statistical Data:
Length: 32.363 feet ( 9.8643 meters)
Height: 9.681 feet (2.9508 meters) not including landing gear. Increase height by 1.64 feet (0.5 meters) with landing gear extended.
Width: 18.406 feet (5.610 meters)
Weight: 13.779 tons (12,500 kg) unloaded .
Cargo: Minimal (Storage for small equipment).
Market Cost: 15 million cubits to build.

Weapon Systems:

1. MEC-A12 30 mm Thraxon Kinetic Energy Weapons (3): Two are mounted on either side of the pilots cockpit as part of the fighter's wing roots and one is mounted on the vertical stabilizer. All mounts are forward firing. The weapons are powerful but have only average ranges. The weapons are used for dogfighting, anti-missile defense, and strafing runs. These electromagnetic weapons fire high density projectiles at incredible velocities and are the main weapons of the fighter.

2. Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) in an atmosphere and 32,000 feet (9,600 meters) in space.
Payload: 1,000 rounds (100 bursts) per weapon mount.

3. Missile Bay: Under the main fuselage of the fighter is a missile bay which can carry eight medium range missiles or a single heavy anti-ship nuclear missiles (equal to a cruise missile) in place of the smaller missiles. Missile are assumed to accelerate at 2 times normal mach speed in Gs greater than the starships speed when used in space. Missiles can be launched at non moving targets beyond the powered range of the missiles to hit targets without the chance of the launching ship being hit by missiles itself but penalties exist when launching missiles beyond normal missile range.

4. Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types

5. Payload: 8 medium range missiles or one cruise missile (normally nuclear)

6. Missiles Hard Points (2): The fighter can carry missiles externally under its wings. The fighter normally carries two medium range missiles per hard point but can carry a long range missile per hard point or four short range missiles. Missiles are assumed to accelerate at 2 times normal mach speed in Gs greater than the starships speed when used in space. Missiles can be launched at non moving targets beyond the powered range of the missiles to hit targets without the chance of the launching ship being hit by missiles itself but penalties exist when launching missiles beyond normal missile range. Missiles can be mixed and matched at the rate of four shot range missiles or two medium range missiles for one long range missile.

Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types.

7. Payload: one long range missiles, two medium range missile, or four short range missiles per hard point.

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