Seydlitz

The Seydlitz was a light Aerospace Fighter born from a Star League Defense Force contract for a small, fast planetary defense interceptor. The Shipil Company won the contract when they submitted their design in 2504 and in that same year began mass-production of the fighter. The concept behind the fighter was to hit the enemy fast and hard, preferably destroying them before they had a chance to fire back. Its Shipil 180 fusion engine, taking up a third of the fighter's total weight, gives the Seydlitz a safe acceleration rate of 5.5G and a maximum acceleration of 8.5G, allowing it to outrun and outmaneuver most other aerospace fighters. The single RAMTech laser meanwhile gives the fighter a powerful punch for its small size, especially when it gets behind small DropShips and is used to disable their drive systems.

Unfortunately, this emphasis on speed and maneuverability left little room for anything else. Only two tons of armor means practically any weapon will penetrate the fighter's thin skin with one volley, while three tons of fuel leaves it on a short leash from any friendly DropShip or airstrip. Seydlitz pilots therefore live in mortal fear of being caught in an ambush, as there is a good chance the enemy's first shots will be disabling ones. Though two additional tons of fuel can be carried on the fighter's two external hardpoints, this hampers its maneuverability and most pilots will jettison the fuel tanks when entering combat.

The majority of Seydlitz fighters were deployed within the Lyran Commonwealth, usually on small worlds where they proved to be excellent support and escort craft. When the Star League fell, the LCAF took control of these fighters, leading to very few being deployed by the other Great Houses except through the hiring of mercenaries; though the Draconis Combine captured several examples on Alexandria none have been seen in their service. At the dawn of the thirty-first century both the Outworlds Alliance and Taurian Concordat approached the company for permission to produce the fighter and, since neither was opposing the Lyran Commonwealth at the time, were granted licenses. With the creation of the Federated Commonwealth the fighter was also used by the AFFC, though with the succession of the Lyran Alliance it again became associated with House Steiner.

Weapons and Equipment
Unusual for an Aerospace Fighter the Seydlitz carries only a single nose mounted RAMTech 1200 Large Laser. This does give the tiny fighter the ability to deliver a single devastating blow before maneuvering away from hostile fire and coming back for another pass. Originally it had been fitted with a Maztel large laser, but the system generated too much heat and was replaced in 2507.

Variants

 * SYD-Z1 : Introduced immediately after the secession of the Lyran Alliance, the SYD-Z1 is just a renamed version of the classic SYD-21 to ensure commonality between the Seydlitzs designations. They were supplied to poor factions within the Chaos March as a public relations move. BV (1.0) = 472, BV (2.0) = 440


 * SYD-Z2 : The SYD-Z2 is a House Steiner variant replacing the single large laser with five RAMTech 800 Medium Lasers, two on the wings and three on the nose and fuselage. BV (1.0) = 640 (616), BV (2.0) = 716


 * SYD-Z2A : A modern version of the SYD-Z2 produced in 3050, the SYD-Z2A retains the medium lasers but features an XL Engine and Double Heat Sinks, also adding Ferro-Aluminum armor and extra fuel. BV (1.0) = 820 (822), BV (2.0) = 806


 * SYD-Z2B : A updated version of the SYD-Z2A, the SYD-Z2B features the same XL Engine, Double Heat Sinks and extra fuel, replacing the five standard mediums with four ER Medium Lasers and extra ton of Ferro-Aluminum armor. BV (1.0) = 909, BV (2.0) = 906


 * SYD-Z3 : The SYD-Z3 trades arms for armor, replacing the large laser for two RAMTech 800 medium lasers and using the three extra tons for armor. Noted for the crudeness of the armor plating, since modifications were post-Star League era and do not protect vital areas well. BV (1.0) = 552, BV (2.0) = 504


 * SYD-Z3A : A modern version of the SYD-Z3, the SYD-Z3A features an XL Engine and Double Heat Sinks and upgrades the medium lasers of the SYD-Z3 to Medium Pulse Lasers, adding four tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor. BV (1.0) = 517 (519), BV (2.0) = 514


 * SYD-Z4 : Featuring an XL Engine and double heat sinks, the SYD-Z4 upgrades the large laser to an ER Large Laser. The design also has increased level of Ferro-Aluminum armor and more fuel . BV (1.0) = 572 (649), BV (2.0) = 543


 * SYD-45X "Starling" : Developed by Shipil in the midst of the Jihad, the extensively modified and five ton heavier SYD-45X variant utilizes Experimental Technology. Built around a 300 rated XXL Fusion Engine with double heat sinks and clad in an extra ton and half of Heavy Ferro-Aluminum armor, the "Starling" boasts increased protection and massive boost in speed. Using a Small Cockpit and retaining the same fuel tankage as the SYD-21 frees up weight for a prototype Bombast Laser and a one-shot Chaff Pod. BV (2.0) = 695


 * Seydlitz C : Developed after Clan Jade Falcon took control of Shipil they modified the SYD-Z4 to use a Clan-spec ER PPC with PPC Capacitor. They also covered the frame in Reflective Armor. These modifications required cutting back on fuel.

Custom Variant

 * Seydlitz Mary : This Seydlitz replaces the standard engine with an XL Engine. The Large Laser was also removed and replaced with a Snub-Nose PPC. The lighter engine made room for an extra ton of fuel and more armor, bringing the total armor weight to 3.5 tons. BV (1.0) = 180