Tomahawk (Aerospace Fighter class)

191px
Tomahawk
Production information
Manufacturer	Wangker Aerospace
Model	THK-63
Class	Light AeroSpace Fighter
Tech Base	Star League
Cost	2,523,132
Technical specifications
Mass	45 tons
Structural Integrity
Frame	Shipil 35-B
Power Plant	PlasmaStar 270 Fusion Engine
Fuel
Armament	1 Small Laser 2 Large Lasers
Communications System	Telestar Fortran
Tracking & Targeting System	IMB 5000
Heat Sinks	12 (Double)
BV (1.0)	1,021
BV (2.0)	1,038

Description

The Tomahawk was designed as a dogfighter, with a good combination of maneuverability and armament. With 6Gs of thrust, five tons of fuel, and weapons that lack ammunition stores, the Tomahawk excels in patrol and escort duties, while ten tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor provides superior protection to other designs of its weight class. Early models suffered from a poor heat dissipation system, a fault that would be largely rectified with the release of the THK-63 model in 2680, with most earlier models similarly upgraded.

The Tomahawk would remain in service with the Star League Defense Force for over a hundred years as a key part of its aerospace forces. However, the destruction caused by the Amaris Civil War and the resulting exodus of the SLDF would see the loss of a significant number of Tomahawks, with many more destroyed in the Succession Wars that followed. While ComStar was able to maintain a secret stock of Tomahawk fighters, a few of which were donated to the DCMS and FWLM, and the Clans kept a few for second-line units, the few surviving Tomahawk fighters left could be found in private collections and museums. The Clan Invasion however prompted ComStar to restart production with the activation of the Wangker factory on Mars and begin upgrading them to advanced models, some of which fell into the hands of the Word of Blake.

Armament

With an armament consisting entirely of laser weaponry, the Tomahawk is a capable air-to-ground combatant as well as a dogfighter. Two Maxell SR Large Lasers give the Tomahawk good firepower, while the single Exostar Small Laser was largely added because the designers feared pilots would balk at a craft without a nose armament.

Variants

• THK-43 - Earlier model. The craft is armed with two Large Lasers, one mounted per wing. The Aircraft retains is single smaller mounted in nose. To cool the craft, it has 12 Single Heat Sinks. BV (2.0) = 1,038

• THK-53 - The THK-53 Tomahawk was the initial attempt to control the unusual heat difficulties. This variant replaces each wing-mounted Large Laser for a trio of Medium Lasers and a pair of Heat Sinks. Note that this model, as well as the prototypes, mounts single Heat Sinks, not Double Heat Sinks. The nose-mounted Small Laser is replaced with even more armor. BV (2.0) = 1,105

• THK-63b - The THK-63b Tomahawk, deployed exclusively among SLDF Royal commands, replaces the PlasmaStar 270 Fusion Engine with an XL Engine, using the extra tonnage to upgrade the Small Laser to an ER PPC and adding armor. BV (2.0) = 1,481

• THK-63CS - ComStar variant of the Tomahawk THK-63, standard lasers are placed by Extended Range weaponry. BV (2.0) = 1,204

• Tomahawk C - First Clan upgrade of the THK-63, with all weaponry is now Clan ER Lasers & additional Double headsink is added. Armor and Internal Structure are increased in this variant as well. BV (2.0) = 1,648

• Tomahawk CH - The Clan's Heavy Laser variant of the Tomahawk C. Armed with two Heavy Large Lasers, with sing laser mounted on the wing, and Heavy Small Laser mounted on the nose for point-defense purposes. Armor, Internal Structure, and Heatsinks are carried over from first Clan variant. BV (2.0) = 1,589

Bibliography

• Combat Operations
• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)'
• Technical Readout: 2750
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade