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IMDC F-5C Hornet

Update September 6 2023: Repaired the Ascent Cruise Control script.

Based on the IMDC F-5/S Hornet and F-5/A Hornet by JD Horx (Primarily the F-5/A)
Originals here:
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=641406544
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=641405747

Lore:

The original IMDC F-5 series was designed as a space and air superiority fighter. Unfortunately, due to the limitations of the time, the IMDC was forced to produce two versions, each limited to one environment or the other. The eventual perfection of larger hydrogen thrusters allowed a single version to perform both roles, albeit not perfectly. The resulting design is somewhat limited in range in atmosphere, but at least is able to be dropped from orbit, perform a strike, and escape.

The armament received a suitable upgrade, integrating new technologies. Gone were the outdated Gatling guns, replacing them with four Autocannon. Likewise, the original two rocket launchers, limited to four rockets apiece, were replaced with four powerful Railguns. The resulting upgrade allows it to do significant damage in a short period of time, although the Railguns do have a significant recharge time between shots.

Armament:

4x Autocannon
4x Railguns

Equipment:

2x O2/H2 Generators
8x Small Hydrogen Tanks
1x Large Warfare Reactor
24x Small Hydrogen Thrusters
2x Large Hydrogen Thrusters
22x Small Sci-Fi Ion Thrusters
2x Large Sci-Fi Ion Thrusters
8x Gyroscopes
1x Medium Cargo Container
20x Small Cargo Container
2x Spotlight


Out-of-character:

This was an absolute plumbing nightmare to make work, although once I did the initial robust plumbing refit further modifications were easy. Make SURE you use ACC for going to orbit or you won't make it. Point at the sky, press 9, and just wait. If you use the Ludicrous Speed mod in your world (which upgrades the max velocity), you can edit the Custom Data of Problock ACC to increase the targeted speed (always do slightly less than world speed); this will dramatically improve your to-space fuel efficiency. The ship at least has full Ion Thruster support to allow it to still get home once in space.

The fighter is limited on hydrogen fuel, despite my efforts to optimize storage and thrust. Be careful using this in 1x Survival. Once it's above 20000 meters or so, you can disengage the Large Hydrogen thrusters and it will continue to climb. Tank drain should reverse around 12500 meters; at that stage the O2/H2 generators are producing enough hydrogen to keep up. Be careful in actual combat. It has hydrogen tanks everywhere and, if hit too hard, it's likely to go boom. I used heavy armor panels to cover everywhere that would otherwise be exposed. Those will provide around 3 light armor blocks' worth of protection.