The V1-C Mark III 'Hellcat' is a fictional space fighter craft featured in the Hellcats: Strike Force series by Lucky Red Comics. It was created and designed by Eric Mulder.
Description[]
Modeled after a F-16 Fighting falcon, The V1-C Mark III 'Hellcat' is a dual engine, dual exhaust "space-to-surface" fighter platform developed by the military contractor CYTATEC. It is capable of deploying from and to planetary and space based staging areas, making it highly effective in conducting military operations against a variety of targets.
Being a "space" craft and not a "star" craft, it lacks the ability to travel the several light years of distance between star systems, relying on spacecraft carriers to do so. Each Hellcat costs Ç40 billion to manufacture (Ç1000 = 1 USD in 2023).
Functions[]
The Hellcat is capable of conducting a wide variety of roles in aerospace combat, making it the "work horse" of the Star Force and Space Guard. These roles include air-to-air/space-to-space combat, reconnaissance, aviation support to ground based units, and even tactical bombing strikes.
Speed[]
The Hellcat is capable of hypersonic flight- or speeds exceeding 62000 kph, in order to enter and exit the gravitational pull of a planet. To withstand such high speeds, pilots are given "hypersonic tolerance injections" or "g shots" to maximize the nanobot count in their bloodstream, causing increased blood flow throughout their circulatory system, with nanobots directing extra circulation to their brains, in order to prevent blacking out during hypersonic speeds.
Operations[]
The Hellcat can be operated with one or two pilots- one pilot handles the navigation while the other operates the weapons systems or other specialized equipment. Due to budgetary and manpower shortages, most Hellcats operate with one pilot- the two pilot configuration mostly used to pair newly commissioned ensign pilots with a more experienced weapons officer until they gain more experience. Hellcat pilots require the use of oxygen masks that seal to their face during flight operations.
Weapons[]
The Hellcat is equipped with a fearsome arsenal of weapons including two M-92 Nuclear Bombs, two M-88 Air-to-Ground Missiles, eight M-411 "Medusa" 70mm Rockets, and 14.5x114mm Close-Range Dispersion rounds (CRDs "cruds" or "shotgun rounds") for air-to-air and space to space dogfights. This loadout can be customized dependent on mission requirements.