Mig-class Heavy Fighter
Atmospheric heavy fighter / attack craft
Atmospheric interception, close air support, strike, planetary defense
7 meters
• 2,100 G
• 10.4 MGLT/s
1,200 km/h(Higher speeds possible with deflector shields enabled)
High-output plasma engine system
• Class 5.0
50 SBD
Medium hull armor (70 RU)
- Repeating mass-driver cannon (1)
- Wing-mounted rocket launchers (4)
- Standard load:
- High-explosive rockets (20)
- Standard load:
1 pilot
None
Minimal
Short-duration
- Twin wing-mounted lift fans
- Armored iris fan shutters
- Forward balancing lift thruster
- Repulsorlift-independent VTOL system
The Mig-class Heavy Fighter is a single-seat Olarian atmospheric combat aircraft manufactured by Raiden Assault Craft. Unlike most Olarian starfighters, the Mig was designed primarily for operations within planetary atmospheres, with spaceflight capability treated as a secondary requirement.
The class combines a rugged airframe, medium armor, vertical takeoff and landing capability, and simple but powerful kinetic weaponry. It is most commonly used for atmospheric interception, close air support, strike missions, and planetary-defense duties, particularly from austere or improvised operating sites.
Design and development
The Mig descends from the Olarian tradition of atmospheric combat aircraft developed before practical repulsorlift technology became commonplace. Rather than relying on gravity-canceling systems for low-speed flight, the craft uses conventional aerodynamic lift, vectored thrust, and dedicated lift machinery.
Two large circular housings in the wings contain vertically oriented lift fans. During forward flight, the fans are shut down and sealed behind armored iris-like shutters on both the upper and lower wing surfaces. Closing the housings protects the fan assemblies from debris and weapons damage while restoring a cleaner aerodynamic surface.
During takeoff, landing, hover, or very low-speed maneuvering, the shutters open and the fans engage to provide vertical lift. A smaller forward balancing thruster beneath the nose counteracts the rearward placement of the main lift system and provides pitch control during hover. The primary engines may also contribute vectored thrust during transitions between vertical and forward flight.
This arrangement allows the Mig to operate independently of repulsorlifts and gives it true VTOL capability even in environments where repulsorlift systems are unavailable, damaged, or deliberately avoided.
Performance and systems
The Mig is capable of approximately 2,100 G of acceleration, or 10.4 MGLT/s, and a maximum atmospheric speed of roughly 1,200 kilometers per hour under normal conditions. These figures are modest by Olarian spacefighter standards, but reflect the craft's emphasis on atmospheric handling, ruggedness, and low-speed control rather than extreme vacuum performance.
In atmosphere, the Mig is highly controllable at low altitude and can operate from short or damaged landing areas that would be unsuitable for many conventional starfighters. Its lift-fan system allows the craft to hover, reposition laterally at low speed, and make steep approaches without depending on repulsorlift support.
The fighter remains fully capable of spaceflight and carries a Class 5.0 hyperdrive for emergency or independent transit. Its relatively slow hyperdrive and moderate acceleration make it poorly suited to fleet interception compared with craft such as the Kaden-class Fighter or Aleph-class Interceptor, but sufficient for moving between nearby vessels, orbital facilities, and planetary operating areas.
The Mig is protected by 50 SBD of shielding and medium hull armor rated at approximately 70 RU. Its protection is intended primarily to resist ground fire, debris, and limited combat damage during low-altitude operations.
Armament
The Mig's principal weapon is a single repeating mass-driver cannon mounted along the forward fuselage. The weapon fires conventional solid projectiles at a high rate of fire and is particularly effective against infantry positions, lightly armored vehicles, atmospheric aircraft, and exposed equipment.
Four wing-mounted rocket launchers carry a standard total load of twenty high-explosive unguided rockets. These are normally used for close air support, attacks against surface vehicles, and suppression of fortified positions.
The Mig's comparatively conventional weaponry reflects its intended operating environment rather than technological limitation. Slugthrowers and unguided rockets are inexpensive, mechanically simple, resistant to electronic countermeasures, and well suited to targets for which more sophisticated Olarian weapons would provide little practical advantage.
Operational use
The Mig is primarily assigned to planetary-defense forces, expeditionary ground formations, and units requiring organic atmospheric air support. Typical missions include interception of hostile aircraft, close air support, armed reconnaissance, attacks against surface vehicles, and defense of remote installations.
Its VTOL capability is particularly valuable during dispersed operations. Mig squadrons can operate from small forward bases, damaged runways, improvised landing zones, or concealed facilities without the extensive infrastructure normally associated with high-performance aerospace fighters.
Although capable of combat in space, the Mig is rarely selected for dedicated fleet-defense work. Its lower acceleration, slower hyperdrive, and atmospheric specialization place it at a disadvantage against purpose-built space superiority fighters. When deployed from capital ships, it is generally carried for planetary operations rather than as part of the vessel's primary interceptor complement.
The class is therefore unusual within the Olarian Navy: a spacecraft capable of reaching orbit and traveling through hyperspace, but designed first and foremost as a warplane.