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AAM Kite Mk. II

Ardentrall Aerospace Manufacturing Kite Space-Superiority Fighter Mark II

Specifications
Manufacturer: Ardentrall Aerospace Manufacturing
Mass: 28,859 kg
Powerplant: 2.3 MW [23 Small Reactors]
Gyroscopes: 2
Time to max velocity: 5.8 sec
Acceleration: 18.1 m/sec^2
Armament: 6 Gatling Guns [conveyor-serviced, w/dedicated magazines], 2 Rocket Launchers
Cargo Capacity: None [12 small containers used by armament or powerplant]
Refinery Facilities: NA
Assembler Facilities: NA
Medical Facilities: NA
Artificial Gravity: NA
Small Craft Complement: NA
Length: 10.5 meters
Width: 7.5 meters
Height: 2 meters

Like its cousin Falcon, the Kite has received a full update to allow it to compete with modern starfighters. The fuselage has been redesigned, with a layer of heavy armor applied to all the forward surfaces, making it better able to go head-to-head with enemy fighters. To compensate for the increased mass, some of the smaller engines have been removed and replaced with a third large engine. Thus, despite weighing more than four tons more than the Mark I, the Mark II is only four-tenths of a second slower to maximum velocity. Finally, another pair of gatling guns has been added, giving it a total of six.

In addition, the Mark II uses the same docking system as the Falcon, meaning that any bay that can accommodate the Falcon can hold the Kite as well -- assuming, of course, that it is wide enough.

The Kite is meant to fill the "swing" role in a fighter group's lineup. It can serve as a slower form of interceptor if need be, and its dual rocket launchers allow it to pose a threat to larger vessels as well. Furthermore, its reasonable acceleration and maneuverability, combined with the heavy armor cladding on the forward faces, mean that it can accompany bombers on their attack runs and drive off enemy interceptors as well. The Kite is the typical jack-of-all-trades; it excels at nothing, but it can handle almost anything. JPF units that can only accomadate one lance of fighters almost invariably opt for a lance of Kites.