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Sparrowhawk Mk.IIIc 7.5k Fighter

A lightweight, cheap, and very fast 179 m/s carrier fighter. The Sparrowhawk Mk.IIIc is the definitive fighter-interceptor version of the Sparrowhawk Mk.III, mounting two powerful engines in a significantly lengthened airframe and carrying two 4M Medium Incendiary AA missiles in a protected position underneath the fuselage. Thanks to improved control surfaces, this speed is gained at no loss in maneuverability, and the Mk.IIIc will have no difficulty in getting into a good firing angle against all but the fastest Neter aircraft. Two or three Mk.IIIcs can deal with most hostile SS or LH squadrons in a straight fight, but the weapons load is totally unsuitable for a ground-attack role.

Cockpit can be entered and exited vertically, via jumping. Lacks landing gear and will require a rubber flight deck.

Cost: 7585 material

Top Speed: 179 m/s, burning 2x2 mats/sec from twin small custom jet engines

Weapons: 2x 4M Medium Missiles, currently set as a short-range incendiary antiaircraft missiles

Defenses: 1x 1M Medium IR/Radar Flare

Airframe: Applique with Alloy and Glass Reinforcement

Detection: 1x Camera 90, cockpit-mounted

Strengths:
Very capable and cheap air to air fighter. Fast enough to keep pace with the vast majority of atmospheric aircraft, and has good overall stability due to excellent CoM/CoL/CoD alignment. Maneuverable enough to dodge almost any incoming missile or APS fire. Naturally buoyant enough to self-recover from a water landing. If it gets stuck in the water upside-down or corkscrews back in as soon as it takes off, swap its AI to fleet move mode and it'll recover.

Weaknesses:
Very fragile. The detection is awkwardly placed, and can have difficulty keeping a maneuvering target in sight. Will die extremely quickly if put up against a laser or PAC. Doesn't carry enough resources for extended operations, and needs to operate with either a cargo craft or a dedicated carrier. Missiles lack killing power and multiple hits will be required to consistently down larger aircraft. No provisions for ground-attack.