Editing Starfighter

{{item
|image=DDF Ship Designs.jpeg
|type={{cat tag|Spacecraft}}
|universe=[[Cytoverse]]
|books=[[Skyward (series)]]
}}
{{update|sky2|sf1|sf2|sf3}}
{{quote
|You pull the trigger, smart boy, doesn't take a brain to use a destructor. The IMP though, that’s another matter. Inverted Magellan Pulse. It breaks any shield—including your own —within fifty meters.
|Cobb{{book ref|sky1|23}}
}}
A '''starfighter''' is a spaceworthy fighter plane.{{book ref|sky1|prologue}} A number of [[:category:DDF_Ships|different starfighters]] are in production by the machines of [[Igneous Cavern]].

== Maneuvering Systems ==
=== Boosters ===
Central boosters are necessary for high acceleration for ships. Regular boosters can be found in junkyards and on hovercars, but grade-A central boosters can only be found on [[DDF]] military tech.{{book ref|sky1|22}}

{{anchor|Mag}}
The speed of a starfighter is measured in Mag. One Mag is equivalent to about three hundred miles per hour.{{wob ref|12469}}

==== Types ====
{{image|Atmospheric Scoop Demo.jpeg|Demonstration of how the Atmospheric Scoop functions|side=right|width=400px}}
[[Rig]] informs [[Spensa]] that an A-17 through A-32 central booster would fit in [[M-Bot]].{{book ref|sky1|22}}

After the sanitation worker comes in and talks to their class, Spensa asks Rig what type of central booster is used on the current version of Poco-class starships. Rig immediately responds that it is an A-19 booster.{{book ref|sky1|2}}

=== Atmospheric Scoop and Wings===
Whether there is atmosphere makes significant difference in flying techniques. Although starfighters can fly in space, in atmosphere, they have atmospheric scoops to reduce wind resistance and wings to provide extra lift and maneuverability. They enable turns that cannot be performed without them.{{book ref|sky1|13}}

=== Acclivity Ring ===
{{image|Ben-bryant-Acclivity-Ring.jpg|side=left|width=400px}}
An acclivity ring is a ring made of [[acclivity stone]], a powerful substance that acts as anti-gravity when powered.

The [[DDF]], the [[Superiority]], and the orbital debris field around [[Detritus]] use one or more acclivity rings to keep their ships in the air. They allow a ship to remain in the air even if the ship is motionless. These rings are very rare and their amount basically limits how many fighters human can utilize. Therefore, the salvage and recovery of these rings is one of [[Ironsides|Admiral Ironside's]] top worries and priorities.{{book ref|sky1|interlude|3}}

Acclivity rings can be rotated or angled to perform sharp turns and other advanced maneuvers.{{book ref|sky1|32}}

In addition to their use on starships, smaller acclivity rings are used for vehicles such as hovercars, hoverbikes, and the floating platforms Captain [[Hesho]] and the [[kitsen]] use to move around.{{book ref|sky1|11}}{{book ref|sky1|31}}{{book ref|sky1|34}}{{book ref|sky2|20}} They are also used as tools to assist lifting and handling heavier objects: such as the maintenance gear [[Spensa]] uses on [[M-Bot]].{{book ref|sky1|36}}

Several acclivity rings can be used in conjunction to lift something larger, such as the orbital ship yards.

=== GravCaps ===
{{image|Ben-bryant-GravCap.jpg|side=right|width=400px}}
GravCaps, or gravitational capacitors, are a main functional part of [[DDF]] starfighters, allowing for more maneuverability than would otherwise be possible.{{book ref|sky1|14}} When making sharp turns, the GravCaps prevent gravitational force from affecting the pilot for about 3 seconds,{{book ref|sky1|14}} allowing more flexibility than would otherwise be possible. As DDF fighters do not limit maximum acceleration to protect the pilot, the G-force produced when accelerating can easily crush the pilot, so starfighters are equipped with GravCaps. Standard DDF GravCaps can absorb G-forces, if the threshold of force that the GravCaps can handle is exceeded, the pilot can be injured.

[[M-Bot]] is noted to have superior GravCaps than DDF ships, which can absorb larger g-forces for longer than than the GravCaps used by the DDF. Additionally, M-bot's cockpit is equipped with a mechanism that can adjust the direction of the pilot's seat, reducing the vertical forces on the pilot.{{book ref|sky1|22}}

=== Sensors ===

All fighters are equipped with a sensor system that allows them to monitor their surroundings. 

Val-class scouters have a particularly good sensor system, able to work an a longer range and produce more detail than the sensors on other fighters such as the Poco.{{book ref|sky1|41}}

=== Shields ===
Shields are a defensive measure on all DDF and Krell ships which can absorb the energy from destructor blasts, protecting the ship and its occupants from harm. They function directionally, blocking external fire from passing the shield, while allowing destructor blasts and light-lances from passing out of the shield.{{wob ref|11785}}

Shields can be disabled by an IMP blast, leaving ships vulnerable to enemy fire.{{book ref|sky1|14}}{{book ref|sky1|23}}

== Weaponry Systems ==
{{image|Ben-bryant-light-lance.jpg|side=left|width=400px}}
=== Light-Lance ===
A Light-lance is a weapon and tool used by the [[DDF]]{{book ref|sky1|14}} and [[M-Bot]]{{book ref|sky1|30}} to grapple to debris or other ships, allowing slingshot maneuvers otherwise impossible, rescue maneuvers, and other maneuvers to drag debris into [[varvax|Krell]] ships.

It functions by shooting a beam of light at the target, attaching the two until the pilot releases them.{{book ref|sky1|14}}

It is described as a larger, more powerful version of the [[light-line]].{{book ref|sky1|14}}

=== Destructors ===
The Destructor is a weapon used by the [[DDF]] and the [[Superiority]] to damage and destroy enemy ships.{{book ref|sky1|14}} Depending on the sequence of buttons pressed, the Destructor can fire a single projectile or a burst volley. The buttons can be held to charge and fire a concentrated beam.

A destructor is an energy beam weapon, and the primary means to shoot down enemy vessels. One destructor burst contains about 30 kus of energy.{{book ref|sky1|23}} One shot of it would be enough to take down a fighter if it hit the right spot, but it can be blocked by force-fields generated by shield igniters. DDF shipboard shields can withstand 80 kus which amounts to about three shots.{{book ref|sky1|23}} The Krell have both superior destructors and shields than those of the DDF and it usually requires six shots to disable the shield of a Krell fighter.{{book ref|sky1|14}} However, DDF ships have two advantages: the [[light-lance]] used for grappling and [[IMP]] that can disable enemy shields.{{expand}}

==== Types ====

Pocos have 138 Stewart destructors, which can generate up to 30 kus of energy.{{book ref|sky1|23}}{{book ref|sky1|41}}

Val-Class scouters have a single 131, which has notably far less firepower than the 138 Stewart.{{book ref|sky1|41}}

=== Inverted Magellan Pulse ===
The Inverted Magellan Pulse is a weapon used by the [[DDF]] to disable the [[Superiority|Krell]] starship shields.{{book ref|sky1|14}}{{book ref|sky1|23}}

The IMP emanates from the ship, instead of being fired like other weapons. When used, it has a radius of fifty meters, neutralizing all shields, including those on the user's own ship. This leave all ships in range vulnerable for a time, until they fire up their shields again.{{book ref|sky1|14}} This is useful for team fighting, where one ship neutralizes a shield, and their wingmate picks off the vulnerable Krell ship.

It is unknown how old the technology is, as both [[M-Bot]] and the DDF fighter ships have this capability.{{book ref|sky1|43}}


== Ship Classes ==

=== Poco ===
A standard form of fighter used by the DDF.

They are equipped with dual 138 Stewart Destructors.{{book ref|sky1|41}}

Their booster is an A19 Model, which allows them to move upward of Mag-10.5.{{book ref|sky1|2}}{{book ref|sky1|19}}

=== Val-Class Scouter ===
{{image|DDF_Val-class_Scout_Ship.jpeg|side=left|width=400px}}
Val-Class Scouters are ships intended for scouting and finding Krell which fly under the radar.{{book ref|sky1|41}} They are not intended for combat like other ships, but are made to be able to fight if the moment makes it necessary.{{book ref|sky1|41}} 

They are equipped with a single 131 Destructor, with low firepower.{{book ref|sky1|41}} At the same time, they have low armaments, even in comparison to a Poco.{{book ref|sky1|41}}

They have a high-quality sensor installed into them, which are able to function at long-range, and provide a high degree of detail.{{book ref|sky1|41}} 

They appear to have sharply angled wings, with a more narrow cockpit and fuselage compared to the Poco.{{file ref|DDF_Val-class_Scout_Ship.jpeg|Val-Class Scouter Art}}

== Notes ==
<references />
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{{Skyward}}