Terran Confederation F-104 "Bearcat" Heavy Fighter

Name: F-104 Bearcat
Craft: Douglas Aerospace F-104 Bearcat
Type: Heavy Fighter
Scale: starfighter
Length: 27 meters
Skill: starfighter pilot
Crew: 1
Cargo Capacity: 800 kg
Consumables: 7 days
Maneuverability: 3D+1
Space: 10
Atmosphere: 415; 1,200 km/h
Hull: 4D+1
Shields: 8D
Sensors

• Passive: 20 / 0D+1
• Scan: 40 / 1D
• Search: 60 / 1D+1
• Focus: 2 / 2D

Weapons

• 4 Light Tachyon Guns (firelinked)

Fire Arc: forward
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 3D+1
Space Range: 1-4/10/20
Atmosphere Range: 10-400/1,000/2,000m
Damage: 4D+2

• 4 Dual Light Ordnance Hardpoints

Fire Arc: forward
Crew: 1
Skill: starship gunnery

• Standard Heat Seeker (HS) Missile

Scale: capital

Fire Control: 3D+2
Space Range: 1-6/15/30
Atmosphere Range: 10-600/1,500/3,000m
Ammo: 4
Damage: 8D

• Enhanced Image Recognition (EIR) Missile

Scale: capital

Fire Control: 3D
Space Range: 1-8/20/40
Atmosphere Range: 10-800/2,000/4,000m
Ammo: 4
Damage: 9D

• Electronic Counter Measure Module

Fire Arc: all
Crew: 1
Skill: sensors
Space Range: 1-5/13/25
Atmosphere Range: 10-500/1,300/2,500m
Effects: Enemy Sensors and Fire Control -1 pip

• Countermeasure Pod Dispenser

Fire Arc: aft
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: sensors
Fire Control: 2D
Space Range: 1-5/13/25
Atmosphere Range: 10-500/1,300/2,500m
Ammo: 24
Effects: Enemy Sensors and Fire Control -1 pip

Gear:

• Ejection Seat: This accessory allows the vehicle's crew and passengers to safely disembark while it is still in mid-flight. It can be used as the vehicle is being destroyed.

Description: The F-104 Bearcat was a heavy fighter in the service of the Terran Confederation.

Designed and manufactured in the aftermath of the Terran-Kilrathi War, the Bearcat was to be the next top-of-the-line heavy fighter in the Terran Confederation Space Force. A peacetime design, it was to defend the Confederation against future enemies and against Kilrathi raiders who were still intent on continuing the war with the Confederation. With a standard armament and fair speed, it had potential as a formidable dogfighter on the frontlines.

The Bearcat was one of many new Terran innovations to come forth during the peacetime era. By 2673, several combat-ready prototypes of the Bearcat were in testing. A number of them fell into the hands of the Black Lance, who used them in an attempt to provoke war between the Confederation and the newly-independent Union of Border Worlds.

One notable action undertaken by the Bearcats was their role in the Black Lance assault on the Peleus System, where they were charged with defending a jamming ship that was creating a communications blackout across the system. They also were present at the BWS Intrepid's assault on Ella.

In Speradon, a trio of Confederation pilots sympathetic to the Border Worlds defected to the Union after hijacking a squadron of Bearcats. The Union, in desperate need of fighter pilots, acted quickly to rescue the defectors before the Black Lance could intercept them.

Source:

• Wing Commander Encyclopedia: F-104 Bearcat
• The Wing Commander Role Playing Game (page 303)
• thedemonapostle