Gryphon Fighter-Bomber
Created by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson on Sat Feb 26th, 2022 @ 6:43am
The Gryphon-class fighter/bomber was developed as part of Starfleet's efforts to modernise the ageing starfighter inventory of the Aerospace Corps.
Development began following the success of the AH-12 Phoenix fighter, including both the Mark I and Mark II variants designed by John Barstow. Following the introduction of the Phoenix Mark II, Starfleet Research and Development identified an opportunity to apply the successful design principles of the Phoenix programme to newly emerging technologies.
These advances were combined with the proven hull design of the highly successful Valkyrie fighter. The resulting aircraft became the Gryphon-class fighter/bomber: a heavily armed, multi-role tactical craft capable of fighter interception, strike operations, reconnaissance and ground assault.
The Gryphon incorporates an upgraded shielding and phaser package designed to allow the craft to survive sustained tactical operations while delivering significantly greater firepower than earlier fighter designs.
The fighter is equipped with a dorsal Type V phaser strip providing approximately 240 degrees of coverage across the upper hull.
Two Type U+ micro-pulse phaser arrays are mounted in the forward sections of the wings, one on either side of the fuselage. Two additional Type VI phaser arrays are mounted along the fuselage on either side of the centreline hardpoint. These arrays are primarily forward-facing and provide the Gryphon with considerable concentrated firepower during attack runs.
Defensive protection is provided by an advanced fighter shielding system designed for the high acceleration, rapid manoeuvring and repeated weapons impacts associated with tactical aerospace operations.
One of the defining features of the Gryphon is its substantial torpedo capability. Two micro-torpedo launchers are positioned behind and to either side of the cockpit.
Each launcher carries twelve micro-quantum torpedoes, providing a standard complement of twenty-four micro-quantums.
For heavier strike missions, the Gryphon can carry up to four full-sized quantum torpedoes on external hardpoints. This configuration allows the fighter to undertake bombing runs, attacks against hardened targets and ground assault operations.
When configured for heavy bombing operations, the centreline torpedo mounting obstructs the Type VI phaser arrays. Those weapons are therefore unavailable while the centreline strike configuration is installed.
The Gryphon incorporates technology originally developed for the Phoenix reconnaissance pod. The system was miniaturised and integrated directly into the fighter's nose, allowing an advanced sensor suite to remain permanently installed. Unlike earlier modular reconnaissance systems, the Gryphon does not require reconfiguration before undertaking reconnaissance missions.
| Crew | 2 |
| Length | 20 metres |
| Width | 14 metres |
| Height | 3.5 metres |
| Cruising Speed | Warp 4.3 |
| Maximum Warp | Warp 5.5 |
| Emergency Warp | Warp 6.5 — maximum duration 2 hours |
| Type U+ Micro-Pulse Phaser Arrays | 2 — Wing Mounted |
| Type VI Phaser Arrays | 2 — Fuselage Mounted |
| Type V Phaser Array | 1 — Dorsal |
| Micro-Torpedo Launchers | 2 |
| Micro-Quantum Torpedoes | 24 |
| Quantum Torpedoes | Up to 4 — External Hardpoints |
| Defensive Systems | Fighter Shielding System |
Space Superiority • Interception • Tactical Strike • Ground Assault • Reconnaissance • Fleet Defence
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