Viper (TOS-RH)

This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Richard Hatch continuation separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.

For the fighter specific to the Original Series, see: Viper (TOS).

The Colonial Viper is the primary space superiority fighter and attack craft deployed by the Colonial military. Capable of both atmospheric and long-range spatial flight, the Viper is a single-pilot craft with forward-mounted turbolasers as standard weaponry, controlled via the navi-hilt steering column.

In the 18 yahrens since the exodus of Man from the Twelve Colonies of Man, Galactica's Viper complement varied significantly. In 7342, Galactica carried a complement of 75 Vipers, with the capacity to launch twenty simultaneously—ten from each of the battlestar's two launch bays. However, hostilities against the Cylons and other enemies dealt a devastating blow to the battlestar's Viper contingent, with numbers depleting to fewer than forty around 7352.

In the few yahren that followed this decline, the Fleet discovered a planet rich in the material resources to not only repair and retrofit ships, but also enable the creation of two new Viper classes to restore Galactica's depleted ranks (RH: Armageddon).

Design and Capabilities

Flight Operations

Vipers are versatile fighters designed for multiple operational environments:

• Spatial Combat: The Viper's primary role is space superiority and attack missions. In the vacuum of space, head-on battles typically end in microns during a single pass, requiring significant force expenditure to re-vector momentum. Colonial Warriors are trained to use themselves as bait to set up enemies for their fellow pilots (RH: Armageddon).

• Atmospheric Flight: Vipers are fully capable of atmospheric operations, requiring different skill sets than space combat. Atmospheric flight demands banking, gliding, and compensation for wind gusts and updrafts—challenges absent in space. During the Fleet's long exodus, Viper pilots honed their aerodynamic skills on multiple planets (RH: Paradis).

• Positioning and Tactics: In space, victory depends on positioning, with pilots mastering acceleration and deceleration. Pursuit of enemy craft requires mathematical precision equal to weapon control. Atmospheric combat happens faster, demanding enhanced reflexes and different instincts (RH: Paradis).

Propulsion Systems

Vipers utilize pulsar engines powered by refined tylium fuel:

• Multiple Pulsars: Standard Vipers feature multiple pulsar engines for propulsion.
• Apex Pulsar: The primary high-thrust engine mounted on the Viper's rear. When damaged, the apex pulsar can misfire, requiring time to restabilize (RH: Warhawk).
• Retro Rockets: Used for delicate maneuvering operations.
• Gyro-Capacitor: The energy transference system that can be damaged in combat.

Weapons and Defensive Systems

• Turbolasers: Forward-mounted laser weapons controlled by the navi-hilt. Pilots can recalibrate turbolasers for full power and beam width (RH: Armageddon).
• Targeting Systems: Advanced targeting frames assist in combat, though experienced Warriors like Apollo sometimes eschew targeting systems to strafe entire starfields.
• Shields: Some Viper models feature protective shielding that can deflect tangential hits, though direct strikes can penetrate defenses.

Pilot Interface

The Viper's cockpit provides comprehensive information and control:

• Navi-Hilt: The steering column that also controls turbolaser fire.
• Helm: The pilot's helmet features an energy shield that seals the face when donned, plus visual readout (info-scroll) providing sensor readings, scanner reports, and tactical data. The helm also provides commlink capabilities and a rebreather/filter function for breathing in any environment with trace oxygen (RH: Armageddon).
• Scanners: Flatscreen and holographic displays showing tactical information, ship schematics, and threat assessment.
• Computer Systems: Voice-activated on advanced models.

Launch and Recovery

Vipers launch through launch tubes from battlestar bays, with the launch aperture—an energy-shielded opening—allowing rapid deployment. Galactica's two fighter bays are each split in half, with the fore section acting as launch bay and the aft section reserved for landing (RH: Armageddon).

Variants

In both Richard Hatch's novels and the Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming trailer, new variants of the Viper are introduced.

Original Viper

The original Viper design from the Twelve Colonies of Man served as the Fleet's primary fighter during and immediately after the Cylon attack. Captain Starbuck refused to transition to newer models, stubbornly flying his "antique" throughout his career. He insisted his vintage Viper had kept him alive and he didn't need "a shiny new toy," though he allowed tech crews to service and update its systems when necessary (RH: Armageddon).

Azure-class Viper

Main article: Azure-class Viper

A successor to the original Viper, built on Hephaestus following the discovery of a mineral-rich planetoid in 7352. This version represents a rebuild of earlier Viper models, featuring a new pulsar system with efficient tylium usage, thereby significantly reducing dangerous solium leaks. More than forty Azure-class Vipers were constructed before resources were allocated to its successor (RH: Armageddon).

Scarlet-class Viper

Main article: Scarlet-class Viper

A successor to the Azure-class, Galactica began building these fighters 18 yahren after "The Hand of God", circa 7360. The Scarlet-class features triple pulsar engines, hover mode capability, energy shields, voice-activated computer systems, and advanced scanner technology. The first Scarlet Viper was given to Lieutenant Commander Apollo, with a second slated for Captain Starbuck, who refused the upgrade (RH: Armageddon).

Viper Duet

An innovative two-pilot design developed at Poseidon under Commander Cain's direction. The Viper Duet consists of two larger Vipers attached at the belly with a long flat weapons module between them that can fire both forward and aft.

Key features include:

• Dual Pilot Configuration: Both cockpits mounted on gimbals that remain upright during launch and lock into place once internal gravity activates.
• Tertiary Fuel Supply: The weapons module includes an additional fuel source, allowing extended range by alternating between Vipers' pulsars.
• Flexible Control: Pilots can share or separate weapons and navigation control, with one pilot able to control rear turbolasers not available on single Vipers (RH: Warhawk).
• Quantum Shift Effect: Capable of QSE phase-shifting for tactical advantage (RH: Warhawk).

The Duet's ungainly appearance on its launch track belies its effectiveness as a potent weapon in space combat. Lieutenant Troy and Ensign Dalton flew a Viper Duet during the Battle of Poseidon (RH: Warhawk).

Operational History

Post-Exodus Rebuilding

Following more than a decade of near-constant warfare after the Cylon attack, the Fleet finally gained access to mineral resources in 7352. An old freighter was retrofitted as Hephaestus, becoming one of the Fleet's most valued ships for construction and repair.

New cadets were trained as Warriors, but required Vipers to fly. The rebuilding effort produced more than forty Azure-class Vipers and eventually led to Scarlet-class development, restoring Galactica's fighter strength (RH: Armageddon).

Combat Operations

Vipers saw extensive action throughout the Fleet's journey:

• Space combat against Cylon Raiders and basestars (RH: Armageddon)
• Engagements with the Chitain species during encounters at Poseidon and Kobol (RH: Warhawk) (RH: Resurrection)
• Atmospheric reconnaissance and combat on multiple planets (RH: Paradis)
• Escort duties for civilian Fleet vessels (RH: Resurrection)

Pilot Culture

Viper pilots developed a distinct culture and identity. Being suspended in flight—whether in space or atmosphere—represented life itself for Warriors. The cockpit became a world unto itself, with pilots viewing their craft as more than machines. This attachment was exemplified by Starbuck's refusal to give up his vintage Viper despite technological improvements (RH: Armageddon).

Playfulness in training was considered essential for producing the best fighters, distinguishing Warriors from rigid civilian or Cylon mindsets. Veterans took pride in instructing newcomers through challenging but educational play (RH: Paradis).