Viper Mark II

This article discusses the older, generally obsolete Viper-class fighters seen in the Re-imagined Series. For information on the advanced Viper Mark VII from the same series, see Viper Mark VII. For the Viper used in the Original Series and in Galactica 1980, see Viper (TOS).

Viper Mk. II
[show/hide spoilers] Spoilers hidden in infobox by default only.
Race:	Colonial
Type:	Military
FTL:	No
Propulsion:	1 x Voram VM2-D15 upper turbothrust engine, 2x Voram VM3-D22 turbothrust engines, 2x reverse thrust motors: RCS points
Crew:	1 pilot
Capacity:
CO:	{{{co}}}
XO:	{{{xo}}}
Role:	Space superiority fighter
Weapons:	2 Kinetic Energy Weapon, missiles
Armaments:	2 x MEC-A6 30mm Thraxon forward-firing kinetic energy weapons (KEW) mounted in the wing roots with 800 round magazine, Dorsal storage bay for 8 x HD-70 Lightning Javelin missiles (optional 50 megaton nuclear warhead), Weapon hardpoints for mounting missiles / munitions pods, etc. under the wings
Defenses:	{{{def}}}
Aircraft:	{{{aircraft}}}
Aviation facilities:	{{{facilities}}}
Fate:	Obsolete / In current Colonial service
Emblem:	[[File:{{{patch}}}|175px|Ship's patch]]
Other Images:	Gallery
Dimensions
Length:	(8.4082m)
Width:	{{{width}}}
Height:	(2.7247m)
Weight:	{{{weight}}}
Wingspan:	(4.7168m)
Other:	{{{otherdi}}}
Game Information
Cost:	{{{construction}}}
Construction Time:	{{{construction}}}
Hull Size:	{{{hull size}}}
Hull:	{{{hull}}}
Mobility
FTL Cooldown:	{{{ftl cooldown}}} turns
Speed:	{{{speed}}} m/s
Turn Rate:	{{{turn rate}}}°/turn
Armor Sum
Armor Total:	{{{armor total}}}
Armor Left:	{{{armor left}}}
Armor Right:	{{{armor right}}}
Armor Front:	{{{armor front}}}
Armor Rear:	{{{armor rear}}}
Armor Top:	{{{armor top}}}
Armor Bottom:	{{{armor bottom}}}
Armament
DRADIS Range:	{{{dradis range}}} m
Processing Power:	{{{processing power}}}
Munition Slots:	{{{munitions}}}
Munition Cooldown Period:	{{{munition cooldown}}} turns
Squadron Slots:	{{{squadrons}}}
Squadron Size:	{{{squadron size}}}
Special Abilities:	{{{special abilities}}}
Additional Information

The Viper Mark II was the Colonial Fleet's primary space superiority fighter / attack craft during the Cylon War, approximately 50 years prior to a second and decisive Cylon attack that effectively destroys the civilization of the Twelve Colonies (Miniseries).

Capable of atmospheric flight, the Mark II is a single-seat craft mounting two kinetic energy weapons (KEWs), as well as having hardpoints beneath the wings for mounting missiles, munitions pods and other ordnance (The Hand of God).

The Viper was originally introduced into Colonial service shortly before the outbreak of the Cylon War. However, it was the Mark II variant, designed specifically for use with the new Colonial battlestars that is best remembered.

The Mark II served with distinction throughout the Cylon War, proving a capable fighting vehicle that won renown across the Twelve Colonies and is regarded as one of the reasons the Colonials did not suffer defeat at the hands of the Cylons.

The Mark II remained in service after the end of the war, but was subsequently superseded by newer models. At the time of the renewed Cylon attack on the Twelve Colonies, the Viper Mark VII was the front-line variant of the Viper design, retaining the Mark II general layout but using fully networked systems providing superior battle management and fight information for the pilot.

Technical Specifications

Avionics

Mark II joystick and analogue gauges

Viper Mark II fighter cockpits, as part of their use in the Cylon War, were initially designed to resist Cylon attempts at disabling or damaging the fighter's flight controls. As such, the avionics of a Mark II are not complicated, relying more on the pilot's Mark One Eyeball, the fighter's analog controls and a primitive computer to manage flight systems.

It is likely that Mark II fighters, given the number of analog gauges and controls, were designed to be flown entirely without its computer in the event of its compromization by Cylon cracking. Some analog gauges, such as the altimeter, are used only in atmospheric flight.

The joystick used in the Mark II is a replica of real-life F/A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle.

Armament

The Viper's main weapon are two wing-mounted cannons. For more information on these see the main article Weapons in the Re-imagined Series.

In addition, it can be equipped with several missiles, carried under the fuselage (The Hand of God, Home, Part II).

Performance

Can rotate 180 degrees vertically in .35 seconds (Act of Contrition)

Layout

Fore, side, top and aft views of the Mark II

The Viper Mark II is a long, sleek vehicle that can be split into two parts, fore and aft.

• Fore section: comprises the nose back to the cockpit. This contains the forward RCS systems for maneuvering the craft; the forward landing gear; the main avionics and sensor packages, plus the single-seat cockpit itself
• Stern section: comprises the main engines, fuel tanks, wings and vertical stabiliser. The wings themselves contain the kinetic energy weapons ("guns") and their munitions storage and feeds. Hardpoints beneath the wings allow missiles, munitions pods and other items to be rack-mounted (The Hand of God). The wings roots contain the main landing gear. This section of a Viper also contains a number of RCS maneuvering packs.

The stern section of a Viper is distinctive because of the offset "intakes" mounted just behind the cockpit. The port / starboard "intake" nacelles incorporate small but powerful reverse thrust engines that can quickly counter a Viper's forward momentum in an emergency (The Hand of God).

Known Viper Mark IIs

• Viper 289
• Viper 0205
• Viper 1104
• Viper 2220
• Viper 3266
• Viper 591
• Viper 709
• Viper 7242
• Viper 791
• Viper 7961
• Viper 8547
• Viper 8737

Related Imagery

• 
  Viper in launch tube (Miniseries)
• 
  Viper in perfect condition (Miniseries)
• 
  Burning up in an atmosphere (Act of Contrition)
• 
  Vipers on an attack run (The Hand of God)
• 
  Zoic CGI model
• 
  Guns armed
• 
  Missile fired
• Viper Mk II cockpit
  Viper Mk II cockpit
• 
  Instruments: radio-magnetic indicator
• 
  Instruments: altimeter
• 
  Instruments: attitude indicator
• 
  Instruments: torque indicator

Re-imagined Series definition: Commanding Officer; e.g. William Adama

Re-imagined Series definition: Executive Officer, e.g. Saul Tigh

Original Series definition: a Cylon outpost ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")}

Re-imagined Series definition: technology enabling travel across distances faster than the speed of light would permit, see: FTL

Galactica 1980 definition: Moonstone looks this up after Colonel Jack Sydell mentions that he used to be an Eagle scout; there is subsequent humor over the term as it literally means "a large bird," and does not provide the definition of the Boy Scout level ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}