Viper (TRS): Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 20:59, 18 February 2024

The Viper is the primary attack/interceptor vehicle in use on the Twelve Colonies with a wide range of both atmospheric and space capable craft dating back to before the First Cylon War.

Pre-Cylon War

See also Air Force Viper and Vintage Viper

The history of the Viper can be traced back to before the Cylon war, where propeller powered, and later, jet engine powered Vipers were utilized by colony based air force organizations, prior to the unification of the Colonies.

Digital representations of these early Vipers are popular with holoband users, available for flight simulations in the virtual world (CAP: "The Imperfections of Memory"). Earlier Vipers are also appear in the popular hacked environment, New Cap City (CAP: "There is Another Sky", "The Imperfections of Memory" and "Ghosts in the Machine").

Cylon War

After the outbreak of the Cylon War, and the unification of the Colonies, the Viper Mk. II became the colony-wide service plane of choice, serving with distinction throughout that conflict. By the end of the war, the Mk. II was being phased out in favor of the Mk. III, however the Mk. II still continued to see action, even up until the Armistice. The Mk. II is later chosen for preservation in the Battlestar Galactica Cylon War Museum, following its decommissioning nearly 40 years since the end of hostilities (TRS: "Miniseries").

Post-Cylon War

By the time of the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, the Viper Mark VII has taken up the mantle of the Mark II. However, due to its advanced construction and computer system, the standard Mark VII is vulnerable to the Cylon computer virus. Most of these are destroyed by the Cylons, who break in, and shut the Viper's computers off. A few remain with the fleeing Colonials, only after having their computer systems purged of the offending software (TRS: "Miniseries").

Flight Regimes

The Viper is designed to operate in both space and atmospheric conditions.

In space flight, the Viper is highly maneuverable, dangerously so in inexperienced hands. Reaction control system (RCS) thrusters for rapid and flexible attitude control, a cluster of 3 main thrusters for high acceleration, and retractable reverse thrusters housed in both port and starboard cowlings for some degree of deceleration can subject the pilot to punishing g-forces. Its retractable landing struts can be magnetized to secure the Viper on metal decks and surfaces in zero gravity.

In atmospheric flight, Vipers consume more Tylium fuel than in the vacuum of space. Once in an atmosphere, the engines must run continuously to maintain sufficient airflow over the wing lifting surfaces. Depending on the composition of the atmosphere itself, this can place severe strain on the Viper's engines (TRS: "You Can't Go Home Again"). In addition to greater fuel consumption, the high wing load (i.e. small wing area relative to weight) may compromise the Viper's overall maneuverability. Because the smaller wing surfaces generate less lift, higher speeds are needed to stay aloft. The fighter's RCS thrusters might partially compensate for this.

Life Support

Viper cockpits are pressurized and heated, and pilots wear flight suits which, along with a breathing pack housed within the back, provide full life support should ejection be required (TRS: "You Can't Go Home Again)". In atmospheric ejections, the seat jettisons automatically once clear of the Viper, exposing a parachute which is deployed at a safe altitude (TRS: "Act of Contrition", "Razor").

Viper cockpits are also hardened against radiation, including a canopy made of a radiation-resistant glass and is capable of protecting a pilot against radiation levels that would kill a healthy human in 30 seconds (TRS: "Blood and Chrome")

Because of the stamina required to operate Vipers, battlestars have a specialized weight room where the pilots maintain their physical condition.

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-== Overview ==
+{{disline|This is an overview page for all Viper fighter craft. For detailed information on ''de facto'' variants, see: [[Viper Mark II]] and [[Viper Mark VII]].}}
+__NOTOC__
+[[File:Viper Mk VII retcon and Mk II.jpg|thumb|Two Vipers circa {{ACH|3}} on patrol {{TRS|Maelstrom}}.]]
+The '''Viper''' is the primary attack/interceptor vehicle in use on the [[Twelve Colonies of Kobol|Twelve Colonies]] with a wide range of both atmospheric and space capable craft dating back to before the [[First Cylon War]].
-Battlestars are a heavy class of human-controlled Colonial craft, that combine the functions of aircraft carrier and battle cruiser.
+== Pre-Cylon War ==
+::''See also [[Air Force Viper]] and [[Vintage Viper]]''
+[[File:Vintage Viper.jpg|thumb|left|Early Vipers fly in formation.]]
+The history of the Viper can be traced back to before the Cylon war, where propeller powered, and later, jet engine powered Vipers were utilized by colony based air force organizations, prior to the unification of the Colonies.
-The first five battlestars were laid down shortly before the start of the first [[Cylon War]] and saw action in the early years of the war ([[Mini-Series]]). Seven further battlestars were constructed during the war ([[Zoic]]), leading to a total fleet size of 12, one battlestar representing each of the colony worlds ({{Mini-Series]]).
+Digital representations of these early Vipers are popular with [[holoband]] users, available for flight simulations in the [[virtual world]] {{CAP|The Imperfections of Memory}}. Earlier Vipers are also appear in the popular hacked environment, [[New Cap City]] {{CAP|There is Another Sky|The Imperfections of Memory|Ghosts in the Machine}}.
-All the original battlestar vessels deliberately avoided the use of highly-integrated or networked computer systems, as the [[Cylons]] were able to infiltrate and subvert such systems, disabling Colonial defensive capabilities ({{Mini-Series]]).
+{{clear}}
-Following the end of the war, the battlestars remained in service, and their numbers increased. However, later vessels did include networked systems ([[Mini-Series]]), and while the term "battlestar" was used to describe these newer vessels, it is unclear as to whether they were the same overall size and form as the original battlestars. Several of the original 12 vessels were also upgraded ([[Mini-Series]]), with the exception of the battlestar ''[[Galactica]]'', which retained its original command and control systems at the insistence of Commander [[William Adama]]
+== Cylon War ==
+[[Image: Viper Mk II atmospheric flight.jpg|thumb|left|A Viper Mark II in atmospheric flight.]]
+After the outbreak of the Cylon War, and the unification of the Colonies, the [[Viper Mark II|Viper Mk. II]] became the colony-wide service plane of choice, serving with distinction throughout that conflict. By the end of the war, the Mk. II was being phased out in favor of the [[Viper Mark III|Mk. III]], however the Mk. II still continued to see action, even up until the [[Cimtar Peace Accord|Armistice]]. The Mk. II is later chosen for preservation in the Battlestar Galactica Cylon War Museum, following its decommissioning nearly 40 years since the end of hostilities {{TRS|Miniseries}}.
-Possibly as a result of her "original" condition, the ''Galactica'' was selected to become a living museum / educational centre once decommissioned ([[Mini-Series]]). Following the surprise attack by the Cylons on the Colonials, the ''Galactica'' was left as the only battlestar capable of mounting a counter-offensive, although she was initially hampered by the lack of any defensive munitions on-board.
+{{clear}}
-Battlestars are space-going leviathans. Some 4,500ft  in length([[Zoic]]), they combine the role of a modern airacraft carrier with that of a battle cruiser. Housing some 120-160 "[[Viper]]" space superiority fighters (fan estimate), a fully-armed battlestar is capable of a wide range of offensive actions, while her defensive armaments ensure she is fully capable of both protecting herself from attack, and of engaging an enemy at close quarters.
+== Post-Cylon War ==
+[[Image:Mk VII with Mk II, patrol.jpg|thumb|right|A Viper Mk. II and a Mk. VII on patrol {{TRS|33}}.]]
+By the time of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], the [[Viper Mark VII]] has taken up the mantle of the Mark II. However, due to its advanced construction and [[Computers in the Re-imagined Series|computer system]], the standard Mark VII is vulnerable to the [[Cylon (RDM)|Cylon]] [[Cylon computer virus|computer virus]]. Most of these are destroyed by the Cylons, who break in, and shut the Viper's computers off. A few remain with the fleeing Colonials, only after having their computer systems purged of the offending software {{TRS|Miniseries}}.
-Despite their massive size, battlestars are extremely manoeuvrable ([[Mini-Series]] - docking at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]) and, in the right circumstances, partially atmosphere-capable ([[Mini-Series]] - docking at Ragnar Anchorage). Their FTL systems are capable of incredibly-accurate jumps, able to  place them precisely in synchronous orbit above an point on a planet ([[Mini-Series]])and of placing them in the midst of debris fields, such as an asteroid belt, without risk of a devastating impact ([[The Hand of God]]).
+{{clear}}
-Battlestars are intended to operate for long periods without resupply - their water purification capabilities alone mean that, barring an emergency or unforeseen event, they don't need to re-tank with water for several years ([[Water]]). They also appear capable of undertaking large-scale repairs following battle damage ([[Mini-Series]]), and may well have manufacturing / fabrication facilities on-board ([[Litmus]]).
+== Flight Regimes ==
+The Viper is designed to operate in both space and atmospheric conditions.
-== Technical Specifications ==
+In space flight, the Viper is highly maneuverable, dangerously so in inexperienced hands. [[Navigation in the Re-imagined Series|Reaction control system]] (RCS) thrusters for rapid and flexible attitude control, a cluster of 3 main thrusters for high acceleration, and retractable reverse thrusters housed in both port and starboard cowlings for some degree of deceleration can subject the pilot to punishing [[w:g-force|g-forces]]. Its retractable landing struts can be magnetized to secure the Viper on metal decks and surfaces in zero gravity.
+In atmospheric flight, Vipers consume more [[Tylium]] fuel than in the vacuum of space. Once in an atmosphere, the engines must run continuously to maintain sufficient airflow over the wing lifting surfaces. Depending on the composition of the atmosphere itself, this can place severe strain on the Viper's engines {{TRS|You Can't Go Home Again}}. In addition to greater fuel consumption, the high wing load (i.e. small wing area relative to weight) may compromise the Viper's overall maneuverability. Because the smaller wing surfaces generate less lift, higher speeds are needed to stay aloft. The fighter's RCS thrusters might partially compensate for this.
-[[Image:Bsg-gal-2.jpg|thumb|Battlestar Layout (credit: Zoic)]]
+=== Life Support ===
+Viper cockpits are pressurized and heated, and pilots wear [[flight suit]]s which, along with a breathing pack housed within the back, provide full life support should ejection be required ([[TRS]]: "[[You Can't Go Home Again]])". In atmospheric ejections, the seat jettisons automatically once clear of the Viper, exposing a parachute which is deployed at a safe altitude ([[TRS]]: "[[Act of Contrition]]", "[[Razor#William Adama|Razor]]").
-=== Dimensions ===
+Viper cockpits are also hardened against radiation, including a canopy made of a radiation-resistant glass and is capable of protecting a pilot against radiation levels that would kill a healthy human in 30 seconds {{TRS|Blood and Chrome}}
-*Length: approx 4,500ft ([[Zoic]])
-*Beam: approx: 1,400ft (hanger pod to hanger pod - extended) (estimate)
-=== Propulsion ===
+Because of the stamina required to operate Vipers, battlestars have a specialized [[weight room]] where the pilots maintain their physical condition.
-*2 x  FTL engines and drive coils (Zoic)
+[[Category:A to Z]]
-*6 x  sublight engines (observed)
+[[Category:Colonial]]
-*40 x manoeuvring engines (10 "packs" of 4 apiece) (Zoic)
+[[Category:Colonial Craft]]
+[[Category:Colonial Craft (RDM)]]
-=== Aramaments - Defensive ===
+[[Category:Colonial Military]]
-*24 x  primary railgun turrets (mounting 2 guns apiece)
+[[Category:Colonial Military (RDM)]]
-*504 x point-defence turrets (mounting 2 guns apiece) (approx)
+[[Category:Ships]]
+[[Category:Ships (RDM)]]
-=== Armaments - Offensive ===
+[[Category:Technology]]
-*6-8 squadrons of Mark VII "[[Viper]]" atmosphere-capable space superiority fighters
+[[Category:Technology (RDM)]]
-*6-8 "[[Raptor]]" reconnaissance/assault vehicles.
+[[Category:RDM]]
-=== Crew ===
-*5,000-6,000 (estimate)
-*Officers: (TBA)
-*Enlisted: (TBA)
-*Flight Crew: 2,500 (approx)
-=== Notes ===
-*Viper squadrons comprise 20 vehicles apiece, generally supported by a single Raptor.
-*The Raptors can also be used to deploy Colonial Marine detachments to the surface of planets or to storm other vessels. Raptors are equipped with a docking collar and accessway in their undersides for this latter role (''Bastille Day'')
-* Viper operations are overseen by the CAG - Commander Air Group, the most senior pilot aboard a battlestar.
-== Layout ==
-[[Image:Bsg-gal-3.jpg|thumb|Battlestar forward view (credit: Zoic)]]
-The original battlerstar design common to ''[[Galactica]]'' and her sister ships can be broken down into two main sections:
-*Main Hull
-*Hanger Pods
-=== Main Hull ===
-This comprises the bulk of a battlestar, and can itself be divided into three sections:
-*"Alligator heaed", containing the primary living space for the crew, recreational facilities, mess halls, shipboard operations centres (such as the [[CIC]] and [[Situation Room]]); water storage tanks
-*Midships area: containing the pod retraction mechanisms, crossways linking the hange pods for the transfer of equipment, Vipers, personnel, etc. All the necessary hoists for such transfers; main munitions stors and distribution mechnanisms to "local" munitions stores for main and secondary batteries; fabrication facilities; etc.
-*Stern section: sublight engines, [[FTL]] drive coils, etc. Note that 4 sublight engines are mounted in distinctive pods of their own, with 2 more mounted between the four pods, in the stern of the battlestar. The FTL drive coils appear to be mounted beteen the drive pods and between the hull-mounted sublight engines and the midships section of a battlestar.
-The main hull houses all of a battlestar's offensive railguns, and also has a number of point-defence batteries mounted around it.
+[[de:Viper (RDM)]]
-The manoeuvring thruster packs are located in the port / starboard bows of the "alligator head" (4 thrusters apiece), and on the poert / starboard extremities of the four sublight engine pods (2 "packs" of 4 thrusters per pod).
+{{#related:Viper Mark II}}
+{{#related:Viper Mark VII}}
-=== Hanger Pods ===
+{{#related:Viper (TOS)}}
+{{#related:Viper (1980)}}
-These are mounted on either side of the hull and contain a battlestar's offensive [[Viper]] force. During normal operations, they are extended away from the main hull. During FTL jumps, the pods are retracted against the hull, to provide a smaller cross-section for the battlestar during the jump itself.
-*Each hanger pod is approximately 2,000ft in length and has a maximum beam of some 360ft (fan estimates)
-*Each pod comprises two main decks for flight operations: the upper landing bay, which extends the full length of the pod; and the lower launch bays, which provide some 80 launch tubes per pod ([[Zoic]])
-*The landing bay serves as a recovery area for incoming Vipers and [[Raptor]]s, approaches are made from the stern. The preferred approach is a slow run into the hanger, prior to making a vertical landing on a defined landing area. However, in emergencies, "rolling" combat landings can be made, whichin a  Viper or Raptor approaches at speed and makes a running landing on its undercarriage
-*The forward end of the landing bay also serves as a launch area for Raptors and shuttles
-*Each hanger bay is large enough to accept a variety of other Colonial vessels, up to ans including vessels classified as "heavy" (such as ''[[Colonial Heavy 798]]''.
-*Docking collars are located throughout the upper sections of the landing bay in order to provide a pressurised connection between an docked vessel and the battlestar
-*Pods additionally contain a number of a battlestar's point-defence railguns - one turret being mounted above each Viper launch tube, and others being set along the length of the pod itself
-*The hanger bays in the pods are used as general dispersal areas for Vipers. There is potentially one hanger bay area per squadron of Vipers, giving each pod 4 bays apiece. The hanger bays are used for general maintenance of Vipers / Raptors and for re-arming operations, etc.
-*Viper launch operations are overseen by a senior [[LSO]], with a launch sepervisor directly responsible for each launch tube.
-Other facilities within the pods include fuel storage areas for the Vipers / Raptors (and potentially for refeulling large vessels docked within the landing bays); munitions sotres for Viper weeaponry; munitions stores for the point-defence railguns; parts stores for maintaining Vipers and Raptors, etc.
-== List of Known Battlestars ==
-*Battlestar [[Atlantia]] (''Act of Contrition'')
-*Battlestar [[Galactica]]
-*Battlestar [[Pegasus]] (''Mini-Series'')
-*Battlestar Rycon  (Zoic)
-*Battlestar Columbia (Zoic)
-*Battlestar Pacifica (Zoic)
-*Battlestar Acopolis (Zoic)
-*Battlestar Solaris (Zoic)
-*Battlestar Triton (Zoic)
-*Battlestar Prometheus (Zoic)
-*Battlestar Argo (Zoic)
-*Battlestar Poseidon (Zoic)
-[[Category:Colonial Craft]]