ASF-121 Firebird R1 MA-Ver.
Multirole Hybrid Frame
Configuration: Heavy Mixed Surface Target

The ASF-121 Firebird is a Multirole Hybrid Frame, part of the Star-Spirit Program.

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--- USER MANUAL ---

CONTROLS:
Basic Aircraft Controls
AG2 - Airbrakes
AG3 - Open Rocket Internal Bays
AG4 - Camera Rocket Aiming Mode
AG6 - Launch Cleaver
AG7 - Jettison Wing Missile Mounts

( i ) Use Custom Camera 1. The Cockpit camera does not show anything.

( i ) To prevent landing accidents, the camera will only depress when the landing gear is retracted.

( i ) Due to the added forward vector(s), rockets fired may not align with the aiming reticle.

( > ) Challenge: Take on the Rocket Training mission. My record: 7.

--- End USER MANUAL ---

The ASF-121 "Firebird" is a Multirole Hybrid Frame designed by ASTIND. Corporation under the Star-Spirit Program. It is marketed as a lighter alternative to the ASF-119, and is able to support stealth attacks.

SIZE (R1):
Length: 11.25 m
Width: 9.51 m
Height: 2.84 m

SPEED (R1):
at sea level: 700 mph (Mach 0.91)
at 40,000 ft: 1,500 mph (Mach 1.95)

The unit marks the passing of half the design target of the Program.

DESIGN

The ASF-121 has the standard faceted design of the Star-Spirit Frames. However, a notable difference is the lack of the bird-tail airbrake, which has been replaced by four small airbrake panels.

The fuselage bears a resemblance to some of the older fifth-generation fighters, which were the predecessors to the Program. The unit incorporates a small internal weapons bay in the fuselage, which is typically used to store dumb-fire rockets.

The cockpit is large enough for the crew of two, plus some storage space.

ARMAMENT

The ASF-121 Frame has two pylons on each wing. It also has an internal rocket bay, known for catching out some pirate and terrorist groups.

On the underside of the fuselage, a heavy hardpoint extension is usually used. It can be switched for a group of normal missile hardpoints.

The pictured configuration depicts the unit with an air-launched cruise missile, 8 heavy multi-target missiles, and 10 40mm rockets.

VARIANTS

R0 - Base Ver.
The initial release variant of the ASF-121.

R1 - Maximum Attack Ver.
A unit with unnamed improvements on the nuclear propulsion unit and airframe, increasing the speed, range, and weight capacity of the machine.

R1.1 - Stealth Ver.
While the fuselage was decent in preventing radar detection, external hardpoints had a large radar cross-section and could not be used. A redesign to the lower-center fuselage was carried out and an internal weapons bay was installed there.

Various Base/Pilot-specific Units
Some military bases have special variants of the ASF-121 to fulfill the special needs of the location. For example, some units in North India are more suitable for longer attack runs on the nearby terrorist sites to the west.

PRODUCTION

The number of ASF-121 units produced is unknown and estimated to be between 300 and 600. The units were first pre-built, and ASTIND later moved to a more sustainable built-to-order scheme.

Only militaries may purchase ASF-121 units, however, some state governments (mostly in LDCs and the Americas) have broken into the private security market with these units.

Unit Cost (R1): $70 million