FX-101 Hayate

The **FX-101 Hayate** (**疾風**, "**Violent Wind**") was an advanced fighter used by the AUL.

## Background

After its formation, the North-East Asian Cooperative Alliance for Prosperity inherited a collection of older combat aircraft from a variety of sources. In order to standardise its inventory, they embarked on a series of programs to produce new aircraft. The FX-101 Hayate was one of the end-products of that program, being a highly advanced air superiority fighter that was well ahead of many other aircraft of the time. The Hayate entered service with the NEACAP's forces during the Global Civil War and saw service across a number of theatres.

In combat, the Hayate proved to be a quite capable and successful fighter. While demanding, in the hands of a skilled pilot it was capable of out-performing other contemporary fighters like the F-203 Dragon II, and was only matched by advanced fighters such as the Z-9 Peregrine. It was the favoured fighter of a number of ace pilots during the conflict, most infamously T.R. Edwards.

The NEACAP chose not to join the newly-formed United Earth Government, and instead became one of the major backers of the Anti-Unification League. As a result, the Hayate was fielded by AUL forces alongside other designs, such as the MiM-31 Karyovin. Initially, the fighter was highly effective in combat against UDEF opponents. However, with the introduction of the VF-1 Veritech to operations, the UEDF had an aircraft that could out-match it. Even if it was limited only to fighter mode, the VF-1's Robotechnology systems and fusion turbines meant it could out-perform any opponent.

Most of those Hayates 'loaned' to the AUL were lost by 2008. The remaining examples stayed in the NEACAP's inventory after the nation was forced into the UEG. Most of those were then destroyed in the Rain of Death, with none believed to have survived afterwards.

## Capabilities

Compared to other aircraft of the period, the Hayate took a number of radical design steps. The fighter featured a forward-swept wing platform, which offered a number of advantages, including enhanced maneuverability and low-speed performance. Furthermore, the fighter was equipped with two-dimensional thrust vectoring engines to further enhance its close-combat maneuverability. The result was a highly agile and responsive fighter that was an excellent dogfighter. In the hands of a skilled pilot, it was highly capable. However, it also was difficult to control and could be very unforgiving to inexperienced pilots.

Much like its airframe, the Hayate's avionics fit was top of the line. It was equipped with an advanced, long-range multimode radar system with full look-down and multi-tracking capabilities. It also included a surface scan mode to allow it to identify and track ground targets. Secondary sensors included an advanced infra-red search and track system. The Hayate was equipped with a modern radio communications system.

The skin of the Hayate is composed of an advanced titanium-steel alloy. The armor on the Hayate stops all small arms fire, provides fair protection against heavier infantry weapons, such as a 12.7mm machinegun round, and poor resistance to light mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Zentraedi 22.3mm HE autocannon round.

## Weapons and Equipment

* 2 **Six-Barreled 20mm Cannons:** Mounted in the wing roots. Fires 20mm Armour-Piercing Incendiary (API) or High-Explosive Incendiary (HEI) rounds. Approximate rate of fire 4000 rounds per minute; carries 650 rounds in a shared ammunition bin.

* 2 wingtip hardpoints for air-to-air missiles.

* 4 under-wing hardpoints for various ordinance including air to air and air-to-surface missiles as well as bombs.

* 1 centerline hardpoint for drop tanks and other equipment.

## Game Statistics

* **Required Rank:** 1

* **Designation:** FX-101

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – Light:** 2
	+ **Structure – Light:** 15
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed** – **Flight:** 2000 kph / 3.5 km / 350 Ground Units

### Weapons

* **20mm Cannons:** The Hayate is armed with a pair of cannons miniguns in the wing roots. These weapons have a high rate of fire and are designed for use in air-to-air combat against other aircraft. They inflict x3 Light damage to targets and have a range of Long [L1][H]

* **Wingtip Missiles:** The Hayate is equipped with two wingtip hardpoints for air-to-air missiles. This weapon can only be used as a part of an Equipment Suite. [H]

* **Wing-Mounted Missile Hardpoints:** The Hayate can carry a small compliment of missiles under its wings. Pick one from the following options. [H]
	+ **Tactical Missiles:** The Hayate can carry Tactical Missiles under the wings. This weapon can only be used as a part of an Equipment Suite. [H]
	+ **Bomb Racks:** The Hayate carries four racks of Smart Bombs under its wings. These racks release guided 'smart' bombs that glide towards their target, inflicting x2 Mecha-Class damage on a hit. They have a range of Short and attacks with Bombs may be used a total of 2 times. [H][B10]

* **No Melee:** The Hayate cannot engage in melee except to make Ramming attacks.

### Features

* **Atmosphere Only:** The Hayate can only be used in an Earth-like atmosphere.

### Equipment Suites

* **Tactical Missiles:** The Hayate carries two air-to-air missiles on the wingtips for use against enemy aircraft. These weapons can be used up to Long range. These weapons inflict Mecha-class damage. This Equipment Suite can only be used if the Tactical Missiles option is chosen above. [B5]
	+ **Uses:** 1 + 2 if the Tactical Missiles option is taken
	+ **Skill:** 4

* **Aerial Trick:** The FX-101 is nimble in the air, which makes it hard to hit. Use this ability when defending against attacks.
	+ **Uses:** Unlimited
	+ **Skill:** 2

## Notes

* Design Notes
* Image Gallery