Elite Dangerous Bounty Hunting in an Viper Mk 4
===========================In-Game Description===================================
Faulcon deLacy's Viper MkIV takes the MkIII model and beefs it up to a heavy fighter role. While it lacks the speed of the older ship, it enjoys much better protection from its shields and armour. With the capacity for a more capable powerplant and frame shift drive, the MkIV is also better suited for long-range patrols and rapid deployment. The powerplant upgrade potential supports greater customization for weapons and modules, making this a versatile fighter that would be and excellent addition to any navy or private-security concern.
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The Viper MkIV, built by Faulcon DeLacy, is a heavy fighter craft designed for ship-to-ship combat superiority. Its improved internal capabilities, such as its ability to fit a class-4 power plant, make it more capable as a multirole fighter compared to the Viper MkIII, of which it is the successor.[1]
The Viper MkIV has a delta-shaped hull which is significantly wider than the MkIII. The cockpit is situated just behind the bow, slightly raised. Compared to the MkIII, the MkIV's cockpit is less exposed.
The MkIV lands on two small rear struts and one large front strut which doubles as a boarding ramp to the cockpit.
The MkIV has weaker shields than the MkIII by default due to its higher hull mass. Despite this, the MkIV is capable of fitting a class-4 shield generator, unlike the MkIII. This, combined with an improved hull, gives the MkIV superior protection.
These improvements over the MkIII come with the drawbacks of slightly worse manoeuvrability and speed. The MkIV also features a larger hull, which makes it a bigger target. Like the MkIII, it has poor heat dissipation. Prolonged usage of high-output modules easily pushes the ship's temperature over its cooling capacity.
The Viper MkIV's hardpoint options are identical to its predecessor. It has two small hardpoints located on either side of the cockpit and two medium hardpoints located beneath it. However, unlike the Viper MkIII (which has underside-mounted class-2 medium hardpoints on a horizontally flat plane), the class-2 medium hardpoints of the MkIV are on a slightly angled part of the hull.
The Viper MkIV's underside-mounted class-2 medium hardpoints have a fairly narrow field of fire. Because they are placed further down the ship, gimballed and turreted weapons cannot aim very far above the center crosshair without the front of the ship obstructing their line of fire. The two class-1 small hardpoints, which are placed in front of the cockpit of the ship, do not suffer from this problem.
All ships are highly customizable through the Outfitting menu of Station Services. Listed below is the default load-out for the Viper MkIV.
Default version
Manufacturer Faulcon DeLacy
Dimensions 29.9L - 24.7W - 8.7H
Type Fighter
Cost 437,930 CR
Insurance 21,896 CR
Top Speed 271 m/s
Boost Speed 342 m/s
Manoeuvrability 4
Shields 103 MJ
Armour 270
Hull Mass 190 t
Cargo Capacity 18 t
Fuel Capacity 16 t
Unladen Jump Range 10.36 ly
Landing Pad Size Small
Hardpoints 2x Utility Mounts
2x Small Hardpoints
2x Medium Hardpoints
Internals 1x Size 1 Compartment
2x Size 2 Compartments
1x Size 3 Compartment
2x Size 4 Compartments
Maximum/Upgraded versions
Jump Range 27.38 ly
Top Speed 314 m/s
Top Boost 395 m/s
Cargo Capacity 50 t
Ship values
Mass lock factor 7
