Date: Wed, 04 Mar 1998 13:10:44 +0000
From: Stephen.Passey@durham.ac.uk
[CON-X]:AURORA

The Aurora Interceptor:

The Aurora was part of a covert research project instigated by the US
Government and Lockheed in the eighties and culminated in 1990 with the
first prototype Aurora. Flown by Lt. Gerard Craw the Aurora I’s maiden
flight lasted approximately thirty seconds, before the ignition of the
Pulse Wave Detonation Engines unfortunately consumed the aircraft
reducing it to a mess of molten metal. Since this first incident
security around the Aurora has been excessively tight and when Aegis
absorbed the Project to Area 51 in 1992 the first two Interceptors were
fully operable and capable of Mach 6 tops. In 1993 Scientists at the
Ranch attempted to modify the Aurora’s systems using an Atlantean
engineering nanotech, which had been found on the body of a Black Book
agent recovered after an operation in Tokyo, Japan. The nanotech built
within the Aurora a plane-pilot interface of stunning power, enabling
manouvers unthought of before. With the use of Atlantean
inertial-dampening fields and pilots infused with Atlantean Pilot
Interface Nanotechnology Aegis now had a small squadron of unstoppable,
super-manouverable, super-stealthy aircraft whose speeds could match
those of the unwelcome aliens’ craft.
Further research in ‘94 found the Aurora equipped with adapted Grey psi
lenses that could be used to enhance the VR interface, radar and
targeting systems. Not long after came the Psychically-guided high
explosive anti-aircraft missiles that made the Aurora complete.

General Operation:

The Aurora is a short take-off, long landing aircraft with a top speed
of Mach 6-8. The aircraft uses conventional jet engines for its
take-offs or landings and utilises a Pulse Wave Detonation Engine system
to achieve its maximum velocity. This system applies liquid methane or
hydrogen onto the surface of the aircraft’s fuselage itself before
igniting the fuel to acquire the desired acceleration. When using this
means of propulsion the Aurora literally becomes a ball of fire; Aegis
have warned against the use of the PWDEs at low altitude or near centres
of population. The sonic boom produced by an Aurora’s acceleration was
once recorded by seismologists mistakenly as an earthquake signal, and
Aegis researchers have tried to fine tune the engines so that the
difference is hard to detect.
Armour on the Aurora is limited to offensive weaponry and ECM. Though
the fuselage can withstand extreme temperatures so that the PWDEs may
operate the airframe must be kept as light as possible, and though tough
with regards manouvering, the Aurora is a soft target, if it is ever
caught.
The control interface is as simple as possible, and consists solely of
an Atlantean structure centred around a metallic sphere. Two armrests
made of moulded alloy run either side of this feature upon which the
pilot places his arms and hands. The metal surface provides the
proximity interface with the Atlantean Nanotech within the body, and
once contact is achieved between body and machine the VRHUD descends
over the pilot’s eyes and his arms are locked into place by magnetic
contacts. The VRHUD offers a full 360 degree view around the ‘plane to a
range of 250km using medium detail. Extreme range is 500km and a close
range system can be adopted for combat based upon a 100km range. The
visual output is based upon part clairvoyant, part high-density radar
and microwave scan data. Output can be modified to IR, UV and other
channels allowing certain features to be located around the aircraft.
The pilot wears an insulated fluid-filled anti-G suit. Combined with
the inertial dampening fields the craft's Atlantean systems provide this
enables truly amazing feats of aerobatics including 180 degree turns at
Mach 2-3 and the 'impossible' right-angled manouvering patterns reported
by UFO witnesses worldwide.
Missiles are fired by mental command and targets allocated similarly
(Aurora Gunnery Skill - use of Psi missiles requires a Strong ESP point
or Psychotron Skill). Though this improves lock-on somewhat, the process
is overall no faster than conventional methods as several failsafes are
required to prevent accidental missile release. The advantage of the
system lies in the stealthy non-radar technology offered by Psi-guidance
and thus no ECM can jam an Aurora’s missle. Furthermore, the missiles
function solely using physical rocketry and telekinetic manouvering
systems and so they have no electronics to be disabled. Guns are
computer-guided and can be set to track all hostile targets or
concentrate on one in particular. Bombs are laser or
clairvoyantly-guided. Flight control is via the VRHUD virtual control
interface.

Appearance:

The Aurora is 110ft long and has a delta wingspan of 75ft. This makes
the Aurora a large aircraft compared to most interceptor types; the size
difference being necessary due to the mass of the ramjet PWDEs. The
fuselage lies integral to the delta wing and is rather similar to a
squashed and elongated rugby ball. Heat-resistant, black tiles cover the
whole aircraft to protect it from the blast caused by the Pulse Wave
Detonators, and these cause the smell of burnt carbon that surrounds any
Aurora. The tiles on the underside of the plane cover 12 hardpoints with
various optional armaments. On the delta wing there are mounted smaller
manouvering fins and a system of intricate grooves devoted to cutting
the Aurora’s x-section in order to improve aerodynamics.
The Aurora is protected by a stealth system that utilises
radar-absorbent materials and dampening fields based on advanced
extraterrestrial (probably Atlantean) systems. This enables it to evade
detection (Df4 to detect even with a concerted sweep).

Armaments:

4 Clairvoyant Targeting missiles wired to a Psychotronic backup.
The Aurora Psychotron carries 4 Psi points of Clairvoyance used mainly
for targeting Psi missiles; there is also a reserve of Clairvoyant and
Telekinetic Psi energy used for scanning and launching these
missiles. The Aurora’s missiles have BL7.
4 Conventional AA missiles or Air to Ground equivalents. These have BL6.
2 360 degree field of fire Psi-targeting Gatling Cannon.
2 Fuel Pod hardpoints; optional freefall ordnance or ECM/JCM pods. Aegis
has not yet used the Aurora in Air to Ground engagements for security
reasons.