Viper (Oolite)

ship name::Viper Patrol Craft (Oolite)

Size (W×H×L)	50 m×ship height::18 m×ship length::65 m
Cargo capacity	ship cargo capacity::N/A
Cargo bay extension	ship cargo extension::N/A
Maximum speed	ship speed::0.32 LM
Manoeuvrability	Roll: 2.8 Pitch: 1.8
Energy banks	ship energy banks::2
Energy recharge rate	Good (4.0)
Gun mounts	Fore
Missile slots	ship missile slots::1
Shield boosters available	ship supports shield booster::No
Military shields available	ship supports mil shields::No
Hyperspace capable	ship can hyperspace::No
OXP or standard	{{#set:ship is standard=Standard}}Standard
Available to player	ship is player flyable::No
Base price	ship base price::N/A

Overview

The distinctive arrowhead shape of the Viper patrol craft is a frequent sight around all space stations, even in the most dangerous systems with the most poorly funded police forces. A small, nimble craft optimized for routine GalCop police patrols, it is a shape that can strike fear into the hearts of smugglers and pirates. The ship is typically single-crew, but for special purposes can carry up to 10 (mostly for boarding and sting raids against smugglers).

Notable Features

The Viper is an old design, having first rolled out from Faulcon Manspace Reorte in 2762. However, it is one of those designs that was just right, hence its longevity. Although the original design is relatively slow and the shielding/hull strength a little on the weak side to take on ships such as the fearsome Rattle Cutter, it still performs admirably as a local patrol craft for station defense and anti-smuggling inspections.

Standard fitting is a row of magenta and blue strobe lights, which the crew will illuminate when actively pursuing another craft, or signaling it to stop. All too many commanders try and run when they see the flashing lights - but this usually elicits death by laser from the Viper.

A few older Vipers have appeared on the civilian markets, sold as the Renegade Viper. Sales were halted when it became clear that the ship was popular as an inexpensive pirate fighter since a trader would normally not pay much attention to a Viper, believing it to be a GalCop police vessel. If the craft was a Renegade piloted by a pirate, this usually was the last action of the said trader.