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[VoidSlayer]

The existing missile is already highly maneuverable, maybe redesign it for more energy dense fuel, costing more Chemicals in production to allow a longer range?  +1 chemical cost will not impose any additional expense, leaving them inexpensive.

Z-2 Weaver

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Extreme altitude fighter, built for intercepting enemy fighters in the air. Has a payload of several Needle SRAAM.  Seats two with the second pilot acting to guide the missiles. Shooting for a cost of [3 Ores, 2 Chemicals, Expensive]

[Graknorke]

How's it going to be guided though? For long range weapons it becomes impractical (but not impossible) to have the pilot actively involved in targeting. Are heat-seeking missiles within the technological limits we have? Because for anti-aircraft use it would be a good idea.

[VoidSlayer]

How's it going to be guided though? For long range weapons it becomes impractical (but not impossible) to have the pilot actively involved in targeting. Are heat-seeking missiles within the technological limits we have? Because for anti-aircraft use it would be a good idea.

All good questions!  Ground based radar could guide it, but only as a defensive over our own airspace.

[Graknorke]

Well as far as I can tell there's the following possibilities:

• The guidance is done by the pilot: Taxing on their concentration, Confed pilots are skilled but the piloting will probably take a hit.
• Guidance from the ground: Can only be used in own airspace, so really not too great for increasing air superiority.
• Add another seat, allow for another crew member to control weapons: Allows them to focus entirely on guiding the missile in, which would be very beneficial for accuracy. However, the aircraft would need to be a lot bigger, which means compromises have to be made elsewhere.
• Something unprecedented in current equipment and likely to fail at first.

[~Neri]

We could sacrifice speed for an extra pilot and whatnot.

[Stirk]

I like the solar panel idea, while they are pretty fragile for weapons they could act as a bases for heat-absorbing armor if your enemies go the laser route.

I would say we should concentrate on range. If they can't see us. They can't shoot us.

So we will likely be using missiles with the fighters.

Although machineguns are useful also.

There is no reason we can't make an absurdly long range sniper machine gun (You know, besides that pesky logic or whatever.)

[Parsely]

Technology: Solar Panel

Silicon-based photovoltaic cells are used to convert solar radiation into electrical energy. They're efficient enough to power small satellites on their own, and if mounted on larger vessels will increase their mission times. Absolutely necessary for the development of a space station or other extraterrestrial outposts.

[Stirk]

Oh yeah, before I forget to mention it. I don't know how important our sidearms will be, but it should be easy to get a leg up on our enemies in that realm. If we ever find we have enough extra time to develop it, it really shouldn't take too much effort to design a high-capacity automatic Personal Defense Weapon that would give us an advantage in any man-on-man fights.

[VoidSlayer]

If we can set up an orbital radar satellite system, we could have longer range Needles guided remotely by it or even a surface to orbit variant launched by fighters and ground installations.

[Sensei]

Attempt to expand the Z-1's payload.

[LordSlowpoke]

Attempt to expand the Z-1's payload.

not much to be done this year, so +1

[~Neri]

We should see how much it costs to make another lab also.

[Parsely]

Revision: Z-1 Rocket Fighter

A test pilot attempts to take off in a modified Z-1 with a tripled payload, but longitudinal instability caused by the extra load prevents him from pulling up. The pilot, realizing what was happening, was forced to eject in the middle of the runway. The test aircraft, no longer under control, careened off the end of the runway and exploded when it ran into a shallow ditch. The pilot landed safely, and luckily no one else was hurt in the explosion or while subduing the fire, but the test aircraft was lost. Engineers agreed to postpone the project after the setback due to budget concerns.

[Stirk]

(Derpt)

...Lets find someone to blame for that failure, while focusing on our roaring success. This is in no way to cover a stupid oversight on my part.

[~Neri]

Nope. No. Don't blame it on anyone. Blame it on Physics. How dare Physics not allow this to happen?