By the way, you can research something multiple times to learn more info about it.
Light Scout Analysis
3 - Medium progress
Our team has finished preliminary studies on the recovered UFO hull, which was designated the "Light Scout". It is very small compared to some of the orbital signals we have detected; barely more than a probe.
It is approximately a dozen meters from nose to tail, comprising a "saucer" section and two "wings" filled with what we believe to be sensor equipment. Two small thrusters mounted on the back of the saucer provide propulsion. The craft does not appear to have a reactor of any kind, instead seeming to draw power from rechargeable capacitors in the wings. It is almost certainly not capable of independent operation, instead it would need to be launched from a "home" vessel at the start of each mission (and return there afterwards).
It has poor combat performance for such an advanced vessel; it is no match for one of our Condor interceptors. The main weapon is an energy cannon mounted beneath the saucer, which has a relatively slow fire speed and a shorter range than our Sidewinder missiles. The armoured shell is remarkably strong and impressively heat-resistant given it is only a few millimeters thick, but is too thin to offer much protection against modern munitions. Enjoy the gentle introduction while it lasts, commanders - I doubt the larger ships will be such easy prey.
It is now the Engineering phase. You know the drill. Why not purchase a few new interceptors?
Balance: 190 credits
(you can rename the two alien species encountered so far (lizardmen and greys) to something else if you want)
Weapons:
-M16: An assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO rounds. Has 20 round mags and questionable reliability since our suppliers either fail to trust us with actually decent equipment, or just hate us. Acceptable for medium range.
-Low/Infinite/Unreliable
-M9: A semi automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm with 15 round mags. Compact, but short range.
-Low/Infinite/None
-Tavor-21: A bullpup assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO rounds, and it's compatible with the same STANAG magazines used by our M16s. We've managed to procure a lot of 30 round STANAG magazines, primarily to use with it, but we can also load the 30 rounders into our M16s if we get desperate. The integrated M203 grenade launcher is quite heavy, but we've also gotten integrated reflex sights on these rifles.
-Below Average/10cr/None
Armor:
-Basic Armor: Surplus armor vests and helmets, worn over surplus camo. It might provide some protection from kinetic attacks, but who knows. Video cameras have been attached to the helmets, for live combat footage.
-Infinite Supply
Aircraft:
-Condor: A modified F-16, that has been optimized for UFO combat. Various modifications include heat resistant metals being used for plating, larger fuel tanks, and a lighter payload to reduce weight.
-1 cannon hardpoint, 4 light hardpoints
-Low/25cr/None
-F-22 Raptor: A fast air superiority stealth fighter, with 6 internal light hardpoints, and an internally mounted cannon hardpoint. It's expensive, but it'll be worth the cost, especially compared to the modified surplus F-16s we've been using until now.
-1 cannon hardpoint, 6 light hardpoints
-High/60cr/Long Repairs
-Blackhawk: A transport helicopter. Has a decent amount of room.
-Can carry 8 soldiers and 1 vehicle
-Low/50cr/None
Aircraft Weapons:
-Autocannon: A modified Vulcan 20mm autocannon that's used on our interceptors. It has enough ammo for 300 shots, and shoots quite fast, but it hasn't been tested for anti-UFO usage.
-Mountable on Cannon hardpoints
-Low/Free/None
-Sidewinder Missiles: Light air to air missiles. One per hardpoint.
-Mountable on Light/Heavy hardpoints
-Low/Free/None
Light Scout: Our team has finished preliminary studies on the recovered UFO hull, which was designated the "Light Scout". It is very small compared to some of the orbital signals we have detected; barely more than a probe.
It is approximately a dozen meters from nose to tail, comprising a "saucer" section and two "wings" filled with what we believe to be sensor equipment. Two small thrusters mounted on the back of the saucer provide propulsion. The craft does not appear to have a reactor of any kind, instead seeming to draw power from rechargeable capacitors in the wings. It is almost certainly not capable of independent operation, instead it would need to be launched from a "home" vessel at the start of each mission (and return there afterwards).
It has poor combat performance for such an advanced vessel; it is no match for one of our Condor interceptors. The main weapon is an energy cannon mounted beneath the saucer, which has a relatively slow fire speed and a shorter range than our Sidewinder missiles. The armoured shell is remarkably strong and impressively heat-resistant given it is only a few millimeters thick, but is too thin to offer much protection against modern munitions. Enjoy the gentle introduction while it lasts, commanders - I doubt the larger ships will be such easy prey.
Phase 1 Human Weapons:
-IWI Tavor-21: 8
-Remington 870: 1
Phase 1 Alien Weapons:
-Alien Orange Rifle: 4
-Alien Orange Pistol: 4
-Alien Beam Rifle: 4
-Alien Beam Pistol: 6
Lizardman Corpses:
-2 lizardman guards
-5 lizardman crewmen
-1 lizardman pilot
Grey Corpses:
-4 grey guards
-3 grey soldiers
-4 grey crewmen
-1 grey pilot
Phase 1 UFOs:
-1 Light Scout Wreck
-1 Scout Wreck
Condor-001: Available | Loadout: 1x Autocannon, 4x Sidewinder Missiles
Condor-002: Repairing (1 turn) | Loadout: 1x Autocannon, 4x Sidewinder Missiles
Condor-003: Repairing (1 turn) | Loadout: 1x Autocannon, 4x Sidewinder Missiles
Condor-004: Available | Loadout: 1x Autocannon, 4x Sidewinder Missiles
Condor-005: Retrieving (1 turn) | Loadout: 1x Autocannon, 4x Sidewinder Missiles
Condor-006: Available | Loadout: 1x Autocannon, 4x Sidewinder Missiles
Blackhawk-001: Available
Blackhawk-001: Available
USA:
-Crashsite-003: 1 crashed light scout, desert, expires in 2 turns, minimal estimated hostile count