Korpen Aerospace/Close Orbit Interceptor

Designed as the eventual replacement for the Gripen, the Korpen aerospace/close orbit interceptor is finding its way into the fleets of the Sword Worlds, albeit slowly. While a credible TL12 fighter capable of operating in both space and atmospheres for extended periods, it is notably more expensive than the trusted Gripen – while only MCr2 greater per unit, when outfitting entire wings this can quickly add up. The larger maintenance costs, however, are negligible.

Eschewing a reaction drive for primary thrust, the Korpen instead has a modern manoeuvre drive installed, allowing it to stay on station for longer periods of time and opening up the potential to be used as a patrol fighter. It retains an auxiliary high-burn thruster allowing it to keep pace with a Gripen, but only for 20 minutes.

In additional it swaps the light laser cannons for harder hitting heavy gauss cannons, and some squadrons have started to experiment with variant ammunition slugs for these weapons. However, the primary offensive capability of the Korpen remains a single starship-grade torpedo.