OPNET Resource Vehicle Data

Executive Aerospace Hawk

Century Hawk (left) and Executive Hawk (right)

Description

The Hawk was designed as a small, executive transport hybrid. To reduce size and weight, EA did not rely on the typical fusionjet tilt-rotor scheme. Instead it mounted the Hawk’s engines on a centerline spar and used advanced thrust vectoring to maneuver. This replaced the bulky and maintenance heavy tilt-assemblies required on traditional designs. Having the engines mounted externally also cut down on heavy heat, sound, and radiation shielding. Because this meant in-flight repair could only be accomplished with a spacewalk, EA used the powerful and highly reliable PW-1400J engines, which were usually mounted on long-range cargo craft.

The originial Hawk was equipped to comfortably transport four, with spartan facilities for the crew of two. A powerful communications suite, including a tight-beam laser communications rig, was installed to keep the craft’s occupants in constant communication with their offices. Because this craft was produced so long after the Aberrant war, it was initially not equipped with any weapon systems.

The Steelhawk takes advantage of several new technologies, not available when the Hawk line was first opened. The first is a Olmanium composite skin that provides additional protection while still being lighter then pure Olmanium. The Steelhawk also benefits from EA's ABAS system (Advanced Biocomputing Avionics System) which allows the craft to "learn" its pilots flying style. By automatically predicting pilot behavior, the system adapts and optimizes the performance of the ship to match. The Steelhawk also sports the most modern Orgotek bio-leather seats, Scallop air scrubbers and RealWood (TM) accents.

Talon Hawk (left) and Steel Hawk (right)

History

In 2096, L-B spawned off a multi-national design group called Executive Aerospace with the goal to produce high quality transportation for wealthy business personnel. The design specifications called for craft as small as comfortably possible with the capability to act as a mobile office. The first craft designed was the EA Hawk.

The initial model, called the "Century Hawk", was released in 2100, just in time for the new century. Its sales were far below the expected 40 units in three years due to a vibrational problem on the engine spars when under heavy thrust. Although not dangerous to the engines or airframe, it bothered the passengers and interfered with the laser communicator. Sales were hurt again when a media executive learning to fly overrode the control safeties and pushed the thrusters to the max. The resulting loss of control severely damaged the craft, and broke the executive’s lower spine. The lawsuit and media circus that followed forced EA to redesign the craft.

The craft was re-released in 2103 as the "Executive Hawk". The PW-1400J engines were replaced with smaller and less reliable PW-1100. This solved both the vibrational and control problems. The cabin was redesigned for greater safety, and the craft was advertised as the "safe and comfortable way to travel". Sales were slightly higher until the Aberrants returned in 2104. Executives and aircrews became wary of the craft’s lack of weaponry, and engineers did not want to leave their craft to work on the engines. Yet again, the Hawk was a victim of outside circumstance.

EA decided that a major design change was necessary to give the craft "new legs". The rear cargo-pods were removed and the main engines positioned aft of the fuselage. Smaller thrusters were placed in the main engine’s old position for atmospheric VTOL flight and better maneuverability out of the atmosphere. Two cabins were reduced in size to make room for cargo space and weaponry was added. This aggressive new design was marketed in 2106 as the "Talon Hawk". Not popular as executive craft, Talons had to be sold at low cost to cover expenses. This made them a popular light-cargo hauler with the belt and Jovian moon communities. Due to the advantages over the other variants, the Talon was easy to modify, and variations of the original design quickly became common.

In 2120, Executive Aerospace split from L-B and moved its base of operations from China to Gabrone, Botswana (UAN). Eager to produce a new product, but constrained with the problems of a new company, a very advanced version of the Hawk line, the Steelhawk, was released in 2122. To produce this ship EA formed many cooperative alliances with other companies. The result was a very coveted aerospace craft that many wealthy lunar and orbital executives longed to posess.

Statistics

The statistics for the Hawk series of spacecraft show the three different variants and are organized as follows: C=Century, E=Executive, T=Talon, S=Steel.

VT: Hybrid
Tech: Hard
Crew: 2 (two sets of controls, but only 1 needed to fly)
Cabins: C and E- 4 comfy, 2 cramped; T- 2 comfy, 4 cramped; S- 6 comfy
Cargo: C and E- 200 cumets; T- 150 cumets; S- 220 cumets
CS: C, S- Mach 1.5, E- Mach 1.25, T- Mach 1.25
TS: C, S- Mach 1.8, E- Mach 1.5, T- Mach 1.6
VS: C- 5.5, E- 4, T- 3 (short bursts up to 5), S- 4 (with bursts up to 5)
Handling: C, S- +2, E- +1, T- +3
Sensor: +2
Mass: C, E, T- 15; S- 18
Cost: C, E, T- 7 (Surviving C's are rare, and T's are only found in the belt); S- 8
Armor: C and E- 3 [5]; T- 4 [5] ; S- 5[5]
Weapons (T and S only):

Other: (C and E) Advanced laser communications, full mobile office or bar/lounge. Steelhawk has bio-computer based avionics and Olmanium composite armor.

Back