From late in 108PA on in Wa-Daisho's history there have been troubles with aerial protection. Mostly, it was just a perturberance, high speed aircraft occasionally skirting Wa-Daisho's territory, or perhaps even high flying low speed aircraft flying directly over Wa-Daisho's territory. It wasn't until the Coalition States aircraft first started appearing over Wa-Daisho that it was considered a serious threat. Mostly, the CS would send single, or pairs of Nightwing Attack Aircraft into the air space of Wa-Daisho. They were specially fitted and equipped for photography purposes, and would skirt the territory, photographing the vessels of Wa-Daisho, Water Point Preserve, Allied Naval Fleet and also Fortifications around the city itself. No aircraft in Wa-Daisho were equipped to give pursuit, or to ward these aircraft away. Missiles are not known as being good political tools, and so they were not an option to use on an aggressor that was not acting in a directly threatening way.
In 112PA, Wa-Daisho's Republican Council chose to make purchase of nine specially modified Gray Falcon Jet Interceptors from Iron Heart Armaments, to meet this threat head on. They were high performance aircraft, and relatively heavily armed, thus the prayers of Wa-Daisho's Airmen had been answered - or so it seemed.
Engagements began shortly after the aircrafts arrival. The Raidens would be sent up, and would make radio contact with the CS aircraft, usually then the CS Nightwings would turn and "Bug Out". A few months later however, that would not be the case. A pair of Nightwings were again in the vicinity of the city, and a pair of Raidens were scrambled to chase them off. This time however, the CS aircraft did not just turn tail and run. After a brief brutal aerial engagement both Raidens had been shot down, with only one of the CS Nightwings having been damaged. Both enemy aircraft managed to escape after the battle. (Note: The damaged aircraft crash landed somewhere in California, and the crew was rescued later that week by a CS Death's Head Transport.) Indeed the Raiden, although impressive, was no match for the CS Nightwing.
In 115PA a series of modifications were conducted on the Raiden, to increase the armament of the aircraft, hoping to give more of an edge over the CS Aircraft that were still pestering the borders of Wa-Daisho. Sadly however, the modifications were still not enough to make it a reasonable contender, and a cloud seemed to hang over the Raiden's remaining time in the service of the Air Superiority Platoon of Wa-Daisho. It was eventually replacement in 116PA, by Bushido Industries Katana Class Star Fighters, which were considered far above anything currently in service in North America.
Model Type: Type 12 Raiden.
Class: Interceptor.
Crew: 1.
M.D.C. by Location: See RIFTS Mercenaries, page 113.
Performance:
Maximum Speed: Mach 3.2; Mach 2.9 after the 115PA refit.
Range: Nuclear power gives it continual energy, but the jets overheat especially badly because of the increased performance output. It will require an hour cooling period after 3 hours of continuous use above 200 mph, or 1.5 hours above 600 mph.
Statistical Data: See RIFTS Mercenaries, page 113 with the following modifications;
Weight: 21 tons initially, 22 tons after 115PA refit.
Weapon Systems: See RIFTS Mercenaries, page 113-114 with the following modifications;
3. Forward Mounted Rail Gun: The forward mounted rail gun in the GF-1B was later removed in 115PA, to be replaced by a Type 13 RFFC and later still a Type 13/15 RFFC mount. This new weapon had a greater range, and greater damage capabilities while also still having good payload capabilities. The only downfall of such a weapon is the fact that it is not a weapon that can spray an area, and must be precisely aimed at a target.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Aircraft.
Secondary Purpose: Defense.
Mega-Damage: 2D4x10 M.D. per rapid fire dual shells.
Blast Radius: 3'.
Rate of Fire: Dual fired shells only.
Maximum Effective Range: 2,000' for the Type 13 RFFC, 5,000' for the Type 13/15 RFFC.
Payload: 400 20 mm cannon shells, for 200 dual shell bursts.
5. Wing Mounted Pulse Lasers: A quartet of pulse lasers were built into the upper side of the wings in the form of blisters, in 115PA to provide more combat capability to the aircraft, to increase it's chances of survival in a dog fight.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Aircraft.
Secondary Purpose: Defense.
Mega-Damage: They are typically fired in unison at a target, in a large burst inflicting 3D4x10+24 M.D. to any target struck.
Blast Radius: Not applicable, but the spread at 1,000' is about 8', closing to 1' at 2,000'.
Rate of Fire: Equal to the pilot's hand to hand attacks.
Maximum Effective Range: 2,000'.
Payload: Effectively Unlimited; Thanks to the nuclear power supply.
6. Systems of Note: The Raiden, is equipped with an assortment of systems meant to give the Raiden an edge in combat, many of which were present when the aircraft was initially constructed, but some of which were added when the aircraft was updated in 115PA.
1. Aerial Radar: The Raiden is specifically outfitted with Aerial Radar systems for detection of air targets. It has a range of 30 miles, and can track up to 48 targets. Note that because of this aircrafts intended purpose, it was NOT outfitted with the typical Attack Aircraft, look down capabilities that the standard GF-1A would have been outfitted with.
2. Communications: As an interceptor, the aircraft must have sufficient radio capabilities for contacting potentially hostile aircraft. It's range is 500 miles when at high altitude - and has directional capabilities up to 10 miles.
3. Radar Detector: This system allows the Raiden to detect any radar waves striking the aircraft, informing it of when it has been picked up, and from what direction. This system is semi-smart, meaning that it can tell the difference between passive radar, and the much stronger signal of combat radar - and discerns between them through the changes in tone. A missile's radar signature is oftentimes the strongest, and will give the loudest tone - allowing the operator of the aircraft a chance to evade the missile. If the pilot opts, the Radar Detector MAY be linked to the Chaff & Flare dispenser to release Chaff & Flares automatically when a missile is detected by this system. Note: This system was added by technicians in 115PA.
4. Chaff & Flare Dispenser: This dual system is designed to negate the effectiveness of missiles without resorting to dangerous maneuvers and such when in the process of aiming, etc. If the incoming missile is Radar Guided, the Chaff has an 80% chance of throwing it off course, if it is Optical or Heat guided, the flare has a 90% chance of
knocking it off course. This system may be activated by the flip of a switch, and may be activated by the Radar Detector mentioned previously. Note: This system was added by technicians in 115PA.
5. HUD & Targeting Computer: This system gives the pilot his perspective of what is occurring outside of the aircraft. It aids him in operations of the aircraft, as well as in the task of targeting, aiming, and firing of weapons. It provides a bonus of +2 to strike a target with any integral weapon system.