MX-5 INTERCEPTOR

The MX-5 Interceptor was designed to take advantage of higher G-force manuevers only possible in a remotely piloted vehicle. A forward swept wing, two-dimensional thrust vectoring design, the Interceptor is a supermanuverability combat drone with speeds and accelerations exceeding that of any existing manned fighter.

Airframe
The lifting-body airframe is dominated in the front by the twin, shielded, air intakes that dwarf the sensor housing nose of the craft. The wings rake forward from either side of the intakes with large angled down tailfins giving a "butterfly" effect. The Interceptor utilizes twin Rolls-Royce RT-370 ducted turbofans with a cumulative thrust more than twice that necessary to lift the craft in VTOL mode.

Stealth Characteristics
The structure of the MX-5 Interceptor was constructed with extensive stealth characteristics in mind. The compressors are located deep within the air intake shrouds, which themselves are designed to scatter radar waves. Rounded leading edges and angled surfaces across the body reduce the radar return. High level thermal baffles bleed off heat from the exhaust, and a RAM coating applied to the entire airframe soaks up radar emissions.

Defensive Systems
The Interceptor hosts an integral Vanquisher minigun built into it's centerline with a suppressed muzzle that eliminates radar returns from the barrel of the gun. A 1,000 round drum is mounted just forward and above the gun itself and feeds depleted uranium, armor piercing, caseless rounds to the weapon.
Four Dragon's Breath AAMs are loaded into two side bays that feed into a central launcher that is capable of launching two AAMs at a time from folding panels that double as LIDs (Lift Improvement Devices) when open. A Saab Saeker can be mounted on a wingtip rail on each wing for additional firepower. This of course reduces the signature of the Interceptor, but the already high rating makes this reduction acceptable for just about any scenario.