OpenXcom Forum
Modding => Released Mods => The X-Com Files => Topic started by: Slaughter on March 22, 2018, 05:24:59 am
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I think I already suggested this once before. The North American X-15 Rocketplane is a relatively old, yet very good little piece of technology. It has managed to reach speeds well in the range of Mach 6.72, reaching the speed of speed of 4,520 miles per hour (7,274 km/h; 2,021 m/s), tts speed record, in fact, has not been surpassed by any aircraft since. It also has flow as high as 80 miles, where its high enough to be considered space. In fact, the pilots who did that actually earned Astronaut wings!
Specs from wikipedia:
Specifications
Other configurations include the Reaction Motors XLR11 equipped X-15, and the long version.
General characteristics
Crew: one
Length: 50 ft 9 in (15.45 m)
Wingspan: 22 ft 4 in (6.8 m)
Height: 13 ft 6 in (4.12 m)
Wing area: 200 ft2 (18.6 m2)
Empty weight: 14,600 lb (6,620 kg)
Loaded weight: 34,000 lb (15,420 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 34,000 lb (15,420 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Reaction Motors XLR99-RM-2 liquid propellant rocket engine, 70,400 lbf at 30 km (313 kN)
Performance
Maximum speed: 4,520 mph (7,274 km/h)
Range: 280 mi (450 km)
Service ceiling: 67 mi (108 km, 354,330 ft)
Rate of climb: 60,000 ft/min (18,288 m/min)
Wing loading: 170 lb/ft2 (829 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 2.07
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/North_American_X-15_3-view.svg)
Now imagine something like it, but built with late 90s technology.
Something like a Rocketplane seems like a nice "hack" or alternative before/during the Interceptor phase of the game. The Rocketplane would probably be a speed-focused alternative to the Interceptor. A rocketplane like the X-15 would probably be slower and have less range once deployed with weaponry, but still outspeed the Interceptor. The Interceptor has better range, and may be more resistant.
So, my balance suggestions:
- Faster than Interceptor (say, 2x-3x times faster)
- One weapon slot only?
- Less resistance?
- Lower range.
I'm thinking it would be kind of an predecessor to that cool Scramjet X-COM can use later (I don't remember its name).
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I think it's a good idea for an "early" game interceptor. I like the idea that it's"hacked" together to respond to the budding alien threat. I could see similar hacking being done on the SR-71 Blackbird as well (maybe it could carry two weapons, and have a tad more range than the rocketplane and horrible dodge penalties if in OXCE+).
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Unfortunately there's already an "early" pre-interceptor plane available for a while. Also, you can buy a hummer that can participate in a dogfight against an UFO (assuming it can reach the target in time). Don't expect good performance in either though.
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Actually the latest update added yet another early interceptor. It's not easy to find though.
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Actually the latest update added yet another early interceptor. It's not easy to find though.
About that: I decided to run a randomly generated battle to check its ufopaedia entry, and the new ship is pretty much identical to the MIGs, with same stats. I suppose it's probably cheaper to compensate though. Still, is that intended?
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It's not exactly identical, but similar. I will check.
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For the range stat, is it measured in Freedom Units or Superior International units?