ORIGINS
The ZM-40 Rapier is a transatmospheric interceptor designed and manufactured by the Zimmond design bureau based on the planet Hellion V. It is the newest combat small craft used by the Combined Armed Forces of the Strax Ascendancy (CAFSA.)

As the conflict between the Ascendancy and Union intensified following the fall of Regulus Prime and Zecarov II to Ascendancy forces, the Union began transferring its more advanced units into the war torn region of space. 

To face the increased number of Union missile destroyers and frigates, along with fresh bomber wings, the Ascendancy put forward the order to Ascendancy Aeronatucs and Zimmond to design a interceptor. 

Throughout the year and a half prior to the initiation of Operation Moonlight, the two design bureau's competed using various design concepts. Zimmond would go on to win the contract, who then proceeded to double down on the design. For the two year campaign that was Operation Moonlight, Zimmon finalized the concept and began testing various components.

In the year following Moonlight, the CAFSA began going through a modernization program. This threw a few wrenches into Zimmond's design process as the Rapier design had been using a number of technologies now considered outdated by Ascendancy military standards, so Zimmond had to decide whether to continue on or rework the design to fit the new standards.

While the retooling would cause delays, it was decided it would overall benefit the design if Zimmond introduced the new technology. As such, the Rapier was not combat ready for the beginning of Operation Behemoth, the Ascendancy's invasion of Sathanas Prime. 

During Behemoth, certain rewarded pilots were taken and given training in the new interceptor. These pilots formed the Ascendancy's first interceptor wings, which were put into combat in the midpoint of Operation Behemoth.

CREW
As per the Ascendancy's United Maintenance Plan, the Rapier is equipped with the same cockpit as the Scimitar. This design houses a single pilot which controls the craft via a dual control stick layout. The cockpit is tightly fitted, incorporating flight controls, view screens, targeting systems, and tracking equipment. 

A full, pressurized seal along with various scrubbers allows the cockpit to retain an atmosphere. This is all housed in the ejection pod system that allows the pilot to escape a doomed craft for extraction.

DESIGN
The internal structure of the Scimitar is composed of diffusion-bonded metal composites. Chrome-doped zirconium oxide-reinforced fibers in titanium aluminide, make up the bonded metal layer, giving exceptional lightness, strength and oxidation resistance. While the outer hull of the craft is made of a tri-layer system, a inner carbon composite layer bonded to a middle layer of single-crystal carbon (able to withstand the heating of atmospheric re-entry), with a ceramic outer layer provides thermal and oxidation resistance during high-altitude, high-speed flight. All underneath a layer of treated stalkrov armor plating. However, the Rapier has thinner armor all around compared to that of the Scimitar fighter.

The craft's four fuel tanks are located within the wings, with a reserve fuel tank located in the center fuselage in front of the rearward sensor suite.

PROPULSION
Zimmond's progress on the design of the Rapier was slowed early on by the design doctrine of Ascendancy dictating that small craft be transatmospheric, along with the United Maintenance Plan which required the use of shared technologies between all Ascendancy-made small craft. 

As such, the Rapier is equipped with the same LACE engines originally developed by Ascendancy Aeronautics. To help with the new interceptor, though, Citadel Command allowed Zimmond engineers to create an upgraded version of the L-104.

The Rapier is equipped with two upgraded L-104-MT LACE drives, using metastable metallic hydrogen along with liquisol as its primary fuel, as is common with Ascendancy craft. 

These drives, along with various small reaction control thrusters located in specific points around the fuselage, provide the Rapier with an incredibly fast speed and quick maneuverability.
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I finished the Ascendancy's interceptor :D Probably one of the more advanced combat small craft the CAFSA fields :o