Xexon Scyla-class interceptor

The Xexon Scyla-class interceptor was an advanced single-seat spacecraft that was designed and manufactured by Zenlian Drives in partnership with GACIAF's Syvatii Unlimited as a supplement to the company's Caon-class strike craft. Based off of the Caon-class' hull but with multiple modifications, the Scyla-class was commissioned by GAOAC, GACIAF's army component, as a multi-role fighter which could support surface units with ECM and information from sensor equipment, as well as through close air support against other strike craft and ground forces. Officers from AFCME and Syvatii Unlimited approached the company towards the end of the 48,700s to asses the possibility of additional contracts under the AFEMI initiative, either added on to the ASTSI program which Zenlian Drives produced the Caon-class for, or as a new development contract. The company chose to develop the Scyla-class using hardware and design data from the Caon-class program, intending to lessen costs and complete the Scyla-class as quickly as possible. During development, though, the design team would find that significant changes had to be made to accomplish the capabilities that GAOAC sought, and thus had to extend deadlines to almost completely change the configuration of the craft. This was not helped when GAONC became involved with the Scyla-class' development, having gained interest in an alternative to the Caon-class with more adaptability in combat. With both the army and navy managing the design alongside Syvatii engineers, the design would take almost 12 more years to complete than initially expected, with the production model released to GACIAF and TAUFOG manufacturing sites in 48,827 ACT. While the delays were not ideal, the resulting spacecraft was one of the best strike craft ever developed in the Xexon-line, and achieved all metrics given by GACIAF managers.

The Scyla-class, unlike the Caon-class, was focused on a balance of direct combat, strike, and support capability. The design moved the twin missile launchers to a position on the bottom of the ship, connected to a shared storage compartment that sat directly below the cockpit. This was to give space for two torpedo launchers in the tips of the wing structures, which used assisted deployment mechanics to both accelerate and angle ordnance. With twice as many launch systems as previous Xexon models, and six Syvatii-made SIU T2056/1 anti-ship guided torpedoes to the Caon-class' two, the Scyla-class was significantly more effective against capital ships and facilities. This came at the expense of general ability against strike craft, as the Scyla-class could only store forty GAEDS-I110 model missiles, although the load time for subsequent missiles was identical to the Caon-class as the Scyla-class used the same mechanism. Similarly, the Scyla-class' two CCEA/ax T2105c beam cannons had higher output and a longer duration than the Caon's T2100 systems, but also took longer to cooldown, and combined with slightly less accuracy when used in short blasts meant the Scyla-class' beams were more effective against both large and heavy targets than against strike craft. The Scyla-class still was able to defeat any TAUFOG strike craft even if outnumbered, but not to the same extent as the Caon-class. There were other advantages the Scyla-class had, though. One of the biggest was its rating 4.1.37 primary FTL drive and rating 4.1.35 tactical system. These could achieve speeds significantly in excess of the Caon's, with a maximum sustained FTL speed of approximately 46.5 million c, almost 25% faster than the Caon. The Scyla-class also had an additional particle shield projector, improved sensor and communication systems, and new software which made use of these systems to coordinate with space and surface units for increased effectiveness of both the Scyla-class and other strike craft. Combined, these advantages made the Scyla-class very successful as a army strike craft, and even the any purchased limited quantities of the ship to expand the capabilities of GACIAF's carrier fleet.