HFSF Manta
The Manta heavy fighter is an elite fighting craft and the pride of the Federation. Four forward mounted pulse lasers give the Manta a strong anti-fighter armament that can still pose a threat to larger craft. The Manta carries the heaviest shields of any one man craft. Starboard and aft mounted engines allow for unmatched agility at her weight class, in many ways giving her the feel of a light fighter.
The Manta is capable of limited sector to sector jumps and can operate independently. Mantas are also commonly deployed by Battleships, Carriers and Dreadnoughts at the first sign of trouble. The fighter escort makes these capital ships even more deadly.
Swarms of Manta fighters are the bread and butter of many Federation fleets. Tough, agile and deadly the Manta is versatile and can fill almost any role a commander needs. They make competent scouts, are great at intercepting and destroying enemy fighter craft, and in groups can even pose a threat to larger capital ships.
The Manta is a symbol of the dominant military power of the Federation. No pirate or outrigger fighter pilots willingly engage a Manta wing, and fewer still have lived through a dogfight. Larger ships equipped with missiles or torpedoes are well advised to focus down any Manta squadrons in range.
The Manta is one of the first units available to purchase in the Federation campaign.