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Description
High-Speed Reconnaissance-77 'Swift'

Year of Service Entry: 2101

Crew: 1 (Rider)
Length: 2.9m
Wingspan: 2.2m
Height: 1.7m
Empty Weight: 700kg
Loaded Weight: 900kg
Max. Takeoff Weight: 1,200kg
Powerplant: 2x Magic T-63 Ion Electric Jet Engines, 1x N-38D Lifting Fan

Maximum Speed: 300mph
Range: 380nmi
Combat Radius: 160nmi
Ferry Range: 520nmi
Service Ceiling: 8,000ft
Rate of Climb: 2,200/min
Armament: None

The High-Speed Reconnaissance - Series 77, also known as an aerocycle, jet bike, hoverbike, or aeroscout, is a lightweight, single-seat scouting aircraft designed and manufactured by Nexus Aerospace for the Escean military. Although the craft is officially known as a 'Swift', personnel have subsequently referred to the HSR-77 as the 'Guppy', 'Gulper', or simply the 'Derp', per its sizable forward intake duct. This duct is supplanted by two smaller units equipped with high-efficiency FOD louvres, which are designed to initiate air ingestion to the large N-38D lifting fan situated beneath the vehicle. Once the craft has cleared the ground, the primary duct retracts its own FOD gate, increasing the amount of airflow. The secondary ducts then transfer their airflow to the rear-mounted Magic T-63 Ion Electric engines, which provide forward propulsion for the craft. The lifting fan, already canted forward, may also pitch to add additional forward speed or braking control.

The Swift is a fast, relatively agile craft that can be used by scouting or SOF units for deep penetration, supplanting larger VTOL aircraft in order to avoid enemy air defences or sensor coverage. The small size of the craft allows it to wind paths through narrow gorges, rivers, or forests. The twenty blades of its primary fan help to reduce noise, while the jets are equipped with suppression devices. Paired with its ability to remain close to the ground and take advantage of obstacle or terrain masking, the Swift is remarkably quiet for its design.

Although not as fast as the later introduced Z-18 'Gnat' utilised by the Rothan military, and lacking all enclosed environmental protection to include pressurisation, the Swift is both smaller and lighter. Retractable landing gear allows the Swift to taxi on the ground, or operate with a rolling start, something the Gnat is incapable of performing. The operator has a small storage area behind the seat, and outsized equipment can be lashed to the rear through removal of the storage cover. While generally vulnerable to ground fire, the Swift does feature a dual windshield of aluminium oxynitride, with a thicker internal shield. The operator's arms and hands are protected by curved shielding enclosing the control grips, and recesses for the legs help to reduce airflow interruptions.

Description
High-Speed Reconnaissance-77 'Swift'

Year of Service Entry: 2101

Crew: 1 (Rider)
Length: 2.9m
Wingspan: 2.2m
Height: 1.7m
Empty Weight: 700kg
Loaded Weight: 900kg
Max. Takeoff Weight: 1,200kg
Powerplant: 2x Magic T-63 Ion Electric Jet Engines, 1x N-38D Lifting Fan

Maximum Speed: 300mph
Range: 380nmi
Combat Radius: 160nmi
Ferry Range: 520nmi
Service Ceiling: 8,000ft
Rate of Climb: 2,200/min
Armament: None

The High-Speed Reconnaissance - Series 77, also known as an aerocycle, jet bike, hoverbike, or aeroscout, is a lightweight, single-seat scouting aircraft designed and manufactured by Nexus Aerospace for the Escean military. Although the craft is officially known as a 'Swift', personnel have subsequently referred to the HSR-77 as the 'Guppy', 'Gulper', or simply the 'Derp', per its sizable forward intake duct. This duct is supplanted by two smaller units equipped with high-efficiency FOD louvres, which are designed to initiate air ingestion to the large N-38D lifting fan situated beneath the vehicle. Once the craft has cleared the ground, the primary duct retracts its own FOD gate, increasing the amount of airflow. The secondary ducts then transfer their airflow to the rear-mounted Magic T-63 Ion Electric engines, which provide forward propulsion for the craft. The lifting fan, already canted forward, may also pitch to add additional forward speed or braking control.

The Swift is a fast, relatively agile craft that can be used by scouting or SOF units for deep penetration, supplanting larger VTOL aircraft in order to avoid enemy air defences or sensor coverage. The small size of the craft allows it to wind paths through narrow gorges, rivers, or forests. The twenty blades of its primary fan help to reduce noise, while the jets are equipped with suppression devices. Paired with its ability to remain close to the ground and take advantage of obstacle or terrain masking, the Swift is remarkably quiet for its design.

Although not as fast as the later introduced Z-18 'Gnat' utilised by the Rothan military, and lacking all enclosed environmental protection to include pressurisation, the Swift is both smaller and lighter. Retractable landing gear allows the Swift to taxi on the ground, or operate with a rolling start, something the Gnat is incapable of performing. The operator has a small storage area behind the seat, and outsized equipment can be lashed to the rear through removal of the storage cover. While generally vulnerable to ground fire, the Swift does feature a dual windshield of aluminium oxynitride, with a thicker internal shield. The operator's arms and hands are protected by curved shielding enclosing the control grips, and recesses for the legs help to reduce airflow interruptions.