GTF Kulas

The following information has not been confirmed by Volition and is therefore not canon for the FreeSpace universe.

For the original ship, see PTF Kulas.

GTF Kulas

Description:

Blue Planet Tech Description

The GTF Kulas is a light fighter in active deployment in the GTVA Navy. The Kulas existed as a paramilitary light fighter long before the conception of the Threat Exigency Initiative, but the deployment of the fighter into the front lines is officially recognised as the incipient event of the TEI's Wave One program.

In the aftermath of the Second Shivan Incursion, the GTVA fleet was exhausted and demoralised. Fighter strength was at its lowest since the Great War and several GTVA systems were at dangerous levels of unrest. High Command authorised a crash program to make replete the Terran fighter corps as part of the first steps towards rebuilding the GTVA navy. Utilising a venerable but versatile paramilitary spaceframe, RNI Systems spearheaded the modernisation of the Kulas and began bulk production of the light fighter.

The Kulas suited the post-Incursion fleet perfectly. The fighter already had a low power draw - upgrading the reactor gave an almost limitless reserve. She was still average in performance, but she now had the ability to maintain peak performance for longer than any other fighter in service. Her capacitor allowed for extended afterburner usage - though faster fighters would beat her in a sprint, none could match her ability to run marathons. Armed with the ultra-efficient Balor cannon, pilots were able to shunt more power to shields on the fly, improving the surviveability of the design. Finally, a light hull afforded a maneuverability which pilots loved, making the Kulas a superb dogfighter.

The GTF Kulas would never reach the heights of the advanced fighters that would succeed her. She would be outpaced by future interceptors, outgunned by new assault fighters and outperformed by modern huntresses. However, she would become emblematic of the first wave of strikecraft in the Threat Exigency Initiative - a versatile multi-role fighter that could perform any task asked of her with the endurance to carry on in a difficult post-Incursion environment.

Credits List

• Model by Aldo

Name Origin

Named after the Volition president, Mike Kulas

Performance:

Blue Planet

Type	Space Superiority
Manufacturer	RNI Systems
Maneuverability	High
Yaw, Pitch, Roll	3.3, 3.0, 3.7 s
Max Velocity	75.0 - 88.0 mps
Max Afterburner Velocity	130.0 mps
Armor	Average
Hitpoints	195
Shields	310
Length	18 m

Armaments

• Gun Mounts

Blue Planet
Bank	Guns	Standard Loadout
1st	4	Prometheus S
Compatible Primaries
Subach HL-7, Balor, Akheton SDG, Morning Star, Prometheus S, Prometheus R UD-8 Kayser, Lamprey, Circe, Maxim

• Missile Banks

Blue Planet
Bank	Capacity	Standard Loadout
1st	40	Harpoon
Compatible Secondaries
Rockeye, Tempest, Trebuchet, Infyrno, Harpoon, Hornet, Tornado, EMP Adv., TAG-A, TAG-B

Veteran Comments

Please read the Veteran Comments policy before editing this section.

The Kulas is actually more maneuverable than practically any other fighter. It's not particularly fast and it's not especially tough, but it's smaller and more maneuverable than the Myrmidon, Aurora, and even the Perseus. The 4-gun bank that it has, combined with a power output of 5 gives the Kulas more firepower than the Perseus as well - on par with the Myrmidon and Aurora. That said, it only has enough space for sixteen Harpoons and its fairly fragile armor limits the endurance of this fighter. Like the Thoth, it's an excellent dogfighter, but there are no missions in which to merely dogfight. It is capable of standing toe-to-toe with a single Kentauroi, but will be swarmed very easily.

This is really, really good in dogfights. The turning rate allows you to quickly get people in your sights and rip them to shreds with that quad-linked bank. However, as previously stated, it's not too much use for anything other than dogfighting - but that doesn't stop you from taking it to multiplayer matches. On the other hand, there are a couple things to look out for: the secondary weapons placement isn't all that great for loading Tempests, being a tad far apart, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't still bring them along. Crucially, the Sensors subsytem placement is quite simply awful (right on the tip of the nose) and will, with outrageous frequency, get destroyed in frontal jousts and leave you flying blind.

Due to extremely long burner duration, this little fighter has incredible staying power in long missions where you don't get a break. Since engine power only matters when pumping the burners you can redirect ETS to shields and guns to recharge them while afterburning to the next bomber group. If you need to cover a huge distance simply put power into engines once your burners run out after 21 seconds. With 4 balors you'll be able to take down quite a few enemies even with 0 power on guns, only recharging them while moving between groups. Remember that the only secondary bank has poor placement for dumbfires, don't try to hit anything smaller than a Nephilim from mid-range.

Download link:

• Blue Planet: AoA: http://www.freespacemods.net/download.php?view.42