Editing Tomahawk (Aerospace Fighter class)

{{otheruses|the aerospace dogfighter|other uses|Tomahawk}}
{{InfoBoxASF
| image = [[Image:Tomahawk ASF TRO3050U.png|191px]]
| name = ''Tomahawk''
| manufacturer = [[Wangker Aerospace]]
| model = THK-63
| Class = Light aerospace fighter
| Tech Base = Star League
| Cost = 2,523,132 [[C-bill]]s<ref name=COp107>''Combat Operations'', p. 107</ref>
| production year = 2680
| year reference = <ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/3273/tomahawk-thk-63 MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
| mass = 45 tons
| frame = [[Shipil 35-B]]
| power plant = [[PlasmaStar 270]] [[fusion engine]]
| armor = [[Fiber 10 Ferro-Aluminum]]
| armament = 
* 1x [[Small laser]]
* 2x [[Large laser]]s
| communications system = [[Telestar Fortran]]
| tracking & targeting system = [[IMB 5000]]
| heat sinks = 12 [[double heat sink]]s
| BV (1.0) = 1,021<ref name=COp107/><ref>''AeroTech 2 Record Sheets'', p. 76</ref>
| BV (2.0) = 1,038<ref name=TRO3050U234-235>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', pp. 234–235: "Tomahawk Fighter Profile"</ref><ref name=MUL188-189>''Master Unit List: Battle Values'', pp. 188–189</ref><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 336</ref>
}}

==Description==
The '''''Tomahawk''''' was designed as a dogfighter, with a good combination of maneuverability and armament. With six Gs of thrust, five tons of fuel, and weapons that lack ammunition stores, the ''Tomahawk'' excels in patrol and escort duties, while 10 tons of [[ferro-aluminum]] armor provides protection superior to other designs of its weight class. Early models suffered from a poor heat dissipation system, a fault that would be largely rectified with the release of the THK-63 model in [[2680]], with most earlier models similarly upgraded.<ref name=TRO3050U234-235/><ref name=TRO2750-68-69>''Technical Readout: 2750'', pp. 68–69: "Tomahawk Fighter Profile"</ref>

The ''Tomahawk'' would remain in service with the [[Star League Defense Force]] for over a hundred years as a key part of its aerospace forces. However, the destruction caused by the [[Amaris Civil War]] and the resulting [[Operation Exodus|exodus]] of the SLDF would see the loss of a significant number of ''Tomahawks'', with many more destroyed in the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]] that followed. [[ComStar]] was able to maintain a secret stock of ''Tomahawk'' fighters, a few of which were donated to the [[DCMS]] and [[FWLM]], while the [[Clans]] maintained some for their second-line units. The rest of the few surviving ''Tomahawk'' fighters could be found in private collections and museums, however the [[Clan Invasion]] prompted ComStar to restart production of the ''Tomahawk'' with the activation of the Wangker factory on [[Terra|Mars]] and began upgrading them to advanced models. Some of these eventually fell into the hands of the [[Word of Blake]].<ref name=TRO3050U234-235/>

==Weapons and Equipment==
With an armament consisting entirely of laser weaponry, the ''Tomahawk'' is a capable air-to-ground combatant as well as a dogfighter. Two [[Maxell SR]] [[large laser]]s give the ''Tomahawk'' good firepower, while the single [[Small_Laser#ExoStar|Exostar]] [[small laser]] was largely added because the designers feared pilots would balk at a craft without a nose armament.<ref name=TRO3050U234-235/><ref name=TRO2750-68-69/>

==Variants==
*; THK-33 : A prototype first released in [[2642]], this early model featured only 10 [[single heat sink]]s and used [[standard armor]]. BV (2.0) = 1,069<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 333</ref>

*; THK-43 : The original model, the THK-43 had twelve [[single heat sink]]s and less armor, though it was upgraded to [[ferro-aluminum]].<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)'', p. 285</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,038<ref name=MUL188-189/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 334</ref>

*; THK-53 : The THK-53 ''Tomahawk'' was the initial attempt to control the unusual heat difficulties. This variant replaces each wing-mounted [[large laser]] with a trio of [[medium laser]]s and two additional [[single heat sink]]s while the nose-mounted [[small laser]] is replaced with additional armor.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)'', p. 286</ref> BV (1.0)= 1,078,<ref>''AeroTech 2 Record Sheets'', p. 77</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,105<ref name=MUL188-189/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 335</ref>

*; THK-63-EC : A relatively simple update swapped out the [[large laser]]s for [[improved large laser]]s and added two extra [[double heat sink]]s, thanks to the lighter weapons. (Note: '''EC''' is an abbreviation used by historians to designate "Early Clan" designs.)<ref>''Technical Readout: Golden Century'', p. 62</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,038<ref>''Technical Readout: Golden Century'', p. 135</ref>

*; THK-63b : The THK-63b ''Tomahawk'', deployed exclusively among [[SLDF Royal units|SLDF Royal]] commands, replaces the [[PlasmaStar 270]] with an [[XL engine]], using the extra tonnage to upgrade the [[small laser]] to an [[ER PPC]] and adding a half-ton of armor to the wings and rear. BV (2.0) = 1,481<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War'', p. 39</ref>

*; THK-63CS : A [[ComStar]] variant of the ''Tomahawk'' THK-63, the standard [[large laser]]s and [[small laser]] are replaced by [[ER large laser]]s and an [[ER small laser]]. However, the additional strain placed on the heat dissipation system has led to the return of pilot complaints regarding heat management.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)'', p. 288</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,204<ref name=MUL188-189/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 337</ref>

*; ''Tomahawk'' C : The first [[Clan]] upgrade of the THK-63, the standard lasers are replaced by Clan versions of [[Extended Range Laser|ER laser]] technology, with the freed-up space used for a superior internal structure supporting additional armor and [[double heat sink]]s. This model suffers less from heat management problems than the THK-63CS.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)'', p. 289</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,648<ref name=MUL188-189/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 338</ref>

*; ''Tomahawk'' CH : The Clan's heavy laser variant of the ''Tomahawk'' C, this version is armed with two [[heavy large laser]]s mounted on the wings, and a [[heavy small laser]] mounted in the nose for point-defense purposes. Armor, internal structure, and heat sinks are carried over from the C variant.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)'', p. 290</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,589<ref name=MUL188-189/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 339</ref>

*; ''Tomahawk'' CX-11 : The ''Tomahawk'' CX-11 was a prototype produced by one of [[ComStar]]'s [[Acolyte]]s. The craft carries a pair of [[ER large laser]]s and an [[ER small laser]] in the nose. To mitigate heat concerns, the large lasers are equipped with [[Laser Insulator]] systems. Protection is provided by nine tons of [[reflective armor]].<ref name=XTRO:CSp13>''Experimental Technical Readout: ComStar'', p. 13</ref>

==Design Quirks==
The ''Tomahawk CX-11'' variant is subject to the following [[Design Quirks]]:<ref name=XTRO:CSp13/>
* [[Bad Reputation]]
* [[Easy to Pilot]]
* [[Prototype]]

==Notes==
* In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to '''Francesca'''. The model code was accordingly changed to '''FRC-63'''. Presumably, this was done to prevent a mix-up with the BattleMech ''Hatchetman'', which was renamed in German products to ''Tomahawk''. 

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Tomahawk_TRO2750.png|Original THK-63 ''Tomahawk'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 2750|TRO:2750]]''
Tomahawk ASF TRO3050U.png|Upgraded ''Tomahawk'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade|TRO:3050 Upgrade]]''
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* ''[[AeroTech 2 Record Sheets]]''
* ''[[Combat Operations]]''
* ''[[Experimental Technical Readout: ComStar]]''
* ''[[Master Unit List: Battle Values]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 2750]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3057]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: Golden Century]]''
{{div col end}}

[[Category:Aerospace Fighter classes]]
[[Category:Light Aerospace Fighter classes]]
[[Category:SLDF Royal Aerospace Fighter classes]]
[[Category:German renamed units]]