Vipers and escape pods

[Cody]

I figure why not make it so until it is part of core?

I see your point - and of course, it may not become a part of the core game. I have no say in that decision.

[Rese249er]

Then the until part isn't satisfied, but people can still have it! Plus I like under-the-hood tweaks since working on the 249th.

[Cody]

<hands Rese249er a left-handed monkey wrench>

[Rese249er]

Ah, that's where it went.

[DaddyHoggy]

Did I accidentally have a good idea?

[Rese249er]

Yes, indeed you did. Bravo!

[DaddyHoggy]

Yes, indeed you did. Bravo!

I shall write it down - after six years on the board, that's perhaps my 3rd one...

[Switeck]

Vipers in Switeck's Shipping OXP have Escape Pods 10-25% (depending on type) of the time. There's not enough centralized authority to prevent after-market additions of Escape Pods to Vipers and at least the Viper wing commanders of a system are very likely to have them. I presume the pilots themselves pay for this, since it's not likely to be officially sanctioned.

Incidentally, this might explain how Hackers in Anarchies OXP can create renegade Vipers. Why this doesn't also happen to Viper Interceptors...I guess because those are not typically used in Anarchy systems in the first place.

[Diziet Sma]

Assuming the Viper had a self-destruct, I think this makes sense. So far as real-world military are concerned, the pilot is the most valuable/expensive part of an aircraft. Well-trained, experienced pilots are difficult, costly and time-consuming to replace. It would be safe to assume that Galcop (and Her Imperial Majesties' Navy, for that matter) would do all in their power to ensure their pilots had the best possible chance of living to fight another day. (as happened in WWII, when smarter heads prevailed)

I daresay their escape capsules would be too damn fast for most pirates to catch, as well. Maybe they'd even have 10-20 seconds worth of injectors.. enough to clear the combat area and get out of scanner range, at least.