the Skystriker XP-14F Combat Jet The Skystriker XP-14F Combat Jet is the first attack aircraft that the G.I. Joe team rolled out in their battle against terrorist forces and rogue states (such as Cobra, which has qualified as both in its day). This incredibly powerful (and incredibly expensive) fighter jet has these vehicular capabilities: C S B P Rm 30 Mn 75 Rm 30 Ex 20 Communications System: the Skystriker is equipped with a powerful communications system; since the plane has an ultimate range of 2,200 miles, it needs that kind of power to talk to the aircraft carriers that usually act as a base for the plane. This system works at Good (10) rank (1,000 mile range). E-41a Port-side Vulcan 50mm Cannon: the primary weapon of the Skystriker, this 50mm cannon can cause considerable damage to aircraft. It can fire a short burst of rounds to inflict Excellent (20) Armor Piercing Shooting damage, or a continuous stream of lead for +1 CS damage. E-81 Aero Vulcan Gatling Cannon: mounted on the bottom of the Skystriker, this cannon is a back-up for the aircraft's main gun. Like the primary weapon, it can fire a short burst of rounds to inflict Excellent (20) Armor Piercing Shooting damage, or a continuous stream of lead for +1 CS damage. Electronic Counter-Measures: in addition to its threat detection radar system, the Skystriker is also armed with a powerful ECM system. This includes rear-drop flares to confuse heat-seeking missiles, chaff sprays to mislead radar systems, and more. These measures work at Excellent (20) rank. Phoenix Missiles: these two AIM-54A long-range, air to air, radar-seeking missiles are the primary 'smart' weapons the Skystriker's pilot can use to tag other, hostile aircraft. With a maximum speed of 3,000 miles per hour (almost Mach 5!), these can strike anything in the air, and have these characteristics: C S B Damage Rm 30 Sh Z Ex 20 Rm 30 Armor Piercing Edged Attack Radar Unit: this pulse doppler radar system, mounted on the Skystriker's nose cone, is a powerful threat detection system. Not only can it detect any aircraft within a 250 mile (Typical (6) range), but it can screen out commercial aircraft and other common items to show true threats to the airplane. Sidewinder Missiles: using a solid-state infrared homing system to guide it to targets, these two air to air missiles are the Skystriker's secondary smart weapons in airborne combat. Not quite as fast, and lacking the Phoenix's range, these missiles are still good for close combat, and have these characteristics: C S B Damage Rm 30 Sh Y Ex 20 Rm 30 Edged Attack Sparrow Missiles: these two AIM-7 air to surface, radar-guided missiles are primarily intended for use against ground-based targets, but can be wielded against airborne hostiles if necessary. The Sparrow is a mid-range attack system, and has these vehicular capabilities: C S B Damage Ex 20 Sh Y Ex 20 Rm 30 Edged Attack Wing Sweep Function: a swing-wing fighter, the Skystriker can alter its wing configuration to go much faster. Normally, it has a cruising speed of Mach .72, or 467 m.p.h. (the Speed listed above). However, it can configure its wings such that it can achieve Shift Y flight, moving at Mach 2.38 (or 1,544 m.p.h.). Night Boomer: About six years after the Skystrikers were originally deployed, a small number of the aircraft were reconfigured for use with the G.I. Joe team's so-called 'Night Force'. These modified Skystrikers, the so-called Night Boomers, are otherwise the same as their ancestors, save for a stealthy paint job.