Epineth-class gunship

First revealed at the 217 Shipwright Expose by its lead designer Lord Chukkameg of Stroalsent, the Epineth-class Gunship is one of the most advanced spacecraft in production.

While exceeding the mass and dimensions of the fighter size rating, the Epineth is still classified as a fighter due to its heavy armament and payload. It boasts two small weapons hardpoints mounted on either side of its cockpit, but additionally has small hardpoints on each wingblade, giving it firepower nearly comparable to a corvette.

In addition to its weaponry, the X-shaped profile with maneuvering thrusters on the tips allows for unparalleled agility both in space and in atmosphere. Its cockpit can both pitch and roll independently of the rest of the craft, allowing the pilot and gunner to reorient themselves to a target without maneuvering the entire craft.

The rotating cockpit itself is a controversial feature. It defies conventional ship-design philosophy by adding multiple moving parts that offer points of failure, however test pilots unanimously agree that the experience is akin to dance, and look forward to seeing it in future spacecraft.

The interior of the cockpit seats a pilot in the upper section and a gunner in the lower section, and hatch which can be rotated for docking, or for access to the ship's maintenance room and cargo bay.

In atmosphere, the ship has a number of flaws. To start with, the artistic detailing on the wings causes a lot of drag and turbulence. When landing, the ship is oriented to face upward, with the engines pointed straight at the ground, and the pod leveling to the horizon. While this is intuitive from a piloting standpoint, it means that crew or cargo have a long climb down to the ground. It also means that when taking off, firing the main engines is likely to scorch the surface or landing pad.

Still, even without having seen deployment, it's evident that the Epineth will be a formidable fighter.