Shiva Fighter

From Star Wars: Exodus Visual Encyclopedia

The Shiva Fighter basically fills the same role as the Hellcat Starfighter. The inadvertent redundancy was the result of two design teams operating simultaneously on the same mission profile, an accident caused by lack of communication. MMA officials decided to retain both designs instead of scrapping the hard work of one of the teams. It offers slightly increased protection and firepower at the cost of slightly reduced speed and maneuverability. An ion cannon and a second proton launcher, along with a slightly larger magazine size, are the extent of the changes.

As common amongst MMA craft, equipment hardpoints dot the lower surface of the craft, enabling the fighter to carry additional weaponry or gear, from electronics packages to bombs to extra proton torpedoes or concussion missiles or even external thruster units to increase maneuverability or speed. Typically, though, mounting such external ordinance will lower the performance profile until launched or jettisoned.