The Vulture space superiority fighter sacrifices hardpoint flexibility for manoeuvrability. Advanced manufacturing techniques have allowed the Vulture to integrate large hardpoints into its relatively small frame, offsetting the ship's limited weapon count. The Vulture excels in the role of heavy fighter in strike missions against larger, well defended targets, but its nimble flight characteristics make it equally devastating against smaller targets. A limited cargo and passenger capability has not stopped it becoming a preferred personal transport for those who like to project a certain attitude in their dealings.
— In-Game Description
The Vulture is a heavy space superiority fighter. Featuring two large hardpoints, the Vulture packs serious firepower into a relatively small frame. Although its top speed is mediocre compared to other fighters, it is a contender for the most maneuverable ship in the game owing to its powerful lateral thrusters and extremely powerful engines relative to the ship's mass, only being out-turned by smaller, less-armed ships.
Overview
The Vulture's two large hardpoints are located above and behind the cockpit, about halfway down the hull of the ship. Due to the spacing between the hardpoints, a loadout of two fixed weapons may have slight issues with converging on smaller targets.
The Vulture has two manned stations. The pilot's station is on the centerline of the ship. The auxiliary station is offset to the port side above and behind the pilot's station.
Defensively, the Vulture has impressive statistics on paper. It possesses the highest base shield and armor hitpoints out of all small sized ships; it has very good internal compartments (even better than the much more expensive Fer-de-Lance); and its number of utility mounts is 4, the same as larger ships such as Python and Federal Gunship. However, there is a catch: the Vulture is held back by its limited power capacity, which greatly limits viable loadout choices and encourages smart module priority control.
The Vulture has an available 16 piece cosmetic ship kit that can be purchased from the Frontier store which allows you to "remodel your ship in your personal style". The ship kit does not affect gameplay.
Purchase Locations
| System | Station | Date Seen | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinrarta Dezhra | Jameson Memorial | Always available | 10% discount, Founders Permit needed |
| Brestla | i Sola Prospect | Always available | 20% surcharge |
| Hernir | Gunn Ring | Jan. 2, 2018 | 15% discount |
| Duamta | Davis Terminal | Jan. 2, 2018 | |
| TZ Arietis | Snyder Enterprise | Jan. 2, 2018 | |
| Wolf 25 | Bonkers | Jan. 2, 2018 | |
| Chi Orionis | Carey Terminal | Jan. 2, 2018 | |
| Picoria | Kohoutek Ring | Jan. 8, 2018 | |
| Kakas | Kube-McDowell Enterprise | Jan.19, 2018 | |
| LP 926-40 | Lee City | March 7, 2018 | |
| Patani | Smith Ring | March 11, 2018 | |
| Frey | Garratt Station | April 30, 2018 |
Default Loadout
Ship loadouts can be outfitted in various ways at certain stations. Listed below is the default loadout for the Vulture.
| Category | Default System | Default Rating | Default Class | Max Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Hardpoint | Pulse Laser | F | 1 | 3 |
| Pulse Laser | F | 1 | 3 | |
| Utility Mount | Empty | -- | -- | 0 |
| Empty | -- | -- | 0 | |
| Empty | -- | -- | 0 | |
| Empty | -- | -- | 0 | |
| Bulkheads | Lightweight Alloys | I | 1 | 8 |
| Reactor Bay | Power Plant | E | 4 | 4 |
| Thrusters Mounting | Thrusters | E | 5 | 5 |
| Frame Shift Drive Housing | Frame Shift Drive | E | 4 | 4 |
| Environment Control | Life Support | E | 3 | 3 |
| Power Coupling | Power Distributor | E | 5 | 5 |
| Sensor Suite | Sensors | E | 4 | 4 |
| Fuel Store | Fuel Tank [x8] | C | 3 | 3 |
| Internal Compartments | Shield Generator | E | 5 | 5 |
| Empty [m] | -- | -- | 5 | |
| Cargo Rack [x8] | E | 3 | 4 | |
| BDS | E | 1 | 2 | |
| Empty | -- | -- | 1 | |
| Empty | -- | -- | 1 | |
| Note: L = Loaned, [x#] = Capacity, BDS = Basic Discovery Scanner, [m] = Military Compartment reserved for Hull Reinforcement Package, Module Reinforcement Package, or Shield Cell Bank. | ||||
Trivia
- The Vulture was originally priced at 21,925,615 CR. After an outcry from the community that it was overpriced, Frontier lowered the cost of the Vulture to 4,925,615 CR.
- The Vulture is produced by Core Dynamics and sold to all three of the Major Factions.
Videos
Gallery
| Playable |
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| NPC-only |
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| Lore & Concepts |
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| Ships marked with H can only be purchased and operated by players who pre-ordered Horizons. | |||||||||||||||||||||