View source for Protector (Conventional Fighter)

{{otheruses|the combat support fighter|other uses|Protector}}
{{InfoBoxConvFighter
| image = [[File:ASF-23 Protector.jpg|191px]]
| Name = ASF-23 Protector Combat Support Fighter
| Manufacturer = [[United Outworlders Corporation|United Outworlders Corporation]]
| Use = Ground Fire Support Aircraft
| Tech Base = [[Inner Sphere]]
| Cost = 799,917 C-bills
| Introduced = [[3019]]<ref>[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/4873/protector-combat-support-fighter-asf-23 MUL online date for {{PAGENAME}}]</ref>
| Mass = 50 tons
| Engine (Type) = [[250 Turbine]]
| Fuel = 160 - 3 ton
| comsys = Unspecified
| T&T = Unspecified
| Armament = <span></span>
* 2x [[LRM-10]]
* 3x [[Machine Gun]]
| Armor = Standard
| Crew = 1
| BV (1.0) = ???
| BV (2.0) = 441
}}

==Description==
The '''ASF-23 Protector''' Combat Support Fighter is an [[Outworlds Alliance]] military aircraft produced by [[United Outworlders Corporation]] in [[3019]].  The aircraft's origin is somewhat of a corporate mystery.  The aircraft was the result of what it appears to be a undisclosed joint venture between [[United Outworlders Corporation]] and the [[Magistracy of Canopus]] corporation [[Majesty Metals and Manufacturing|Magistracy Metals]]. Magistracy Metals produced a mechanically identical sister aircraft known as the [[MSF-42 Bluehawk]].<ref name=HB:MPS>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', pp. 200–201</ref>

The aircraft has appeared in many planetary air forces in the major [[periphery]] nations, as well as in militias of periphery border worlds of the [[Federated Suns]] and [[Draconis Combine]].<ref name=HB:MPS/>

==Weapons and Equipment==
The Protector is designed primarily for fire support of ground forces. The aircraft is equipped with a pair of 10-tubed [[Long Range Missile]] racks mounted in each wing.  It also has three [[Machine Gun]]s mounted in the aircraft's nose.  Two tons of ammunition have been allotted to the LRMs, while the machine guns make do with a half-ton of ammo.<ref name=HB:MPS/>

The aircraft has three tons of fuel for its 250 rated Turbine Engine; the engine is considered swift. It is protected by three tons of [[standard armor]].<ref name=HB:MPS/>

==Related Aircraft==
* [[MSF-42 Bluehawk]]

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Handbook: Major Periphery States]]''
* ''[[Master Unit List]]''


[[Category:Conventional Fighters]]