the Skystriker XP-14F Combat Jet
The Skystriker XP-14F Combat Jet is the first attack aircraft that GI Joe fielded in their battle against terrorist forces and rogue states (such as Cobra, which has qualified as both). This incredibly powerful (and expensive) fighter jet has these vehicular characteristics:
| Handling RV 30 |
Velocity RV 100 |
Durability RV 30 |
Protection RV 20 |
Communications System: the Skystriker benefits from a powerful communications system. With a 2,200 mile maximum range, the Skystriker needs such power to talk to the aircraft carriers that usually act as its base. This comm system has a 1,000 mile range (rank value 40).
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 rank value 20 AP Piercing damage, or a continuous stream of lead for +1 RS damage.
E-81 Aero Vulcan Gatling Cannon: mounted on the bottom of the Skystriker, this cannon is a backup for the aircraft's main gun. It can also fire a short burst of rounds to inflict rank value 20 AP Piercing damage, or a continuous stream of lead for +1 RS 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, and more. These are rank value 20 defenses.
Phoenix Missiles: these two AIM-54A long-range, air-to-air, radar-seeking missiles are the primary 'smart' weapons at the Skystriker pilot's disposal. With a maximum speed of 3,000 miles per hour (Mach 5!), these can strike anything in the air, and have these characteristics:
| Handling RV 30 |
Velocity RV 500 |
Durability RV 20 |
Damage RV 30 Slashing (fragmentary) |
Radar Unit: this pulse Doppler radar system, mounted on the Skystriker's nose cone, is a powerful threat detection system. Not only can it paint any aircraft within a 250 mile (rank value 30) range, but it can screen out various common items to highlights true threats to the airplane.
Sidewinder Missiles: using a solid-state infrared homing system, these two air-to-air missiles are the Skystriker's secondary smart weapons. Not quite as fast, and lacking the Phoenix's range, these missiles are still good for close combat, and have these characteristics:
| Handling RV 30 |
Velocity RV 200 |
Durability RV 20 |
Damage RV 30 Slashing (fragmentary) |
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:
| Handling RV 20 |
Velocity RV 200 |
Durability RV 20 |
Damage RV 30 Slashing (fragmentary) |
Wing Sweep Function: a swing-wing fighter, the Skystriker can alter its wing configuration at will. Normally having a cruising speed of 467 MPH, or Mach .72 (the Velocity listed above), it can configure its wings to achieve rank value 200 flight, moving at 1,785 MPH, or Mach 2.38!
1989 Variations
the Night Boomer
When the Night Force decided it needed heavy duty air support, they decided that instead of commissioning their own aircraft, why not just repurpose some older Joe fighter jets. Thus was the Night Boomer, being an old Skystriker painted midnight black, born!
2015 Variations
the Skystriker
Over twenty years after they were originally put to use, the GI Joe team upgraded their fleet of mothballed Skystrikers to get more use out of the money spent on them. Though functionally the same, these vehicles now sport a gunmetal gray coloration, instead of the original white.
the Scythe
As they are wont to do, Cobra stole the technical data on GI Joe's modernized Skystrikers, and put that information to use in the construction of their own equipment. While functionally identical, Cobra's Scythes are painted silver and red, evoking that organization's logo in the sky!
2016 Variations
the Sky Patrol Skystriker
Though redundantly named, the Sky Patrol Skystriker is what happens when you marry refurbished GI Joe Skystrikers with Sky Patrol's chromium-based stealth technology. Thanks to this, the Sky Patrol's variation on this vehicle benefits from rank value 50 radar invisibility.
Extra Goodies:
GI Joe directories featuring a version of the Skystriker XP-14F Combat Jet:
| 1983 | 1989 | 2015 | 2016 |
Cobra directories featuring a version of the Skystriker XP-14F Combat Jet:
| 2015 |
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