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==Overview==
The origins of the fighter are long lost, but it shares similarities to the [[STC]] patterns with craft such as the [[Thunderbolt]] and [[Amhut Voyager]]. The design itself was brought into Imperial service in 806.[[M30]] from the [[Rhadamanthys Enclave]]. The fighters performance puts great stress on its pilot, something [[Space Marines]] were naturally able to withstand.{{Fn|2}}
Capable of both atmospheric and space flight, it carried two pairs of twin-lined [[Lascannon]]s and a [[Xiphon Rotary Missile Launcher]] into battle. This firepower combined with the interceptor's speed and agility made it a deadly opponent.{{Fn|1}} However the design was complex, had limited range, and was ill-favored by the [[Mechanicum]], which preferred the larger [[Wrath Pattern Starfighter|Wrath fighter]]. Thus by the end of the [[Great Crusade]] it had fallen out of frontline service in all Space Marine Legions except the [[Dark Angels]] and [[Ultramarines]], though the demands of the [[Horus Heresy]] forced many [[Space Marine Legion|Legions]] to press them into service once more.{{Fn|2}}
The origins of Xiphon was a high-performance machine which required constant micro-management by its Astartes pilot to maintain equilibrium in the fighter are long lost, but it shares similarities aircraft due to an engine system that was designed to operate both in the [[STC]] patterns with craft such as the [[Thunderbolt]] void and [[Amhut Voyager]]a wide variety of atmospheres. The design itself In addition, it was brought into Imperial service in 806too lightweight and under-powered.[[M30]] from the [[Rhadamanthys Enclave]]. The fighters performance puts great stress on This often frustrated Xiphon pilots, though they still appreciated its pilotexcellent turning speeds, agility, something [[Space Marines]] were naturally able to withstandand touch responsive controls.{{Fn|23}}
==Images==
*{{Endn|1}}: [http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-US/Xiphon-Pattern-Interceptor Forge World] ''(last accessed 14 January 2016)''
*{{Endn|2}}: [[The Horus Heresy Book Five]] pg.216
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Ferrus Manus: The Gorgon of Medusa (Novel)]] - Chapter 1
{{SMHeresy}}
