Changes

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 fighter's 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 Xiphon was a high-performance machine which that required constant micro-management by its Astartes pilot to maintain equilibrium in the aircraft due to an engine system that was designed to operate both in the void and a wide variety of atmospheres. In addition, it was too lightweight and under-powered. This often frustrated Xiphon pilots, though they still appreciated its excellent turning speeds, agility, and touch responsive controls.{{Fn|3}}