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{{SpaceMarinesPortal}}
[[Image:Xiphon75.jpg|thumb|right|280px|[[Space Wolves]] Xiphon Interceptor]]
The '''Xiphon Pattern Interceptor''' was a fighter aircraft used by the [[Legiones Astartes]] during the [[Horus Heresy]]. {{Fn|1}}
==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 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 a Xiphon carries two pairs of twin-lined linked [[Lascannon]]s and a [[Xiphon Rotary Missile Launcher]] into battle. This firepower , combined with the interceptor's speed and agility made , makes 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 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}}
==Images==
<gallery heights="160px" widths="220px" mode="packed" caption="">
Xiphon.jpg|[[Ultramarines]] Xiphon Pattern Interceptor{{Fn|1}}
AIXiphon.jpg|[[Aeronautica Imperialis (game)|Aeronautica Imperialis]] Xiphons{{Fn|4}}
</gallery>
==Sources==
*{{Endn|1}}: [httphttps://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-USGB/Xiphon-Pattern-Interceptor -FW-2020 Forge World] ''(last accessed 14 January 20163rd April 2022)''
*{{Endn|2}}: [[The Horus Heresy Book Five - Tempest]], pg. 216
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Ferrus Manus: The Gorgon of Medusa (Novel)]], Chapter 1
