The Cougar S65 Stingray, introduced in the 4.10 PTU, is a medium stealth fighter rather than a stealth bomber, featuring significant stealth capabilities, versatile weapon loadouts, and unique animations like folding wings and a sports car-style hood. Its design and customization options make it a distinctive and effective stealth-oriented fighter, with future tests planned to evaluate its optimal combat configurations.
The Cougar S65 Stingray, recently available for testing in the 4.10 PTU, is revealed not to be a stealth bomber as its design might suggest, but rather a medium stealth fighter. Despite its resemblance to the Eclipse bomber, the Stingray functions more as a stealth fighter with notable stealth capabilities, especially when equipped with stealth components. The ship features multiple weapon racks on its sides, capable of holding small weapons like SMGs and tractor beams, but cannot accommodate heavier weapons such as LMGs or max lift components. Additionally, it has a fuel port and a 450k micro IC storage compartment underneath.
Accessing the ship’s components, particularly those on the top rear, is challenging when on the ground, requiring the pilot to enter the cockpit. The Stingray is a single-seater with no interior beyond the cockpit, which offers a clear, Origin-style view with two multifunction displays but lacks a clock. The ship has a cool animation system where the wings and tail fold during landing gear retraction, and a unique hood that opens like a sports car to reveal critical components such as the power plant, quantum drive, and engines.
Weapon-wise, the Stingray carries eight fixed size two missiles and two size four laser repeaters, which can be swapped with various Cougar series weapons, including the Aximo laser repeaters and Tiger Strike ballistic guns. The ship supports a variety of component swaps, allowing for stealth-oriented builds with specialized stealth speed coolers, power plants, shields, and radars. Despite its medium fighter classification, the Stingray’s stealth capabilities are significant, with a radar lock range reduced to about 1.6-2.5 kilometers when equipped with stealth components, making it harder to detect.
The ship’s design is visually striking but divisive among players, with some appreciating its unique shape reminiscent of a stingray or a World War II bomber, while others have mixed feelings about certain angles. It features atmospheric and space flight modes, with the atmosphere mode enhancing maneuverability through extended control surfaces and fins. The Stingray’s animations, such as the retracting wings, tail adjustments, and weapon retraction, add to its appeal and functionality.
In conclusion, while the Stingray is not a stealth bomber, it excels as a medium stealth fighter with impressive customization options and stealth features. Its combat effectiveness depends heavily on weapon loadouts and component choices, with future videos promised to explore optimal configurations and combat performance. The ship’s stealth characteristics, combined with its versatile weaponry and unique design, position it as a valuable addition to the Cougar lineup for players seeking a stealth-oriented fighter.