Speed, protection, and control around the Ares Ion's weapons
Capital ships are the Ares Ion's priority, with its weapons and flight profile built around attacking large, valuable targets.
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ANTI-CAPITAL FIGHTER
Crusader Ares Ion
A laser-armed anti-capital fighter from Crusader
The Ares Star Fighter Ion is an anti-capital fighter manufactured by Crusader Industries. With the Ares Ion, a single oversized weapon is built to damage gunships and capital-class targets, not chase light fighters.
RoleCombat
CareerCombat
Crew1
CargoNo cargo grid
Length30 m
Beam27 m
Height6 m
Mass325,001 kg
StatusFlight ready
Combat Spacecraft
The targets the Ares Ion is designed to face
The Ares Ion is a specialist fighter built around the anti-capital laser built for large targets. It is designed to damage gunships and capital vessels, not chase small fighters. Three missile racks give the Ares Ion a total load of twenty Size 3 missiles alongside its main weapon. The Ares Ion provides 0.86 SCU of external storage and dedicated gun racks near the rear of the ship.
Built in an evolving universe
The Ares Ion is flight ready and entered the live game in Alpha 3.15.1. Because Star Citizen remains in active development, specifications, features, and imagery may change over time.
Combat package
The Ares Ion's combat package
The Ares Ion gives one pilot the primary weapon built for large targets for attacks on gunships and capital vessels. Its main weapon is poorly suited to chasing small, agile targets.
The Ares Ion's missile load
Three missile racks give the Ares Ion a total load of twenty Size 3 missiles alongside its main weapon.
Securing cargo in the Ares Ion
The Ares Ion provides 0.86 SCU of external storage and dedicated gun racks near the rear of the ship.
Ares Ion's pilot view and controls
The Ares Ion's cockpit gives one pilot a clear view of flight, targeting, weapons, and damage during combat.
Ares Ion's power and heat
Power allocation and cooling determine how long the Ares Ion can keep its sensors, shields, and weapons working at the same intensity.
Defining feature
The Ion's anti-capital loadout
The Ion is built around a single bespoke SF7E The main cannon. Its accurate, high-impact fire is intended for gunships and capital-class targets, while twenty Size 3 missiles give the pilot a separate guided option.
Why it matters
A Size 7 laser cannon built for large targets
1 x S7Laser cannon
SF7ECannon model
20 x S3Missiles
PilotWeapon control
The Ares Ion is built to put the Size 7 laser cannon built for large targets into targets large enough to justify its specialist weapon.
Friendly fighters should keep light attackers away while the Ares Ion concentrates on the larger ship it was sent to damage.
The pilot checks the Ares Ion's main weapon and protection before committing to another attack on the same heavy target.
Choose, attack, reposition, repeat
Using the Ares Ion's strengths against the right opponent
The Ares Ion is built to place the primary weapon built for large targets on a much larger ship while friendly fighters keep smaller threats away.
Target
Choose a capital-class target
The Ares Ion gives up broad dogfighting flexibility so it can sustain fire against a much larger target.
Range
Fight from the main gun's effective range
The Ares Ion should stay outside the easiest defensive turret fire while keeping the main cannon built for large targets within effective range.
Fire
Concentrate fire on one major system
The pilot balances aim, distance, and the Ares Ion's condition while using the anti-capital laser built for large targets.
Support
Let escorts handle the light fighters
The Ares Ion is strongest when friendly fighters keep small attackers away while it concentrates on the heavy target.
Tactical details
Ares Ion's combat equipment in detail
The Ares Ion combines its Size 7 laser cannon built for large targets with the handling, protection, and targeting systems needed for its combat role.
01Laser Cannon
The Ares Ion's Size 7 laser cannon is built for deliberate long-range shots against large and capital-class ships. It pressures shields and exposed systems while friendly fighters protect the Ion from agile attackers.
02Hold the Ion's main cannon on one heavy target
Inside the Ares Ion, responsive handling helps the pilot keep the gun battery on target through tight turns.
03Targeting systems on the Ares Ion
For the Ares Ion, sensors and weapon controls help the pilot identify a suitable target and keep the gun battery aimed at it.
04Ares Ion protection
Protection around the Ares Ion's cockpit helps the pilot survive return fire without turning the fighter into a heavy ship.
Current availability
Find your Ares Ion
Explore in-stock Ares Ion ships, upgrades, and game packages available from The Impound.
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Official imagery
Ares Ion from every angle
Explore official exterior, interior, operational, and concept views of the Ares Ion.
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Video
See the Ares Ion in action
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Official footage
Ares Ion underway
Available finishes
Make the Ares Ion your own
Browse currently available Ares Ion paints and liveries from The Impound.
Finishes and liveries
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Manufacturer
Crusader Industries
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