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The Vulcan was originally developed as an atmospheric / low orbit interceptor designed to operate from Earth's surface. Initial designs were on the boards as early as 2120 and early prototypes, designated X-215, were flying by 2123, and regular production began the following year. The early model 215 Vulcan bears only partial resemblance to the much more famous version that fought in the Battle for Mars and is depicted here.

As Mars was chosen as the main headquarters for the local defense squadrons, various ships were modified to better take advantage of Martian conditions. The Vulcan had its wings lengthened and widened to allow better maneuverability in the thin Martian atmosphere, and the engines and other systems were similarly modified. The model 216 Vulcan first flew in early 2033.

However, the shape of warfare was already leaving the Vulcan behind. While not a flawed design per se, it was conceived in and for an earlier era. With warfare moving deeper and deeper into space, the Vulcan found itself hampered by its limited capabilities. While still a formidable atmospheric fighter, it was not a nimble as either true atmospheric fighters or newer atmosphere-capable spacecraft, and while able to operate in space, it was designed for quick surface-to-orbit strikes and had very limited maneuverability and range in these conditions.

Thus, the Vulcan did not make the transition to space warfare nearly as well as, for example, the Cutlass, which was of the same vintage but one of the first designed strictly for space operations. Experiments with refitting the Vulcan with more powerful and longer-range drive systems met with limited success, as structural issues kept cropping up.

By the time of the Battle for Mars, the Vulcan had long been considered a second-tier defense craft, and seeing its performance against more advanced Proximan ships confirmed this assessment. During this desperate fight, the Vulcan found itself in one-on-one combat with Proximan Piranhas. While the Vulcan had much heavier armament, it had trouble bringing its weapons to bear on its quicker opponents. Its saving grace was that it was a much more robust craft than the flimsy Piranhas, and so could absorb a fair amount of punishment. Still, combat with the Piranhas for the most part kept the Vulcan from accomplishing its main job, which was to be attacking the approaching enemy missile ships and troop carriers.

While the necessities of the war kept the Vulcan in service until the end of hostilities, production was halted immediately after the Battle for Mars. After the war ended the remaining Vulcans were quickly pulled from service and replaced by more modern craft. Some attempt was made after the war by civilian parties to buy surplus models and modify them as low-orbit cargo carriers, but the relatively high cost of operations limited these applications.

A victim of timing rather than flawed design, the Vulcan unfortunately found itself straddling two eras, neither of which it comfortably fit into. There are several complete examples currently on display at the War Museum.