The Falcon is an attempt to merge the manueverability of the classic Starfury with the atmospheric capabilities of the Thunderbolt and Mustang. The newer, atmospheric capable fighters, had their cockpits extended forward from the main body of the ship. This reduced manueverability in space by moving mass away from the center of rotation, and increased the g-forces on the pilot when making rapid maneuvers. The Falcon attempts to solve these problems by sweeping the wings forward, moving the engines to a point near the fighter's balance point. The Falcon is also lighter than the other two fighters, being on the border between a light fighter and a medium fighter. It cannot carry the larger missiles used by the Thunderbolt, only the smaller dogfight missiles. Still, it is equipped with the powerful gatling pulse cannon that makes the Thunderbolt and Mustang such feared units and is intended primarily as a dogfighter.