The Asp Class recon Viper is a much modified and souped up Starhound Viper. It is faster, more manoeuvrable and has a longer range. In addition, it has powerful sensors and electronic warfare equipment meaning that it can function as both a long range scout, or as a fleet escort craft providing much needed electronic support to the ships it is protecting. In addition to this, the sensors can be used to guide missiles and identify incoming craft and fire.

Pilots love flying the Asp, claiming that it is easy to get to grips with, and with all the computer help onboard, they can attempt manoeuvres that other craft can only dream about.

Unfortunately, nothing comes without a price. In the case of the Asp, that price is weaponry. To accomodate all the additional electronic gear and bigger and better engines, the normal Vipers was removed, and thus in a standard dogfight, the pilot has to rely on their skill to get out of any unfortunate situations. It is unlikely that a pilot would be able to concentrate on using their weapons and sensing equipment at the same time anyway. In any actual actions, an Asp is usually assigned fighter escort.

This is one of the reasons why the pilots of the Recon Viper are usually considered a little bit more crazy than most pilots. The fact that they would willingly fly an unarmed vessel into combat is a bit more than some people would like to think about.