The Mercenary Forces decided to phase out the Fireball suit with the introduction of the Snake Eye space suit. Unfortunately, supply could not meet demand with the Snake Eye production, so the development of a Stop Gap was necessary. It is a hybrid of old Fireball components and new Snake Eye technology, which increased its viability. It does not have the added sensor suite of the bulging hatch the Snake Eye possesses, but does utilize the new Laser arm and covered/integrated rear deck that protects fuel tanks and engine bells. Developer Peter S. Matsumoto managed to reduce the production costs by a considerable degree, for these merits he won the Frugal Award twice. Until the mass production of the Snake Eye really could be started, huge quantities of the SG type had been produced on the existing fireball-plants. It still did not compare favourably with the Snake Eye - the power plant was too small. The Fireball SG did sport improved armour, which contributed a lot to higher survival rates of the pilots.
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