Major Sven Erikson was a Human officer in the Terran Defense Authority during the Proxima Wars. In 2052 he commanded the SSF 21D Cutlass Mk. II, R2, as part of the 3rd Mars Interceptors. During the Battle for Mars, he became famous for his quick thinking during a near disaster. When the R2 was refuelling, its bay was hit by a Proximan warhead. Erikson launched the R2 at maximum speed before refuelling was complete, resulting in two enemy ships destroyed and giving the rest of the squadron enough time to assemble and launch.