EXCALIBUR STARFIGHTER


Craft: BrightStar Industries Excalibur-Class Space Superiority Starfighter Mk. IIA
Type: Space Superiority Starfighter
Scale: Starfighter
Length: 24.9 meters
Skill: Starfighter Piloting: Excalibur-Class Starfighter
Crew: 1 or 2 (see below)
Crew Skill: Astrogation: 5D, Communications 5D, Starfighter Piloting 7D, Starship Shields 6D, Sensors 6D, Starship Gunnery 6D+2
Passengers: None
Cargo Capacity: 250 Kilograms
Consumables: 3 weeks
Hyperdrive Multiplier: x1
Hyperdrive Backup: x6
Nav Computer: Yes
Maneuverability: 3D
Space: 12
Atmosphere: 450; 1300 kmh
Hull: 4D+2
Shields: 3D*
* The Excalibur-Class Space Superiority Starfighter has 3D of backup shields. Whenever a "D" of shields is lost, the navigator may roll an easy Starship Shields total to use one of the backup "D" of shields to restore the main shields to full power
Sensors:
    Passive: 50 / 2D
    Scan: 100 / 3D +2
    Search: 200 / 4D+2
    Focus: 20 / 5D
Weapons:
    4 Heavy Laser Cannons (fire linked)

        Fire Arc: Front
        Crew: Pilot
        Skill: Starship gunnery
        Fire Control: 2D
        Space Range: 2-25 / 40 / 75
        Atmoshpere Range: 200 m-2500 m / 4000 m / 7500 m
        Damage: 7D
    2 Proton Torpedo Launchers (Fire-Linked, 24 Warheads)
        Fire Arc: Front
        Crew: Pilot
        Skill: Starship gunnery
        Fire Control: 1D
        Space Range: 1-11 / 23 / 35
        Atmospher Range: 100 m-1100 m / 2300 m / 3500m
        Damage: 10D
    Proton Mine Deployer (7 Mines)
        Fire Arc: Back
        Scale: Capital
        Crew: Navigator
        Skill: Capital ship gunnery
        Fire Control: 0D**
        Space Range: **
        Atmospher Range: **
        Damage: Contact:7D  1SU Distant:6D  2SU Distant 5D  3SU Distant 4D 4SU Distant 3D  5SU Distant 2D
            6SU Distant 1D
** The Proton Mine Deployer drops "smart weapons" off the aft portion of the ship. The mines, prior to launch, are fed in data from the target, including but not limited to position, speed, course, shape, energy emmissions, transponder code, and mass. Once the weapon signifies to the Navigator that it has a lock, and the Pilot signifies that he is in position, then the Navigator releases the weapon. Once free, it moves as a space speed of 24 towards the target, exploding when it reaches a preset distance (contact up to 5 space units away). When the weapon detonates, it releases a controlled proton energy flux wave, which breaks down the molecular structure of the target. The mine may be shot down, requiring a difficult gunnery roll to hit.
Other Systems:
BrightStar Industries Ship Stealth System Model XI-AVII: The ship has been constructed in a sensor blind manner. Adds +4D+2 to the    difficulty of all sensor rolls to detect and identify the ship. BrightStar Industries IR Engine Bafflers: A heat absorbtion/dissipator has been installed on the engine assembly, rendering the ship immune to IR tracking.
Color Scheme: The ship is completely black in colour, and the engine exhaust vents have been baffled to eliminate the telltale glow that drive emissions produce. BrightStar Industries Sensor Jamming Suite Mk. IVA: A powerful sensor
jamming package that renders all levels of starfighter sensor suites inoperative. It is considerably less effective against capital ships. Adds +4D(Starfighter) or +2(Capital) to the Sensors difficulty to identify, but adds +5D to Sensor Operator's Sensor roll to detect.
Cost: 2,953,750 Credits
The Excalibur was designed to be the absolute best starfighter ever constructed. Space Black in colour, it moves silently through the spaceways, invisible to they eye and to sensors as well. It was intended to intrude into enemy territory without their knowledge, perform its mission, then escape. In these functions it performs admirably. Designed around a dedicated first-strike policy, it functions as both a superb offensive and defensive raider/defender. In every engagement that it has participated in, enemy units were unaware of the excalibur's presense until it opened fire with its devastating forward weapons. The Excalibur's crew complement consists of two beings, the Pilot and the Navigator. The Pilot is responsible for actually flying the craft, and all the forward weapons. He also needs to alert the Navigator to desired shield settings, and respond to bomb run data so the weapon can be deployed. The Pilot has absolute authority onboard, and can abort any given mission if it appears impossible to complete with the resources at hand (the Excalibur teams are always given secondary objectives to hit in any case). The navigator is responsible for the communications, astrogation, shields, sensors, and the deployment of the Proton Mines. He responds to the Pilot when he requests information, or when ordered to plot a bomb run. The Navigator has little or no say over the release of the Proton Mines - he must wait for permission from the pilot (who has to ensure the safety of the craft). The Navigator plots a bomb run based on the sensor data he analyzes, and then projects it to the pilot, who either accepts or declines it, If declined, the Navigator immediatly plots a new run, and the process repeats. Swift and deadly, those in service to BrightStar Industries are equipped with the very best pilots that are available. This ensures that these incredibly expensive craft are utilized to their fullest extent while granting a low mission death/damage ratio. This also ensures that the stationkeeping duties of the pilots is done with the utmost care, for group operations with these ships is an extremely difficult proposition - they are as invisible to each other as they are to the enemy.
 

Copyright © 1997 Bryan Cole


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