H-Wing Strike Fighter

The H-Wing Strike Fighter

Article Dug Up and Reproduced from Game Designer's Workshop (GDW)

Challenge Magazine by my brother, Scott


Art by Rick Harris - GDW



     The BTS-A2 Long-Range Strike Fighter/Bomber (the Alliance 

designation is H-Wing) is a recent addition to rebel flight bays.  Now 

manufactured by Koensayr and made famous for its rugged Y-Wing 

starfighter, it could only have been a matter of time before the Alliance 

military leaders chose to include the H-Wing in the rebel starfighter 

arsenal.  Even so, the number in Alliance service is likely to remain 

low, as almost any two single-seat fighters can be purchased at a cost 

equal to that of one H-Wing.

     The H-Wing is a stable weapons platform capable of delivering a 

hard-hitting punch.  Indeed, only the B-Wing is more heavily armed.  The 

fighter's primary long-range weapon is a heavy laser cannon mounted in a 

fully rotating dorsal turret.  This laser can only be fired from the 

turret's gunnery chair; no fire control for the top mount is included in 

the piloting cockpit.

     As in the Y-Wing, the H-Wing carries two Arakyd proton torpedo 

launchers.  However, the H-Wing boasts a complete magazine of eight 

torpedos for each launcher - twice the payload carried by the earlier 

Y-Wing.  The magazines are identical to those used in Y-Wings, making 

heavy ordinance standard for the two craft.  This ordinance is benefited 

by an elaborately complex, improved fire control system, quite necessary 

for the craft to efficiently serve in its primary role as a strike 

fighter/bomber.

     The H-Wing's primary weapons systems are complemented by two light 

ion cannons (fire linked for greater effect), which are mounted in the 

starboard nose of the fighter's twin-nose hull.  This weaponry has a 

maximum rotation and vertical pivot span of 40 degrees, which allows the 

gunner to engage forward targets independent of the craft's flight path.

     The H-Wing can survive intended combat engagements and multiple hits 

by using a heavily reinforced armoured hull, with added protection 

provided by strong, high-energy shields.  But, weapons capability and 

hull integrity do not come without cost.  Both maneuverability and 

sublight speed have been sacrificed for increased battle worthiness, thus 

creating a distinct disadvantage in that the H-Wing has very little 

chance of outrunning a numerically superior enemy or of disengaging prior 

to retreat.

     Though the H-Wing has obvious speed and maneuverability 

disadvantages, Alliance military planners believe it has a decided 

advantage in combat due to its full combat crew of three.  Rebel pilots 

of advanced, single-seat fighters have often complained that they cannot 

make full use of their craft's various systems; with evasive maneuvering, 

operating several weapons systems, and angling shields, they are simply 

overtaxed.  The H-Wing's three-man crew provides extremely efficient use 

of the ship's systems.  The forward cockpit contains two crew stations: 

primary and secondary.  Piloting controls are installed only at the 

primary station, but shield control, ion cannon, and torpedo fire control 

are installed at both stations.  A common practice is to have shield 

control provided by the pilot, leaving torpedo and ion cannon control to 

the weapons officer at the secondary station.

     Many of the components used in the Y-Wing were adapted for use in 

the H-Wing, such as an improved Fabritech ANx-y sensor package and 

Koensayr Ion Jet engines - complete with thrust vectrals, though larger 

engines are employed on the H-Wing.  Many components were not used.  For 

instance, instead of using an R2 unit to provide nav data, a limited man 

computer similiar to that used in the B-Wing is employed, although the 

H-Wing has a higher data storage capacity.  Also, the H-Wing does not 

employ ballistic ejection seats.  That option simply isn't feasible in 

the tight space remaining after all systems are installed.  The fighter 

does, however, contain a cramped, spartan cabin, which includes a single 

bunk with a soundproof divider that can be used on a rotational basis to 

provide increased comfort for the crew during long hyperspace jumps.

     Alliance leaders are currently reviewing reports of the H-Wing's 

performance in its first encounters with Imperial fighter craft, 

encounters that went favorably for the oversized starfighter.  However, 

its limited use has proven that its greatest capabilities are as a strike 

and anti-shipping craft, and as a screening fighter protecting slower 

transports and freighters.

     Some high-ranking rebel leaders have suggested that the H-Wing 

should be designated to replace the B-Wing as the Alliance's primary 

heavy assult fighter.  These H-Wing proponents cite the B-Wing's high 

required maintenance and poor performance after suffering damage.  This 

replacement isn't likely to happen for several reasons.  The craft also 

lacks speed; even the comparatively slow B-Wing is quicker than the 

H-Wing.  The final reasoning is simple economics: Not only is the H-Wing 

a high-cost space vehicle, but it also requires a greater number of 

trained flight personnel.  While the large flight crew does provide an 

advantage in combat, such trained, combat personnel are always in short 

supply.  What is most likely is that the H-Wing will serve as a special 

engagement craft, used where its advantages will provide its greatest 

combat effectiveness.

H-Wing Adventure Idea




     The following scenario is suggested as a way to introduce the H-Wing 

to your Star Wars role-playing campaign.

     The players are instructed to take commercial transportation to a 

designated planet where they will take delivery on a single H-Wing 

fighter.  (Small fighters are usually purchased in small numbers, even 

singly, to make tracing the purchase and the purchasing agent extremely 

difficult.  If you have four players, a passenger can be squeezed into 

the H-Wing for the return flight.  Alternately, a second fighter could 

also be awaiting pickup, which will necessarily be the case if you have 

more than four players.)  Their instructions are to jump to a small 

outpost where new rebel volunteers are detained until background checks 

are cleared.  Further flight instructions can be given after the rebels 

pass their background checks.



H-Wing Strike Fighter

Created by GDW Challenge Magazine


Craft:H-Wing Strike Fighter
Pilot's Name:[Rebel Pilot] Type:Koensayr BTS-A2 H-Wing Starfighter
Scale:Starfighter
Length:17.1 meters
Skill:Starship Piloting: Starfighters
Crew:3
Passengers:None
Cargo Capacity:220 kilograms
Consumables:2 weeks
Hyperdrive Mult:x1
Backup Hyperdrive:No
Nav Computer:Limited (4 jump limit)
Maneuverability:1D
Sublight Speed:2D+2
Hull:5D
Shields:2D
Sensors
Description: [Classified] Passive:

Scan:
Search:
Focus:
Primary Weapon: Laser Cannon Fire Arc: Turret (Top)
Skill: Starfighter Weaponry
Fire Control: 2D
Damage:6D

Secondary Weapons:




Art by J.B. King - GDW




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