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
- 1 pilot
- 2 weapons personnel
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:
Two Proton Torpedo Launchers
- Fire Control: 3D
- Damage: 9D
Two Light Ion Cannons (Fire Linked)
- Fire Control: 1D
- Damage: 4D
Art by J.B. King - GDW
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