Missile Boat
| Missile_Boat.jpg Missile Boat | |
| Production Information | |
|---|---|
| Class |
Starfighter |
| Model | |
| Manufacturer |
Cygnus Spaceworks |
| Technical Specifications | |
| Length |
10 meters |
| MGLT |
125 (double with SLAM overdrive) |
| Hyperdrive Rating |
Equipped |
| Shielding |
120 SBD |
| Hull |
20 RU |
| Armament |
|
| Crew |
Pilot (1) |
| Passengers |
None |
| Usage | |
| Roles |
|
Characteristics[edit]
The Missile Boat loosely resembled the general body style of its predecessor, the Alpha-class Xg-1 Star Wing. The Missile Boat had a bulky profile in comparison to the Star Wing, yet both models shared a pronounced fuselage with dorsal stabilizer, flanked by the craft's primary warhead launchers. The Missile Boat's second set of warhead launchers extended from pylons attached to the dorsal surface of the primary launchers. This secondary set rested at an angle reflexive to the lateral wings. Extremely uncommon among Imperial starfighters, portions of the pilot's flight input displays were located on the cockpit exterior. The deflector shield configuration and beam weapon displays were attached to the port and starboard nose surfaces, outside the cockpit, just forward of the viewports.
Weapons[edit]
The Missile Boat relied primarily on warheads for dogfighting and assaults, a notable difference from other Imperial starfighters, which relied more heavily on laser cannons.
The Missile Boat was armed with two high-capacity twin warhead launchers and a single nose-mounted laser cannon. The secondary pair of warhead launchers was exclusively assigned to carry a payload of concussion missiles, while the primary could be outfitted with an array of space-borne projectiles. Each individual launcher had a concussion missile capacity of twenty missiles, affording the Missile Boat an impressive maximum load of eighty concussion missiles. This immense warhead capacity greatly overshadowed the TIE Bomber and Assault Gunboat magazines by more than sixty projectiles. The Missile Boat's raw firepower enabled it to destroy an enemy capital ship from a safe distance.
The primary launcher's individual magazine capacity was either fifteen proton torpedoes, ten heavy rockets, or five heavy space bombs. By the time of its deployment, the Missile Boat was afforded the use of Advanced Concussion Missiles and Advanced Proton Torpedoes; the Advanced Missiles were necessarily to lock on to fast craft such as the A-Wing or TIE Defender.
The vast number of missiles led to the development of unorthodox tactics, much to the chagrin of their commanders since Advanced Missiles were relatively expensive. Missile Boat pilots whose craft were equipped exclusively for anti-starfighter work were often seen using them as dumbfire rockets against capital ships and space stations, supplementing their accompanying Assault Gunboats or TIE Bombers. Missiles have been also used to overwhelm a space station's anti-warhead defensive system, or defend a target from incoming warheads.
The most noteworthy weakness of the Missile Boat was its single laser cannon. Should the craft's warhead stores run empty, pilots were forced to dogfight with a single cannon. Dogfighting in general could be problematic due to the fact the that Missile Boat pilots had only a single cannon reserve from which energy could be transferred to deflector shields. However, this single laser cannon did fire faster and could charge to full capacity in just ninety seconds, a major improvement over other laser cannons found in Imperial fighters. In practice, the single laser cannon's use was to destroy mines. Many pilots often diverted energy away from the laser cannon (frequently nicknamed the "pea shooter") for shields or the SLAM system.
Missile Boats were frequently equipped with a beam weapon system. The tractor beam was another tool the Missile Boat employed against TIE Defenders, robbing the Defender of its superior maneuverability and holding them on course while Missile Boat pilots attained missile locks. Alternatively, Missile Boats could be fitted with a jamming beam, a weapon that disrupted the fire-control systems of spacecraft, which allowed Missile Boats safer transit on bombing runs against capital ships.
Propulsion[edit]
The Missile Boat was equipped with dual ion engines and a hyperdrive. Hyperdrive capability permitted the Missile Boat to compete with the more advanced fighters of the era, and assume multiple mission roles. The Missile Boat was faster and more maneuverable than the Assault Gunboat, and its engines were also equipped with the new SubLight Acceleration Motor(s). The SLAM was an overdrive system that drained laser cannon energy reserve to boost the craft's engines to 200 percent output. Comparable to the Alliance's A-wing, the Missile Boat boasted a respectable maximum cruising speed of 125 MGLT. Provided with SLAMs and a pilot competent in energy management, this speed could be pushed beyond 250 MGLT.
Shields and Armor[edit]
While the defensive armor plating was nothing to brag about—comparable to that of all types of TIE fighters—the Missile Boat's deflector shields were heavily reinforced, rated at 120 SBD, comparable to the Alliance's B-wing starfighter.
Source[edit]
- Credit to Wookieepedia for the above information
