Project Albatross
Classification: Avenger
Designation: GF-111
Patent Registry: Galactic Technologies
Patron: Galactic Coalition of Planets
Pilot: 1
Width: 15.5 Meters
Armament
2 Rotary Mini-Missile Launchers
4 Fire-Linked Laser Canons
1 Light Ion Cannon
Ships Biography –
To supplement the combat abilities of its various starships in production Galactic Technologies devised the GF-111 Avenger as a fast, well armed combat starfighter that could be easily constructed in quantity.
The Avenger GF-111 is classified as a “strike fighter”. It is a shockingly fast space frame that sports powerful engines and weapons which it uses to engage the enemy in close combat. The 111 could be called a starfighter interceptor given its speed but without a hyperdrive, and thus dependant on a host ship, could never truly operate as an “interceptor” as described by Galactic Technologies design mandate. Because it is, in many ways, a fragile starfighter, the engineers incorporated pilot specific safety measures which have become the bench mark of the line.
The 111 features a three stage offensive tactic which is its primary line of attack. Primary weapons control is split between four fire-linked laser cannons and a single ion gun. These are mounted in the fuselage in a single weapons pod. Located in a pair of retractable dorsal pods are the 111’s rotary “mini-missile” launchers. While both laser and ion weapons systems are fairly standard, though optimized for maximum range at the cost of total damage potential, it is the rotary missile platform that truly makes the Avenger a dangerous enemy on the battlefield. The “mini-missile” weapon system fires half-meter long “rocket boomer” missiles. These combine a small but potent warhead with a powerful solid-fuel rocket and a competent tactical computer all packed into a small, deadly package. The missile is designed to be fired in close proximity to the enemy and becomes less effective when fired at range. The rotary missile unit can fire its total compliment of twelve rockets in less than ten seconds. Volley fire has an added advantage; weapons active within the same area can form a “weapons system network” and thus share their tactical telemetry to better effect. There are two reload pods, one per unit, which can be switched into position when the pilot expends the first magazine. This gives the Avenger a total payload of forty-eight “rocket boomer” missiles.
The 111 is a surprisingly swift and nimble starfighter able to turn within its own length multiple times and achieve maximum sublight velocity in less then six seconds. Powerful dual-bank engines, aft and starboard of the cockpit and position thrust vents located on either s-foil make the 111 a deadly enemy in close combat. Unfortunately the 111 has no hyperdrive of its own making it dependant on a host ship for FTL travel. In place of a hyperdrive motivator the Avenger mounts a series of countermeasure shafts, both flack and electronic.
The Avenger has only moderate defensive shielding as it relies on its speed and agility to avoid enemy fire. Due to its light construction, the hull of the 111 will not absorb much damage either. The cockpit does feature reinforced structural plating employed to protect the pilot as a last resort. Similar reinforced plates have been placed in key areas though this provides only minimal protection. The forward section can be jettisoned from the engines, body and stabilizers in the event of a catastrophic failure. Life support and communications are also located in the fuselage as is an independent power source that can be activated after ejection. To compensate for this shortcoming the Avenger boasts a powerful electronic countermeasure suite codenamed “Arturo”.
Arturo is an electronic countermeasure system which is unique to the Avenger. The Arturo is hardwired into the ships primary computer systems and sensor arrays. It utilizes tight beam transmissions which it directs from two deflector dishes; minute units mounted one dorsal, one ventral. At only ten centimeters across these are not readily apparent. Directed jamming signals can be projected from the disks at an enemy missile or weapons sensor. The Arturo will quickly search a variety of energy signatures until it locates a positive energy band. The Arturo then sends a ‘concentrated’ jamming signal at the target attempting to override its onboard systems. The Arturo modulation has to be preformed in a matter of seconds to be of any use to a combat pilot. It is 98% effective against most known technologies.
The Avenger is a dangerous combat starfighter. In closed combat it relies primarily on its compliment of gun emplacements and rocket boomer missiles. It is designed to operate in close proximity to enemy starfighters and often on the edge of capital-scale fire arcs, areas where it can take advantage of the otherwise unavailable cover to supplement its moderate defensive installations. In an Avenger the pilot is of primary concern; he is protected in a reinforced cockpit and supplied with all the amenities required to endure prolonged recovery operations. The Arturo is a further extension of this, designed to baffle and confuse the most deadly enemy weapons such as missiles, mines and auto cannons. Easily produced, the forward pod of a recovered Avenger can be mounted on an existing rear frame without too much difficulty. Galactic Technologies has developed an affordable and able starfighter platform in the Avenger.