Project Arrow Head
Classification: Arrow
Designation: GF-105
Patent Registry: Galactic Technologies
Patron: Galactic Coalition of Planets
Pilots: 1(2)
Length: 19.5 Meters
Armament
25 Missile Hard-Points
3 Fire-Linked Laser Canons
4 Torpedo Deployment Units
Ships Biography –
The GF-105 “Arrow” is Galactic Technologies entry in the Interceptor starfighter production industry. It was designed and constructed at the RDS Uniform.
The Arrow is a heavy starfighter, classified as an Interceptor for its ability to intercept and destroy the enemy at range.
The 105 is an almost twenty meter long space-frame deigned for speed, weapons deployment and, defense which carries a moderate mid-to-long range weapons compliment used to engage targets at range and avoid closed combat. A single pilot can crew the starfighter however; a limited production of two-seat 105’s will serve as training ships and in the combat role of q-ship or squadron command platform. The 105 carries a weapons manifest directed towards ranged engagement which tasks the weapons themselves with closing and tracking. Computer systems on board the Arrow assist the primary weapons with target identification and tactical telemetry working in conjunction with the on board scanners.
Twenty five missile hard points are located on the dorsal wing surfaces of the Arrow. These sit in retractable slots which open for weapons deployment and remain closed when not active as a supplementary defensive measure. This is the primary offensive weapon of the GF-105. The weapons are meter long missiles with variable yield warheads and tactical abilities though the standard missile is just that; a standardized modulated-tracking, computer assisted, high velocity missile. In active deployment the Arrow can fire all of its missiles in a single volley or, alternately select specific weapons sets to fire at a given target. Once deployed the missile activates its own solid-fuel engine and on-board computers which in turn link up with those aboard the Arrow. In this fashion the pilot is able to maintain a certain degree of “hands on” control over the weapon.
Four “torpedo” deployment units are located on the ventral surface aft of the cockpit. These are shielded by retractable tube covers which are only opened before firing the weapon. The weapon in question is a two point five meter long torpedo which carries a megaton thermo nuclear warhead designed to for blanket bombardment or anti-capital starship actions. The weapon is a larger, more complex version of the missiles also carried by the 105. It has a more advanced tactical computer which does not maintain or rely on any data feed from the host ship. Once deployed the weapon goes active and can no longer be over ridden by the pilot. Directional information must be uploaded into the weapon prior to launch. They are mounted two to a magazine which means it can fire two weapons per round.
Three fire-linked laser cannons provide the only mid to short range offensive ability offered by the 105. These weapons are best used in the ‘mid range’ combat area, designed with stutter fire valves which enable the cannons to effectively blanket an area with laser fire. In short range engagements these weapons begin to loose their effectiveness. These high rate of fire cannons are mounted on the two wing extremities and forward nose cone.
The sensor package the 105 is equipped with is considerably more advanced then the systems most starfighters are out fitted with. It is a powerful, long range system able to track multiple targets and provide telemetry data to its missiles and pilot alike. An astromech android brain is hard-wired into the system to facilitate pilot to computer communication. The system uses a Dedicated Energy Receptor network to direct tracking feeds as assigned by the situation.
The 105 boasts powerful shields which enable to absorb and endure considerable damage before soaking through to the hull of the vessel itself. These shields are directed towards aft or rear deflection, designed to be modulated according to the ships orientation to the combat area. Unfortunately this boost in directional energy deflection comes at a cost, leaving the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the ship more exposed. The hull itself utilizes ablative armor technology to counter inbound energy weapons while reactive armor packs provide moderate supplementary defense against solid projectiles such as particle cannons or missiles.
Three banked ion engines provide the Arrow with considerable forward sublight speed capability. These engines are so powerful that they largely overpower the maneuvering vents ability to turn the craft at speed; thrust vector engines vents have been added to help compensate for this short coming. A primary hyperdrive motivator also grants the Arrow “Faster Then Light” ability on par with the galactic standard. Both engine sets can be spun up quickly and spun down just as fast. The 105 is also designed for quick deployment and recovery when employed aboard any other Galactic Technologies capital craft.
The pilot of the Arrow is provided with a wide array of systems to operate at any given time which had proven to be a detractor in closed combat however; at range it means the weapons systems can be assisted and thus more effective thanks to the efforts of the pilot in question, hence the limited two-seat production of the interceptor. Single seat units have a little more leg room then most starfighters of similar form or function and as a result pilots have been able to endure protracted chunks of time in the cockpit.
The 105 is a “pilot safe” platform according to design mandates employed by Galactic Technologies. Every effort has been taken to assure the safety of the pilot in damage conditions. The 105 features a reinforced cockpit, self contained ejection pod with redundant activation detonators, separate communications and life support systems with independent reserve power generators and mandatory “crash down” emergency supplies. This 105 was the first starfighter designed according to the “pilot safe” dictates which have become the benchmark of the line. The hope is that, even under extreme circumstances, the life of the pilot will be assured at almost any cost.
The GF-105 Arrow fills a vital role in the Galactic Technologies line of starships.