RAVESTRIKE STARBOLT


     Craft:  Neiulus Fleet Systems Ravestrike-2A Starbolt
     Scale:  Starfighter
     Type:  High Speed Attack Transport
     Length:  35 meters
     Cost:  Not Available for sale
     Crew:  4
     Passengers:  20 (troops)
     Cargo Capacity:  10 metric tons
     Consumables:  3 months
     Hyperdrive Mod:  x2
     Hyper Backup:  No
     Nav Computer:  Yes
     Space:  15
     Maneuverability: 2D
     Atmosphere:  210; 600
     Hull:  3D
     Shields:  No
     Sensors:
          Passive:  30/0D
          Scan:  60/1D
          Search:  75/2D
          Focus:  4/3D
     Weapons:  
     5 Heavy Blaster Cannons (fire separately)
          Scale:  Starfighter
          Fire Arc:  Front
          Crew:  1
          Skill:  Starship gunnery
          Fire Control:  2D
          Space Range:  1-3/12/25
          Atmosphere Range:  100-300/1.2km/2.5km
          Damage:  6D
     2 Proton Torpedo Launchers
          Scale:  Starfighter
          Missile Loadout:  4 (each)
          Fire Arc:  Rear
          Crew:  2
          Skill:  Starship Gunnery
          Fire Control:  3D
          Space Range:  1/3/7
          Atmosphere Range:  50-100/300/700
          Damage:  9D

     The development labs of Grand Moff Usorr, a mid-rim warlord,
Neiulus Fleet Systems has been encouraged to expend time and
effort on designs that do not yield immediate results.  The
Ravestrike Starbolt is the first ship to even partially justify
Usorr's confidence in them.  Fitted with a pair of Neutron Grid
engines, the Starbolts outpace just about all other commonly
fielded ships.  However, the problems of the Neutron Grid engines
have not been solved by this configuration.  If anything, they
have multiplied, as Neiulus Fleet Systems have discovered that it
is impossible to mount energy weapons anywhere near neutron grid
engines of this size and power, due to distortion and
interference caused by the grid's emissions.  The rear mounted
proton torpedo launchers are a poor substitute, as the chance of
anything getting to within missile range of the rear of a
Starbolt, and staying there long enough to get a missile locked
onto them are quite slim.
     Still, due to the Starbolt's great speed, uses have been
found for them my Moff Usorr.  Almost nothing matches them at hit
and fade runs against fleeing targets, and they can always launch
the torpedoes if the targets survive the initial energy beam
hits.  They are also a good deal better than standard assault
transports on boarding missions, as they spend very little time
getting to their targets,  enabling them to avoid the fighter
attacks that prevent most early boardings.  Finally, almost all
of the mines in production are not capable of dealing with ships
of that speed or with neutron grid emissions, and a single
Starbolt can confuse the droid brains of an entire minefield for
hours.