Casteban Mecetti
Character
GAT-120 Skipray Blastboat II
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To represent an updated version of the classic Skipray Blastboat available to everyone
- Image Source: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/3zm6E
- Canon Link: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/GAT-12_Skipray_Blastboat
- Permissions: NA
- Primary Source: NA
- Manufacturer: House Mecetti Nationalized Industries
- Affiliation: House Mecetti Nationalized Industries
- Market Status: Open Market
- Model: GAT-120 Skipray Blastboat II
- Production: Mass Produced
- Material: Standard Starship Materials and Duranium armor
- Classification: Blastboat
- Length: 25 meters
- Width: 9-14 meters depending on wing position
- Height: 7-14 meters depending on wing position
- Armament: High
- 2 Medium ion cannons (fwd)
- Twin Hs-1 Heavy Laser Cannons in armored Dorsal Turret
- Linked to automated defense system
- Tractor Beam Emitter
- 3 Assault Laser Cannons (one in nose, two on wingtips)
- 2 forward Mg-2 General Warhead launchers
- Each launcher magazine can be loaded with 4 concussion missiles, 3 proton torpedoes, 2 proton rockets, or 1 space bomb
- Defenses: High
- Duranium armor plating
- Particle Shields
- Ray Shields
- Ion Shields
- Automated Defense System linked to dorsal turret
- Capable of Point Defense against starfighters, missiles, and encroaching ground threats
- Squadron Count: Very Low (4)
- Maneuverability Rating: Average
- Speed Rating: Average
- Hyperdrive: Class 2 Primary || Class 10 Backup
- All Standard Shuttle Features (Controls, Life Support, Seating, Navcomputer, Sensors, Repulsorlift, Compact Refresher)
- Can land on planets.
- Accommodation for four
- On-board refresher
- Six weeks' consumables
- Holocomm
- Encryption Module
- Sureshot Targeting Array
- Automated Defense System linked to turret
- Capable of Point Defense against starfighters, missiles, and encroaching ground threats
- Optional Droid Mod for general starship automation, ideal for solo operators
- Excellent offensive and defensive capability
- Not quick enough to catch many modern starfighters.
The Hammer Blastboat must not be selling well enough for House Mecetti's taste, because the House Mecetti Nationalized Industries has paid a licensing fee to Sienar Systems so that they can use the name 'Skipray' for their new blastboat. The new Skipray is a modernization of the centuries-old model produced by Sienar. While the name and form-factor are Sienar's, the internals are nicely updated for modern warfare, with a suitable amount of automation to reduce crew requirements for cash-strapped security forces. Meanwhile, it is armed even better than the storied original. Enough to solo some corvettes, in this reporter's opinion.
The new Skipray does fall short in speed and maneuverability due to its hungry offensive and defensive systems which steal power from its engines. This means it may have trouble catching some modern starfighters, and this may be a concern for system security forces. However, it can certainly catch most small pirate motherships, such as the commonly used Gozantis or most refit freighters. It also has the armament to chew them to pieces once it gets there. When the Skipray appears, pirates will surely disappear, making the craft an able deterrent to pirates in any system where it operates.
Even after hundreds of years, there is a strong name recognition for the classic Skipray. There are even operators still using the antiquated original, carefully repaired and renovated for generations by security companies who love these vintage vessels. The staff here at Starship Today think that this revamp of the old classic has a real chance to become a big seller if House Mecetti can successfully market it to the right buyers. For their part, House Mecetti is placing a big bet on their new Blastboat, gearing up for Mass Production of the vessel.
