Unreviewed M.I. 'Mangonel' Basilisk War Droid

[Shai Maji]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: Create Basilisk War Droid
• Image Source: ChatGPT render
• Canon Link: Basilisk War Droid
• Permissions: Roble stuff
• Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: Maji Ironworks
• Affiliation: Maji Ironworks
• Market Status: Closed-Market
• Model: M.I. ‘Mangonel’ Basilisk War Droid
• Modularity: Highly Modular
• Production: Limited
• Material: Impervium, Beskar, Glasteel, Duranium, Durasteel, various other materials.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Strike starfighter
• Length: 19 meters
• Width: 18 meters deployed / 6 meters collapsed
• Height: 6 meters deployed / 4 meters collapsed
• Armament: Very High
  • 4x Model 46 heavy laser cannons
  • 4x Model 64 medium ordnance launchers
  • 2x Model 66 heavy ordnance launchers
  • 6x model 44 medium particle cannons
  • 1x Model 52 light turbolaser cannon
  • Shockwave generator rods
• Defenses: Very High
  • Tactical ordnance jammers
  • Interdiction countermeasure system
  • Electronic countermeasures package
  • Sensor scrambler
  • Shield generator
  • 2x retractable Model 39 heavy repeaters
  • Chaff and flare launchers
  • Sturdy hull plating
  ​
• Squadron Count: Very Low: 4
• Maneuverability Rating: Average
• Speed Rating: High
• Hyperdrive: Yes
  • Class 1
  • Backup Class 5

STANDARD FEATURES

• Power:
  • Fuel atomizer core
  • Fuel driver
  • Fusion chambers
  • Energy cyclers
  • Coaxium regulators
  • Coolant pumps
  • Multi-fuel reactor
  ​
• Propulsion:
  • Radial atomizer engine
  • Landing jets
  • Maneuvering drives
  • Hyperdrive
  ​
• Systems:
  • Navigation computer
  • Astromech socket
  • Navigation assistant
  • Proximity sensors
  • Gyroscopic stabilizers
  • Sensor arrays
  • Inertial dampeners
  • Secure communications array
  • IFF transponder and spoofer
  • Docking ring
  ​
• Crew needs:
  • Refresher
  • Small cargo space
  • 2 passenger seats

ADVANCED SYSTEMS

• Defense:
  • Fire control system connected to all weapons and sensors.
  • Enviro filters
  • Ammunition reloading system
  • Fire suppression systems throughout the ship
  • Armoured cockpit
  ​
• Utility:
  • Advanced droid brain
  • Energy clamps
  • Powerful claws fitted with magnetic plates.
  • Medpacks
  • Tool kits and spare parts
  • Emergency EVA gear for crew
  • Powerful spotlights
  • Ventral tractor beam generators

STRENGTHS

• Powerful: Heavily armoured, well defended and armed with a variety of weapons, the ‘Mangonel’ is a deadly beast in any battlefield.
• Flight: With an enclosed cockpit and sealed fighting compartment, the Mangonel is capable of ‘collapsing’ into a starfighter capable of sublight and hyperspace flight.
• Brain: With its own brain and AI, the Basilisk is capable of operating independently from its owner if needed.
• Drill: Able to channel its power into its cannons and generator rods, the Mangonel is capable of projecting a powerful beam that can slice through capital ships and terrain. Fitted with immensely powerful, magnetic claws and feet capable of splitting for a larger grip area for increased stability.

WEAKNESSES

• Attacker: Meant to lay waste to cities and heavy targets, the Mangonel could suffer in a traditional dogfight when compared to more traditional starfighters.
• Volatile: The reactor and materials used in the many powerful and expensive systems on it are susceptible to damage. Too much loss of structural integrity can cause it to go up in a very disconcerting explosion.
• Vulnerable: When using its cannons for drilling, it loses all other systems except systems crucial for the pilot and machine's survival. Flight, other weapons, and other systems are all disabled to produce enough power to sustain the constant drill beam.
• Squadrons: Along with its sluggish maneuverability, the Mangonel is designed to fill the role of a bomber and strike aircraft. Due to this, its squadron count is much lower than other starfighters.

DESCRIPTION
After more than three decades of proud service and battlefield dominance, the ‘Howler’ model of Basilisk War Droid is an equally feared and respected engine of war.

However, in those three decades, many lessons and shortcomings were learned of its design and the role it was intended to fill. While a capable fighter, its armament and defenses were simply lacking when going against heavier targets and more powerful adversaries.

In an attempt to remedy this gap in fighting capability, the new ownership of Maji Ironworks proposed its first new design in the ‘Mangonel’ model of Basilisk. Incredibly heavily armed and armoured, the beast is designed to fly in conjunction with its lighter counterpart to fill the role of close support, bombing runs and other tasks the Howler struggled to complete efficiently.

But the increase in armour and weaponry comes at a cost. Slower to maneuver and taking up more space in a squadron, the Mangonel can’t completely replace the Howler in its entirety. The trade-off, however, is significant parts interchangeability and impressive tactical synergy to lay waste to the enemies of the Mandalorian people. And while it might lack the iconic howl of an ion engine, its presence is still announced by the sound of its massive radial atomizer engine.