D O M I N U S
Nimbus-class Elite Starfighter
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: The purpose of this submission is to provide the Confederacy of Independent Systems with a semi-unique, elite starfighter capable of being utilized as a reward for exceptional service within the faction.
- Development Thread: N/A
- Manufacturer: Arakyd Industries
- Model: Nimbus-class Elite Starfighter
- Affiliation: Private Market
- Modularity: No
- Production: Semi-Unique (3)
- Material: Durasteel, Turadium, Quadranium, Glasteel
- Classification: Starfighter
- Role: Personal Transport, Assault
- Height: 4 meters
- Width: 6 meters
- Length: 16 meters
- Power Core Generator/Reactor: Solar Ionization Reactor
- Hyperdrive Rating: 1
- Minimum Crew: 1 (Pilot)
- Optimal Crew: 2 (Pilot, Gunner)
- Passenger Capacity: 6
- Cargo Capacity: 2 metric tons
- Consumables: 30 days
- Sublight Speed and Maneuverability: Class 1.5 (Class 0.9 [Slam])
- Advanced Deflector Shield Systems
- Advanced Targeting Systems
- Standard Navigational Systems
- Standard Life Support Systems
- Standard Sensory Array
- Encryption Network
- SLAM Motor
- Short-Range Sensor Jammer
- Thrust Trace Dampener
- Chaff Projector
- Concussion Missile Launcher (1; 6 Missiles)
- Neutron Missile Launcher (1; 6 Missiles)
- Forward Laser Cannons (2)
- Forward Ion Cannons (1)
- Aft Laser Cannons (2)
- Aft Ion Cannons (1)
The Nimbus-class Elite Starfighter is an ambitious, prototype venture launched by the engineers of Druckenwell Shipyards. As a whole, the starfighter boasts a combination of armaments and countermeasures of the likes that the Confederacy of Independent Systems has yet to employ. The intended role for this vessel was, originally, something along the lines of an elite interceptor. However, due to the total sum of armaments and countermeasures that intended to be installed upon the vessel, its form became bulkier than that which traditionally defines an interceptor. To this end, the Nimbus-class Elite Starfighter entered a class of its own, with only a trio having been fully constructed and released into the Confederate military for extensive, on the field testing.
Like most ships produced by Druckenwell Shipyards, the Nimbus-class Elite Starfighter is constructed from a combination of elements known for their durability. In particular, both its hull and frame are constructed from an alloy formed by Durasteel, Quadranium, and Turadium; which bestows upon the vessel an impressive sum of longevity in the event of shield droppage. While this combination of metals does not, by any stretch, make the vessel invincible in the event of a shield droppage, it does allow the ship precious breathing room to make hyperspace jumps or otherwise retreat should its deflector shields be defeated. On another note entirely, the total sum of armaments affixed to the vessel amounts to six cannons and a duo of missile launchers, armed with six projectiles each.
The countermeasures and non-combative attachments installed upon the ship were inspired to by two vessels with excellent records of service. The first is the famous RZ-1 A-Wing Interceptor, whose countermeasures were replicated to the best of the engineer's abilities and affixed to the Nimbus-class Elite Starfighter. These countermeasures make detection of the vessel a difficult task for the sensory arrays of capital ships and starfighters alike; but not at all near the level of actual cloaking devices. The second ship whose equipment was installed upon the Nimbus-class Elite Starfighter is the Confederacy's own CSX-001 Jackal Interceptor. As a whole, the non-combative attachment gleaned from this vessel was its SLAM motor, which allows the Nimbus to divert power away from its armaments and countermeasures in order to temporarily boost its sublight speed.
Of course, this boost only lasts for a few seconds and would fully reveal the ship to enemy sensory arrays, but is an invaluable tool when attempting to escape destruction or pursue fleeing ships. All in all, the Nimbus-class Elite Starfighter is poised to be an excellent addition to the Confederacy's naval forces; but still requires much testing to fully flesh out its intended role and to gauge its combat effectiveness.
Image Source: Star Citizen
