Directorate Officer
Image Source: Original art by Adam Kopp [SIZE=medium]here, modified by yours truly[/SIZE]
Affiliation: Galactic Republic
Manufacturer: Galactic Republic
Model: R45 Quicksilver-class Interceptor
Modularity: Warheads, as per [SIZE=medium]LLT-7 General Purpose Warhead Launcher[/SIZE]
Production: Mass-Produced
Material: Duranium armor plating, Titanium, Titanium alloy frame, plexalloy canopy, typical starship components
Classification: Interceptor
Length: 7.5 meters
Height: 3 meters
Width: 6.5 meters
Armament:
2 Laser Cannons
1 [SIZE=medium]Seure-class Cannon[/SIZE]
1 LLT-7 general purpose warhead launcher
Squadron Count: 12
Special Features:
Basic Warhead Countermeasures Launcher (10 Chaff bursts or 7 Flares)
Standard Communications Array
Subpar Deflector Shield Generator
Standard Life Support Systems
Standard Navigational Systems
Standard Sensor Array
Standard Targeting Systems
[SIZE=medium]SLAM (SubLight Acceleration Motor)[/SIZE]
Can Enter Atmosphere and Land
Maneuverability Rating: 3
Speed Rating: 1
Hyperdrive Class: x4
Strengths:
-Extremely fast and agile
Weaknesses:
-Thin armor plating and subpar shielding
Description: Like the R44 and R46, the Quicksilver-class was conceived by a government think tank in the rough patch of Republic history after the Netherworld. Unlike those previous vessels, the R45 is designed to be a next generation interceptor. It is a high-performance ship with excellent maneuverability and speed that makes it a joy to fly, but it is also a bit more delicate than other starfighters with substantially weaker shields and hull armor than normal. Pilots flying R45s must make use of the ship's agility to avoid the majority of their enemy's attacks, otherwise they will in line for a very short flight.
The hull of the R45 follows the old A-wing design, using a titanium alloy hull built around a pair of J-77 Jump Horizon engines. To keep weight down, the ship uses thin, lightweight duranium plating, which is effective in protecting the innards of the ship from its environments and the occasional stray laser bolt or too, but not much more. However, the area around the pilot is armored a bit more normal for the ship, with a plexalloy canopy and a titanium “bathtub” enclosing the cockpit to ensure that the pilot's safety even if the ship takes heavy fire or is destroyed. In order to improve combat flight performance, the R45 only has a compact and slow x4 hyperdrive, which is typically used only for intersystem travel or in emergency situations. Most of the time, R45s are transported into battle from capital ships or are based on ground bases. The weight savings derived from using that hyperdrive were invested in acquiring a SLAM system for the craft. This takes the craft up to incredible speeds for brief periods of time, but also makes it nigh uncontrollable for pulling any sudden or advanced maneuvers. Instead, this system was included in order to let the R45 rapidly cover ground to close in and destroy their targets, especially bombers, before they could present a threat to larger Republic ships or space stations.
The ship's main weapons are a pair of typical laser cannons that jut out just from underneath the nose of the craft. But unlike many interceptors, it traded the space typically occupied by warhead launcher for a Seure-class Cannon. While this weapon has limited projectile ammunition and a slow rate of fire, it is quite useful for attacking larger small craft such as heavy starfighters, bombers, gunships, and the like because of the shell's armor penetration and power. But it is not uncommon to see it used in its energy mode as a light laser cannon to tag incoming missiles or to supplement the firepower of its two laser cannons. Lastly, the R45 carries a single general purpose warhead launcher, which is typically loaded with four concussion missiles for anti-fighter work.
The R45 takes a bit of practice for most pilots to fly because its controls are extremely sensitive, and the ship's physical performance can pass the physiological limits of some species even with its inertial compensators at their max settings. Because of this inherent danger, most R45 pilots are either experienced pilots or are extensively trained in simulators before they are even allowed to fly it in noncombat settings. But many of those who do start to fly R45s don't like to fly anything else after becoming used to the Quicksilver, as most other ship's controls and handling seem incredibly sluggish in comparison to the R45's.
Development Thread: If needed
Intent: To provide the Galactic Republic with a government-produced interceptor
Who Can Use This: Galactic Republic and allies
Primary Source: N / A
