Krasnaya Xue
Red Snow
Affiliation: The Rebel Alliance
Manufacturer: Krasnie Drives
Model: RAAF-1a Corvus (aka the Corvus RAAF)
Modularity: [None]
Production: Mass-Produced
Material: Trimantium wings; Alusteel hull; Transparisteel canopy
Classification: Interceptor Fighter
Length: 13 meters
Height: 3 meters
Width: 8 meters
Armament:
- 2 rapid-fire linked laser cannons
- 6 concussion missiles
Special Features:
- Preset navigation system
- Preset hyperspace navicomputer
- Distress beacon
- Analogue life support system
- Light deflector shields
- Light shield plating
- Radiowave comms system
- Shortwave comms system
- Chaff flares
- Copycat: Sprite
- Ejector seat
Speed Rating: 1.5
Hyperdrive Class: 1.5
Strengths:
- Unhackable
- Remains flyable in EMP/ion attacks
- Extremely fast and agile
- Powerful anti-fighter weaponry
- Thin profile
- Archaic computer systems
- Manual targeting required
- Controls are difficult to master
- Weak shielding and armor
Description: Following the ill-fated attack on Makeb, the Rebel Alliance realized the threat that superslicers such as Cryax Bane imposed on network-reliant technology--especially starfighters. The solution was to simplify. The days of analogue fighters were thought by many to have passed, but there is a newfound need for single-pilot snubfighters with isolated systems.
Named after the famous Jedi defender, Corvus Raaf, for her renown, steadfast tenacity (and because the acronym fits), the Rebel Alliance Analogue Fighter interceptor was crafted for the role of fleet defense and attack squadron escort, its incredible maneuverability and heavy rapid-fire guns immensely superior in air-to-air combat. While weak in armor and shielding, it is by far not a fighter worthy of scorn.
The sublight engines are of a compacted ion drive variety, functioning on the same principles as the majority of ionic thrusters used throughout the galaxy by funneling naturally occurring magnetic fields in through the engine, which excites the fuel propellant. Feeding off of ions themselves, the engines will not short unless they sustain a direct hit by a high-powered ion blast.
All operational systems of the Corvus are either manual analogue or digitally isolated, with the exception of the ECHO Copycat: Sprite component--which can easily be killed should it ever be compromised by hackers. The navicomputers are preset before each mission so that they do not require communication with networks in order to plot routes, thereby preventing any possibility of cyber exploitation of the craft’s systems. The Copycat, navigation devices, and what shields it does have are the only components of the starfighter that are vulnerable to EMP or ion blasts, making it perfect for combat in situations that may involve such weaponry, as none of its vital operational systems would be affected.
While its analogue functionality is an advantage in all the above cases, there are some setbacks for pilots--especially rookies. The HUD is nearly nonexistent and targeting is completely reliant on the pilot’s eye. While its maneuverability is, by all standards, exceptional, the fighter’s handling is very difficult to master, and many pilots may not feel comfortable flying such a ship.
Development Thread: A Whisper and a Clamor (Cryax Bane hacks advanced fighters)
Intent: To create an unhackable interceptor that is also functionally immune to EMP.
