Sic transit gloria mundi
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: Vehicle for Firemane.
Image Source: Here.
Canon Link: N/A
Permissions: Permission for all ArmaTech gear and all other subs made by Laira Darkhold's writer here and here. ARGH gear available per this thread. CD-X Cryptologic Key available for Firemane per this thread.
Primary Source: Bladesinger Combat Speeder.
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Firemane Industries
Affiliation: Firemane Industries, approved buyers.
Market Status: Closed-Market
Model: FM-AS1a
Modularity: Aeshtetics. Doodads and weapons are configurable to a degree.
Production: Limited
Material: Durasteel shell, alusteel plating, vehicle components, electronics.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Classification: Assault Airspeeder
Role: Fast Attack Vehicle
Size: Average
Weight: Average
Armaments: Very High
- Sunstriker Plasma Cannon
- 1x ACS-202 Vanquisher Light Repeating Blaster
- 1x ACS-203 Hellstorm Blastercannon or RC-2 Shattergun Rotary Cannon. Can be replaced with slower, but higher-yield laser cannon or Type 2 Deathstrike Missiles, though one of the first two weapons mentioned is standard.
- AE-CML1 Dampening Chaff
- Cap Drain and De-Ionizer Module
- ECM Module
Speed Rating: High
Propulsion: Repulsorlift
Minimum Crew: 1
Optimal Crew: 2. Pilot, gunner.
Passenger Capacity: N/A
Cargo Capacity: Small
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Probe Droid Dispenser
- ACS-405 Long Range Sensor Suite
- 220-SIG Tactical Sensor Jamming
- Programmable Paint
- CD-X Cryptologic Key.
- Low volume engine noise.
- The vehicle can be equipped with anti-theft measures. Examples would be biometrics or code cylinder requirements.
- The package is comparatively compact, but the Swiftstrike has a lot of firepower. Its main gun is a Sunstriker Plasma Cannon. The Sunstriker has a tremendously devastating punch concentrated on impact. The impact of this weapon is very powerful against most vehicles and lighter buildings. Thus unlike many airspeeders, this vehicle can actually be a danger to tanks and walkers.
- Fast, agile and manoeuvrable. The airspeeder is designed to get to the destination, fire, and get out. These qualities also make it good for recon and skirmishing.
- The Sunstriker is a devastating weapon, but the blast is quite small. It is designed for massively focussed damage at a single point, not bombardment. Whilst the kinetic impact will cause a small crater it is not inherently a good blast weapon. Heat is also an issue, as excessive use without cooling could lead to a meltdown or worse.
- Glass cannon. The Swiftstrike relies on agility and speed rather than heavy armour plating for protection. It is fine against standard personal weapons such as blaster rifles, but it is poorly armoured against say missiles. Or the main gun of a tank.
The Swiftstrike has been designed as a light assault platform that can scout and skirmish. As the name implies, it is meant to strike swiftly before withdrawing. For this reason its design focuses on firepower, speed and agility. This comes at the cost of protection, but then it is an assault airspeeder, not a main battle tank. In contrast to the Bladesinger, another airspeeder designed by Firemane, this vehicle is bigger and more heavily armed, though also a bit slower and slightly less agile.
The Swiftstrike features impressive firepower, especially for a speeder. Its main weapon is the formidable Sunstriker Plasma Cannon. The cannon is an intermediate weapon between handheld and vehicle mounted main weapons. It has a lot of punch, for it transforms slugs into speeding, burning shards of death. This gives it the potential to pierce most tanks or walkers with ease, as well as many types of fortification. However, the weapon generates a lot of heat, especially when fired too quickly or too often without having time to cool down.
Moreover, the blast from the Sunstriker is quite small. It is designed for massively focussed damage at a single point, not bombardment. Whilst the kinetic impact will cause a small crater it is not inherently a good blast weapon. Thus the gunner of a Swiftstrike will employ the weapon to hit a hard target where it hurts, while the driver makes sure the airspeeder is out of the way before the enemy can seriously return fire.
In addition, the vehicle is armed with a modular array of light repeaters and rotary cannons that can scythe down infantry and penetrate light vehicle armour. These armaments are configurable to a degree. The Swiftstrike may be able to inflict serious damage on a main battle tank, but it cannot survive contact with said tank's main weapon. It relies on speed and manoeuvrability rather than heavy armour plating for protection. The vehicle features sophisticated mapping and scanning tech, allowing it to be utilised in a reconnaissance capacity.
Last edited:
