Unreviewed TZT-340 "Suzerain" Sky Oppressor

[Helix]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To create a light patrol/suppression vehicle for the Dzara
• Image Source: Link
• Canon Link: N/A
• Permissions: N/A
• Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: Helix Privateers
• Affiliation: Helix Privateers / The Dzara
• Market Status: Closed-Market
• Model: TZT-40 Suzerain
• Modularity: Yes
• Production: Minor
• Material:
  
  • General Construction/Exterior Armor: Helsteel
  • Organic Components: Formgel
  • Self-Repair Lattice: Blightsteel
  • Repulsor-Grid Compatibility Layer: Storm Iron
  • Exterior Finish: Helglass
  • Exterior Camo Layer: Shiftsteel

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Heli-Vehicle
• Role: Gunship
• Size: Small
• Weight: Light
• Armaments: High
  
  • MTO-422 "Doomspitter" Rotary Otherplasma Cannons (2)
  • ZZT-229 "Vertigo" Missile Pod (1)
• Defenses: High
  
  • HQT "Primacy" Repulsor-Grid Generator (1)
  • Quintuple-Layered Helsteel Armor
  • Shiftsteel Camouflage Layer
  • Blightsteel Self-Repair Lattice
  • Backup ZSR-136 "Phantasm" Holoshield Arrays (2)
• Maneuverability Rating: Very High
• Speed Rating: High
• Propulsion: Rotor-Winged
• Minimum Crew: 0
• Optimal Crew: 0
• Passenger Capacity: 10 (Folded Droids Only)
• Cargo Capacity: Average

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Integrated Droid Brain
• External Holodroid Projectors
• Integrated "Chimeric" Cybersecurity Suite
• Starship-Grade Omni-Eye Sensor Array
• Internal KBR Reactor Power Supply
• Small storage locker

STRENGTHS

• Hornet's Nest: Suzerains are relatively small and nimble, and possess well-rounded offensive and defensive capabilities.
• Droid-Dropper: The Suzerain can carry a single squad of compacted battle droids.

WEAKNESSES

• Vultures: The Suzerain is very vulnerable to proper starfighters, and equally vulnerable to dedicated anti-air weaponry.
• Air Only: The Suzerain cannot operate in vacuum conditions, and is strictly an in-atmosphere aircraft.

DESCRIPTION

A rare example of a currently-produced heli-vehicle, the Suzerain is designed primarily for area patrol.

Owing to their relatively-primitive means of propulsion and simple, rugged design, these machines are relatively cheap to produce. Most often, this leads to them being seen in significant numbers, swarming the skies of occupied zones.

Indeed, policing Sith-occupied areas is the Suzerain's chief purpose. They are almost never seen unless air superiority has been firmly established, as they are easy prey for starfighters and other fast-movers.

Nonetheless, when used as intended, the Suzerain is a savagely effective machine. Each is operated by an integrated droid brain, eliminating the need for a pilot entirely. Nonetheless, each can carry a small number of folded battle droids of various types.

The Suzerain is relatively small for an aircraft, and can easily zip between the tight confines of urban cityscapes at speeds of up to 500 km/h. This compact body arrangement allows it to be easily smuggled into enemy territory, and Dzara-aligned criminals regularly use these droids as airborne fire-support.

Nor do these droids lack for armament. The Suzerain typically fits a pair of semi-articulated Doomspitter cannons, one one each of its stub-wing pylons. Occasionally, these are replaced by more specialized armaments, but most commonly this loadout is ideal for urban pacification efforts.

The Suzerain also possesses a chin-mounted Vertigo pod, enabling it to disperse computer-guided ordnance over significant distances.

All this in mind, this vehicle excels at keeping order in already-conquered areas. Its armament is more than sufficient to shred most civilian resistance, and its defenses are far beyond the ability of most small arms to pierce.
As with its terrestrial cousin, the Suzerain is roundly despised by anti-Sith partisan organizations, particularly due to its propensity towards cruelty. A Suzerain is more than willing to douse an entire rioting crowd in incendiary death simply to silence one rabble-rouser, and it is entirely lacking in any conscience or hesitation that an organic operator might experience.

This reputation has led to them being symbols of oppression and fear across Sith-controlled space, and the sound of their approaching rotor-wings has crushed countless nascent riots in their infancy.