Orthos

Orthos   Retribution - class Gunship  Length - 30 meters Standard Crew - 2 (1 pilot, 1 Gunner) Sublight Speed - 95 mglt Sublight Acceleration - 16 mglt/s Sublight Maneuverability - 65 dpf Shield Rating - 250 sbd Hull Rating - 100 ru Consumables - 1 month Cargo Capacity - 100 KG Hyperdrive Rating - Class 1.5 Weapons Complement:- - 4 heavy laser canons (forward facing with 180 degree turret movement)<BR> - 2 chin mounted heavy lasers<BR> - 4 x 4 port Heavy Rocket Launchers<BR> - 2 retractable light repeaters (for ground/atmosphere use)<BR> <BR><BR> The Retribution class Gunship is designed as an anti fighter Gunship and is more than capable lasting for a considerable amount of time when greatly out numbered by a number of fighters. Under each wing are two, fast tracking, 180 degree turrets which carry 2 x heavy laster canons each. Also mounted on each wing is 2 x 4 pod rocket packs giving the Retribution a total of 16 unguided rockets. Mounted under the main body are 2 retractable turrets with a light repeater mounted in each for ground operations. Lastly mounted under the chin are two (forward arc) medium lasers which are controled by the pilot.<BR><BR>

The Retribution class while being marginaly slowly and less maneuverable than the majority of fighter craft does have an excellent advantage in combat. The gunners station (slightly forward and down from the pilot) is equiped with a new targeting system, the station itself is a 360 degree ball turret with holographic screens creating a picture of the battlefield blocked by parts of the ship, The main weapon systems of the Retribution (the heavy lasers in the wing turrets) track with the gunners seat, thanks to a special targeting monicle in his helmet the main weapons track where he looks (within restrictions of their turret mounting) this gives the gunner a full 45 degree all direction from forward firing arc. This, along with the ships heavy shields make the Retribution class an extreme threat to fighters on a battlefield. <BR><BR>

A weapon and shield system this powerful puts terrible strain on the power systems of any ship and the Retribution class is no exception. To this end all crew comforts have been removed, only two small bunks and a bit of over head storage exists therefore allowing room to fit a largers power generator. This still leaves a power short fall and the Retribution class can not power ALL weapons simultaneously. There fore an advanced power management system was installed to allow for quick and efficient switching of power to systems during combat. This was a specialised design for the Empire but never went into full Production. One prototype was created but for reasons unknown the ship never went into full production although it out performed all expectations in space and combat trials. None the less the plans for this design were stolen shortly after the prototype was tested in battle and rumours about that a few were made. If one of these shows up on a battlefield - All fighters beware!! <BR><BR>