Spaceship blog 4
The Interceptor
To ensure victory Star Navies oftentimes utilize specialized, better-quipped craft.
In stark contrast with the mass-produced SSFs, interceptors are built only in limited numbers since their overall manufacturing and maintenance cost is high. They often vary in size, depending which Star state designed them. Generally, this space-born craft is twenty-five meters long and ten meters wide.
This specialized starcraft has one mission alone – to overtake and destroy starfighters and bombers. As such any interceptor has at least the same number of weapon hardpoints as the SSF, and greater fuel capacity. All interceptors come equipped with engine boosters and better than average sensor package.
These starships are protected by medium armor that is oftentimes either modular or cast from special alloys. Only the richest Star States could invest in outfitting their interceptor wings with heavy armor. Most interceptors are equipped with powerful, long-range missiles and top grade guns. Interceptor craft are usually reserved only for the best pilots of their respective Star Navy.
“Sometimes Interceptors are the tip of the spear, first into combat and last to retreat.”
Interceptors deployed by the Terran Minarchy are better than those of their enemies. They are also considerably fewer in number since the Terrans are a regional power and not some old, rich Star state. Commanders form special interceptor wings piloted only by their top Aces. Pilots are recruited from all over the Minarchy and upon forming a new wing, they undergo specialized training.
In essence Terran interceptors are heavy fighters.
They sport one quad turret under their nose, equipped with whatever heavy fighter size cannon was available to their manufacturer. Multiple missile pods are installed under their armor-plating, well protected and packed with deadly, long-range ordinance. The ship has a second pilot who operates the interceptors munitions, while its pilot is concerned only with navigating the craft.
In battle, the CN forms special groups of fighters and bombers who are led by those interceptor wings. Their job is to punch holes in their enemies fighter screen, widen them, and ensure that the rest of the starfighters can enter through these gaps. Reminiscent of the Earth Great war “Shwere Abteilung” tank battalions, Terran interceptors grind any other SSFs into scrap, devastate their squadron formations with accurate fire, and chase them away launching swarms of missiles.
“A big gun striped on top of your interceptor may help your enemies realize the error of their ways. Then again, the dead oft lack the time to do so.”
Colonists sometimes pool their resources to design, build and equip a single interceptor for their best pilot. Called lone wolves by their fellow colonists, these men and women are well-known individuals who fly solo. Intensely driven, they constantly hone their skill and hope to get noticed by some big CN fighter unit. Sometimes their very presence, and well-built craft could turn the tide of battle.
The Minarchy’s “Top Guns” are well known and feared among all enemies of Terra. Pirate clan pilots in particular exhibit a seething hatred towards those aces. After all, they cannot forget who eviscerated their fighter squadrons during the ill-fated 1969 invasion of pirate lord Mahimm.
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Scout Fighters Starfighters Strike Craft Interceptors Space Shuttle Escape Pod Modular Ships Escort ships Corvettes
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Final Liberation - Starshatter book 6
Princes Of The Stars - Starshatter book 7
A Mandate Of Sword And Railgun - Starshatter story anthology 1
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