Metal Lord
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To recreate the Nssis-class Clawcraft into modern standards while improving upon a good concept.
- Image Source: https://s1.postimg.org/1igy747qcf/15054445_Crystal_Class_Claw_Craft.png (Full Ownership of Image, customized from old Nssis Image)
- Canon Link: N/A (Unless wish to see Nssis-class Clawcraft based on)
- Restricted Missions: N/A
- Primary Source: N/A
- Manufacturer: Have Gun Will Travel (Haon Hafey Workshop) (x)
- Model: TIE series (x)
- Affiliation: Haon Hafey (x)
- Production: Unique
- Material:
Quadanium (Main Armor Hull) (x)
Transparisteel (Viewports) (x)
- Classification: Interceptor
- Length: 7.85 Meters
- Width: 4.10 Meters
- Height: 4.5 Meters
- Armament: Moderate
L-s9.3 Laser Cannons (6) (x)
Borstel NK-3 Medium Ion Cannon (x)
M-G-2 General-Purpose Warhead Launcher (x) - Defenses: Average
Deflector Shield
Ejection Seat (x)
Life Support - Squadron Count: 1
- Maneuverability Rating: High
Control Jets (x) - Speed Rating: High
Modified P-sz9.7 Twin Ion Engine (x) - Hyperdrive Class: N/A
Special Features:
Control Jets: Nssis-class Clawcrafts were known to have in their wings to have small mounted control jets which allowed the craft to make sharp turns, complex manuvers and even adjust the wings lightly to make better atmospheric flight against the wind. (x)
Ejection Seat: Due to the unorthodox design, to eject requires the top wing eject from the Crystal-class Clawcraft and then the pilot is allowed to eject from clawcraft.
Life Support
Strengths:
- Anti-Starfighter/Freighter Control: As a unique interceptor, it can be deployed for either starfighter engagements or for freighter control, using the ion cannons to disable freighters trying to bypass inspection.
- Interchangeable Warhead Design: With the M-G-2 General-Purpose Warhead Launcher, the craft is allowed to carry four concussion missiles, three photon torpedos, three Mag pulse missiles, or two heavy rockets. This allows the Crystal-class Clawcraft to combat small capital ships with the option to disable larger ones if the need arises.
- Targeting System Reliance: Due to the viewport being obscured to the sides and no view from behind, the targeting computer is used to keep track of all hostiles in the area.
- No Hyperdrive: To increase speed the Crystal-class Clawcraft, the old Hyperspace Beacon was removed to divert power into the new generator.
- One Wing Lost, Other Disabled: Control Jets are designated to work in pairs save for the top wing. If one of the wings is damaged on the left or right side, its opposite is also disabled and maneuverability is decreased.
- Long Warm Up: It takes the Crystal-class Clawcraft around ten minutes to power up for deployment. This is primarily caused by the generators long start up time to allow all systems to be at maximum power before take off. Attempting to take off sooner than the allotted time can result in damage to the circuits or shorting out mid-flight.
- Landing Struts Difficulty: When landing, it has to be done very carefully else the small struts attached to the ship wont land properly with the result being the wings pushing forward and landing at a tilted angle. While this can be fixed upon lift off, this causes the pilot to get out in more hazardous circumstances if left alone.
- Cooling for Laser Cannons Issues: The Crystal-class Clawcraft cannot fire the laser cannons (excluding the ion cannon) for a prolonged period of time without overheating the capacitor of the Laser Cannons. If overheated, it requires one minute to cool off the Blaster Cannons before firing, effectively forcing the pilot to use the ion cannon or the missile systems until it has cooled.
After the death of Thrawn in 9 ABY, most Nssis-class Clawcraft in service were retreated towards Chiss Space or worked towards defenses of the fragmented Warlord planets. As time passed, many of the Nssis-class Clawcraft quickly fell into disservice to faster and more maneuverable craft in the centuries it has passed. Over time, the discussion was spoken of but quickly dropped of the unusual TIE relative though no attempts to resurrect it ever came into fruition due to the age of the fighter and the extensive rebuild required. In 851 ABY, Haon Hafey was given a drawing of the most unusual design from a child that mixed in a TIE cockpit and several X-Wing wings. While the design was not well, it triggered an idea that led to the next generation of Clawcraft fighters. The design was reconfigured with three more wings being added giving a total of six laser cannons with the top wing being designated for the ion cannon. With the elimination of the aging hyperdrive beacon, it gave way to upgrading the Twin Ion engine and the reactor to balance the increased speed and the newly added weaponry. While it was unexpected in testing runs, the maneuverability of the fighter was also increased with the new wings, giving it a much better tactical advantage than its predecessor. The new starfighter was christened the name Crystal for its quick effectiveness against other starfighters, name being derived from Crystal Snakes.
