Shamira Karuto
Burn the past - Heal the future
Image Source: ( Vitaly Bulgarov – Riot Suppression Vehicle )
OOC INFORMATION
Intent: To create a GAT (Ground Attack Fighter) capable of having weapons to focus on ground infantry and weapon installments, but also having the weaponry available to defend itself in a dogfight. A hybrid gunship, of sorts, with the ability to defend itself from Starfighter attacks without being destroyed as easily as a lame duck.
Canon Link: N/A
Restricted Missions: N/A
Primary Source: N/A
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Firemane Industries & Technology
Model: GAT Mark I - Paladin
Affiliation: Closed market – Firemane use and approved buyers only.
Production: Minor
Material: Durosteel exterior, gunship materials used for interior.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Classification: Gunship hybrid - GAT
Crew: 2 – One pilot and one gunner
Length: 18.5m
Width: 16m wingspan, 4m wide body of ship.
Height: 8m
Armament: Moderate
ARGH- HVKF-RC-1 – High Velocity Kinetic Firearm Rotary Cannon 1 (Located under the cockpit of the ship, on the underside of the ship) (x1)
Proton Missile launcher – each holding 4 missiles that are guided for AtA combat (on underside of each wing) (x2)
ST2 concussion missile rack – each holding 4 ST2 missiles (on underside of each wing) (x2)
Defenses: Average
Squadron Count: Each squadron would include 8 Paladins.
Maneuverability Rating: Average
Speed Rating: Low
Hyperdrive Class: N/A – requires to be launched from airfield or capital ship
SPECIAL FEATURES
Military grade sensor system
Chaff to deploy in event of locking missile
Military grade communication system
Light shielding system
Military grade targeting system for gunner
Strengths:
Get us out of here! : The Paladin has the ability to get out of unfavorable situations with moderate speed, unlike gunship counterparts that are more of lame ducks in the sky.
Bring the boom: With the ST2 missiles, the Paladin has plenty of punch to pair with its rotary cannon to shred through enemy infantry and enemy installations.
Split responsibilities: With a gunner and a pilot, neither must focus on doing all the work. They each have their specific job in the ship, making it so they can focus fully on doing their job to the best of their abilities.
Weaknesses:
Shocking: With both the rotary cannon and the ST2 missile launcher being electronically powered, any sort of EMP or related blast would knock out these weapons, forcing the Paladin to retire from the battle to begin repairs on the ground.
Backstabber: With no way to shoot backwards, the Paladin’s backside is their weak spot. A fighter able to drop behind them and stay behind them would down them quickly.
Not your responsibilities: While split responsibilities works if both pilots are alive, it’s usefulness drops significantly if either the pilot or the gunner dies. If the gunner were to die, the pilot would only be able to fire the proton missiles.
Spin me up: The rotary cannon takes eight seconds to spin up, meaning the enemy infantry would have a window to take out a Paladin before they are able to spin the gun up and cut down the men.
Description: Firemane’s gunships were getting cut down in droves without any way to defend themselves from air attacks from enemy fighters. The Paladin was commissioned to fix that increasing problem. With the proton missiles and maneuverability to match, it is no longer an easy target for enemy fighters. But, with the rotary cannon and ST2 missiles, enemy infantry should still fear the Paladins of the Firemane, releasing death from above.
