Directorate Officer
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To provide a basic heavy cruiser for the open-market, especially pirates and others who may have difficulty obtaining more "modern" craft
- Image Source: here
- Canon Link: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Primary Source: N/A
- Manufacturer: CorelliSpace
- Affiliation: Anyone
- Market Status: Open-Market
- Model: Sand Panther-series Heavy Cruiser
- Production: Mass-Produced
- Material: alusteel hull, typical starship components
- Classification: Heavy Cruiser
- Length: 750 meters
- Width: 150 meters
- Height: 250 meters
- Armament: Very High
- 4 Forward Long-Range Very Heavy HX.6 Turbolaser Batteries
- 4 Forward C-136 Ion Cannons
- 4 DBY-827 Twin Heavy Turbolasers
- 20 Fast-tracking KDD2005 Twin Turbolasers
- 8 Minelayers
- 20 Twin LC-9 Thermite Torpedo Launcher Turrets
- 20 Twin Mercybringer Ion Torpedo Launcher Turrets
- 20 Twin HR-0C Slingshot Railguns
- 20 AG-2G Quad Laser Cannons
- 20 Caltrop-5 Chaff Guns
- 6 Phylon Q7 Tractor Beam Projectors
- Defenses: Very High
- Deflector Shield Generator Networks (x2)
- Ion Shield Generator
- Thick alusteel hull
- Hangar Space: Base: 1 squadrons
- Hangar Allocations:
- Starfighters: 0 squadrons
- Support Craft: 1 squadrons
- Maneuverability Rating: Average
- Speed Rating: Low
- Hyperdrive: x1
- Communications Array
- Encryption Network
- Escape Pods
- HoloNet Transceiver
- Standard Deflector Shields
- Standard Detention Cells
- Standard Hyperdrive
- Standard Ion Engines
- Standard Life Support Systems
- Standard Navigational Systems
- Standard Repulsorlift Engines
- Standard Targeting Systems
- Can Enter Atmosphere and Land
ADVANCED SYSTEMS
- Back-up Deflector Shield Generators
- Predator Interdictor Drives
- Heavy Firepower: The Sand Panther packs a fairly hefty punch for its size, mostly in its axial HX.6 Turbolasers and C-136 Ion Cannons that allow it to effectively act as "space artillery", with the sheer power of the turbolasers and the area of effect of the ion cannons capable of disabling or destroying smaller capital ships in a single massed salvo.
- Bulwark Defense: The Sand Panther can absorb attacks as much as give them out thanks to thick Alusteel plating and multiple shield generator networks.
- Swarm Killer: The Sand Panther has a large number of anti-starfighter weapons that paired with the effects of the Predator Interdictor Drive can make it very dangerous to small craft
- Fixed Weapons: As powerful as the Sand Panthers HX.6 Turbolasers and C-136 Ion Cannons are, they are axial weapons which limits their usefulness against smaller and faster foes.
- Low Speed: The Sand Panther is not very fast compared to many of its contemporaries.
- Small Hangar: The Sand Panther has a very small hangar which typically holds an assortment of support craft to help with the vessel's logistical needs.
The Sand Panther-series Heavy Cruiser is another CorelliSpace design ostensibly made for use by local defense forces, but more likely made to be sold to less than reputable buyers. Unlike many heavy cruisers, the Sand Panther is a curious mix between a dedicated "artillery" ship, with its axial very heavy turbolasers and ion cannons, and a starfighter screening vessel with its banks of starfighter-grade warhead launchers and defensive guns. To that end, it has only a very few intermediate weapons capable of effectively dealing with other capital warships in broadside actions. This vulnerability means that it is often best used in conjunction with more traditional warships. While a number of vessels are in service with local defense forces around the galaxy, their specialized niches in "artillery" and anti-starfighter roles has not made them very popular with these services given the vessel's large size. Conversely, pirates and other less than reputable groups have made good use of them for attacking convoys, where the ship's long-ranged weapons can oftentimes overpower the defenses of civilian ships in only a handful of shots from its axial weapons and the large numbers of anti-starfighter weapons can easily deal with most light convoy escorts.
