M E A T B A G
Intent: To create a Starfighter/Bomber for the Golden Company, and later the Thyrsian Hierarchy.
Image Source: Amarr Bomber - Vankaiser's DeviantArt Link.
Canon Link: See Advanced Systems.
Restricted Missions: If required.
Primary Source: Repurposed Canon Articles.
Manufacturer: Republic Engineering Corporation, The Thyrsian Hierarchy, The Golden Company. (Select, and Contracted Foundries.)
Model: TTH/ASB-01 "Anhur" - Pattern Assault Starfighter Bomber.
Affiliation: The Thyrsian Hierarchy, The Golden Company, Closed-Market.
Production: Minor-Scale Production.
Material: Durasteel, Flexisteel, Armourplast, Reinforced Duraplast, Manganese Brass, Glasteel, Dallorian Alloy, Various Starfighter Components (Internal and External.)
Classification: Heavy Starfighter Bomber.
Role: Heavy Assault Bomber, Heavy Escort, Reconnaissance.
Length: 12 Metres.
Width: 18 Metres.
Height: 6 Metres.
Armament: High Rating.
- [1] Bomblet Generator, with Dedicated Emitter Array and Projectors. [Can Contain Ten Energy Warheads at a Time. Regenerating Supply.]
- [2] Solar Ionization Cannon(s). [Fire-Linked.]
- [2] Ion Cannons [Fire-Linked.]
- [2] Rotary Blaster Turrets [Chassis-Mounted, Fire-Linked, External Tracks.]
- Standard Starfighter Deflector Array (Overlaid Ray and Particle Shields.)
- Standard Starfighter Armour and Hull Plating.
- Standard Starfighter Countermeasures (Flares, Chaff, Various ECM, Etc.)
Maneuverability Rating: 60 DPF Average Rating.
Primary Power Plant: Compact Fusion Reactor.
Secondary Power Plant: Solar Ionization Reactor with Retractable Collection Array(s).
Crew Complement (Optimal): One Pilot, One Gunner, One Integrated Droid Brain.
Crew Complement (Minimum): One Pilot, One Integrated Droid Brain.
Passengers: None.
Speed Rating: Low Rating.
MGLT: 70 MGLT.
Maximum Atmospheric Speed: 1,000 Km/H (Higher speeds possible with Deflector's activated.)
Engine Count: Five Starfighter - Grade Drive Units.
Secondary Propulsion: SubLight Acceleration Motor.
Primary Hyperdrive Rating: Class 2.0 Average Rating.
Secondary Hyperdrive Rating: Class 10.0
Cargo Capacity: 120 Kilograms (Survival and Maintenance Equipment.)
Consumables: One Week.
STANDARD FEATURES
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Sensor and Targeting Systems.
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Navigation and Avionics Systems.
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Communications Suite. (Encrypted with Thyrsian Military Keys.)
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Atmospheric Seals and Perfunctory Oxygen Scrubbers (Life Support Capable Flight Suit Required.)
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Subspace and HoloNet Transceiver(s).
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Inertial Compensators.
- Standard [Military-Grade.] VTOL Repulsorlift Antigravity System.
- Standard [Military-Grade.] High-G Shock and Ejector Seat, with Crash Webbing.
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Homing Beacon (Encrypted with Thyrsian Military Keys.)
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Gyroscopic Cockpit Module (Flight and Landing Positions.)
- Bomblet Generator.
- Solar Ionization Cannons.
- SubLight Acceleration Motor.
- Integrated Astromech Droid (Droid Brain.)
- SubLight Acceleration Motor: The SLAM system was an ancient booster that was affixed to the external chassis of a starfighter, and would allow a bomber to rapidly accelerate away from a hostile ship after it delivered it’s payload. While the internal systems were overhauled to bring the device up to a more modern standard, the SLAM system still performs the same task when outfitted onto the exterior of the Anhur. With power diverted away from the weapon systems, the assault bomber is capable of speeding away from an enemy warship; possibly avoiding their inevitable retribution as they swing around for another pass.
- Chassis-Mounted Turret: Like the Horus, the Anhur is outfitted with a brace of rotary blaster cannons attached to a central chassis turret. This drastic departure from standardized designs, was affixed atop an integrated rail system that permitted the turret to alter it’s firing vectors as the module rode along this miniaturized transit system. With the protective measure in place, the Pilot, and their integrated astromech droid, would be capable of defending themselves from a myriad of threats that sought to take advantage of traditionally critical blind spots. Or, should the pilot wish, continuously strafe enemy positions as the assault craft swooped across their entrenched positions.
- Bomblet Generator: By drawing power from the starfighter’s reactor core, the bomblet generator was capable of creating a small hoard of deadly energy bombs. This module, and it’s host of additional supporting systems, was theoretically capable of producing an infinite number of plasmatic munitions. However, the generator was only capable of keeping a readily-made supply of ten bombs on hand - as any more than that would blow the system; potentially destroying the bomber itself. As these were not guided projectiles and slow-moving when deployed, they were best utilized when launching a strafing run on fortified enemy positions or on larger capital ships - after their deflector shields collapsed.
- Slow and Purposeful: As much of the energy needed by the Anhur’s weapons systems left little to be desired in the realm of speed, the assault bomber suffers from being unable to keep pace with it’s escort squadrons.This meant that these bombers were capable of being intercepted by dedicated interceptors and capital point defense weapons - if the bomber wasn’t properly protected by a fighter screen. In addition, the engines wouldn’t be able to gather enough thrust to escape the inevitable retribution after unleashing their payload. While the designers had believed that the SLAM system would be able to compensate for this glaring weakness; sadly it was incapable of doing it. The Anhur was only able of hitting it’s maximum speed after successfully completing a bombing run.
- Solar-Based Weaponry: While the power offered by the use of Solar ionization weapons were extraordinary, they came with their own host of drawbacks. The first and most notable, was that the solar cannon lacked the lethality of the standard laser cannon. It wasn’t able to destroy a starfighter in a single, direct hit. Instead, it was only capable of melting the armour plating. While this would be of little concern, it was how these cannons slagged their target’s armour. Through unknown and arcane knowledge, the Solar cannons bypassed conventional shielding as if it never existed, and allowed the pilot to strike his target whilst fully shielded. The second was that they required significant amounts of solar radiation, and were best deployed in a system bathed in their star’s brilliance. For, if they were employed in the darkness of space, the Anhur would rapidly lose power and it’s armament would be rendered useless; until the reactor module was recharged.
- Power Hungry: Even though the Anhur comes with two reactor assembly’s, the energy that the starfighter draws from either sources is immense. This means that several systems couldn’t be run sequentially, as that would rapidly drain the stored reserves and leave the Anhur drifting lifelessly through space. Therefore, should the Bomber crew elect to use their weapons for a bombing run, they would be unable to activate the SLAM system until their payload was unleashed and the available reservoir could be directed elsewhere. The same could be said in reserves, as when the SLAM system was activated, the Anhur wouldn’t be able to unleash their weapons, as their precious power was shunted elsewhere.
Following behind the production of the Horus superiority starfighter, the joint efforts of the Republic Engineering Corporation and their Thyrsian Enclave produced yet another peculiar design to add to the Golden Company’s - and later the Thyrsian Hierarchy’s - arsenal of spacecraft. With this being the second Thyrsian-based starfighter to roll into active service, the Anhur was built on the same frame as its predecessor. This design choice was meant to not only cut costs when rolled into production but offer a degree of familiarity to any Thyrsian pilots - despite the different internalized systems. As an added side effect, it would be difficult for enemy vessels to distinguish between the Horus and the Anhur until their specialized systems were deployed in combat.
The Anhur’s primary armament consisted of a modular bomblet generator that allowed the vessel to generate a theoretically unlimited number of bombs for the command crew’s use in combat. As it was directly tied into the assault starfighter’s reactor module, the weapon system would siphon power from the myriad reserve banks and funnel them into a slow-moving cloud of energy that was deposited through the integrated bomb chutes. These potent weapons would explode on contact with their targets, be they friendly or hostile, as they were unguided and cared little for who was on what side. Their only purpose in life was to destroy anything that stood in their way.
In addition to the power offered by the bomblet generator, the Anhur was outfitted with a brace of solar ionization cannons. What they lacked in raw power, when compared to that of a starfighter-mounted laser cannon, they more than made up for their performance by bypassing conventional shielding. This permitted the Anhur’s command crew to attack their targets, be they a fortified enemy position or a hostile capital ship, even if their projected shields were still active. However, this boon was only granted whilst fighting in the confines of a solar system and would be less effective, especially over time, if ever deployed in the darkness of space due to the lack of convertible radiation.
Thus, through the eventual deployment of the Anhur, mighty Thyrsus and her Navy would return to prominence amongst the stars; sending the vile Echani to their rightfully earned graves.
