The Rebel Faction

Tion X-303 Deathglider

Name/Model : Tion X-303 Deathglider
Designer/Manufacturer : Tion Industries
Combat Designation : StarFighter
Length : 10 meters
Power System : Tion O4-Z cryogenic power cells and ionization reactor
Propulsion System : Two Rudrig fusial thrust engines (300KTU)
Flight Control System : Tion flight control avionics package
Navigation : 2nd pilot ; R7 astromech droid
Crew : 1 pilot, 1 astromech droid or 2 pilots(can be switched out)
Speed Rating : 130 MGLT
Maneuverability Rating : 85 DPF
Hyperdrive : Tion GBk-585 motivator drive unit (x1)
Sensor Systems : Rudrig ANS-5d unit with a long range Phased Tachyon Detection Array model# PA-9r and one short range Primary Threat Analysis Grid model# PG-7u
Targeting Computer : Tion ANq 3.6 tracking computer and Rudrig "Sightline" holographic imaging system
Weapons : Two Rudrig IX4 Laser Cannons ; Two Tion MG7 Proton Torpedo Launchers (3 torpedoes each) ; One Tion SW-4 Ion Cannon.
Shields/Armor : Forward/Rear Projecting Rudrig Shields (50 SBD); Titanium Alloy hull
Hull Rating: 25RU
Special Design Features : Folding wings, adjustable for hangar storage


Profile : This starfighter, which employs the R7 astromech droid, was the first starfighter to be fully designed and built under the auspices of the Black Tion Cluster, and was created by Tion Industries, a manufacturer formed by engineers and workers who were recruited to the Black Dragon Empire. The ship, while visually like the V-Wing, has a pair of stable wings during flight, and its wings fold during hangar storage. The craft dishes out punishment and can take it equally well. It uses the R7 droid to take advantage of a redesigned hyperdrive system.

Deathgliders first came onto the drawing boards during the Black Dragon Empire's expansion into the Tion Cluster under Supreme Administrator Sully Anre. Captain Anre noticed during his expansion that the Black Dragon Empire used little, if any, starfighter technology and ships, relying mostly on their capital ships to drive away resistance. For Anre, it presented a challenge for him to conduct his campaign with a lack of starfighter power, especially when strafing and ship to ship combat was needed. Thus, the X-303 Deathglider program was born on the planet of Rudrig, under the Black Tion Hegemony.

Two months later, the Deathglider had become an integral part of the University of Rudrig's armed forces starfighter program, for it excelled in the Tion Industries basic design, under the supervision of Supreme Administrator Anre. The performance of the prototype Deathglider excelled on all accounts but one. Its speed and manuerverability are comparable to an Imperial TIE Interceptor, and its defenses are an upgrade from the New Republic's X-Wing, for it carries strong shielding and a reinforced hull capable of sustaining hits far longer than the X-wing can. Weapons include two fire-linked laser cannons, and two proton torpedo launchers capable of fielding up to three torpedoes each. But the glaring weakness of the Deathglider is its weak ion cannon. Cheap, ion fission coils are used in the ion cannon, and the result is quick breakdown and a poor firing range. This is currently being resolved by scientists from Rudrig University by rigging the ion cannon to recieve triple the normal power output. This increases range at the cost of a higher risk of overload. The Deathglider will no doubt continue to serve the Black Tion Cluster and the Black Dragon Empire to reach the fame of its competitors, the NR X-Wing and the Imperial TIE Fighter.