The Rebel Faction

Steadfast Class Gunship

Name/Type: Steadfast Class Gunship
Designer/Manufacturer: Stellar Enterprises
Combat Role: Fast Heavy Gunship
Personnel: 44 + 24 Gunners (22 + 12 Gunners SE Version)
Size: Main Body: 150 meters
Width: 220 meters
Speed: 62 MGLT, Flank: 65 MGLT
Hyperdriver: x1.5 (x1 SE Version)
Shield Rating: 1,000 SBD (1,570 SBD SE Version)
Hull: 360 RU (640 RU SE Version)
Weapons: 3 Dual Heavy Tubolaser Cannons, 6 Turbolasers Cannons, 8 Dual Heavy Laser Cannons, 4 Warhead Launchers
(SE Version:2 Repeater Turbolaser Turrets, 2 Dual Heavy Tubolaser Cannons, 4 Heavy Turbolasers Cannons, 2 Dual Turbolaser Cannons, 2 Heavy Ion Cannons, 8 Repeater Heavy Laser Cannons, 4 Dual Warhead Launchers)
Fighter Complement: 12 fighters (24 fighters SE Version)
Troops: 10 (25 Defense Droids, 25 Repair Droids SE Version)



Description: This is a new gunship that will be built both for sale around the galaxy and also in a specialized version for Stellar Enterprises. It was created do to a lack of smaller ships to guard convoys and Stellar interests around the galaxy. Since larger ships are more costly and therefore have to be produced in more limited amounts, it was decided to build larger numbers of smaller ships that would be deployed in larger numbers.

The Steadfast class Gunship was designed to handle both fighters and ships larger than itself. When working in packs these ships will be able to pose a threat to even ISDs and some largers ships. With their speed and heavy firepower these ships can be used for attack or defense missions. They have heavy shields and a thick hull in order to take damage when not dealing it.

Most of the heavy weapons on the Streadfast Class are located in the long wings that jot out from the sides of the gunship. Much like the Hapan nova class this design feature allowed for a concentrated firing of all the heavy weapons against a single target. The turrets were positioned at the top of the ship on both halves of the centeral section. This allowed them to turn in all directions and lay down firepower to front as well to all other sides. Since most of the heavy weapons are facing front, the disadvantage is obviouly on the sides and rear of the ship. Along with the few turreted turbolasers only the fast rotating heavy laser cannons are positioned to fire in all directions of the ship, making them capable of surround the gunship in a constant shell of laser blasts.

To try and alliviate this problem large maneuvering thrusters were added to the tips of the gunship's wings. This allowed the ship to quickly turn towards any threat and reposition so that it could bring its firepower to bare on ships that try and get around it or to the side of it. Another way to help with defense was the additon of two small fighter hangers on the underside of ship. They were positioned in a space where the wings structure met the centeral section of the gunship. These hangers were each seperated into six sections and each holds a single fighter or bombers. This seperation allowed for six fighters from each hanger to launch similtaniously. Giving a command a whole squadron of fighters within seconds instead of having to wait while one of two fighters launch at a time.

One the Stellar Enterprises version of this ship the hangers are unchanged but two fighters are capable of being housed inside each section. This gives the SE ships 24 fighters that can launch immediatly to face any confrontation. All systems inside these hangers are automated and all a captain has to do is pick a configuration for the fighters or bombers and the automated loading system will load those warheads aboard the craft before launch.

The Stellar Enterprises ships are also built fully from Carbon Matrix Armor where as the ships built for export only contain sections of the armor to save some weight in sections were heavy armor is needed. The SE version is always heavy automated and features an advanced computer core that is capable of controling the whole ship and linking up with others to conduct operations in packs. This feature is usually not used and most ships are commander from an internal bridge by an officer that makes all the decisions.

Sensors on the SE version are highly upgraded and the ship uses the Spectrographic Sensor Arrays that were developed by Stellar Enterprises. These advanced sensor are capable of identifying threats are much longer ranges than regular sensors, giving the ship time to react.

The SE ships also feature repeating turbolaser and heavy laser cannons turrets. These call for larger power generators which are fitted into the ship inside the space saved when heavily automating it. When these weapons are used the Steadfast's speed is greatly decreased and the use of other heavy turbolasers is not possible. These weapons need long cool down periods and during these periods the other heavy turbolasers can continue pounding an enemy ship.

Lastly there are six internal piloting stations within the ships built for Stellar Enterprises. These feature the cognative interphase system allowing for direct remote control of the 24 fighters. Each pilot controls groups of four fighters and can designate duties to each one while controling a single craft completely.

Repair Droids: These are droids based on the Combat Droid design. The droids contain 4 arms and walk on two legs. Two of the arms are larged and are used for heavy lifting while the other two lower arms are small, but more dextres. These hands will be used for welding and manuevering small pieces into place.

The chest of these droids will contain different appendage attachments that can be used for repair operations.