Starhammer
heavy fighter
Profitable contract
In the early 2280s, the Interstellar Alliance decided to build a large patrol cruiser for the Rangers. This raised the question of what fighters to equip it with. The most obvious choice was the Minbari Nial, as a proven and powerful veteran. However, Earth resented the fact that Minbar was receiving too many lucrative orders through the Anla’Shok leadership. All the more reason to finalize the contract to build the Victories. Using its influence and some blackmail, the government of the Earth Alliance won a contract to design and manufacture a new heavy fighter for the new cruiser.
However, things turned out to be far from simple. After spending about three years in development, the Rocketdyne Corporation failed to deliver on time. The Platri class cruiser was ready for production, but the heavy fighters had not even been prototyped yet. As a result, the contract with Earth was frozen, and the Platri was given the Nials.
Project revival
It would seem that this was the end of the history of a rather expensive and complex fighter, but time passed, the “workhorses” of the “Gyrfalcon” class became obsolete, and the attack of Aggressor-2338 suddenly forced to think about modernization and increase the military fleet. And so the Starhammer project was given a second life, but no longer as an Interstellar Alliance fighter, but as an Earth combat vehicle. First of all, it was to be based on new carriers, replacing the old attack aircraft there.
With new allies behind this time, Earth was unwilling to share technology and weaponry.
Technical data
Length
32 meters
Width
25.2 meters
Height
20.9 meters
Artificial gravity
Not available
Crew
1 human
Engines
3 gravimetric engines with ion boosters
Power
1 micro fusion reactor
1 antimatter cell
Hyperspace drive
Not available
Maneuverability
Class A-
Maneuvering in the atmosphere is undesirable
Weapon
- 6 heavy neutron cannons
- 2 pulse guns CI-35.1
- 18 “Needle” lightweight space-to-space missiles
Defense
- 12-24 cm. of advanced polycrystalline armor
Manufacturer
- “Mitchell-Hundyne”, New Kobe Orbital Shipyards, Earth
Useful systems
Pilot survivability
Like all Earth fighters, the Starhammer is equipped with a shootable armored cockpit, which greatly increases survivability among pilots. Due to its appearance, the cockpit has come to be known as the “pearl”.
Maneuverability
Despite its considerable size for a fighter, the Starhammer is equipped with three powerful engines, giving it excellent maneuverability. Of course, in this discipline it is unlikely to be able to compete on equal terms with most of the known fighters, but in combat the aft cannon can quickly cool down the pursuers’ ardor.
“ Needle” light missiles
In addition to powerful energy weapons, the Starhammer carries lightweight Needle anti-ship missiles capable of not only scattering the path ahead, but also of delivering pinpoint strikes against large ships, disabling weapons, engines, or communications and sensor equipment.
Presence in the fleet
Production of the Starhammer began in the year 2342. Initially, it was kept secret, delivered to the place of service in Uranus hangars, which could carry 30 units each. By the middle of 2343 there were already about 300 of them in the fleet.
Development
Idea: Henry Pashkov
Author: Henry Pashkov
Modification: Avenger
Year (model/modification): 2009/2025
Description: Somewhere in the background there was always the thought that the Earth needed a new powerful fighter. Henry Pashkov’s Triplex model came to my attention, which he finally gave us for the project. After a small cosmetic modernization by Avenger, the “Starhammer” now joined the fleet of the Earth Alliance.