Ahab (Aerospace Fighter class)

Ahab ASF TRO3050U.png
Ahab
Production information
Manufacturer Bannock-Braigh Aerospace
Production Year 2697
Model AHB-443
Class Heavy aerospace fighter
Tech Base Star League
Cost 6,005,755 C-bills[1]
Technical specifications
Mass 90 tons
Structural Integrity
Frame Wakazashi B3
Power Plant PlasmaStar 270 fusion engine
Armor Force Plus
Fuel
Armament
Communications System MyComm LVR
Tracking & Targeting System Artron 7
Heat Sinks 14 single heat sinks
BV (1.0) 1,182[2]
BV (2.0) 1,529[3]
1,738[4]

Description[edit]

The Ahab debuted in 2697 as the heaviest aerospace fighter ever produced, a devastating missile boat for the SLDF and other Great House armies. Poor acceleration and maneuverability, likened by pilots to "a moose in molasses", is compensated for with 15.5 tons of standard armor and a staggering array of weaponry: a full squadron of Ahabs is capable of shooting down light and medium DropShips in a single pass. The design would be modified once, in 2703, to accommodate a Narc missile beacon.[5][6]

Originally manufactured by Harvard Company, Inc., BBA would pick up production in the early 3000s when financial malfeasance brought down the company. BBA would build only a limited number of new Ahabs and spare parts, and only to ComStar, allowing the fighters in service to the other Inner Sphere powers to fall into disrepair. In 3061 the company began production of two new variants, which were sold only to the Word of Blake.[6]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

Slow but well armored, the Ahab really depends upon its two Delta Dart LRM-20 launchers, with three tons of ammo each, to soften up opponents at extreme range. When the Ahab closes it switches to its Federated-6 SRM-6 launchers with two tons of ammo to finish them off. A Thunderbolt 2C large laser is really just a deterrent used when the ammo has been depleted, while two CeresArms medium lasers located in the rear of the craft compensate for the weaker armor protecting the fighter against pursuers.[5][6]

Variants[edit]

  • AHB-643 
    This new version removes all the standard weaponry and replaces them with wing-mounted MRM-40 racks with a ton of ammunition. In addition, two 10-pack rocket launchers were added to the wingtips for extra punch. BV (2.0) = 1,537[9]
  • AHB-MD 
    The most recent and deadly variant mounts a large pulse laser and two medium lasers in the nose, guided by a targeting computer, making it a surprisingly deadly dogfighter. An MRM-40 rack under each wing with four tons of ammunition, as well as hardpoints for two Alamo nuclear weapons, turns this bird into a DropShip killer. BV (2.0) = 1,876[10]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Combat Operations, p. 107
  2. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 158
  3. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 246, "Ahab BV 2.0"
  4. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 361
  5. 5.0 5.1 Technical Readout: 2750, p. 80, "Ahab Profile"
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 246, "Ahab Fighter Profile"
  7. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 169
  8. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 44
  9. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 362
  10. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 363

Bibliography[edit]