Sabre

Sabre AT2r.png
Sabre
Production information
Manufacturer Jalastar Aerospace

Lockheed/CBM Corporation


Majesty Metals and Manufacturing


Pinard Protectorates Limited


Raimei


Wakazashi Enterprises

Production Year 2519[1]
Model SB-27
Class Light aerospace fighter
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Cost 3,145,781 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 25 tons
Structural Integrity
Frame Inazuma SI-32
Power Plant Nissan 225
Armor Nimakachi Type 3
Fuel
Armament

3x medium laser

Communications System BipStar 49-G
Tracking & Targeting System Ki-II TTS
Heat Sinks 10 single heat sinks
BV (1.0) 600[2]
BV (2.0) 574[3][4]

Description[edit]

The longest-serving aerospace fighter design in the Draconis Combine, the Sabre is a sturdy garrison fighter, now infamous for its role in one of the greatest intelligence projects in Combine history, the "Raimei Ring".[3]

While extremely short-ranged when first developed, the Sabre was well-regarded for its exceptional speed and maneuverability. The original manufacturer, Raimei, continued to upgrade the fighter as technology advanced; the final version produced by Raimei was the SB-27 model which featured a Nissan 225 fusion engine, doubled the fuel capacity of the previous model, and replaced the previous primitive armor with four tons of BattleMech grade armor, giving the same protection for less weight.[3]

Part of the reason the Sabre is such a common design in planetary garrisons across the Inner Sphere is because Raimei had established semi-independent factories in all five of the other Great Houses and two Periphery states by 2572. Due to close links between the company and House Kurita, each newly built facility also became a clearinghouse for ISF spies funneling intelligence back to the Combine. The ring would prove invaluable to the Combine and operate right up until Raimei's financial collapse in 2814, when the surviving Sabre assembly lines fell to other manufacturers. One of the revelations coming to light during the Word of Blake's White-out of the HPG grid during the Jihad, the existence of the so-called "Raimei Ring" has brought into question the loyalties of many multinational corporations.[3]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

Like many light fighters, the Sabre carries a light, laser based weapons array consisting of three Tronel II medium lasers, with one in the nose and one in each wing.[3]

Variants[edit]

  • SB-26 
    The original Sabre model designed in 2314, this primitive fighter carried a mere two tons of fuel, used a heavier engine, primitive armor, and was armed with three medium lasers.[3] BV (2.0) = 512[5]
  • SB-27b-EC 
    Four prototype ER medium lasers have been installed by Clan Cloud Cobra techs. (Note: EC is an abbreviation used by historians to designate "Early Clan" designs.)[8] BV (2.0) = 987[9]
  • SB-29 
    A newer upgrade developed in 3068 by Wakazashi, seeking to finally reintroduce the venerable Sabre to the Combine. The SB-29 replaces the medium lasers with a light PPC in the nose and an ER medium laser in each wing.[3] BV (2.0) = 789[11]
  • SB-31 Defense Special 
    Designed with extensive use of experimental technologies, the Defense Special appears to be a testbed for a new idea. As the DCA has spent so much money on WarShips, Wakazashi produced this fighter to thicken their anti-missile defenses. Using an XL engine and ER medium lasers, the Defense Special also mounts three Laser Anti-Missile Systems. Apparently pilots are supposed to stick close to a Combine WarShip and position themselves between the WarShip and incoming missile fire, allowing the LAMS to then engage the salvo, reducing or destroying it outright. This leaves the WarShip's defenses ready to deal with any missiles that manage to get past the Defense Special. Another possible deployment would place the Defense Special in the center of a flight, destroying incoming missiles and protecting its wingmates. No Defense Specials are known to be deployed. BV (2.0) = 884[12]

Design Quirks[edit]

The SB-31D Sabre variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[13]

Gallery[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • The Sabre was introduced in AeroTech (1st edition) as one of the six original designs, but lacked a model number, release date, or any description beyond its game stats. It was finally given an image in AeroTech 2 and a detailed description in line with that of other aerospace fighters in Technical Readout: 3075.

References[edit]

  1. MUL online date for the Sabre
  2. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 33
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 212: "Sabre"
  4. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 106
  5. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 105
  6. Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 83
  7. Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 160
  8. Technical Readout: Golden Century, p. 62
  9. Technical Readout: Golden Century, p. 125
  10. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 107
  11. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 108
  12. Experimental Technical Readout: Corporations, p. 14
  13. 13.0 13.1 Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 167
  14. Record Sheets: Prototypes, p. 83

Bibliography[edit]