Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawk.jpg
Sparrowhawk
Production information
Manufacturer Warner Incorporated

Jalastar Aerospace

Production Year 2520[1]
Model SPR-H5
Class Light aerospace fighter
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Cost 1,740,870 C-bills[2]
Technical specifications
Mass 30 tons
Structural Integrity 10
Frame StarTech Mod II
Power Plant Warner 240J
Armor Carbondale II
Fuel 400 - 5 tons
Armament
Communications System Rander 100
Tracking & Targeting System Rander TA4
Heat Sinks 10 single heat sinks
BV (1.0) 634[3][4]
BV (2.0) 637

Description[edit]

The Sparrowhawk was designed and debuted in 2520 as a fighter escort for larger attack craft such as heavy aerospace fighters, assault DropShips, and other larger craft. The high rate of thrust also allows it to be a superb first-response unit. The Sparrowhawk also has a unique armor ejection system installed, so that the pilot may manually release damaged armor plates if they would hinder atmospheric reentry. The Rander 100 communications system is considered one of the most reliable in any fighter. After the Star League fell, the Federated Suns appropriated the fighter's factories on Quentin, and continued producing the fighter until a Draconis Combine attack on the facility destroyed them.[5]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Sparrowhawk is armed only with laser weapons, increasing its combat persistence. Two Martell medium lasers mounted in the nose provide accurate short- and medium-range firepower. Two wing-mounted Exostar small lasers add additional short-range punch, although their accuracy is limited, particularly if the fire control system suffers combat damage.

Variants[edit]

  • SPR-H5K 
    This Kuritan variant, introduced in 3018, removes both medium lasers and replaces them with another four small lasers mounted in the nose & fuselage. This increases the rate of fire, but the targeting system, which was not matched, can be easily overtaxed. BV (1.0) = 505, BV (1.0) = 505[6][7]
  • SPR-6D 
    Introduced in 3051, this Star League-quality variant swaps each of the original lasers with pulse versions, increasing its combat capability by over seven percent. BV (1.0) = 680[8][9], BV (2.0) = 729

Notes[edit]

  • Author Blaine Lee Pardoe stated in a blog entry that, according to his memory which he admitted could be wrong, the Sparrowhawk was among the aerospace fighters for which he invented the name and wrote the original background as initially published in TRO:3025, after being given only its art and game stats to work with for the TRO entry.
  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Sperber. The model code was accordingly changed to SPR-B5.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. MUL online date for the Sparrowhawk
  2. Record Sheets: 3039
  3. Record Sheets: 3039
  4. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 42
  5. Technical Readout 3025 p. 152
  6. Record Sheets: 3039
  7. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 43
  8. Record Sheets: 3039
  9. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 44
  10. Record Sheets: 3039
  11. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 204
  12. Record Sheets: 3039
  13. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 45
  14. Experimental Technical Readout: RetroTech, p. 13

Bibliography[edit]