Difference between revisions of "Spad"
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{{InfoBoxASF | {{InfoBoxASF | ||
| − | | image = [[ | + | | image = [[Image:Spad ASF TRO3050U.png|191px]] |
| − | | name = Spad | + | | name = ''Spad'' |
| manufacturer = [[New Age Systems]] | | manufacturer = [[New Age Systems]] | ||
| model = SPD-502 | | model = SPD-502 | ||
| − | | Class = Light | + | | Class = Light aerospace fighter |
| Tech Base = Star League | | Tech Base = Star League | ||
| − | | | + | | production year = 2749 |
| − | | Cost = 1,538,182<ref>''Combat Operations'', p. 107</ref> | + | | year reference = <ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/2986/spad-spd-502 MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref> |
| + | | Cost = 1,538,182 [[C-bill]]s<ref name=CO107>''Combat Operations'', p. 107</ref> | ||
| mass = 30 tons | | mass = 30 tons | ||
| − | | frame = F-50/C | + | | structural integrity = 7 |
| − | | power plant = GM 150 [[ | + | | frame = [[F-50/C]] |
| − | | armament = * | + | | Fuel = 400 points |
| − | * | + | | power plant = [[GM 150]] [[fusion engine]] |
| − | * | + | | armor = [[Carbondale III]] |
| − | | communications system = CMDSTAT 400-D | + | | armament = |
| − | | tracking & targeting system = Scope Paint | + | * 1x [[PPC]] |
| − | | heat sinks = 10 | + | * 1x [[Medium laser]] |
| − | | BV (1.0) = 703<ref>'' | + | * 1x [[Small laser]] |
| − | | BV (2.0) = 807 | + | | communications system = [[CMDSTAT 400-D]] |
| + | | tracking & targeting system = [[Scope Paint]] | ||
| + | | heat sinks = 10 [[single heat sink]]s | ||
| + | | BV (1.0) = 703<ref name=CO107/><ref>''AeroTech 2 Record Sheets'', p. 41</ref> | ||
| + | | BV (2.0) = 807<ref name=TRO3050U228-229>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', pp. 228-229, "Spad Fighter Profile"</ref><ref name=MUL187>''Master Unit List: Battle Values'', p. 187</ref><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 323</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
| + | |||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | The '''''Spad''''' was a | + | The '''''Spad''''' was a light [[aerospace fighter]] introduced in [[2749]], considered one of the best fielded by the [[Star League Defense Force]] before its dissolution. Its most impressive feature was its durability and ease of maintenance, protected by eight tons of [[Carbondale III]] [[standard armor]] plates designed to deflect laser shots. The ''Spad'' was also built such that it was possible to reach, repair and replace every component with a minimum of down time; even its [[GM 150]] [[fusion engine]] could be replaced in six hours, compared to the average time of 10.5 hours in other fighters. Unlike previous fighters, the layout of the interior allowed for quick replacement of any damaged or destroyed component with similar components, no matter the manufacturer. Much like the role played by the ''[[Mercury (BattleMech)|Mercury]]'' in the development of the [[OmniMech]], the popular semi-modular ''Spad'' served as the basis for what would later become the [[OmniFighter]]. In a variation on [[w:Stealth_technology|stealth technology]] used in twenty-first-century conventional fighters, the ''Spad'' also features a wing geometry which, rather than reduces radar signature, projects "echoes", confusing some tracking systems - projecting false targets or appearing as a different, much larger class of aerospace fighter.<ref name=TRO2750-62-63>''Technical Readout: 2750'', pp. 62-63, "Spad Fighter Profile"</ref><ref name=TRO3050U228-229/> |
| + | |||
| + | Over two thousand ''Spads'' were produced prior to the outbreak of the [[Amaris Civil War]], after which [[ComStar]] mothballed the primary ''Spad'' factory on [[Terra]] along with a large cache of SPD-502s. The craft's ease of maintenance however meant the design would remain in service for centuries, though all of the more advanced 503s were either destroyed or left with the [[Operation Exodus|Exodus Fleet]]. The return of the [[Clan Invasion|Clans]] would prompt ComStar to reopen the factory and upgrade their stock of ''Spads'', while the outbreak of the [[Word of Blake]]'s [[Jihad]] would see a more advanced version put into production.<ref name=TRO3050U228-229/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Weapons and Equipment== | ||
| + | The fighter is armed exclusively with energy weapons, reducing its dependence on supply lines. Though interchangeable with other suppliers, newly constructed ''Spad''s were armed with a [[StarCutter]] [[PPC]], an [[Allied Technologies Model 2]] [[medium laser]], and an [[Allied Technologies Model 1]] [[small laser]]. The PPC in particular allowed the ''Spad'' to punch through most light fighters' armor in only a few shots. The energy weapons were mounted inside the hull with retractable covers, allowing them to survive reentry and even disguise its full armaments from its enemies.<ref name=TRO2750-62-63/><ref name=TRO3050U228-229/> | ||
| − | == | + | ==Variants== |
| − | + | *; SPD-503 : With the appearance of the [[Clans]], [[Comstar]] began to rapidly upgrade their SPD-502s to the advanced model used by [[SLDF Royal units]]. The standard heat sinks were replaced with [[double heat sink]]s and the Carbondale III armor was upgraded to [[ferro-aluminum]]. Additionally, the [[PPC]] was swapped out for a [[large pulse laser]] while the two lighter lasers were replaced with a single [[medium pulse laser]]<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)'', p. 275</ref>. BV (2.0) = 824<ref name=MUL187/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 324</ref> | |
| − | The | + | *; SPD-504 : The most recent version to be seen carries an [[XL fusion engine]], [[ferro-aluminum]] armor, and [[double heat sink]]s. It also sports a [[heavy PPC]] and a pair of [[ER small laser]]s in place of the originals. The 504 is often used in quick-reaction anti-[[DropShip]] squadrons.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)'', p. 276</ref>. BV (2.0) = 1,064<ref name=MUL187/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 325</ref> |
| − | + | ==Notes== | |
| + | * Author [[Blaine Lee Pardoe]] stated in a [https://web.archive.org/web/20221102192457/https://blainepardoe.wordpress.com/2018/08/16/out-of-the-archives-the-battlemechs-i-wrote-about-or-designed/ blog entry] that, according to his memory which he admitted could be wrong, the ''Spad'' was among the aerospace fighters for which he wrote the original background as initially published in TRO:2750; for some of these he also designed the stats. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Gallery== |
| − | + | <gallery> | |
| − | + | Spad_TRO2750.png|Original SPD-502 ''Spad'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 2750|TRO:2750]]'' | |
| + | Spad ASF TRO3050U.png|SPD-502 ''Spad'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade|TRO:3050 Upgrade]]'' | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
| + | |||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
| − | *''[[Combat Operations]]'' | + | * ''[[AeroTech 2 Record Sheets]]'' |
| − | *''[[Technical Readout: 2750]]'' | + | * ''[[Combat Operations]]'' |
| − | *''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade]]'' | + | * ''[[Master Unit List: Battle Values]]'' |
| + | * ''[[Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Technical Readout: 2750]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Technical Readout: 3057]]'' | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Aerospace Fighter classes]] |
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Light Aerospace Fighter classes]] |
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Draconis Combine Aerospace Fighters]] |
| − | |||
Latest revision as of 13:47, 18 December 2023
| |
| Spad | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | New Age Systems |
| Production Year | 2749[1] |
| Model | SPD-502 |
| Class | Light aerospace fighter |
| Tech Base | Star League |
| Cost | 1,538,182 C-bills[2] |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 30 tons |
| Structural Integrity | 7 |
| Frame | F-50/C |
| Power Plant | GM 150 fusion engine |
| Armor | Carbondale III |
| Fuel | 400 points |
| Armament |
|
| Communications System | CMDSTAT 400-D |
| Tracking & Targeting System | Scope Paint |
| Heat Sinks | 10 single heat sinks |
| BV (1.0) | 703[2][3] |
| BV (2.0) | 807[4][5][6] |
Contents
Description[edit]
The Spad was a light aerospace fighter introduced in 2749, considered one of the best fielded by the Star League Defense Force before its dissolution. Its most impressive feature was its durability and ease of maintenance, protected by eight tons of Carbondale III standard armor plates designed to deflect laser shots. The Spad was also built such that it was possible to reach, repair and replace every component with a minimum of down time; even its GM 150 fusion engine could be replaced in six hours, compared to the average time of 10.5 hours in other fighters. Unlike previous fighters, the layout of the interior allowed for quick replacement of any damaged or destroyed component with similar components, no matter the manufacturer. Much like the role played by the Mercury in the development of the OmniMech, the popular semi-modular Spad served as the basis for what would later become the OmniFighter. In a variation on stealth technology used in twenty-first-century conventional fighters, the Spad also features a wing geometry which, rather than reduces radar signature, projects "echoes", confusing some tracking systems - projecting false targets or appearing as a different, much larger class of aerospace fighter.[7][4]
Over two thousand Spads were produced prior to the outbreak of the Amaris Civil War, after which ComStar mothballed the primary Spad factory on Terra along with a large cache of SPD-502s. The craft's ease of maintenance however meant the design would remain in service for centuries, though all of the more advanced 503s were either destroyed or left with the Exodus Fleet. The return of the Clans would prompt ComStar to reopen the factory and upgrade their stock of Spads, while the outbreak of the Word of Blake's Jihad would see a more advanced version put into production.[4]
Weapons and Equipment[edit]
The fighter is armed exclusively with energy weapons, reducing its dependence on supply lines. Though interchangeable with other suppliers, newly constructed Spads were armed with a StarCutter PPC, an Allied Technologies Model 2 medium laser, and an Allied Technologies Model 1 small laser. The PPC in particular allowed the Spad to punch through most light fighters' armor in only a few shots. The energy weapons were mounted inside the hull with retractable covers, allowing them to survive reentry and even disguise its full armaments from its enemies.[7][4]
Variants[edit]
- SPD-503
- With the appearance of the Clans, Comstar began to rapidly upgrade their SPD-502s to the advanced model used by SLDF Royal units. The standard heat sinks were replaced with double heat sinks and the Carbondale III armor was upgraded to ferro-aluminum. Additionally, the PPC was swapped out for a large pulse laser while the two lighter lasers were replaced with a single medium pulse laser[8]. BV (2.0) = 824[5][9]
- SPD-504
- The most recent version to be seen carries an XL fusion engine, ferro-aluminum armor, and double heat sinks. It also sports a heavy PPC and a pair of ER small lasers in place of the originals. The 504 is often used in quick-reaction anti-DropShip squadrons.[10]. BV (2.0) = 1,064[5][11]
Notes[edit]
- Author Blaine Lee Pardoe stated in a blog entry that, according to his memory which he admitted could be wrong, the Spad was among the aerospace fighters for which he wrote the original background as initially published in TRO:2750; for some of these he also designed the stats.
Gallery[edit]
Original SPD-502 Spad from TRO:2750
SPD-502 Spad from TRO:3050 Upgrade
References[edit]
- ↑ MUL online date for the Spad
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Combat Operations, p. 107
- ↑ AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 41
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, pp. 228-229, "Spad Fighter Profile"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 187
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 323
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Technical Readout: 2750, pp. 62-63, "Spad Fighter Profile"
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League), p. 275
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 324
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League), p. 276
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 325