Ahab (Aerospace Fighter class)

Ahab
Production information
Manufacturer	Bannock-Braigh Aerospace
Production Year	2703
Model	AHB-443
Class	Heavy aerospace fighter
Tech Base	Star League
Cost	6,005,755 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	90 tons
Structural Integrity	9
Frame	Wakazashi B3
Power Plant	PlasmaStar 270 fusion engine
Armor	Force Plus
Fuel	5 tons
Armament	1x Large laser 2x LRM-20s 1x Narc missile beacon 2x SRM-6s 2x Medium lasers
Communications System	MyComm LVR
Tracking & Targeting System	Artron 7
Heat Sinks	14 single heat sinks
BV (1.0)	1,182
BV (2.0)	1,529 1,738

Description

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.

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.

Weapons and Equipment

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.

Variants

• AHB-X (Prototype) 

  Before the addition of the Narc missile beacon, the Ahab was designed with a trio of medium lasers housed in the nose, along with four additional single heat sinks. Though an error in the 3071 update to ComStar's 3050 tech manual (i.e. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade) relayed no usage of the prototype in two centuries, in actuality, many Ahabs were downgraded to this variant and reports proved accurate that a small handful of powers continued using the Prototype until the outset of the Jihad. BV (2.0) = 1,818

• AHB-443b 

  Designed and deployed exclusively for SLDF Royal commands, the AHB-443B Ahab upgrades to ferro-aluminum armor and double heat sinks. The large laser is also upgraded to an ER large laser. BV (2.0) = 2,030

• AHB-MD 

  The 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

• AHB-643 

  This newest 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

Gallery

• 

  Original AHB-443 Ahab from TRO:2750

• 

  Ahab from TRO:3050 Upgrade

Bibliography

• AeroTech 2 Record Sheets
• Combat Operations
• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)
• Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War
• Technical Readout: 2750
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3057
• Technical Readout: 3075