Defender (Conventional Fighter)
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- This article is about the ground support fighter. For other uses, see Defender.
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Defender Medium Strike Fighter | |
Production information | |
Manufacturer | Imstar Aerospace King Dumont Defense Facility[1] Mujika Aerospace Technologies[2] Basantapur Fine Metals Aerospace Range[3] |
Equipment Rating | |
Use | Ground Support |
Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
Cost | |
Introduced | 2701[4] |
Technical specifications | |
Mass | 25 tons |
Engine (Type) | Imstar-C 150 Turbine |
Fuel | 480 - 3 tons |
Communications System | Lassitor 2JA |
Targeting Tracking System | IMB SYS 3000 |
Heat Sinks | None |
Armament | |
Armor | Riese Heavy |
Crew | 1 |
BV (1.0) | |
BV (2.0) | 259 [5] 240[6] 226[7] |
Contents
Description[edit]
The Defender is a Star League era conventional fighter from the Free Worlds League that has spread across the Inner Sphere. During the first Star League, Imstar Aerospace engaged in a massive marketing effort that made the Defender known in every Successor State and Periphery nation. It became so ubiquitous, in fact, that it's also known as the Medium Strike Fighter across the Inner Sphere. A cheaper alternative to expensive aerospace fighters, the Defender and its variants are easy to build with locally produced components.[5]
Weapons and Equipment[edit]
Though an aerospace fighter will probably destroy the Defender fairly quickly in a dogfight, the nose-mounted Irian Weapon Works SRM-2 and wing-mounted LongFire LRM-5 launchers allow the Defender to successfully attack other conventional fighters, VTOLs, and harass ground targets. Though 'Mechs are probably not going to fear the damage inflicted by a single Defender, an entire squadron can quickly cause problems for an arrogant MechWarrior.[5]
Cargo[edit]
The Defender has five external hardpoints which allow it to carry bombs. This is useful when attacking ground defenses or destroying bridges to slow enemy forces.[5]
Variants[edit]
Due to the popularity of the Defender, it has become the de facto Medium Strike Fighter across the Inner Sphere. It has therefore become the basis for several variants.
- Kaiseradler
- Produced by the Lyran Commonwealth during the Second Succession War, the "Imperial Eagle" removes a ton of fuel and the standard armament. Instead, the Kaiseradler carries V/STOL equipment for carrier and short runway operations, and is armed with two Kicker Machine Guns in the nose and an TharHes Blue SRM-4 launcher in each wing. BV (2.0)= 214,[9] 186[10]
- Defender II
- Introduced by the Free Worlds League in 3038, this variant replaces the SRM with Artemis IV fire control systems for the LRM launchers. This version, like its forerunner, also became popular across the Inner Sphere.[13] BV (2.0)= 253,[14] 234[15]
- Defender IIC
- This Wolf Empire variant carries four AP Gauss Rifles and three Medium Chemical Lasers.[16] BV (2.0)= 376[17]
- Drake
- The Drake Medium Fighter is an Experimental Technology prototype which was constructed by Basantapur Fine Metals of Colorado in 3073. Based on the Defender II variant, this fighter has been heavily modified, now featuring a 210-rated fusion engine. The Drake was given 2 tons of Vehicular Stealth armor and a Guardian ECM Suite, allowing it to be nearly invisible to prey. The ship has also been given Modular Armor on all of its sections. The Modular Armor adds more protection to the ship, but slows it down until ejected from the ship. The ship's main weaponry include a pair of nose-mounted MML-3 Launchers with two tons of ammo. Serving as a backup weapon, the ship has a single ER Small Laser. BV (2.0) = 452[18]
- Drake Medium Stealth Fighter
- This production version of the Drake changes the weapons and armor extensively. Though it uses Vehicular Stealth armor and a Guardian ECM system like its progenitor, the Modular Armor and ER Small Laser have been removed. In their place is a light autocannon/5 and a ton of ammunition. The MML-3 of the prototype Drake also remains. Between the LRMs that can be fired from the missiles and the reach of the Light AC, the Drake Stealth Fighter offers a great deal of long range punch. It has become a popular fighter with most Federated Suns militia units. BV (2.0) = 389[19][20]
Design Quirks[edit]
The Drake Medium Stealth Fighter custom variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[19]
Notable Pilots[edit]
Related Designs[edit]
- Hurricane Conventional Fighter - Primitive Conventional Fighter.
Gallery[edit]
Original Defender from TRO:3039
Drake Medium Stealth Fighter from TRO:Prototypes
References[edit]
- ↑ Objectives: Periphery, p. 31
- ↑ Objectives: Capellan Confederation, p. 23
- ↑ Objectives: Federated Suns, p. 13
- ↑ MUL online date for Defender (Conventional Fighter)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Technical Readout: 3039, pp. 180–181: "Defender Fighter Profile"
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 208
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 283
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 286
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 209
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 285
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 206
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 282
- ↑ Objectives: Federated Suns, p. 28: "Jalastar Aerospace"
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 207
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 284
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3150, p. 224
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3150
- ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Boondocks p. 14
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 159
- ↑ Record Sheets: Prototypes, p. 79