Sabre

Sabre
Production information
Manufacturer	Jalastar Aerospace Lockheed/CBM Corporation Majesty Metals and Manufacturing Pinard Protectorates Limited Raimei Wakazashi Enterprises
Production Year	2519
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
BV (2.0)	574

Description

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".

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.

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.

Weapons and Equipment

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.

Variants

• 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. BV (2.0) = 512

• SB-27b 

  This "Royal" variant was fielded during Kerensky's campaign to liberate Terra and is equipped with twice as many medium lasers as the standard SB-27, mounting a pair in each wing and the nose. It uses an XL engine and the single heat sinks were replaced with double strength models. BV (2.0) = 1,059

• 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.) BV (2.0) = 987

• SB-28 

  Originally an advanced model produced exclusively for the Terran Hegemony by the Raimei/Lockheed plant on Outreach from 2753, the SB-28 variant has been revived during the Jihad and produced for the Kell Hounds thanks to design specs supplied to Lockheed/CBM by Clan Wolf-in-Exile. Mounting an XL engine, the SB-28 has enough space to switch the nose laser for an ER large laser, while the addition of ferro-aluminum armor boosts protection. BV (2.0) = 951

• 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. BV (2.0) = 789

• 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

• SB-31D 

  The production version of the Defense Special, this version was restricted to use by Wakazashi and related shipping concerns. It was only offered to the Draconis Combine Admiralty in 3079. It mounts the three Laser AMS of the Defense Special and the same three ER medium lasers, but reduces its fuel capability slightly in order to mount 11 double heat sinks. BV (2.0) = 935

Design Quirks

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

• Atmospheric Flyer
• Cramped Cockpit

Gallery

• 

  Original Sabre from AeroTech 2

• 

  Sabre from TRO:3075

• 

  SB-31D Sabre from TRO:Proto

Notes

• 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.

Bibliography

• AeroTech 2 Record Sheets
• Experimental Technical Readout: Corporations
• Historical: Operation Klondike
• Record Sheets: 3075
• Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War
• Record Sheets: Operation Klondike
• Record Sheets: Prototypes
• Technical Readout: 3057
• Technical Readout: 3075
• Technical Readout: Golden Century
• Technical Readout: Prototypes