Spad

Spad
Production information
Manufacturer	New Age Systems
Production Year	2749
Model	SPD-502
Class	Light aerospace fighter
Tech Base	Star League
Cost	1,538,182 C-bills
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	1x PPC 1x Medium laser 1x Small laser
Communications System	CMDSTAT 400-D
Tracking & Targeting System	Scope Paint
Heat Sinks	10 single heat sinks
BV (1.0)	703
BV (2.0)	807

Description

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.

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.

Weapons and Equipment

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.

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 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. BV (2.0) = 824

• 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.. BV (2.0) = 1,064

Notes

• 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

• 

  Original SPD-502 Spad from TRO:2750

• 

  SPD-502 Spad from TRO:3050 Upgrade

Bibliography

• AeroTech 2 Record Sheets
• Combat Operations
• 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