Sai

Revision as of 13:17, 18 February 2011 by Onisuzume (talk | contribs) (Fixed weight category)

You must add a |reason= parameter to this Cleanup template – replace it with {{Cleanup|reason=<Fill reason here>}}, or remove the Cleanup template.
Cleanup tagged articles without a reason field

SAI.JPG
Sai
Production information
Manufacturer Wakazashi Enterprises
Model S-3
Class Medium
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Cost 2,111,280[1]
Technical specifications
Mass 40 tons
Structural Integrity 8
Frame Wakazashi I
Power Plant Shinobi 240
Armor Shinobi Standard
Fuel 400 - 5 tons
Armament

1 x Large Laser
4 x Medium Lasers

Communications System Neil 4000
Tracking & Targeting System Chichester ASR-26
Heat Sinks 14
BV (1.0) 843[2]
BV (2.0) 959

Description

Development

The Sai was created for the Draconis Combine, as a new Light Aerospace Fighter to replace the aging Sholagar Light Fighter. Originally developed by defunct Mangon Aeronautics in early 3030s, the Sai design was discovered by Wakazashi Enterprises after the company take over in 3045. The project was pushed into limited production, producing 30 fighters for field tests. However the Schuyler plant begun retooling in 3048, to utilize newly recovered Star League technology. The Draconis Combine High Command put the prototypes to use, deploying them against House Davion in raids. On these raids, the Sai, got to test its mettle against Davion's Sparrowhawk & Steiner's Seydlitz designs.

After refitting the plant, production begun for a Star League tech enhanced version of the S-3, called S-4X. The fighter is noted for being first in 31st Century to mount an Extra-Light Fusion engine. Shortly after the production begun, the Clan Invasion took place and the Sai plant on Schuyler fell into the hand of Clan Smoke Jaguar.

Clans Era and Beyond

The Smoke Jaguars discovered the blue prints for the Sai and upgraded the design with Clan technology designated it S-4C. It wasn't until 3059, when Operation Bulldog reclaimed the planet that the Combine did reclaim means to produce Sai again. However, the Combine wasn't able to continue production of the clan tech enhanced fighter, so engineers redesigned it into the S-4.

Armament & Capacities

The original S-3 was armed with a nose mounted Diverse Optics Type 30 Large Laser. For secondary armaments the craft has a pair of Diverse Optics Type 20 Medium Lasers mounted in each wing. The Shinobi 240 Fusion Engine allows the aircraft to reach maximum thrust rate of 12, with 5 tons of fuel. The fighter is protected by 7.5 tons of standard armor.

Variants

  • S-4X - The original Star League tech enhancement of the Sai, this design included an Extended Range Large Laser, with a single Medium Pulse Laser mounted in each wing. The craft is protected by 8 tons of ferro-aluminum armor. The fighter features 21 single heatsinks and Extra-Light Engine version of the 240 Shinobi Fusion engine. BV (1.0) = 842, BV (2.0) = 830
  • S-4C - Created by Clan Smoke Jaguar after the capture of the plant during the Clan Invasion. The Sai features Clan ER PPC as its main weapon. In the place of the lasers, four Streak 4-tubed SRMs launcher are split between each wings with 50 rounds. The fighter is also given 14 double heat sinks to cope with the heat. BV (1.0) = 1,762, BV (2.0) = 1,778
  • S-4 - Based on the S-4C after recapture of the planet from Jaguars. The S-4 is a virtual copy of the Clan tech based version. Main weapon is a nose-mounted Inner Sphere version of the Extended Range PPC. However, the wing weapons are now single SRM 4 enhanced with the Artemis IV Fire Control System, with 50 rounds of ammo for them. The Double Heat sink count is retained at 14. BV (1.0)= 1,075; BV (2.0) = 977
  • S-7 - During the 3060s, the Wakazashi created the S-7 variant. Taking advantage of the development of new weapons. The S-7 became known as an escort and is used on border worlds of the Combine. The nose-mounted ER PPC is swapped for a pair of Extended Range Medium Lasers and the wing weapons are changed out for MRM 10 Launchers with 48 rounds of ammunition. The Fuel for the variant was increased up to 6 tons. BV (1.0) = 1,016; BV (2.0) = 843
  • S-8 - Introduced just prior to the Jihad, the S-8 has a revised weapons layout. A pair of new Light PPCs are placed in nose, while each wing weapon slots are give pair of ER Medium Lasers. The fighter armor is changed out for 9 tons of ferro-aluminum armor. BV (2.0) = 952[3]

References

  1. Record Sheets: 3039
  2. Record Sheets: 3039, p. 245
  3. Record Sheets: 3039 - "S-8 Sai includes BV".

Bibliography