Trident

This article is about the aerospace fighter. For the DropShip, see Trident (Individual Overlord-class DropShip).

Trident
Production information
Manufacturer	Newhart Industries
Production Year	2717
Model	TRN-3T
Class	Light aerospace fighter
Tech Base	Star League
Cost	1,511,088 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	20 tons
Structural Integrity
Frame	Newhall 3P5
Power Plant	Rawlings 200
Armor	StarGlo Ferro-aluminum
Fuel
Armament	3x Medium lasers 1x Small laser
Communications System	42 Transitar
Tracking & Targeting System	O/P 3000
Heat Sinks	11 double heat sinks
BV (1.0)	566
BV (2.0)	521 374

Description

Introduced in 2717 as a first response fighter for planetary defense forces, the popular Trident was rendered obsolete by the development of the Cheetah, but found a new role among the SLDF army in a fast ground attack role.

The Trident was built to provide a strong punch in a small, light frame, making it ideal for carrier duty. Its 200-rated engine provides excellent power, and its frame can withstand the forces created when maneuvering at the high speeds that are the Trident's specialty. Once equipped with two tons of standard armor plating, the craft's armor was upgraded to StarGlo ferro-aluminum, primarily to provide better protection from anti-aircraft defenses. The fighter's advanced O/P 3000 tracking system could almost fly the fighter by itself, leading to a joke among pilots that their only job was to pull the trigger.

Despite the fact the ferro-aluminum armor was a later addition, it was the Trident's main advantage over the Cheetah, as well as using systems that were easy to maintain. However, the ability to produce ferro-aluminum and its ground-based cousin ferro-fibrous was lost in 2810 with the destruction of the last known foundry. The last Trident would roll off the assembly lines in 2825, and as the Succession Wars dragged on more and more Tridents were forced to replace their ferro-aluminum with standard armor. Though the loss in protection was technically minor, it became exaggerated such that the fighter lost its marketability and as such, surviving Tridents are mostly found serving in backwater militias, independent states and Periphery realms, with the Outworlds Alliance fielding the largest number as trainers for its pilot cadets. However, in 3069 rumors spread of Blakists fielding advanced Tridents when three vessels, lacking any cockpit assemblage, were seized in the Orestes system.

Weapons and Equipment

Armed with three Omicron-Plus medium lasers divided between its nose and wings, the Trident's strafing attacks are legendary, only enhanced by the craft's high speed. The Trident also mounts a single aft-mounted Maxell small laser to discourage pursuit, at least until the pilot can properly direct their attention to their attacker and bring their main guns to bear.

Variants

• TRN-3Tb 

  The upgraded model used by the SLDF Royal units, the standard engine was replaced with an extralight version, freeing up space to replace the standard medium lasers with a trio of medium pulse lasers, add an additional ton of fuel, and replace the single heat sinks with double-strength models. BV (2.0) = 538

• TRN-3U 

  The original and unsuccessful Succession Wars era models developed by Newhart featured standard armor, reducing the fighter's armor coverage. BV (2.0) = 385

• TRN-3V 

  During the Jihad, unconfirmed reports of Tridents without any recognizable cockpit assemblies were uncovered as part of supposed experiments by the Word of Blake to develop a high performance teleoperated fighter. The TRN-3V upgrades the armament, mounting two ER medium lasers, an ER small laser, and a medium pulse laser. BV (2.0) = 637

Notes

• In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Dreizack. The model code was accordingly changed before, but altered after the hyphen to DRZ-4K.

Gallery

• 

  Original TRN-3T Trident from TRO:2750

• 

  Upgraded Trident from TRO:3050 Upgrade

Bibliography

• AeroTech 2 Record Sheets
• Combat Operations
• 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