H-Wing Strike Fighter

     The BTS-A2 Long-Range Strike Fighter/Bomber (the Alliance designation is
H-Wing) is a recent addition to rebel flight bays.  Now manufactured by
Koensayr and made famous for its rugged Y-Wing starfighter, it could only
have been a matter of time before the Alliance military leaders chose to
include the H-Wing in the rebel starfighter arsenal.  Even so, the number in
Alliance service is likely to remain low, as almost any two single-seat
fighters can be purchased at a cost equal to that of one H-Wing.

     The H-Wing is a stable weapons platform capable of delivering a
hard-hitting punch.  Indeed, only the B-Wing is more heavily armed.  The
fighter's primary long-range weapon is a heavy laser cannon mounted in a
fully rotating dorsal turret.  This laser can only be fired from the turret's
gunnery chair; no fire control for the top mount is included in the piloting
cockpit.

     As in the Y-Wing, the H-Wing carries two Arakyd proton torpedo
launchers.  However, the H-Wing boasts a complete magazine of eight torpedos
for each launcher - twice the payload carried by the earlier Y-Wing.  The
magazines are identical to those used in Y-Wings, making heavy ordinance
standard for the two craft.  This ordinance is benefited by an elaborately
complex, improved fire control system, quite necessary for the craft to
efficiently serve in its primary role as a strike fighter/bomber.

     The H-Wing's primary weapons systems are complemented by two light ion
cannons (fire linked for greater effect), which are mounted in the starboard
nose of the fighter's twin-nose hull.  This weaponry has a maximum rotation
and vertical pivot span of 40 degrees, which allows the gunner to engage
forward targets independent of the craft's flight path.

     The H-Wing can survive intended combat engagements and multiple hits by
using a heavily reinforced armoured hull, with added protection provided by
strong, high-energy shields.  But, weapons capability and hull integrity do
not come without cost.  Both maneuverability and sublight speed have been
sacrificed for increased battle worthiness, thus creating a distinct
disadvantage in that the H-Wing has very little chance of outrunning a
numerically superior enemy or of disengaging prior to retreat.

     Though the H-Wing has obvious speed and maneuverability disadvantages,
Alliance military planners believe it has a decided advantage in combat due
to its full combat crew of three.  Rebel pilots of advanced, single-seat
fighters have often complained that they cannot make full use of their
craft's various systems; with evasive maneuvering, operating several weapons
systems, and angling shields, they are simply overtaxed.  The H-Wing's
three-man crew provides extremely efficient use of the ship's systems.  The
forward cockpit contains two crew stations: primary and secondary.  Piloting
controls are installed only at the primary station, but shield control, ion
cannon, and torpedo fire control are installed at both stations.  A common
practice is to have shield control provided by the pilot, leaving torpedo and
ion cannon control to the weapons officer at the secondary station.
     Many of the components used in the Y-Wing were adapted for use in the
H-Wing, such as an improved Fabritech ANx-y sensor package and Koensayr Ion
Jet engines - complete with thrust vectrals, though larger engines are
employed on the H-Wing.  Many components were not used.  For instance,
instead of using an R2 unit to provide nav data, a limited man computer
similiar to that used in the B-Wing is employed, although the H-Wing has a
higher data storage capacity.  Also, the H-Wing does not employ ballistic
ejection seats.  That option simply isn't feasible in the tight space
remaining after all systems are installed.  The fighter does, however,
contain a cramped, spartan cabin, which includes a single bunk with a
soundproof divider that can be used on a rotational basis to provide
increased comfort for the crew during long hyperspace jumps.

     Alliance leaders are currently reviewing reports of the H-Wing's
performance in its first encounters with Imperial fighter craft, encounters
that went favorably for the oversized starfighter.  However, its limited use
has proven that its greatest capabilities are as a strike and anti-shipping
craft, and as a screening fighter protecting slower transports and
freighters.

     Some high-ranking rebel leaders have suggested that the H-Wing should be
designated to replace the B-Wing as the Alliance's primary heavy assult
fighter.  These H-Wing proponents cite the B-Wing's high required maintenance
and poor performance after suffering damage.  This replacement isn't likely
to happen for several reasons.  The craft also lacks speed; even the
comparatively slow B-Wing is quicker than the H-Wing.  The final reasoning is
simple economics: Not only is the H-Wing a high-cost space vehicle, but it
also requires a greater number of  trained flight personnel.  While the large
flight crew does provide an advantage in combat, such trained, combat
personnel are always in short supply.  What is most likely is that the H-Wing
will serve as a special engagement craft, used where its advantages will
provide its greatest combat effectiveness.

H-Wing Adventure Idea

     The players are instructed to take commercial transportation to a
designated planet where they will take delivery on a single H-Wing fighter.
 (Small fighters are usually purchased in small numbers, even singly, to make
tracing the purchase and the purchasing agent extremely difficult.  If you
have four players, a passenger can be squeezed into the H-Wing for the return
flight.  Alternately, a second fighter could also be awaiting pickup, which
will necessarily be the case if you have more than four players.)  Their
instructions are to jump to a small outpost where new rebel volunteers are
detained until background checks are cleared.  Further flight instructions
can be given after the rebels pass their background checks.


H-Wing Strike Fighter
Pilot's Name:[Rebel Pilot]
Koensayr BTS-A2 H-Wing Starfighter
Scale: Starfighter
Length: 17.1 meters
Skill: Starship Piloting: Starfighters
Crew: 3
        1 pilot
        2 weapons personnel
Passengers: None
Cargo Capacity: 220 kilograms
Consumables: 2 weeks
Hyperdrive Mult: x1
Backup Hyperdrive: No
Nav Computer: Limited (4 jump limit)
Maneuverability: 1D
Sublight Speed: 2D+2
Hull: 5D
Shields: 2D
Sensors:
        Description: [Classified]
             Passive:
             Scan:
             Search:
             Focus:
Primary Weapon:
        Laser Cannon
        Fire Arc: Turret (Top)
        Skill: Starfighter Weaponry
        Fire Control: 2D
        Damage:6D
Secondary Weapons:
        Two Proton Torpedo Launchers
            Fire Control: 3D
            Damage: 9D
        Two Light Ion Cannons (Fire Linked)
            Fire Control: 1D
            Damage: 4D