A-17 Broadsword

CF-131 Broadsword
Type	Fighter/Bomber
Manufacturer	Camelot Industries
Primary User	Terran Confederation
Additional Users	Union of Border Worlds Guild Mercenaries
Introduction	2633
General Characteristics
Length	12 meters
Mass	14 tonnes
Crew	1 (pilot)
Performance
Velocity
Cruise	150 kps
Maximum	320 kps
Armament
Guns
Mass Driver Cannon (3)
Turrets
Dual-mounted Neutron gun Turrets (3)
Default Missile Loadout
Missile Mounts (3) (Post-2648) Torpedo Mounts (2)
Components
Cloaking Device	No
Jump Drive	yes
Defense
Shields
Fore	13 cm equivalent
Aft	13 cm equivalent
Armor
Front	10 cm
Rear	10 cm
Right	8 cm
Left	8 cm
CF-131 Broadsword Target Identification circa 2654
Source	Confederation Handbook

History

Overview

Camelot Industry's Broadsword is one of the Terran Confederation's most successful spacecraft designs; Broadswords served on and off from 2633 to 2701--across multiple wars and for several different factions. The bombers were originally designed during the Pilgrim War to support the Grand Fleet's invasion of the Pilgrim Alliance. Early CF-131 Broadswords served as massed missile platforms and strategic ship-to-planet bombers.

With the advent of the Kilrathi war and the development of the torpedo, Broadswords changed to fit the times. In 2648 all current model Broadswords were outfitted to carry two antimatter torpedoes. That number would eventually double, by 2664, and then double again, by 2701. Broadswords became the Confederation's heaviest anti-capship bomber for the middle portion of the war; Broadswords flying off the Tiger's Claw, Concordia and elsewhere achieved great success in dangerous torpedo runs.

After the end of the Kilrathi War, the Confederation relegated Broadswords to reserve wings and boneyards.

Zachary Banfield's Guild maintained two squadrons of Broadswords which were used to attack the FRLS Mjollnir and destroy the FRLS Sindri. The Landreich themselves operated a number of Broadswords during the Kilrathi War, fielding them during the Battle of Hell Hole.

The Union of Border Worlds operated a number of Broadswords during their aborted war with the Terran Confederation. Admiral Tolwyn was, at one point, captured by a stripped patrol Broadsword as he attempted to flee the Peleus System.

But the Nephilim invasion of 2681 reactivated Broadsword squadrons - and proved that they were incredibly effective against the new foe. Production of Broadswords resumed, with modernized variants like the Executor, Warpig and later Behemoth rolling off the assembly lines.

In the post-Nephilim War world, surplus Broadswords are a common sight on the volatile Terran-Kilrathi frontier.

Confederation Handbook

The first Broadswords were deployed during the Pilgrim War to support Confed's invasion fleet. It still remains Confed's primary fighter /bomber. In 2648 all in- service Broadswords were upgraded to mount two antimatter torpedoes, but other than that change and minor upgrades to ship's systems, the Broadsword of today remains remarkably similar to those that flew with the Grand Fleet.

The Broadsword stacks an amazing amount of destructive potential into a compact package, but only at the expense of maneuverability. The Broadsword has virtually no evasive capacity it has to either destroy attackers outright or rely on escorts of lighter fighters. On the plus side, its three recessed turrets can provide a full 360 degrees of fire support, and be set for independent or synchronized targeting. There's also a defensive Al mode that will automatically fire the turrets at any enemy targets of opportunity.

Like all Confed fighters, the Broadsword mounts a Tempest targeting and navigational system, and its drive array is jump capable. The Broadsword is rated for up to 16 hours of life support. It can generate a retrieval tractor rated up to 150 tonnes. It is capable of ejecting the pilot in a standard survival pod.

TCSNA Handbook

The Broadsword was originally designed as an attack bomber for enemy capital ships, but it also serves as an adequate all-purpose fighter. Poor acceleration and maneuverability may force the Broadsword to take several hits from hostile fighters, but strong armor and shields and a wide array of weapons make it a formidable enemy. Keep in mind that the Broadsword is equipped with turrets on both sides and the rear of the ship and several missiles. If it manages to get close enough to a capital ship, it can successfully penetrate phase shields with its four torpedoes. A tractor beam allows this ship to perform retrieve-and-rescue missions in space.

The_Memoirs_of_Lieutenant_Colonel_Carl_T._LaFong

The New Tactics of Space Combat Operations
[...]

Acceleration and maneuverability had become the weak links in the defensive capabilities of the Jalkehi and Grikath. Their acceleration ratings were average and bad respectively, so only our Broadswords had any trouble keeping up.

[...]

Confederation Sabres and Broadswords were equipped with a tractor beam that was used in rescuing pilots and retrieving other objects in space. The tractor beam could only be operated from the rear turret. The tractor beam was extremely powerful, but there were a couple of points that would ensure success.

Since the rear turret was used for both the tractor beams and neutron guns, a switch (the G key) was used to toggle between the two functions. In the heat of a dogfight or rescue operation, it was easy to forget to change from the default "guns" setting. Nothing could be worse than putting yourself into position for a pickup, then blasting the object or individual away with your guns. Always be certain that you check the setting before engaging the tractor beam with the fire button.

Tactical Command issued a recommendation for the use of the tractor beam. The safest method to retrieve an object was to fly past it, hit the backspace key to bring your engines to full stop. Then switch to the rear turret and begin the pickup sequence. If your engines were still running when you moved to the rear turret, they would automatically accelerate to maximum velocity and increase the time needed to tractor the object.

[...]

When phase shields first appeared on Kilrathi capital ships, Confederation pilots were stymied. It was impossible to break through the shields using our conventional missiles or guns. It didn't take long, however, for our research and development teams to design a weapon that would slice through the shields. The torpedo was the weapon, but it required specific procedures to ensure successful delivery.

The effectiveness of torpedoes was affected by the range at which they were fired. The power of the torpedo blast increased as the range at which they were fired decreased. In addition, our torpedoes could be destroyed by flak cannons. When torpedoes were fired at longer ranges, it was more likely that Kilrathi gunners could destroy the weapon before it connected.

Since it takes a long time for torpedoes to lock onto a target, Confederation engineers had determined that only ships with turret guns would have any chance at delivering the weapon. The turret guns were needed to engage Kilrathi fighter escorts that would attack during a launch procedure. Tactical Command had produced a procedure for our Broadsword and Sabre pilots that increased the odds of success:

1. Destroy enemy fighters before starting a torpedo run. It didn't guarantee that new fighters wouldn't appear later, but it gave us fewer enemies to worry about.
2. At a range of 8000 to 10,000 meters, select the torpedo (W key) and lock the target (L key). This started the torpedo-lock sequence, which took about 20 seconds to complete. Staying at long range, either by stopping the engines or moving at slow speed, prevented your ship from taking heavy damage until the lock sequence was completed.
3. When the torpedo-lock sequence (not target-lock) was completed, we increased speed and headed straight for the target. Our path couldn't waver, or we would lose the lock with our weapon.
4. At a range of 2000 meters, we launched our torpedo.

While the above procedure increased the odds of a successful torpedo strike, Kilrathi gunners were still able to knock a torpedo down about one-third of the time. Since only one torpedo could be launched per run, if a torpedo was destroyed, the procedure had to be started again from the beginning.

Author's Note

In the Wing Commander II game, you operate the rear and side turret guns. If enemy fighters appear during a torpedo run, you must switch to one of the turrets and engage the enemy. You will be informed when the torpedo-lock sequence is completed.

Gemini Guide

The Broadsword is a commonly encountered Confederation fighter. It is equipped with a deadly array of blasters and several HS and FF missiles, which pose a severe threat to any enemy that ventures to cross its path. The Broadsword’s main weaknesses lie in its slow speed, low maneuverability and limited acceleration powers. If you are flying a very maneuverable ship in an encounter with this vessel, the odds are definitely in your favor. A side attack on the weaker port and starboard armor is advisable.

Joan's Fighting Spacecraft 2700-2701 - Epsilon Sector Supplement

A-17 Broadsword Executioner
The Executioner is a return to the Broadsword’s pre-war role as a heavy missile platform. Fighter pilots are well advised to avoid the Executioner’s forward firing arcs: they combine five Dart DF rocket packs with heavy hitting plasma cannons. A truly deadly combination on their own, these weapons are accompanied by a military grade tractor beam capable of immobilizing enemy ships.

A-17 Broadsword Warpig
Though they were initially relegated to the surplus yards, the Broadsword design proved itself against the Nephilim. During the first assault on a construction reef, it was a militia Warpig squadron which scored the killing blow — while Devastator and Shrike units suffered heavy casualties.

A-17 Broadsword Behemoth
The Behemoth is an inelegant solution for the limitations of the modern battlefield: the design adds giant sheaths of Platolum armor to protect the ship’s delicate fuselage. The upgrade also doubles the torpedo capacity of the classic design. Although these additions significantly reduce engine performance, expert Broadsword pilots know better than to rely on maneuverability in the first place.

Specifications

Early Terran-Kilrathi War

	CF-131A Broadsword	Broadsword (2648)	Broadsword (2654)
Source:	Confederation Handbook	Confederation Handbook	Academy TV
Class:	Fighter/Bomber	Fighter/Bomber	Bomber
Length:	12 meters	12 meters
Mass:	14 metric tonnes	14 metric tonnes
Max Velocity:	320 Kps	320 Kps
Cruise Velocity:	150 Kps	150 Kps
Guns:	Mass Driver Cannons (3)	Mass Driver Cannons (3)	Plasma Guns (2)
Turret:	Dual-Mount Neutron Gun (3)	Dual-Mount Neutron Gun (3)	Dual-Mount Laser Cannon (1) Single-Mount Laser Cannon (2)
Missile Hardpoints:	Missile Mounts (3)	Missile Mounts (3)	Dart DF (?) Spiculum IR (?)
Missile Hardpoints:	-----	Torpedoes (2)	Torpedoes (2)
Tractor Beam	Yes	Yes	yes, rear
Armor (Fore/Aft/Sides):	10.0/10.0/8.0 cm	10.0/10.0/8.0 cm
Shields (Fore/Rear):	13.0/13.0 cm	13.0/13.0 cm
Missile Decoys:	None	None	None
Jump Capable:	Yes	Yes	Yes
Life Support	16 hours	16 hours
Crew:	4 (Pilot and 3 Gunners)	4 (Pilot and 3 Gunners)	2 (Pilot, Co-Pilot)
Service Entry:	2633	2648

Late Terran-Kilrathi War

Class	A-17D Broadsword	Broadsword (2667)	Broadsword (2667)	Broadsword (2667)	Broadsword (2669)	Broadsword (2669)
Source:	WC II Playguide Manual	Wing Commander 2	WC Academy Manual	WC Academy (info questionable)	Privateer Playguide Manual	Wing Commander: Privateer
Class:	Heavy Bomber	Heavy Bomber	Heavy Bomber	Heavy Bomber	Fighter-Bomber	Fighter-Bomber
Length:	36 meters	36 meters	36 meters	36 meters	Not Listed	36 meters
Mass:	100 metric tonnes	100 metric tonnes	100 metric tonnes	100 metric tonnes	Not Listed
Max Velocity:	320 KPS	320 KPS	320 KPS	320 KPS	350 KPS	350 KPS
Cruise Velocity:	150 KPS	150 KPS	150 KPS	150 KPS	Not Listed
Acceleration:	Poor	1 k/s^2	Poor	Poor	Poor	400 k/s^2
Max Y/P/R:	5/5/5 deg/s	4/4/4 deg/s	5/5/5 deg/s	4/4/4 deg/s	Average	87/85/95 deg/s
Guns:	Mass Driver Cannon(3)	Mass Driver Cannon(3)	Mass Driver Cannon(3)	Mass Driver Cannon(3)	Mass Driver Cannon(3)	Mass Driver Cannon(3)
Turret:	Dual-Mount Neutron Gun (3)	Dual-Mount Neutron Gun (3)	Dual-Mount Neutron Gun (3)	Dual-Mount Neutron Gun (3)	Dual-Mount Laser Cannon (1), Dual-Mount Particle Cannon (1)	Dual-Mount Particle Cannon (2)
Missile Hardpoints:	Friend or Foe (3)	Friend or Foe (4)	Friend or Foe (4)	Friend or Foe (4)	Friend or Foe (6)	Friend or Foe (6)
Missile Hardpoints:	Torpedoes (4)	Torpedoes (4)	Torpedoes (4)	-----	Heat Seekers (3)	Heat Seekers (3)
Tractor Beam	Yes (rear)	Yes (rear)	Yes (rear)	Yes (rear)	Not Listed
Armor (Fore/Aft/Sides):	15.0/15.0/13.0 cm	40.0/40.0/35.0 cm	15.0/15.0/13.0 cm	30.0/30.0/30.0 cm	25.0/20.0/17.5 cm	25.0/20.0/17.5 cm
Shields (Fore/Rear):	18.0/18.0 cm	50.0/50.0 cm	18.0/18.0 cm	90.0/90.0 cm	Not Listed	Level5/Level5
Shield Recharge	Not Listed	3 cm/s	Not Listed	1 cm/s	Not Listed
Missile Decoys:	None	Chaff Pod (1)	Chaff Pod (1)	Chaff Pod (1)	None	None
Jump Capable:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Crew:	4 (Pilot, 3 Gunners)	4 (Pilot, 3 Gunners)	4 (Pilot, 3 Gunners)	4 (Pilot, 3 Gunners)	Not Listed
Service Entry:	2664		Not Listed		Not Listed

Terran-Nephilim War

Class	Executioner (2701)	Warpig (2701)	Behemoth (2701)
Source:	Star*Soldier	Star*Soldier	Star*Soldier
Class:	Heavy Bomber	Heavy Bomber	Heavy Bomber
Length:	36 meters	36 meters	41 meters
Mass:	100 metric tonnes	110 metric tonnes	150 metric tonnes
Max Velocity:	300 kps	275 kps	225 kps
Acceleration:	55 k/s^2	55 k/s^2	55 k/s^2
Max Y/P/R:	65/65/65 deg/s	55/55/55 deg/s	70/70/70 deg/s
Shields:	410 cm	410 cm	410 cm
Armor:	1000 cm	1100 cm	1350 cm
Guns:	Tachyon Gun (2)	Meson Blaster (2)	Tachyon Gun (2)
Guns:	Plasma Gun (2)	Neutron Gun (2)	Neutron Gun (2)
Turrets:	Deployable Bomber Turrets	Deployable Bomber Turrets	Bomber Turrets
Missiles:	2x5 Heat Seekers	1x4 Torpedo	2x4 Torpedo
Missiles:	5x20 Dart DF	5x20 Dart DF	5x20 Dart DF
Jump Capable:	Yes	Yes	Yes

Appearances

Wing Commander 2/Academy

Wing Commander 2: Missions

• Flyable Missions
  • Niven System - Series 2 - Mission 3
  • Novaya Kiev System - Series 4 - Mission 1
  • Novaya Kiev System - Series 4 - Mission 2
  • Novaya Kiev System - Series 4 - Mission 3
  • Novaya Kiev System - Series 4 - Mission 4
  • Enigma System - Series 7 - Mission 1
  • Enigma System - Series 7 - Mission 2
  • Enigma System - Series 7 - Mission 3
  • Ghorah Khar System - Series_9 - Mission 3
  • Novaya Kiev System - Series_10 - Mission 1
  • Novaya Kiev System - Series_10 - Mission 2
  • Novaya Kiev System - Series_10 - Mission 3
  • Novaya Kiev System - Series_10 - Mission 4

• Appears in Mission
  • Gwynedd System - Series 1 - Mission 3
  • Ghorah Khar System - Series 3 - Mission 3
  • Novaya Kiev System - Series 10 - Mission 1

Special Operations 1: Missions

• Flyable Missions
  • Pembroke System - Series 1 - Mission D

Special Operations 2: Missions

• Flyable Missions
  • Canewdon System - Series 2 - Mission A
  • Canewdon System - Series 2 - Mission E
  • Canewdon System - Series 3 - Mission A

• Appears in Mission
  • Canewdon System - Series 5 - Mission C
  • Canewdon System - Series 5 - Mission D

Gallery

• 

  Broadsword Target Identification circa 2664

• 

  Broadsword Target Identification circa 2669

• 

  Privately owned A-17 Broadsword Executioner in the Antares Quadrant, circa 2701

• 

  Privately owned A-17 Broadsword Warpig in the Antares Quadrant, circa 2701

• 

  Privately owned A-17 Broadsword Behemoth in the Antares Quadrant, circa 2701