F-57 Sabre

F-57 Sabre
Type	Heavy Attack Fighter
Manufacturer	Terran Confederation
Primary User	Terran Confederation
Additional Users	Free Republic of the Landreich Union of Border Worlds Society of Mandarins
Length	23.6 meters
Mass	22 metric tonnes
Max Velocity	400 KPS
Cruise Velocity	220 KPS
Max Afterburner Velocity	1200 KPS
Acceleration	Excellent
Max Y/P/R	8/8/8 DEG/S
Guns	Mass Drivers (2), Particle Cannons (2), Neutron Guns (2)
Missiles	Standard Loadout Image-Recognition Missiles (4), Friend or Foe Missiles (2), Dumbfire Missiles (2)
Turrets	Dual Mount Neutron Gun (1)
Armor	16 cm fore/aft 11 cm sides
Shields	10 cm
Decoys	3 (Chaff Pods)
Cloak	None
Jump Drive	None
Crew	2 (1 Pilot, 1 Gunner)
Devices	Tractor Beam

F-57 Sabre Target Identification.

History

The F-57 Sabre was a heavy attack fighter in the service of the Terran Confederation.

The F-57 Sabre was a widely-used Confederation fighter that served in a variety of roles throughout much of the Terran-Kilrathi War. Built on a heavy chassis with a large weapons load-out, the Sabre was a formidable dogfighter that could engage multiple Kilrathi fighters for a prolonged period of time. Capable of carrying torpedoes and other forms of heavy weaponry, it could also act as a bomber, dealing severe damage to enemy warships and installations. It was also equipped with a rear turret manned by a gunner for basic defense. All of this, along with its maneuverability, made the Sabre a formidable all-purpose fighter in the Confederation Space Force.

The Sabre engaged in numerous combat operations throughout the Kilrathi War, ranging from patrols to enemy interception to bombing runs against enemy vessels. Many carrier groups were equipped with Sabre squadrons, including the TCS Concordia.

Sabres were involved in many notable operations against the Kilrathi. In 2658, Sabres participated along with Broadswords in Operation Lamplight, Confed's big push into the Deneb Sector. During the operation, a large group of Kilrathi Troopships were moving to assist Kilrathi forces when Sabres, Broadswords and Cruisers intercepted them. The Kilrathi force had minimal escort and was destroyed with limited difficulty. In 2667, the Concordia launched a force of Sabres to destroy the Heaven's Gate Starbase as part of their failed attempt to capture the system. During this assault, Confederation pilot Mariko Tanaka was killed in action after a traitor planted explosives on her vessel, killing her gunner and forcing her to conduct a kamikaze attack on the starbase, destroying it. Later, Christopher Blair flew solo in a Sabre in an attempt to destroy the Kilrathi Sector HQ at K'tithrak Mang. The attack was a resounding success and shattered the Kilrathi's hold on the Enigma Sector.

Sabres also took part in numerous defensive actions during the Kilrathi War. Several Sabres took part in the defense of Pembroke Station and the separatist Kilrathi colony of Ghorah Khar.

Many Sabres made their way into the hands of other factions, including pirates and mercenaries, and were used extensively by the Society of Mandarins, a network of Human traitors loyal to the Kilrathi. Surplus Sabres were also sold to the Union of Border Worlds and the Free Republic of the Landreich. Some took part in the action of the Border Worlds Conflict.

Specifications

	F-57A Sabre	F-57 Sabre (2667)	F-57 Sabre (2665)	F-57 Sabre (Torpedo) (2665)
Sources:	WC II Playguide Manual	Wing Commander Academy Manual	Wing Commander 2/Wing Commander: Academy	Wing Commander 2
Class:	Heavy Attack Fighter	Heavy Attack Fighter	Heavy Attack Fighter	Heavy Attack Fighter
Length:	23.6 meters	23.6 meters	23.6 meters	23.6 meters
Mass:	22 metric tonnes	22 metric tonnes	22 metric tonnes	22 metric tonnes
Max Velocity:	400 KPS	400 KPS	400 KPS
Cruise Velocity:	220 KPS	220 KPS	220 KPS
Acceleration:	Excellent	Excellent	3 (relative)
Max Y/P/R:	8/8/8 DPS	8/8/8 DPS	8/8/8 DPS
Guns:	Particle Cannons (2)	Particle Cannons (2)	Particle Cannons (2)
Guns:	Mass Drivers (2)	Mass Drivers (2)	Mass Drivers (2)
Missiles:	Spiculum Image Recognition (4)	Spiculum Image Recognition (4)	Spiculum Image Recognition (4)
Missiles:	Dart Dumbfires (2)	Dart Dumbfires (2)	Dart Dumbfires (2)
Missiles:	Pilum Friend-or-Foe (2)	Pilum Friend-or-Foe (2)	Pilum Friend-or-Foe (2)
Turrets:	Dual Mounted Neutron Gun (1)	Dual Mounted Neutron Gun (1)	Dual Mounted Neutron Gun (1)
Tractor Beam	Yes	Yes	Yes
Armor (Front/Rear/Sides):	16.0/16.0/11.0 cm	16.0/16.0/11.0 cm	20.0/20.0/18.0 cm
Shields (Fore/Aft):	10.0/10.0 cm	10.0/10.0 cm	8.0/8.0 cm
Shield Recharge	Not Listed	Not Listed	1.0 cm/seconds	4.0 cm/seconds
Missile Decoys:	Chaff Pods (1)	Chaff Pods (3)	Chaff Pods (3)
Jump Capable:	Yes	Yes	Yes