F-57 Sabre
| F-57 Sabre | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Heavy Fighter |
| Manufacturer | |
| Primary users | Terran Confederation Union of Border Worlds, Free Republic of the Landreich, Society of the Mandarins |
The F-57 Sabre was a heavy fighter in the service of the Terran Confederation.
The F-57 Sabre was a widely-used Terran starfighter that served in a variety of roles throughout much of the Terran-Kilrathi War. Built on a heavy chassis with a large weapons loadout, the Sabre was a formidable dogfighter that could hold its own against multiple Kilrathi starfighters for a prolonged period of time. Capable of carrying torpedoes and other forms of heavy weaponry, it could also act as a bomber, capable of dealing serious 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 starfighter in the Confederation Navy.
The Sabre engaged in numerous combat operations throughout the later half of the War, ranging from patrols to enemy interception to bombing runs against enemy vessels. Many carrier groups were equipped with Sabre squadrons, with many notable pilots serving on the TCS Concordia.
The Sabres were involved in many notable operations against the Kilrathi. 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, famed Terran pilot Mariko "Spirit" 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. 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 took part in numerous defensive actions during the War. Several Sabres took part in the defense of Pembroke Station and the separatist Kilrathi colony of Ghorah Khar.
The Sabre ceased to be in widespread frontline usage as wartime technologies became increasingly advanced in the final stages of the Kilrathi War. Despite this, many Sabres made their way into the hands of other factions. Many Sabres were flown by pirates and mercenaries, and were used extensively by the Society of the Mandarins, a network of Terran traitors loyal to the Kilrathi. Surplus Sabres were 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. Their exploits beyond the early 2670s are largely unknown.
Specifications
| Class: | Heavy Fighter | ||
| Length: | 23.6 meters | ||
| Mass: | 22 metric tonnes | ||
| Max Velocity: | 400 kps | ||
| Cruise Velocity: | 220 kps | ||
| Acceleration: | Excellent | ||
| Max Y/P/R: | 8/8/8 deg/s | ||
| Fore Shield: | 10.0 cm equivalent | ||
| Aft Shield: | 10.0 cm equivalent | ||
| Front Armor: | 16.0 cm | ||
| Right Armor: | 16.0 cm | ||
| Left Armor: | 11.0 cm | ||
| Rear Armor: | 11.0 cm | ||
| Guns: | Mass Drivers (2) | Particle Cannons (2) | Neutron Guns (2) |
| Missiles: | ??? |
