Wraith Heavy Fighter

The two man killing machine

The Wraith heavy fighter is the result of the late republic's reluctance to commit to a federal navy. It is a large patrol fighter, designed to operate independently or in small groups. Optimal for smaller planetary defence forces. They are atmosphere capable, two seat strike fighters with a wide range of weapons. The standard design carries 4 heavy laser cannons, 2 Ion Cannonades, and 2 torpedo launch tubes with 8 torpedoes per tube. Though they are quite large and dense for a fighter, the Wraith should not be underestimated. they have mixed propulsion comprised of 1 high thrust central engines and 18 high efficiency cruising engines in clustered into 2 pylons. Through a rather ingenious mix of traditional and electric control systems, the cruising engines can have their thrust individually controlled and vectored to increase manoeuvrability. This, though expensive and time consuming to maintain, makes the Wraith a surprisingly manoeuvrable star-craft (particularly for its size). This does, however, come at the cost of limited combat endurance. As the central engine is truly fuel hungry. to give an idea as to the raw performance produced by the combat engine: under cruise power the Wraith had an endurance of ~12hrs. However under combat power, the craft could only manage 1hr. To compare: the ARC-170 can operate at combat power for 4 hours and a cruise endurance of 15 hours. The short range Z19, for its part, had a combat endurance of 2 hours with a cruise of 4.

In dogfights against fighters of its day, the wraiths performed well against the ARC170. gave roughly matched performance was given against Z19s, Z95, and Belbullab-22 fighters. However V-wing, Tridroid, and Vulture fighters, proved difficult craft to engage. Though it must be said that a Wraith costs about double the price of a Z19/Z95/V-wing. It also requires a higher level of training compared to most of these fighters.

Its biggest selling point, however, is its exceptional sensor array. Manned full time by the SIO-N in the back seat, the array comprises 2 SYA-21 active sensors and 2 SYP-11 passive sensors. The sensor data is interpreted by the crew using both traditional displays as well as a novel helmet mounted display system. This system gives unparalleled situational awareness to a cooperating crew despite the limited visibility from the cockpit. There is a longstanding rumour that the Wraith incorporates a cloaking device. This misconception comes from the fighter's reputation for coming seemingly out of nowhere. In reality, the Wraith simply uses its advanced sensors and low emission cruise engines to patiently sneak up on hostile craft. A task made easier by the wraith's FTL drive meaning it can be in sectors with no reported activity. It is this quality that allowed it to remain a viable combatant even against the highly manoeuvrable fighters of the empire. Though unable to stay in prolonged dogfights with the Twin Ion fighters, the Wraith could exploit a TIE pilot's abysmal situational awareness to get a few easy kills before jetting away.

The defensive systems are nothing to write home about, being on par with other fighter craft and including shields,m  but not really compensating for the ship's large target profile. As a result Wraith crews tend to be very good or very dead.

about 7 000 of the main combat variants (F.1 through F.4) were build for various planetary defence forces, private militias, mercenaries, and personal use.

Major variants:

Wraith Courier (C.5)

A minor failure on the civilian market, the Courier ditches the Ion cannonades, the torpedo launchers, as well as the SYA-21 and SYP-11 sensors in favour of a few small cargo bays and a pair of small cargo racks. they were also sold with non after-burning versions of the standard engine fit. An ineffective move to reduce maintenance costs. Compensating for the lower manoeuvrability and poor situational awareness was a twin laser turret mounted to the top aft. A decent weapon with decent firing arks. Unfortunately, all the Courier's positive attributes were offset by its high cost in a saturated market. 

About 1000 were made, 200 of which were shipped from the factory floor directly to the scrap yard in 10 bby. This lot was recovered by a Rebel cell, about 50 being in usable condition, the rest useful for parts. They had their torpedo launchers retrofired and were used as conventional torpedo bombers. Though, even stripped down, without the after burner it was unable to reach the speeds of the Y-wing
 

Wraith Regal (C.7)Based on the Courier but with a radically redesigned central hull. The Regal is a VIP transport based on the Wraith space-frame. In its stock configuration it features no armaments and only basic sensors. However it comfortably fits 1 to 6 passengers and the 2 crewmen. The second seat features duplicate controls but is rarely manned as it is generally surplus to requirement. This version proved to be a slow burn success. Its performance carried it along long enough for its imperial aesthetics to make it popular with higher class citizens of the empire.


We also have a single example of a highly customized Wraith, purchased from an impound lot, which we've dubbed the Wraith Corsair. This wraith C.5 features a reworked central fuselage fitting accommodations for its two crew. It has also been retrofitted with the Ion cannonades under the chin 

Serious inquiries only.

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