B-Wing
| B-Wing | |
| Production Information | |
|---|---|
| Class |
Assault Starfighter |
| Model | |
| Manufacturer |
Slayn & Korpil |
| Technical Specifications | |
| Length |
16.9 meters |
| Maximum Acceleration |
2,390 G |
| MGLT |
60 MGLT |
| Engine Units |
or
|
| Hyperdrive Rating |
Class 2.0 |
| Shielding |
Sirplex Zr-41 shield generator (Rated 125 SBD) |
| Hull |
Reinforced durasteel (Rated 60 RU) |
| Targeting Systems |
|
| Armament |
|
| Crew |
|
| Minimum Crew |
1 |
| Passengers |
None |
| Cargo Capacity |
45 kilograms |
| Usage | |
| Roles |
|
Characteristics[edit]
Somewhat reminiscent of the H-60 Tempest bomber, and using a wing configuration similar to Slayn & Korpil's earlier V-19 Torrent starfighter, the B-wing had a somewhat ungainly appearance resembling a top-heavy cross when fully unfurled.
The B-wing was a highly adaptable design, with modular hardpoints and other components. Its weapons could be reconfigured more easily than many other Alliance fighters. The B-wing also had a unique rotating cockpit module which was independently stabilized to allow the pilot to coordinate advanced flight and attack maneuvers. The fighter was powered by either of two engine systems: a Quadex Kyromaster engine with four thrust ports, or four Slayn & Korpil JZ-5 fusial thrust engines.
The B-wing was designed to replace the aging BTL Y-wing starfighter in the heavy assault role, as it had the advantage of more weaponry and stronger shields. However, the B-wing had several weaknesses, notably being difficult to fly and lacking speed and agility. Its large hull furthermore made it an easier target and it also had less armor protection. Consequently, it never fully succeeded supplanting the Y-wing as intended.
In particular, the rotating hull system made the B-wing a challenge to master. It also made the ship abnormally delicate; too many sharp turns could cause extreme strain to the spaceframe, and the cockpit rotation system could get stuck in one position. Only a few pilots were qualified to fly the ship before the Battle of Endor, resulting in a smaller number of B-wings present than expected. These difficulties forced the Rebel Alliance to invest in an upgraded Y-wing, rather than an entirely new ship, to fulfill their needs.
Like its predecessor, the Y-wing, the cockpit could be detached from the rest of the ship, but unlike the Y-wing, the B-wing's cockpit could be ejected into space and support atmospheric re-entry.
The B-wing would go on to participate in many battles throughout the Galactic Civil War, and would lend design elements to other vessels. Sometime after the Battle of Hoth, the hull of a wrecked B-wing was used as the design prototype for the AHS-1 heavy assault airspeeder, and later models followed the same general design.
Armaments[edit]
The B-wing carried an unusually high payload for its size, due to its designation as an assault fighter. As originally designed, the B-wing carried three ion cannons, two proton torpedo launchers, one laser cannon, and two auto-blasters. Most B-wings had their two auto-blasters replaced with laser cannons to improve survivability and firepower, though some B-wings had four auto-blasters. The B-wing was originally designed with a unique fire-control system which fires low-power lasers at a target to give the computer range and vector information for the torpedoes and ion cannons.
While its strong deflector shields and great firepower allowed it to be somewhat survivable in fighter engagements, it usually required an escort on the way in. However, with the firepower of many naval corvettes, it fulfilled its purpose as a dangerous foe against many light capital ships.
Source[edit]
- Credit to Wookieepedia for the above information
