Lash-class Starbomber

[Star Wars Legacies]

LASH-CLASS STARBOMBER

AFFILIATION
Sith Empire.

MANUFACTURER
Imperial Fleet Works.

CLASS
Heavy starbomber.

ROLE
Anti-ground/anti-ship bombardment spacecraft.

COMPOSITION
Durasteel and transparisteel.

DIMENSIONS
Length - 50 meters.

CREW
1 minimum, 12 optimum.

PASSENGER CAPACITY
N/A.

CARGO CAPACITY
10 standard tons.

HANGAR CAPACITY
N/A.

CONSUMABLES
2 standard weeks.

SPEED/MANEUVERABILITY
An Lash-class starbomber with stock specifications can reach 60 MGLT maximum acceleration, and has sluggish maneuvering characteristics.

ARMAMENT

• 4x dual autoblaster turret, 2x dorsal, 2x ventral.
• 2x dual light laser turret, 1x fore, 1x aft.
• 4x proton bomb chute, 25x bomb in magazine.

EQUIPMENT

• Class 6 hyperdrive.
• Navicomputer.
• Medium deflector screen generator.
• 2-being escape pod.

DESCRIPTION​

"The bomber will always get through."
_Unknown.​

The Lash-class starbomber is widely regarded as one of the most potent weapons in the Imperial arsenal. A heavy bomber capable of carrying an impressive payload, its tall, blade-like profile has become the dreaded symbol of Sith military dominance.

The Lash is designed primarily for the bombardment of large immobile or slow-moving targets. It is well equipped for its role, with a useful load consisting of 100 unguided proton bombs deployed from quad ventral bomb chutes, each with a magazine of 25 bombs. The starbomber also possesses a defensive armament of 2 dual light laser cannon turrets, which are located 1 fore, 1 aft, as well as a quartet of dual autoblaster turrets located 2 dorsal and 2 ventral, creating a formidable defensive screen against enemy interceptors. Enemy fighters are always a danger, of course, but the Lash is almost always flown as part of large formations, allowing cooperating bombers and other craft to form overlapping fields of defensive fire.

In addition to its armament, the Lash is equipped with a medium deflector shield, as well as a class 6 hyperdrive, giving it mobility and a moderate amount of durability. This is just as well, as although the Lash can engage enemy starfighters and other craft with its turrets, it is large, relatively slow and sluggish to maneuver, making it a tempting target. In action, the type often flies in formation with other bombers, allowing each craft to support its allies with overlapping fields of fire from their turrets. Escort starfighters are often employed as well.

The Lash has become the backbone of Imperial strategic bombing campaigns the Galaxy over, conducted against both military and civilian targets. Normally employed to bombard fortifications and armies in the field, as well as industrial and population centers, the type is also occasionally sent against large capital ships, although an effort is usually made by starfighters to disable a ship's defenses beforehand; even the ponderous armaments of big-gun warships are capable of tracking and engaging the relatively sluggish bombers.

As the Great Galactic War drags on, the Lash has become an increasingly common sight in the skies of planets across the Galaxy. Waves of Lashes and other, smaller bombers are often sent in to soften up enemy ground defenses ahead of Imperial troop landings, in concert with laser cannon bombardment by capital ships in orbit.

LEGALITY​

Restricted. In civilized systems, pilots must be properly licensed or be members of recognized armed groups.

INTENT​

To create a heavy bomber for use by the forces of the Sith Empire.

ADVANCED TECH​

Yes. Lash-class starbombers are well armed, and it would require a plot for a character or faction to earn, steal or otherwise acquire one.