Post by Marcus Starkiller on Dec 6, 2005 19:09:07 GMT -5
Model: TIE/rpt Droid Fighter
Manufacturer: Sienar Fleet Systems / Zsinj Development Incorporated
Designation: Short Range Automated Fighter
Length: 2.1 meters
Crew: 1 fully automated droid brain
Consumables: 2 days
Speed: 90 MGLT
Hull: 16 RU
Weapons: 4 Laser Cannons and 2 Concussion Missile Launchers.
This Droid piloted starfighter was the first TIE Raptor model used. History had shown that that every economical droid piloted fighter (even TIE Droids) had inferior handling and effectiveness compared to a human piloted fighter. But at the time of the TIE Raptors commissioning the Empire only had a firm control of one third of the galaxy and therefor had logistical and personnel problems. The Imperial Starfleet was simply short of pilots and was forced to make use of unmanned drone fighters.
The TIE Raptor Droid was intended to have a "support" role in combat. They were not intended to engage enemies alone. Instead they were to be paired up with a human-piloted TIE Interceptor, a combination which allowed 1 human to form a TIE element of a leader and a wingman. The more expensive TIE Interceptor and his precious pilot could make use of his wingman as cover and if needed he could and should sacrifice his TIE Raptor to complete his mission or save his own Interceptor from destruction.
TIE Raptor Droids would have found more widespread usage in the Imperial Starfleet if they weren't soundly defeated in dogfights during the Battle of Selaggis. The TIE/rpt was eventually modified for flight by a living pilot, shortly before Warlord Zsinj's final defeat at the planet Dathomir in the Quelii system.
This ship has not been manufactured since the Zsinj Development Incorporated shutdown, but some starfighters of this class still see active service in the Imperial Navy.