Starwing

WINGTHROP SB-10 STARWING SPACE BOMBER

BACKGROUND

Design on the Starwing began shortly after the conclusion of SWI. The initial design was to replace the ES-11D Cat’s Eye and EC-33B Disk Sensor in a proven stealth design to better elude Zentraedi attackers. With the development of the ELINT Seeker VEFR-1 and the VE-1 recon VFs, the Starwing concept was almost scrapped. The project’s initial designs received renewed interest when the UNS decided that a stealthy, long-duration heavy bomber would be perfect for tactical strikes against any rogue Zentraedi that appeared to threaten what remained of humanity. The size of the design was significantly increased, granting a massive internal weapon bay and large area for the crew. The passive stealth aspects of the initial design was retained in the final version. This means that the airframe has the capability of being invisible to radar in perfect conditions, and at worst, about the size of a small meteorite, thus fooling many sensor operators into thinking it to be one if the SB-10 maintained a constant and continuous vector. The initial SB-10s saw service in the 2015 to 2025 era patrolling the solar system, on up-to-weeklong missions, armed with RMS-1 reaction missiles.
In the mid-to-late 2020s, the UNS experienced its first major rebellions by colonies. The UNS deemed that with the plethora of ships in Earth orbit, the SB-10 was no longer needed for Near-Earth Space Patrol duties; instead it was to be upgraded and used as a transatmospheric heavy space bomber. The UNS’s fleet of SB-10s received airframe strengthening, sensor upgrades and ‘modern’ thermonuclear engines capable of STOL and transatmospheric flight at the minimum of fuel consumption. In addition, the predecessor of the Mk 1 fold booster, the ‘mini-fold drive,’ was included to give the SB-10 the much-needed capability of space folding to a distant conflict zone, most likely on or near a distant colony. The prime reason for the inclusion of the fold drive was due to the limitations that the sheer size of the SB-10 presented when interplanetary transportation was needed. During the mid-to-late 2020s, the only ships capable of transporting the SB-10, where Megaroad Colony vessels or Guantanamo Stealth Carriers with the SB-10 hard-mounted to its deck – not the safest way to travel.
New units were built based on the upgraded designs, starting from the 2030s onwards. The SB-10 was also farmed out other branches of the UN Armed Forces. With that, additional roles for the SB-10 were envisioned. The type c having four retractable hard points designed to carry smaller aircraft or ordinance. The design was envisioned to be a ‘first-response’ option for UN Commanders to use when they needed to rapidly deploy a military response to a situation. The standard complement of the SB-10c were to equip it with drone fighters (initially the QF-3000e, Later, the Drone and Ghost X-9 Fighters.) However, Variable Fighters were also used to increase the first-strike capabilities. The type c has the option of having its entire internal weapons bay filled with a large reactant fuel tank. The retractable hardpoints act as refueling probes that other reactant using vehicles use for refueling.
The type e was designed as a long-range intelligence and reconnaissance-gathering unit. This variation has seen its ordinance bays replaced with a plethora of sensors (largely passive) and avionics designed to gather as much data on the target as possible with the minimum of ‘presence.’ With both the type-c and type-e, the SB-10 is considered to be the halfway point to the Algenicus class Special Forces Cruiser for Special Forces Units. The type m is an upgraded type c. The prime differences are that this version is that this version is capable of VTOL and carrying troops and equipment ‘pellets.’ The VTOL give the SB-10m the ability to hover for a short period of time over a planet; basically enough time to either safely land the Starwing or to have all the troops rappel on ropes to the ground. The majority of the internal ordinance bays have been converted to military style troop transport carriages. At the rear of the carriage is the egress ramp; which can be lowered and extended in flight to allow for the troops to dash off the end for paradrops. The equipment pellets carry little more then basic supplies that troops need in the field; camping gear, additional food and water supplies, oxygen and rebreather masks for hostile environments and explosives (usually grenades, landmines and types used for booby traps and sabotage.)
The majority of the types b have been converted to either a c or m type by the late 2030s. In the early 2040s, the UN unveiled its new variable bomber, the VAB-2 as a successor to the SB-10 Space Bomber programme. The majority of SB-10c’s in service were relegated to refueling duties or use in UN bases – one noteable use is as target drone transporters during live-fire target practice.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: Space Bomber

Class: SB-10/10 StarWing Space Bomber

Manufacturer: Wingthrop

Crew: Pilot, copilot/navigator, radar/radio operator and mission specialist/engineer, all wearing Tactical Life Support Systems. Seating for an additional four can be provided, however they will occupy the two cots for the main crew to use during rest periods and make for an extremely cramped cockpit.

Variants

SB-10a: limited to travel in space only. Capable of carrying RMS-1 or long-range type missiles only.

SB-10b: transatmospheric, fold-capable long-duration, long-distance space bomber.

SB-10c: upgraded with retractable hardpoints for carrying other vehicles or ordinance.

SB-10e: upgrade of the ‘c’ type for long-range reconnaissance gathering missions.

SB-10m: upgrade on the ‘c’ type for Marine troop transportation.

SB-10r: upgrade on the ‘b’ type with large fuel load and retractable refueling probes.

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Main Body 1800

(2) Wings (2) 850 each

(3) Engines (4) 500 each

Drone Hardpoints (4) 100 each

Reinforced Pilot Compartment/Escape Pod 450

NOTES:

1. Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the craft. The cockpit section/escape pod will be automatically ejected from the doomed craft before it explodes by the Starwing's main computer.
2. Destruction of one or both wings will completely disable the aircraft, sending it into an uncontrolled spin and eventually crashing
3. Destroying an engine will reduce overall speed/thrust by 25% and cause a -1 penalty to dodge. Each destroyed will reduce airspeed by 25%. If all engines are destroyed the craft will lose all power and can glide to the ground

SPEEDS

FLYING:

Mach 0.97 (650 mph/1040 kmph) max speed at 10,000 meters or less above sea level.

Mach 1.7 (1140 mph/1820 kmph) max speed at 10,000-30,000 meters above sea level.

Mach 5.15 (3451 mph/5221 kmph) max speed for 30 seconds maximum to allow the SB-10 to achieve orbital velocity over an Earth-class planet.

All SB-10 Starwings after the type a, are STOL (Short Take Off and Landing.) ::The SB-10m is S/VTOL capable (Short/Vertical Take Off and Landing.) The VTOL can only be maintained for a short period of time.

• Note: all SB-10 Starwings after the type a are equipped with a mini-fold boosters so as to supplement its range of operations.

STATISTICAL DATA:

HEIGHT: 10 m

WIDTH: 97.5 m (Wingspan)

LENGTH: 66 m (Central Body)

WEIGHT: 305,270 kg Typical Takeoff weight

CARGO: Small compartments behind crew seats for personal belongings. All SB-10 Starwings have 2 cots for crew rest, a kitchenette with small table for two that doubles as small entertainment area, toilet/shower, and a pullout exercise bike, all for use during long duration flights. The SB-10e have slightly more room available for the crew to perform their duties, live and exercise. The SB-10m has the troop carriages connected to the crew areas, allowing for a larger area for storage, if no troops are present.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

INTERNAL BOMB BAY: The SB-10 Starwing features an internal ordinance bay where up to the entire 80,000 lbs. of ordinance carried by this craft are stored. The ordinance bay is divided into rotary weapons cartridges. The cartridges rotate to launch their weapons out of hatches that open in the bottom of the vehicle. If the ordinance is of the same type, the launchers can be fire linked. The SB-10b and c are equipped with space for seven (7) cartridges. SB-10a has eight (8) cartridges. The SB-10e and m only space for one (1) cartridge, the rest of the internal space is devoted to other purposes.
RMS-1 REACTION CRUISE MISSILES: The missiles are AI-guided, thus they receive a bonus of +5 to strike, +4 to dodge and have two attacks per melee until it hits. The missiles will always strike the center (or main body) of their target.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Spacecraft RANGE: 500 miles (804 km) MISSILE SPEED: 670 mph (Mach 1) M.D.C. OF MISSILE: 25 RATE OF FIRE: 1 per cartridge per action. Payload: 10 per cartridge.	DAMAGE: 4D8x1,000 M.D. at ground zero. Reduce damage by a factor of 10 for every 2,500ft (750m) the object is away from ground zero. (i.e. 4D8x100 M.D. at 2,500ft distant, 4D8x10 M.D. at 5,000ft distant, etc.)
LONG RANGE MISSILES
Primary Purpose: Heavy Assault Secondary Purpose: Anti-Spacecraft Missile Types: Any type of UN Spacy Long Range Missile can be used. Range: Varies with missile type.	Damage: Varies with missile type. Rate of Fire: One per cartridge per action. Payload: 12 per cartridge.
MEDIUM RANGE HIGH MANOUVERABILITY MISSILES
Primary Purpose: Assault Secondary Purpose: Anti-Mecha Missile Types: Any type of UN Spacy Medium Range Missile can be used. Range: Varies with missile type.	Damage: Varies with missile type. Rate of Fire: 1 or 2 per cartridge per action. Payload: 24 per cartridge.
MEDIUM RANGE MISSILES
Primary Purpose: Assault Secondary Purpose: Anti-Mecha Missile Types: Any type of UN Spacy Medium Range Missile can be used. Range: Varies with missile type.	Damage: Varies with missile type. Rate of Fire: 1 or 2 per cartridge per action. Payload: 24 per cartridge.
SHORT RANGE MISSILES
Primary Purpose: Assault Secondary Purpose: Anti-Mecha Missile Types: Any type of UN Spacy Short Range Missile can be used. Range: Varies with missile type.	Damage: Varies with missile type. Rate of Fire: 1, 2, 3 or 4 per action per cartridge. Payload: 48 per cartridge.
STANDARD BOMBS (UNGUIDED MISSILES)
Primary Purpose: Ground Assault Secondary Purpose: Anti-Fortification Missile Type: Standard UN Spacy bombs, usually high explosive or fragmentation.	Mega-Damage: 1D6x10 M.D. Rate of Fire: 1 to 7 per attack per cartridge. Payload: 70 per cartridge.

• Note: Bombs can be laser-guided or unguided. Unguided bombs are -4 to strike a stationary ground target, -6 to strike a moving target(s), and -10 to hit a small moving target like a mecha or vehicle. Guided bombs do not have these penalties, but require a spotter to illuminate the target with a laser designator. If the designator loses sight of the target the previous penalties immediately apply.

HARDPOINTS: usually reserved for attaching smaller vehicles such as the Drone Fighter or Ghost X-9. Can carry up to 4 VF sized vehicles. If necessary, the hardpoints each have 3 hard points that can carry either 1 RMS-1/Long Range missile, 3 Medium Rang/medium range high maneuverability missiles, 6 short range missiles or 8 standard bombs.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE SB-10:

1. STEALTH CONSTRCUTION: The SB-10 is designed with special materials and angled surfaces in order to help decrease the Starwing's radar reflection, thus making it ideal for recon and surgical strike missions. These features provide a constant +2 to initiative rolls made during combat by the SB-10. Note that this is a PASSIVE stealth system, and not an active one like a cloaking device. The +2 initiative bonus will continue so long as the aircraft is functional.
2. AUTO-PILOT: The SB-10 is equipped with a computerized auto-pilot, allowing the pilot to relax or even sleep during long voyages. The auto-pilot can be programmed with a single destination or a complex flight plan involving multiple speeds, directions, and destinations. The onboard computer will alert the pilot when the fighter is near its destination, and can also be set to automatically signal when sensors detect objects near the mecha. The auto-pilot was designed with long intra-system space journeys in mind.
3. COMBAT COMPUTER: The SB-10 is equipped with a combat computer that can store and analyze data during combat with hostile forces. Data collected by the combat computer can be displayed on the virtual environment cockpit of the mecha (see below), which allows the system to display large amounts of data to the pilot and even highlight enemies and missile attacks with overlaid graphics. The combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets, and has a database of over 10,000 images stored in memory. The computer can identify and track up to 250 targets simultaneously.
4. ESCAPE POD: The entire reinforced cockpit of the SB-10 is a detachable escape pod that can be jettisoned when the bomber is destroyed. The ejected cockpit does not contain thrusters, but does contain a powerful locator beacon and an integrated life support system that can support the pilot for up to 24 hours after ejection. The pod is also equipped with parachutes in case of ejection in an atmosphere. The combat computer is programmed to automatically eject the escape pod if the craft is destroyed (main body MDC reduced to 0), but this can be overridden if the pilot is feeling suicidal for some reason.
5. HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: Special shielding prevents the penetration of life threatening head and radiation. A radiation detection and alarm system are linked with the shields and will sound an alarm if there is a is a breach in the shields and what the levels of radiation are.
6. HOMING SIGNAL: Both the SB-10 and it’s escape pod are equipped with a homing device that enables rescue teams to locate a disabled craft or ejected life pod. The range of the signal is 400 miles (640 km). Most UN Spacy ships and variable fighters can locate and track homing signals, and the onboard computers will automatically notify their pilots if such a signal is detected.
7. LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range: 100 miles (160 km). Used for increased accuracy in the striking of enemy targets and is partly responsible for the mecha's strike bonus.
8. OPTICS: INFRARED: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). This optical system projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye, but detectable by the mecha's sensors. The system allows the pilot to detect hidden/concealed objects by their IR reflectiveness. The beam will be visible to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.
9. OPTICS: NIGHTVISION: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive light image intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
10. OPTICS: THERMAL IMAGER: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive optical heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables the pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke, and also adds a +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
11. RADAR: 400 mile (642 km) range.
12. RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Long range, directional communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 600 miles (960 km) or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
13. SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture of the aircraft by the enemy, the pilot can activate the self-destruct system, which will cause the craft to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is set by the pilot). The explosive damage is contained within a 20 foot (6 m) area and inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the explosion. All internal systems are obliterated. The escape pod will be automatically ejected prior to the explosion unless the pilot overrides the ejection sequence.
14. STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: All UN Spacy aircraft come equipped with a portable survival kit. Inside the small reinforced box is a medium-sized flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, universal direction finder, infrared distancing binoculars, a small mirror, a pocket knife, dehydrated and concentrated food (can be stretched into a five day supply for one person) and basic first aid items (aspirin, bandages, disinfectants, etc.)
15. TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM: The SB-10's cockpit is pressurized, and also provides additional air feeds to the pilot and crew's flight suits that provides them with pressurized breathing. The UN Spacy flight suit also contains an upper and lower g-suit that promotes blood circulation even during high-g turns, thus decreasing the possibility of pilot's blacking out in combat.

COMBAT BONUSES FOR SB-10 BOMBER TRAINING:

• As an aircraft, there is no specific combat training for the SB-10. However, the following bonuses are provided to all trained pilots:
• 2 attacks per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels four, seven, ten and twelve.
• +2 to strike
• +2 to dodge
• +2 to roll with impact, reducing damage by half.

• For pilots trained in piloting jets (either military or commercial,) the following reduced bonuses are imparted on the pilot:
• 1 attack per melee (plus those of the pilot).
• Add one additional action/attack at levels three, nine, and fifteen.
• +1 to strike.

+1 to dodge.

• +1 to roll with impact, reducing damage by half.

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

"Doe's All The Worlds' Mecha Guide: SB-10 StarWing

Macross Plus

Original stats write-up available at the UNSDB