Source: Technical Readout 3025
Mass: 90 tons
Frame: Bowie 50
Engine: PlasmaStar 270
Armament:
2 Exostar Long Range Missle 15 Racks
4 McCorkel Large Lasers
2 McCorkel Small Lasers
2 Martell Medium Lasers
1 Exostar Short Range Missle 6 RackManufacturer: Bowie IndustriesPrimary Factory: DellCommunications System: Rander 200
Targeting and Tracking System: Rander TA5
Overview:
Designed as a heavy fighter with long- and short range combat capabilities, the Chippewa was constructed under Star League Defense Forces' Contract 20091 A. After the fall of the Star League, most of these craft ended up in the Lyran Commonwealth, where their ability to fight well in space and in-atmosphere soon made them House Steiner's primary heavy fighters.
Capabilities:
The Chippewa is a large-wing design, with cockpit and fuselage attached in the center. The outer wing areas are fully retractable, making it easy to store the Chippewa aboard a DropShip or transport. The large wings allow for tight control in a dead-stick landing and for maneuverability when fighting in atmosphere.
The PlasmaStar 270 engine is a relatively simple propulsion unit that requires limited preventive maintenance, making the Chippewa a good choice as a frontline fighter. The craft's well-rounded weapons array provides close-support fire as well as long-range capability. The Chippewa's ever-reliable Exostar missile delivery systems require modular replacement parts.
The Chippewa carries almost four tons of ammunition for its LRMs and one ton for the SRMs, stored in separate sections to prevent massive chain-reaction explosions. The large number of rounds it carries enables this vessel to support itself in combat for extended periods.
Bowie Industries provided the Chippewa's laser systems with special insulation to reduce heat transfer to the fighter's superstructure. When the lasers are used, the insulation provides the equivalent of two extra heat sinks. Supplies of replacement insulation have become scare as the Succession Wars raged on, however, and many Chippewas no longer have this feature.