Preybird Fighter
Craft: Sorosuub Preybird-class Starfighter
Affiliation: General / New Republic
Era: Rebellion
Source: The Last Command Sourcebook (pages 132-133), The Thrawn Trilogy Sourcebook (pages 225-226)
Type: Heavy assault starfighter
Scale: Starfighter
Length: 21 meters
Skill: Starfighter piloting: Preybird
Crew: 1, gunners: 1
Crew Skill: Astrogation 4D, starfighter piloting 4D+2, starship gunnery 5D, starship shields 4D
Cargo Capacity: 15 kilograms
Consumables: 4 days
Cost: 200,000 credits
Hyperdrive Multiplier: x3
Nav Computer: Limited to five jumps
Maneuverability: 1D
Space: 8
Atmosphere: 365; 1,050 kmh
Hull: 4D
Shields: 1D
Sensors:
Passive: 20/0D
Scan: 40/1D
Search: 60/2D
Focus: 3/3D
Weapons:
2 Heavy Laser Cannons (fire-linked)
Fire Arc: Front
Skill: Starship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D+1
Space Range: 1-3/12/25
Atmosphere Range: 100-300/1.2/2.5 km
Damage: 5D
2 Concussion Missile Launchers
Fire Arc: 1 front, 1 rear
Skill: Starship gunnery
Space Range: 1/3/7
Atmosphere Range: 50-100/300/700
Damage: 8D
Background: The SoroSuub Preybird-class starfighter was a model of heavy starfighter. It was a capable starfighter for both offensive and defensive purposes, with a heavy laser cannon on each wing, and fore and aft concussion missile launchers. It was perhaps best known for the fact that it never entered full production. The Preybird was also one of the first craft to utilize an automatic gun harmonization system. This helped compensate for the wide stance of the laser cannons and allowed pilots to more accurately fire upon targets.
The Preybird was in most respects a competent snubfighter, with a heavily-armored hull and respectable speed, but significantly less maneuverable than a TIE/LN starfighter or a standard T-65 X-wing starfighter. However, its large size and intimidating, raptor–like appearance could make the Preybird appear more powerful than it really was: a tactic often employed by the smuggler Mazzic was to surprise a ship with his Preybirds, and invite the captain to surrender. Faced with aggressive, unfamiliar fighters, they often did just that.
