Craft: FreiTek Inc. R-41 Starchaser
Type: Space superiority fighter
Scale: Starfighter
Length: 11 meters
Skill: Starfighter piloting: R-41
Crew: 1
Crew Skill: Starfighter piloting 3D+2, starship gunnery 3D+2, starship shields 3D+1
Cargo Capacity: 35 kilograms
Consumables: 2 days
Hyperdrive Multiplier: x1
Nav Computer: Yes
Maneuverability: 2D+1
Space: 10
Atmosphere: 415; 1,200 kmh
Hull: 2D
Shields: 2D+1
Sensors:
Passive: 20/0D
Scan: 35/1D
Search: 40/2D
Focus: 2/3D
Weapons:
2 Laser Cannons (fire linked)
Fire Arc: Front
Skill: Starship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Space Range: 1-3/12/25
Atmosphere Range: 100-300/1.2/2.5 km
Damage: 5D
2 Ion Cannons (fire linked)
Fire Arc: Front
Skill: Starship gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Space Range: 1-3/7/36
Atmosphere Range: 100-300/700/3.6 km
Damage: 4D
Background: The R-41 Starchaser was a multi-role starfighter manufactured by Hoersch-Kessel Drive, Inc. The Starchaser was built as a solid starfighter capable of competing with the Z-95 Headhunter. It had a good balance of speed, weapons and durability, but lacked heavy armor or internal hull bracing, which often made it vulnerable to well-placed enemy hits. It had a slight advantage over the Headhunter with its ion cannons, and in the hands of expert pilots could pose a considerable threat even to newer starfighters, as was the case in the clash between the Rneekii pirates and the Galactic Empire at Kiilimaar.
The craft featured a flat lifting body with a diamond-shaped nose. It had S-foils mounted aft, and was powered by four H-K Model 4Yb ion fusion engines as well as a Class 2 hyperdrive.
The ship’s drawbacks, which included light armor, low maneuverability, and low-powered shields prevented its success on the market.
A two-seat version, named the R-42 Starchaser, existed; however, this version, despite being superior in some aspects, proved less popular with the primary market of the R-41 and only a few hundred were ever built.