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Description
Overview
A surprising lot can be learned from a military series of war games; even five years after the Rockhaven cooperative exercise BSI made some interesting conclusions regarding their popular BSI-12A light Star fighter. It was obvious that the fighter while still useful was not as effective as previously thought. Almost a hundred gun-camera recordings were analyzed from the event as well as quite a few from skirmishes with the Sons of the Pale Sea and pirate encounters and it was determined that while the 12A was a good fighter it lacked the firepower to take advantage of its great speed and turning capabilities. A new fighter was proposed in 88AE, with blueprints available in late 89 AE. While the Hurricane and Pike star fighters were first being assigned to operational units the new light fighter, dubbed the BSI-20C “Switchblade” was undergoing its first design review. The design was originally supposed to be about double the weight of the 12A but, designers found that it’s unique design could not fit all the intended equipment, weapons, and critical systems unless the design was made larger. The first prototypes of the design weighed thirty tons fully loaded making it three times the weight of the BSI-12A, and bigger than any of the other interim light fighters (BSI-15B and BSI-25). Live fire trials and endurance testing occurred in 91 and 92 AE respectively with final pilot trials occurring in 93 AE. The BSI-20C is now being distributed to the military in replacement for all existing BSI light fighters with exception of the 12A. The 12A with an upgrade kit is now used in a reconnaissance role and a number of BSI-12A have been converted to 12T models and are used as heavy work bee type craft.

Capabilities

The BSI-20C “Switchblade” derives its nickname from the unusual shape of the wings resembling a compound switchblade in mid retraction or extension of the blade. The fighter is as fast as it has precursors it’s respectively better protected, and has full sensor suites and a Structural Integrity field generator. The prior models lack the generator due to a lack of internal space and the installation of external ordinance pylons that proved completely useless in combat. Instead the BSI-20C carries a mostly energy based weapons loadout that consists of a 75mm AGML, a pair of 25mm AGML and two M-18H DRAIL guns all with a forward facing firing arc. Six tons of TIND mk. II armor protects the fighter from damage which is respectable for the tonnage and type of star fighter.

Deployment

The BSI-20C is the prime interceptor for all planetary starfighter bases and starship-based fighter squadrons.

Description
Overview
A surprising lot can be learned from a military series of war games; even five years after the Rockhaven cooperative exercise BSI made some interesting conclusions regarding their popular BSI-12A light Star fighter. It was obvious that the fighter while still useful was not as effective as previously thought. Almost a hundred gun-camera recordings were analyzed from the event as well as quite a few from skirmishes with the Sons of the Pale Sea and pirate encounters and it was determined that while the 12A was a good fighter it lacked the firepower to take advantage of its great speed and turning capabilities. A new fighter was proposed in 88AE, with blueprints available in late 89 AE. While the Hurricane and Pike star fighters were first being assigned to operational units the new light fighter, dubbed the BSI-20C “Switchblade” was undergoing its first design review. The design was originally supposed to be about double the weight of the 12A but, designers found that it’s unique design could not fit all the intended equipment, weapons, and critical systems unless the design was made larger. The first prototypes of the design weighed thirty tons fully loaded making it three times the weight of the BSI-12A, and bigger than any of the other interim light fighters (BSI-15B and BSI-25). Live fire trials and endurance testing occurred in 91 and 92 AE respectively with final pilot trials occurring in 93 AE. The BSI-20C is now being distributed to the military in replacement for all existing BSI light fighters with exception of the 12A. The 12A with an upgrade kit is now used in a reconnaissance role and a number of BSI-12A have been converted to 12T models and are used as heavy work bee type craft.

Capabilities

The BSI-20C “Switchblade” derives its nickname from the unusual shape of the wings resembling a compound switchblade in mid retraction or extension of the blade. The fighter is as fast as it has precursors it’s respectively better protected, and has full sensor suites and a Structural Integrity field generator. The prior models lack the generator due to a lack of internal space and the installation of external ordinance pylons that proved completely useless in combat. Instead the BSI-20C carries a mostly energy based weapons loadout that consists of a 75mm AGML, a pair of 25mm AGML and two M-18H DRAIL guns all with a forward facing firing arc. Six tons of TIND mk. II armor protects the fighter from damage which is respectable for the tonnage and type of star fighter.

Deployment

The BSI-20C is the prime interceptor for all planetary starfighter bases and starship-based fighter squadrons.