Fleet Status:Core Access
B-Wing
Manufacturer - Slayn and Korpil Name/Model - B-wing Combat Designation - Heavy Assault Starfighter Crew - One pilot Length - 16.9 meters Cargo Capacity - 45 kilograms Weapons - Three medium ion cannons (fire-linked) Two proton torpedo launchers One laser cannon Two Auto-Blasters Defences - Forward / rear projecting Chempat shields (rated at 50 SBD) Special Design Features - Gyroscopically-stabilized Command Pod Speed - 90 MGLT Accelleration - 15 MGLT/second Manueverability - ***CLASSIFIED*** Lasers - 3 Laser and 3 Ion Cannons Standard Warhead Load - 14 Shield Rating - 50 SBD Hull Rating - 40 RU Hyperdrive - Yes Description - Heavy assault fighter. Much improved combat ability makes this an excellent replacement for the Y-wing. Carrys a larger payload and weaponry than the Y-Wing, is also much faster and reliable than the Y-Wing. The B-wing Starfighter is a ship with tremendous combat capabilities. Admiral Ackbar, then a Commander, designed the B-wing (with the aid of Slayn & Korpil, a Verpine engineering company) as a response to the increasing number of Nebulon-B Frigates present at Imperial military targets. There are some who say that the B-wing is too powerful to be a starfighter; indeed, it packs more power than an average Correlian Corvette. One laser cannon and two Auto-Blasters enable the B-wing to blast through capital ships' shields while retaining the tracking and recharging capabilities needed for starfighter-to-starfighter combat. The presence of ion cannons (three of them) makes the B-wing versatile enough to take place in capture operations. They also make it even more threatening to medium-sized capital ships such as the Nebulon-B Frigate, which, once their shields are down, are particularly vulnerable to the system-disrupting damage done by ion cannons. Two proton torpedo launchers complete the B-wing's arsenal. The B-wing was an instant success. After several engagements in which the B-wing distinguished itself, the Imperial forces were at a loss as to how to protect their convoys. There is a rumour (unconfirmed) that during a raid on one such convoy, an Imperial-Class Star Destroyer arrived on the scene too far away to engage the B-wings and launched TIE Fighters. The TIEs, upon seeing the B-wings heading straight towards them, turned tail and fled back to the Star Destroyer. This story is unlikely, since the TIE pilots knew what kind of punishment would be meted out to them upon their return, but serves to illustrate the reputation of the B-wing. Several drawbacks do exist. The B-wing is slow (its speed is comparable to a Y-wing) and very tricky to maneuver. It utilizes a unique manuevering/stabilizing system. During combat, the cockpit and command pod stay stable while the rest of the ship rotates around it. This provides the pilot protection against G-forces but requires much training to master. In addition, the system places stress on the B-wing's servomotors, which often freeze and require much maintenance. However, the B-wing's shields and hull are powerful enough to withstand several hits, and overall, pilots who learn to master the B-wing usually prefer it above all other craft. B-wings were present at the Battle of Endor, where they assisted the Rebel Cruisers in confronting Star Destroyers. They also provided the much-needed ability to strike well-defended Imperial convoys and shipyards. There is another type of B-wing, called the B-wing/Expanded (or B-wing/E) which has a longer, two-man cockpit, allowing the addition of a gunner.
