Terran Confederation A-18 "Crossbow" Medium Bomber

Name: A-18 Crossbow
Craft: Terran Confederation A-18 Crossbow
Type: Heavy Bomber
Scale: starfighter
Length: 24 meters
Skill: starfighter pilot
Crew: 2; skeleton; 1/+5
Cargo Capacity: 6.3 metric tons
Consumables: 7 days
Jump Drive: x1
Nav Computer: yes
Maneuverability: 2D+2
Space: 7
Atmosphere: 350; 1,000 km/h
Hull: 9D
Shields: 10D
Sensors

• Passive: 20 / 0D+1
• Scan: 40 / 1D
• Search: 60 / 1D+1
• Focus: 2 / 2D

Weapons

• 3 Heavy Long Range Mass Driver Cannons (firelinked)

Fire Arc: forward
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Space Range: 1-3/8/15
Atmosphere Range: 10-300/800/1,500m
Damage: 4D

• 2 Dual Standard Neutron Guns

Fire Arc: 1 forward, 1 aft turret
Crew: 1
Scale: walker
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D+1
Space Range: 1-3/8/15
Atmosphere Range: 10-300/800/1,500m
Damage: 4D

• 3 Light Ordnance Hardpoints

Fire Arc: forward
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 4D
Space Range: 1-8/20/40
Atmosphere Range: 10-800/2,000/4,000m
Ammo: 1 Standard Friend-or-Foe (IFF) Missiles per hardpoint
Damage: 8D+1

• 4 Heavy Ordnance Hardpoints

Fire Arc: forward
Crew: 1
Scale: capital
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Space Range: 1-4/10/20
Atmosphere Range: 10-400/1,000/2,000m
Ammo: 1 MK IV Torpedo per hardpoint
Damage: 40D

• Tractor Beam

Fire Arc: turret
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Space Range: 1-2/5/10
Atmosphere Range: 10-200/500/1,000m
Strength: 3D+1

• Electronic Counter Measure Module

Fire Arc: all
Crew: 1
Skill: sensors
Space Range: 1-5/13/25
Atmosphere Range: 10-500/1,300/2,500m
Effects: Enemy Sensors and Fire Control -1 pip

Gear:

• Ejection Seat: This accessory allows the vehicle's crew and passengers to safely disembark while it is still in mid-flight. It can be used as the vehicle is being destroyed.

Description: The A-18 Crossbow is a heavy bomber in the service of the Terran Confederation.

The Crossbow was designed with the purposes of a typical bomber, but also as an alternative to the A-17 Broadsword. Having a smaller chassis and greater maneuverability, it was meant to fulfill the purposes of the Broadsword but allow for better performance in combat. Sporting a heavy weapons loadout, it was a dangerous opponent to enemy capital ships, and could take a lot of damage before it was felled in battle. It is also one of a handful of Terran starfighters that are jump-capable.

The Crossbow was first introduced in the 2660s and in 2667 was being field-tested on the TCS Gettysburg in the Epsilon Sector. During these tests, the crew of the Gettysburg staged a mutiny against their commander after he gave them illegal orders to fire on unarmed Kilrathi refugee ships, overtaking the vessel and the prototype Crossbows on board. After Colonel Christopher Blair informed the mutineers they had been pardoned for their crimes, the Gettysburg launched a flight of Crossbows to destroy the Rigel Supply Depot, which had been seized by rogue marines who were preying upon civilian supply convoys.

The Crossbow also saw limited service during the defense of Ghorah Khar in 2667, a Kilrathi system which had seceded from the Kilrathi Empire. Colonel Blair also used a Crossbow in the capture of Crown Prince Thrakhath nar Kiranka during this same fleet action, however the Crown Prince escaped from his imprisonment shortly afterwards.

It is unknown what further actions the Crossbow undertook in the Terran-Kilrathi War.

Source:

• Wing Commander Encyclopedia: A-18 Crossbow
• Wing Commander Information Center: A-18 Crossbow
• The Wing Commander Role Playing Game (page 284)
• thedemonapostle