Terran Confederation A-17 "Broadsword" Heavy Bomber

Name: A-17/A Broadsword
Craft: Camelot Industries A-17/A Broadsword
Type: heavy bomber
Scale: starfighter
Length: 36 meters
Skill: starfighter pilot
Crew: 5; skeleton: 1/+10
Cargo Capacity: 6.3 metric tons
Consumables: 7 days
Jump Drive: x1
Nav Computer: yes
Maneuverability: 1D+2
Space: 6
Atmosphere: 330; 950 km/h
Hull: 5D+2
Shields: 7D
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

• 3 Dual Standard Neutron Guns

Fire Arc: 1 port, 1 starboard, 1 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: 1-3/7/13
Atmosphere Range: 10-300/700/1,300m
Strength: 4D+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: Camelot Industry's CF-131 Broadsword is one of the Terran Confederation's most successful spacecraft designs; Broadswords served on and off from 2633 to 2701--across multiple wars and for several different factions. The bombers were originally designed during the Pilgrim War to support the Grand Fleet's invasion of the Pilgrim Alliance. Early CF-131 Broadswords served as massed missile platforms and strategic ship-to-planet bombers.

With the advent of the Kilrathi war and the development of the torpedo, Broadswords changed to fit the times. In 2648 all current model Broadswords were outfitted to carry two antimatter torpedoes. That number would eventually double, by 2664, and then double again, by 2701. Broadswords became the Confederation's heaviest anti-capship bomber for the middle portion of the war; Broadswords flying off the Tiger's Claw, Concordia and elsewhere achieved great success in dangerous torpedo runs.

After the end of the Kilrathi War, the Confederation relegated Broadswords to reserve wings and boneyards.

Zachary Banfield's Guild maintained two squadrons of Broadswords which were used to attack the FRLS Mjollnir and destroy the FRLS Sindri. The Landreich themselves operated a number of Broadswords during the Kilrathi War, fielding them during the Battle of Hell Hole.

The Union of Border Worlds operated a number of Broadswords during their aborted war with the Terran Confederation. Admiral Tolwyn was, at one point, captured by a stripped patrol Broadsword as he attempted to flee the Peleus System.

But the Nephilim invasion of 2681 reactivated Broadsword squadrons - and proved that they were incredibly effective against the new foe. Production of Broadswords resumed, with modernized variants like the Executor, Warpig and later Behemoth rolling off the assembly lines.

In the post-Nephilim War world, surplus Broadswords are a common sight on the volatile Terran-Kilrathi frontier.

Source:

• Wing Commander Encyclopedia: A-17 Broadsword
• Wing Commander Information Center: CF-131 Broadsword
• The Wing Commander Role Playing Game (page 284)
• thedemonapostle