Ship BTL-S3 Y-Wing Starbomber

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BTL-S3 Y-WING STARBOMBER

AFFILIATION
Open market.

MANUFACTURER
Koensayr Manufacturing.

CLASS
Light starbomber.

ROLE
Anti-ship attack craft.

COMPOSITION
Alusteel and transparisteel.

DIMENSIONS
Length - 23.4 meters.CREW
1-2.

PASSENGER CAPACITY
N/A.

CARGO CAPACITY
100 kilograms.

HANGAR CAPACITY
N/A.

CONSUMABLES
1 standard week.

SPEED/MANEUVERABILITY
The BTL-S3 Y-Wing has a top speed of 70 MGLT and has average maneuvering characteristics.

ARMAMENT

• 2x medium particle beam cannon.
• 1x dual light ion cannon turret.
• 1x ordinance launcher, 8x torpedo or bomb in magazine.

EQUIPMENT

• 1x class 1 hyperdrive.
• 1x astromech socket.
• 1x light deflector screen generator.
• 1x cockpit escape pod.

DESCRIPTION​

The BTL-S3 Y-Wing is a Clone Wars-era light starbomber originally produced by Koensayr Manufacturing. One of the standout spacecraft of the conflict, the S3 was a stripped-down version of the earlier B model, which incorporated an aerodynamic faring and more complex systems. Unlike the single-seat A4 model, developed around the same time, the S3 would retain its copilot/gunner position, giving the pilot a reduced workload and allowing for more precise targeting for anti-ship work. Like the A4, the S3 would go on to have a long and illustrious career.

The BTL-S3 was rugged and simple, meant for combat durability, reliability and ease of maintenance in the field. During the Clone Wars, the Y-Wing served as a tactical strike craft, and was equipped with - for the time - a formidable armament of two medium laser cannons, a dorsal twin ion turret - especially deadly against the droid starfighters fielded by the Confederacy of Independent Systems - and an ordinance launcher which could deploy torpedoes or bombs of various types. Speed was middling to poor, only 70 MGLT, with maneuverability to match, but the type did have shields and a class 1 hyperdrive, with hyperspace calculations handled by the onboard astromech.

Of note, most BTL-S3s had their medium laser cannons replaced with particle beam cannons, giving them greater damage potential against enemy capital ships during strafing runs. The cockpit section also differed from other Y-Wing variants; with pilot and copilot/gunner sitting back-to-back, a conventional ejection seat was considered impractical, and so instead the entire cockpit section - including the astromech socket - can separate from the drive section as an escape pod. This contributed to the S3's high survivability rating compared to other Y-Wing variants.

After the end of the Clone Wars and the establishment of the Galactic Empire, the Y-Wing series was declared obsolete and retired, being replaced in service by variants of the new TIE series of spacecraft that was quickly becoming the face of the New Order. In an effort to keep surplus Y-Wings from falling into the hands of enemies of the state, the Empire ordered that many be scrapped; ironically, this concentration of Y-Wings attracted the attention of the fledgling Alliance to Restore the Republic, who would raid disposal centers to steal usable ships. In this way, the Rebellion would acquire large numbers of Y-Wings, predominantly the A4 variant; despite its obsolescence, the type would be widely used by Rebel squadrons, and to good effect. Y-Wing squadrons would see action all the way up to the Battle of Jakku.

By the New Republic era, the Y-Wing series was showing its age. Out of date during the Galactic Civil War, it was hopelessly outclassed in the new era, and Starfighter Command knew that luck and determination could only go so far. The Y-Wings were quietly retired for the second time, although with a bit more dignity than the first; many Rebellion-era Y-Wings were donated to museums and heritage flights across the Galaxy, with the remainder sold off to the public.

In the present era, it is exceedingly rare to find a Y-Wing outside of a museum exhibit, let alone in active service. They are still occasionally found in the hands of backrocket system defense forces, law enforcement and pirates, who will take what they can get, but their low speed and sluggish handling make them hopelessly outclassed in any kind of fair fight. They can still be had, of course, if one is prepared to look hard enough, and for some the appeal of flying a war-bird with a lineage dating all the way back to the Clone Wars is reason enough to own one.

LEGALITY​

Restricted. BTL-S3 Y-Wings are starbombers, and despite their obsolescence they are still subject to extra licensing requirements and increased scrutiny by authorities.

INTENT​

To bring a vessel from canon into our site's fanon.