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KDY Amphibious Aerofoil Search and Rescue Transport
AFFILIATION
Open Market (Military Surplus)
MANUFACTURER
Kuat Drive Yards (Production Ceased)
Independent Licencees (Replacement parts, Maintenance, etc)
CLASS
Gunship
ROLE
Government: Patrol, search and rescue, and personnel transport on aquatic planets
Private: Passenger transport, light freighter, personal pleasure craft
COMPOSITION
Titanium/Aluminum Alloy, Carbon formulations for heat protection and Aluminum Oxynitride
DIMENSIONS
Length: 31.5 m
Height: 12.5 m
Wingspan: 45 m
CREW
Minimum: 1 (Pilot)
Optimum: 2 (Pilot, Copilot)
PASSENGER CAPACITY
50 Troopers,
24 Passengers,
12 Wounded on stretchers
CARGO CAPACITY
9 Tons
HANGAR CAPACITY
2 Light aquatic craft with drop ramp (Certain models)
CONSUMABLES
28 Days (Increased to 60 days on many civilian refits)
SPEED/MANEUVERABILITY
Space: 40 MGLT
Atmospheric: 350 km/h
A built as a loitering search and rescue craft, this ship has no aptitude for maneuverability. Atmospheric maneuvers are limited to wide turns to avoid stressing the air frame, and space course adjustments are difficult due to weak repulsorlift systems.
ARMAMENT
Surplus Market:- None (Demilitarized)
Hardpoints available for: - 2 Forward turrets (Light laser cannon or repeating mass drivers)
- 1 Rear turret (Light laser cannon or repeating mass driver)
EQUIPMENT
- Class 8 Hyperdrive
- Navicomputer with memory for 12 routes
- Basic medical bay equipment (Search and Rescue model)
DESCRIPTION
Easily one of the more obscure vehicles in Kuat Drive Yards' storied historical catalog, the AASaRT shares numerous design similarities with its spiritual predecessor, the Amphibious Interstellar Assault Transport (AIAT/i), including a hull bottom shaped for water landings, high wings, and extensive interior space. The AASaRT utilizes four novel ion turboprop propulsion systems. Similar to the Incom ion turbofan, this propulsion system provides a dedicated form of in-atmosphere propulsion while also producing enough ion engine thrust to propel the ship through the vacuum of space. Designed to utilize elemental lithium, common in the crusts of almost all terrestrial planets, as a reactant fuel source, the engines are purposed for efficiency rather than speed. For faster than light travel, the AASaRT is equipped with a class 8 hyperdrive. A fuel-efficient and inexpensive unit, the hyperdrive and accompanying nav computer are more than sufficient for planet-hopping duties, although are woefully ill-equipped for long range travel along major hyperlanes.
One of the most notable characteristics of the ship is the large functional aerofoil wings. Originally, set to be kept aloft by more conventional repulsorlift systems, a lack of reliable spare parts on customer planets forced KDY engineers to scrap the idea in favor of easily-repaired aerodynamic wings that provide nearly all lift required to keep the craft in the air. In a twist of irony, the external fins on the end of each wing house an electromagnetic tensor field generator, keeping them stiff during atmospheric operations, similar to those of the C-9979 droid landing craft that faced off against the AASaRT in the Clone Wars. The few weak repulsorlift generators that are equipped on the craft were installed primarily for out of atmosphere maneuvering and slowing re-entry velocities, although hotshot pilots have been known to activate them during low-altitude search and rescue or patrol missions to lower the stall speed of the ship.
The first vehicle was delivered to the Farashti in 25 BBY, and was largely unpopular among pilots who grew frustrated by the ship's poor handling and slow speeds. More than a few ships were lost early due to the wings literally snapping during harsh atmospheric maneuvers, leading to the injuries or deaths of several pilots. The design was also considered too specialized to many military officers, requiring large bodies of water for the ship to properly operate or even land. By 23 BBY, only a few hundred vehicles had been built, and many of them were already being mothballed due to lack of use. It seemed that the AARaST would become a major financial loss for Kuat Drive Yards.
The arrival of the Clone Wars proved the ship's worth in the end. Although neutral in the beginning, the Farashti utilized the ship to heavily support Litarr forces on the neighboring planet of Poyl. The ship was well suited for the war on Poyl, where aquatic naval warfare played a large role. The ship's loitering ability allowed it to be an extremely effective patrol craft, watching for submerged CIS-aligned forces, as well as rescuing downed Litarr pilots or adrift sailors. Orders for thousands more of the ship were placed during the 4 years of the war. Hundreds of the craft were transferred to Litarr control, while hundreds more were requisitioned for use by the Grand Army of the Republic for operations on dozens of water world battlefields. The ship proved to be exceedingly reliable, although durability was a clear issue, and hull punctures from enemy fire commonly led to these ships and their crews to be stranded for weeks while holes were repaired well enough to make the vehicle space worthy again.
Following the end of the war, demand for this vehicle plummeted to the point were production was discontinued in 18 BBY after all contracts had been fulfilled. In all, well over 3000 ships of this class had been built. As with most vehicles from the era, they were gradually removed from service in the decade following the war. While many were kept in storage for possible future use, the vast majority were disarmed and sold on the open market. Most were bought by smaller transport companies who refitted the cabins and used the ships for passenger transport and cargo deliveries to remote aquatic settlements on thousands of worlds. Hundreds were bought by private individuals who had the ships converted to elegant pleasure craft, fitted with highly decorative interiors, comfortable lounges, and stately cabins for exotic vacations.
Today, 150 years after the end of the Clone Wars, only a few hundred examples of this ship remain functional in the galaxy, the rest having been scrapped or cannibalized for parts long ago. The best examples sit as museum pieces or floating memorials to the Great Poylarr War.
LEGALITY
Due to the demilitarized and surplussed status of AASaRT models still operational, there are no restrictions on their ownership.INTENT
This ship is intended for use by players/groups/NPCs/charity NGOs who need a ship capable of operating on waterworlds or other aquatic environments. It also is useful for poorer users, as it is cheap to maintain and operate compared to other "standard" Star Wars ships. If a player is flashy or into Clone Wars tech, owning this ship could be seen as a galactic status symbol. Lastly, this is meant to be the ship that my characters will be using.
