Overview:      Drusus. Those familiar with ancient Roman weaponry would know that a Drusus is in fact the same as a Gladius. Drusus was the name given to Gladii of exceptional quality, with their superior edge, strength and power. So it is that TOG's newest fighter was named so by it's creator, the engineering firm of Satellite Ideas. Based on the airframe of the standard TOG Gladius fighter, the Drusus alters the Gladius' capabilities into a tighter niche, into the role of a heavy, close-in fighter. Loaded with the latest in technology, the Drusus is almost a flying showroom. Rather than chastise and dismiss SI for their arrogance at questioning the already ideal design of the Gladius, TOGSOG instead ordered the company to produce several prototypes for testing. After but six short months, the go ahead was given, and the new fighter was tendered out and in production. Capabilities:      Externally, one would be very hard pressed to tell the Gladius and the Drusus apart. Both possess the same basic airframe, engines and antigrav pods. However, the Drusus is but a single-seat aircraft. The turret as installed on the Gladius is lost, replaced with a non-turning model. The two hardpoints mounted on it still protrude from the underside of the hull as though it could swing around at any moment to fire upon an enemy to its rear. The wing hardpoints are also still mounted, the missiles there recessed until needed. There ends the similarities, however. It may not be possible to see all the differences, but despite it's outward appearance, the Drusus is a completely distinct craft.      To begin, the underpowered shield generators on the Gladius have been upped with new models, drawing more power from the engines. The four BlackBand Shield generators grant the Drusus far more protection, with a flicker rate of 70 to the front. 50 rated shields protect the sides, while the vulnerable rear sports a 60 rating. Not the highest around, but far better than before. Armour levels on this updated craft remain almost the same as its predecessor, save that with the removal of the turrets from each side, an extra ton of protection could be added. Flight, communication, gunnery and computer controls remain virtually identical on both fighters, with a 95% compatibility ratio, making integration of the new fighter easy and less costly.      The biggest change lies in the weapons. Within each weapon spine, the EPC 18 has been stripped out, replaced with a TPP 16 and a 5/1 laser. The engineers at SI had a bit of difficulty fitting the two new weapon systems into the space occupied by the single EPC 18. While the TPP 16 fit neatly inside on its own, the 5/1 had to be re-designed to be slimmer, so that it could ride alongside the TPP's barrel. In the end, the 5/1 was bastardized into a two component system, with the power capacitors and pre-generators in the thick rear section of the spine, connected to the narrow emitter and focusers near the front. The link between the two, a series of conduits and fibre-optics, is fragile and makes the system more vulnerable to damage. As well, it ups the complexity of the weapon to a ridiculously high level. However, the manufacturer of the laser, BrightLight Ltd, has a long track record in making solid and dependable laser systems, reducing the chance of any serious repair being necessary. The Dragon TPP 16 was also chosen for its reliability, to further lessen any maintenance near the delicate coupling.      Capping off the Drusus' weaponry is a new Cone Laser, also manufactured by BrightLight Ltd. The laser is mounted in a new casing underneath the cockpit, where the hardpoint used to ride. This is the only readably visible external difference between the two craft, and is so small that it is too easily overlooked.      On the bottom line, the Drusus sheds nearly 30 tons compared to the Gladius. This boosts it's acceleration capacity to 7Gs, nearly unheard of in terms of a heavy fighter. This gives pilots plenty of thrust and maneuverability to close with their opponents, to use their short-range weaponry. It also gives the Drusus a much better chance at getting out of tight situations should it find itself in too tight of a dogfight. Deployment:      Ringing in at 4,094,800 credits, the Drusus costs all but the same as the Gladius. With production now underway, Drusus are beginning to trickle into fighter squadrons. With its perfect resemblance to the Gladius, the two can play an evil game of guess-what-I-am with enemy forces, causing pilots to second-guess their moves. With their high acceleration, some Drusus have been mixed in with medium fighter groups, providing a more durable element to the squadron. Wherever it is deployed, its high shields, maneuverability and the deep-cutting power of its weapons make it a dangerous opponent.

Class: Heavy Fighter Mass: 171 tons Cost: 4,094,800 Rating Power Mass Cost Right Engine 850 850 9 850000 Cnter Engine 800 800 8 800000 Left Engine 850 850 9 850000 Links 2 2 2 400000 Thrust: 7 Shields Rating Front 70 48 2 35000 Right 50 12 2 25000 Left 50 12 2 25000 Stern 60 24 2 30000 Armour Points Front 100 0 10 500 Right 80 0 8 400 Left 80 0 8 400 Stern 100 0 10 500 Weapons Location TPP-16 Left Wing 55 15 219000 5/1 Left Wing 7 7 84000 Hard Point Left Wing 0 3 10000 TPP-16 Right Wing 55 15 219000 5/1 Right Wing 7 7 84000 Hard Point Right Wing 0 3 10000 Cone Laser Bow 35 35 420000 Hard Point Bow 0 3 10000 Hard Point Bow 0 3 10000 Crew and Cockpit Cockpit 1 1 1 10000 Crew 1 1 1 1000 Accel Comp 7 4 4 7000 Atmospheric Controls A-G Drives 1 9 2 1000 Streamlining 0 0 0 0 Power Mass Cost Totals: 272 171 $4,094,800 Excess Power: 2228------------------------

	Page design/contents © Kannik, 1996 Last Updated: 09 26 97