History

Already before the Battle of Yavin the Rebellion clearly saw the need for a strong attack fighter with a high offensive capacity. In too many battles the Alliance lost a considerable amount of ships because of Imperial capital ships such as escort frigates, corvettes, and star destroyers. To counter this problem, Alliance High Command authorized the development of a heavy attack fighter which should have enough firepower to engage even larger capital ships.

The B-wing was devised by Admiral Ackbar in conjunction with the Verpine, a species of outstanding engineers that live deep in the Roche asteroid field. With the help of the Verpine colonies Slayn and Korpil a fighter was constructed on the nearby asteroid Shantipole. This was called, very appropriately Project Shantipole. Unfortunately, an Imperial spy was present during the operation and an Imperial trap was laid to capture a B-wing. On the day of the attack, a single B-wing and four X-wings from Blue Squadron were successful in securing the evacuation of the two B-wing prototypes, the research staff, and Ackbar himself. The B-wing was mainly designed to take on the Nebulon-B Escort Frigate.

B-wings were produced by Slayn & Korpil, and after being taught by the Verpine, the Rebellion. The Rebels set up a couple of B-wing assembly areas that produced these fighters about a half squadron at a time. During an early battle the B-wing shocked the Empire when a single flight of these fighters took out an entire Nebulon-B Frigate. The Imperial commander of the task force the Frigate was assigned to was so shocked that he dismissed the report as being too unbelievable.

Design

The B-Wing basically consists of a single long wing with a cockpit mounted at its end. This wing, resembling a blade, lends the B-Wing its name - the 'B' stands for Blade. Nearer to the cockpit than the center of the main wing, are two S-foil wings that can be extended for combat. The cockpit has an unusual characteristic that no other fighter has. The cockpit has a gyro-stabilization, which allows the rest of the ship to rotate around it, which reduces stress from sudden maneuvers. The only problem with this system is it frequently breaks down from constant combat. This would cause the locking of the cockpit, which would severely damage the space frame when turned. The basic handling of the B-Wing is difficult and the gyro-stabilizer system causes disorientation in many pilots. Despite the gyro-stabilizer system, the B-Wing is still less maneuverable than the X-Wing and TIE Fighter.

Weapons

The B-wing, classified as a Heavy Assault/Support class fighter, packs an incredible punch. More powerful than a Corellian Corvette, most consider it more than a simple starfighter due to its power. With two squadrons of B-Wings and some sort of support fighters, B-Wings have been know to take out an entire Imperial Star Destroyer, Mark II.

The B-Wing is armed with ArMek SW-7a Ion cannons, one on each of the wings and one at the base. Also armed with a Gyrhil R-9X Laser Cannon at the base along with the primary Krupx MG9 Emission-Type Proton Torpedo Launcher with a secondary launcher right about the two wings. As well as the main weapon systems, this fighter possesses a pair of Gyrhil 72 Twin Auto-Blasters, mounted to the cockpit. Other configurations mounts 3 laser cannons, two ion cannons and the normal two proton torpedo launchers.

All of the B-Wing's weapons are modular, so its configuration and mission profile can be changed quickly, within a few hours. Although, this speed is amazing it still holds the position of stock fighter.

Engines and Systems

The immense Quadrex-Kyromaster engine powers the B-Wings, sporting four exhaust nozzles. An alternate is the Four Slayn and Korpil JZ-5 Fusial Thrust Engine, created by the makers of the fighter. The speed of the fighter is greater than that of an Y-Wing, however still rather slow. A single Vinop O2K ionization reactor and four Slayn and Korpil JZ-5g7 power converters power the engines, with four cooling plates to dissipate heat. The B-Wing is equipped with a Class II hyperdrive, although only half as fast as an X-Wings or A-Wings, which has a navigation computer that can hold jump coordinates to the attack point and back.

Expanded B-Wing

Much like the B-Wing, the Expanded B-Wing or B-Wing/E, makes room for a gunner. This provides better firing capability and the gyro-stabilization proves easier aiming and firing for the gunner. The gunner is placed right behind the pilot in the B-Wing/E. Another model was created for a personal transport, the B-Wing/E2. The main difference was the second seat placed next to the pilot and cargo space where the seat would be in the B-Wing/E. Admiral Ackbar, mostly used the B-Wing/E2, as his personal diplomatic ship used this starfighter.

Weakness

The major weakness of the B-Wing is its slower speed. Other than the speed, the B-Wing becomes unopposed.

Starfighter Specifications

Overview
Name: B-Wing
Model: B-51
Designer: Admiral Ackbar
Manufacturer: Slayn & Korpil
Combat Designation: Heavy Assault/Support Starfighter
Crew: 1 pilot
Length: 16.9 m
Width: 2.9 m
Height: 2.5 m (7.3 m w/ S-Foils in Attack Position)
Cargo Capacity: 45 kg
Power System: Vinop O2K cryogenic power cells and ionization reactor
Propulsion System: Quadax-Kyromaster drive w/ 4 individually adjustable thrust nozzles (rated at 290 KTU)
Speed Rating: 90 MGLT
Flight Control System: Narmox HG.6w flight control avionics package
Navigation: Microaxial LpM-549 computer system
Maneuverability Rating: 65 DPF
Hyperdrive: Slayn & Korpil HYd-997 motivator drive unit (class 2)

Sensor Systems:
Fabritech ANv-9q Unit
Long Range Phased Tachyon Detection Array Model Number PH-5s
Short Range Primary Threat Analysis Grid Number PK-8f

Targeting Computer
Fabritech ANq 3.6 Target Tracker
IN-344-B Sightline Holographic Imaging System

Weapons
One Gyrhil R-9X Laser Cannon
Two Gyrhil 72 Twin Auto-Blasters
Three ArMek SW-7a Ion Cannons
Two Krupx MG9 Proton Torpedo Launchers (6 torpedoes each)

Shields/Armor
Forward/Rear Projecting Sirplex ZR-41 Shields (125 SBD)
Titanium Reinforced Alloy Hull (60 RU)

Special Design Feature
Gyroscopically-stabilized Command Pod

Credits