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The CloakShape Fighter is an antiquated design developed decades before the Clone Wars, which like the Z-95 Headhunter is insufficient for frontline combat duty. However, its thick reinforced hull and resilient onboard systems makes this versatile design quite sturdy for a starfighter. This design, similar like other older starfighters trades speed in favour for durability, as common thinking of its era was firepower over durability. Thus, the CloakShape could boast that it could take a pounding and still come back alive. Today, few CloakShapes still meet the stock specifications, since this design has been in service for such a great period of time. When the fighter was first introduced, it was considered to be a competent assault fighter excellent for planetary defence. Due to this, these fighters were snapped up by many local militias, and by some corporations and private security forces. It was designed as an atmospheric and short-range space starfighter, and as a result its small powerplant cannot stand up to prolonged deep space combat missions. Furthermore, the CloakShape lacked deflector shields or a hyperdrive due to its design intentions. As a result of this three engine fighter's lack of hyperspace capability, it was often ferried about with carrier ships. KSE designers constructed a fighter that was a surprisingly simple and easily modifiable, even by novice mechanics. Entire systems can easily be stripped out and replaced. Virtually any aftermarket system such as heavier weapons, larger fuel capacity, more powerful thrusters, or with some work shield generators can be fitted to the CloakShape thanks to its modularized compartments and universal adaptors. The most popular after market add-on is the manoeuvring fin (which dramatically improves the fighter's handling and turning radius), its so common that many people actually believe it to be part of the original CloakShape design. Its combat targeting computer is located in its nose, while its sensor array is chin mounted. Its pair of turbo-impellor modules are located on bottom flanks. Meanwhile, the centre of the fighter houses its power generators. It is not uncommon to see this fighter sporting completely redesigned engines and thrusters, or even possessing shields. Anyone with time on their hands could probably modify a CloakShape that could complete with the Y-Wing, and still have enough funds remaining to purchase a used freighter. Many of these starfighters are in the hands of planetary defence forces (on backwater worlds), corporate fleets, pirates, smugglers, bounty hunters, private fleets of wealthy individuals, as the workbeasts of mercenaries or other organizations or persons that require assault starfighters. During General Han Solo escapade against Admiral Zsinj, a squadron of CloakShape Fighters were assigned to his fleet onboard the Quasar Fire-class Cruiser-Carrier Battle Dog. It is even known that some Jedi, such as Jaizen Suel employed CloakShapes as their personal craft. At the moment, these fighters often serve roles such as patrol craft, smuggler blockade ships and anti-piracy support actions. |
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Sources: Aaron Allston's Web Site (www.aaronallston.com/faqswars.html)+Solo Command+Solo's Fleet / EGVV***Pg 22, 23 / DESB***Pg 106 / NEGVV***Pg 24, 25 / XA (Tech Library) / XA-SG***Pg 216 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||