Mk2 SR7EV in an SR7 Deep Space drydock awaiting retirement.
Damascus CIC fragments:
Fighter (Under 150 mass)*
Cheap (Under 100,000 to 499,999 credits)
Assault (Combat use)
No Turrets (Zero)
Nimble (From 2 through 5 to 1 Thrust to Mass ratio)
Boost (Thrust is boosted)
Cheap (Under 100,000 to 499,999 credits)
Assault (Combat use)
No Turrets (Zero)
Nimble (From 2 through 5 to 1 Thrust to Mass ratio)
Boost (Thrust is boosted)
Damascus Nomenclature:
Harladen Stinger Maker
Starting with the Mk1 the Katar fighter started life as a humble missile carrying pirate buster. With tweaks and a few tricks learned from a handful of short lived fighter competitions the Katar's design evolved to the Mk2 variant. Held exclusively by Sector Red 7 the role of the Katar changed from killing wings of the Isanth Zero series to fully capable space superiority fighter. Able to destroy fighters twice her size the Katar's narrow profile and flat base made targeting the nimble craft a tiring experience even for veteran pilots. The shielding and speed combined made it difficult to land a hit and make it count.
The Katar itself could take punishment from most anti-fighter weaponry even with the shields down. The nature of the fighter's main cannon array made it especially effective against isolated turrets and pack hunting fighter craft. The missile arrays are still deadly to anything smaller even breaking larger fighters down with overwhelming force. Much larger vessels unable to outrun and withstand the Katar's full payload output would find compartments open to space very quickly. A threat to heavily shielded cruisers when attacking in groups or three or more. A lone Katar can still liquidate a convoy of unprepared frigates and fly home in repairable state.
The Katar's obsolescence is mostly due to energy management issues in the aging design. Pod like booster packs were added at one time. This was done in hopes of bringing it up to date. The pods disrupted the silhouette to the point of making the once proud fighter a vulnerable and now considerably more expensive target. The SR7 is in the process of retiring all existing Mk2 fighters. Although no replacement has been proposed.
The stock Mk1 Katar is still in use by SR7 as a pirate defense fighter and has not seen a public release. Rumor has it the Mk1 has been updated secretly to a Mk1a with better energy management at the cost of the main cannon array. Original Mk1 Katars can sometimes be found but acquiring one should prove difficult. Reverse engineering the Mk2 would result in a still outdated and harshly underpowered evolutionarily inferior ancestor to the Mk1a. If the Mk1a even exists.
*Mass is slightly over 150 but the ship's role is dedicated fighter.
