Kestrel

File:WGSP.jpg
Kestrel
Production information
Class:	Gunship
Modifier:	Verpine
Technical specifications
Length:	190 meters
Beam:	95 meters
Height:	45 meters
Max speed (atmosphere):	1,050 km/h
Engine unit(s):	Verpine
Hyperdrive rating:	Class 3 (Backup Class 10)
Shielding:	140 SBD
Hull:	300 RU
Sensor systems:	C3
Targeting systems:	STRADEF II
Navigation system:	TAT
Countermeasures:	EM1
Armament:	Turbolaser cannons (10) Fire arc: 4 fore, 3 port, 3 starboard Crew: 2 Space range: 75 km Atmospheric range: 150 km Laser cannons (8) Fire arc: 2 fore, 3 port, 3 starboard Crew: 1 Space range: 25 km Atmospheric range: 50 km Concussion missile tubes (4) Fire arc: 2 fore, 2 aft Crew: 2 Space range: 60 km Atmospheric range: 6 km
Modified systems:	CoMar Combat Systems G-003 Tri-Tracker Countermeasures Compensation Computer
Crew:	Crew (44) Gunners (36)
Minimum crew:	22
Passengers:	Troops (10)
Cargo capacity:	500 metric tons
Consumables:	Three months
Usage
Role(s):	Law Enforcement
Affiliation:	Clan Naga Sadow
Fleet:	Warhost Navy
Current Status:	Active
Commissioned:	27 ABY
[ Source ]

The Kestrel became a support ship in the Warhost Navy in 38 ABY. It’s commander is Fencre Tall, a new officer in the command station. The ship is designed to be a multi-role vessel, and its initial purpose was to assist the fleet. The armament of the ship is designed to turn the tide in any space battle it joins.

Vessel Info

These small but powerful warships were designed for one purpose, which was to smash enemy formations by destroying their main combat ships. They were armed with 10 turbolaser cannons, 8 laser cannons, some in twin barrel batteries, 4 concussion missile tubes and a number of antimissile weapons. Warrior-class gunships packed enough firepower to threaten heavy cruisers and their racks of CM-9 concussion missiles, the same weapon carried by the Majestic-class heavy cruiser, could even cripple Star Destroyers. Following New Class practice, the Warrior-class gunship was built on the same hull as the Agave-class picket ship. Like the Agave, the Warrior was 190 meters long and was equipped with a Class 1 hyperdrive. At sublight speeds, it was driven by a bank of at least six engines. These ships had a small crew of only 44 people, along with 36 gunners and room for 10 additional passengers.

In spite of their strengths, the Warrior-class were designed for fast attacks, and not for extended, close-range combat against cruisers. While they were significantly more robust than their Agave-class cousins, their deflector shields would be overwhelmed in a matter of minutes by heavy cruiser turbolasers, and their particle shields could be brought down by a single missile salvo. This vulnerability was seen in the Battle of ILC-905, when the New Republic gunship Vanguard engaged two Yevethan Aramadia-class thrustships. Although Vanguard played a major role in destroying one of the enemy cruisers, it was obliterated after a few volleys of enemy missiles.

Crew

• Commanding Officer - Commander Fencre Tall
• Executive Officer - Lieutenant Commander Doral Juck
• Tactical Officer - NPC
• Navigational Officer - NPC
• Engineering Officer - NPC

Characteristics

The ship’s hull is entirely grey and has been this way since the purchase from the Imperial shipyard. The ship is shaped like a trident, with the main body spiking ahead of two limbs which all are mounted with armaments. The small circular engines at the back are located behind each limb and behind the main body of the ship. The command centre is located in the centre of mass for the ship, along with the sensory and navigational stations. Because it is a gunship, the Kestrel has its many cannons placed along the sides of each limb and on the bridge of the main body nose in order to assist with flanking ships.

This ship was built as a gunship to accommodate the many crew that mount the guns. The ship is heavy with turbolasers, with four mounted on the fore area, three mounted on the port, and three on the starboard, it boasts to have all areas of weakness covered. The laser cannons are mounted almost similar, with two located on the fore of the ship, thee on the port and three located at starboard. Both turbolaser and laser are designed to shoot at a long range from the ship, but even further within an atmosphere, like an orbital strike. The concussion missile tubes are not designed for the atmosphere however, there are two located on the fore and two located on the aft. As a way to prevent flanking ships, the missiles can travel long distance in space, but slow down once inside an atmosphere and as a result force the ship to swoop in closer for a more accurate aim.

Role in the Warhost

The Kestrel's role in Sadow's fleet largely depends on the mission profile. It is often used in the role of an escort corvette around larger ships of the Warhost Navy. It's array of laser cannons, turbolasers, and assault concussion missiles make it suitable to attack both capital ships and fighters. This vessel will often be used to lend the Sadow fleet additional, hard-hitting firepower. On its own, the Kestrel is sometimes used as a raider; quickly attacking smaller enemy vessels and withdrawing before larger enemy ships can arrive.

The Warrior's atmospheric capabilities also make it useful in ground assaults and other planetary operations. It can quickly clear a landing zone, or assist in overcoming heavily fortified locations.

History

The Kestrel was constructed by the New Republic sometime during the later stages of the war with the Imperial Remnant. It went on to serve in the Yuuzhan Vong war, managing to survive till the end.

Several years later, the Kestrel was docked with two other gunships of the same class, as well as two Majestic class heavy cruisers at a remote outer rim repair yard. Using the Intelligence of the S.H.A.D.O.W organization, led by Methyas L'eonheart, Naga Sadow planned a daring raid to capture the Kestrel and the other ships with it while they were docked.

Having recently lost the bulk of their fleet, the Sadowans saw this operation as an opportunity to quickly regain fleet power. Executed on the order of Consul Locke Sonjie, the raid was a stunning success. Two Battleteams at the time - Darkest Hour and Scepter of Ragnos - spearheaded the assault, while fighters from the recently acquired Firefox class carrier Final Way provided cover against the repair yard's defenses.

After capture, the Kestrel received its current name and new livery. Together with its sister ships, it helped to define a new doctrine of Sadow naval operations: to hit hard, to hit fast, and to avoid damage and destruction as much as possible.

During the Dark Crusades, it was commonly used to support other ships of the fleet, or to disrupt enemy supply lines. The Warrior gunships of Naga Sadow became hunter killers, diverting significant enemy resources to hunt them down. Fortunately, the leaders of the Sadowan Navy foresaw this, and began adding fighter squadrons to the gunships' patrols.

It was during this time that the Sadowan military first used the name 'Warhost'.

As the Crusades ended, these three gunships had earned their place in the Sadowan fleet. They continued to serve in the events of the Fading Lights operations.

After that, the Kestrel and Dominus lost their sister ship at the Battle of Tarthos. At this point, the focus of Sadowan command shifted. Having lost part of what made their fast strike strategy so successful, military planners reformed doctrine. The addition of the large star destroyers _Harbinger_ and ,Damnation_ allowed the Warhost to engage in more direct combat. The Kestrel still served in its prior role, but was increasingly used as an escort corvette for the large, slower warships of the new Warhost Navy.

It escorted the Harbinger to Korriban during the 11th Great Jedi War, and survived that battle with minimal damage.

After this, the ship's highly successful commander was recalled to Sepros Major to instruct future Warhost naval officers. Command was given to Frencre Tall instead, a new and promising officer.

Currently, the Kestrel is undergoing standard maintenance at the hands of Sadow's Verpine engineers.