-=Blackband Starfighter*=-
Text file by Ryan Wood (2-15-03)

As noted in my gallery, the Blackband Starfighter is 
specifically for space combat against the Yuuzhan Vong 
starfighters known as coralskippers. New Republic 
scientists have utilized several Yuuzhan Vong biotech
concepts in the design of the ship. 

-Dual laser arrays on either wing are aiming off at odd 
angles for a reason. New targetting systems, combined 
with modified dovin basal-like gravity devices (which 
bend the off-angled lasers to a new vector), lend a hand 
towards improved accuracy and more powerful hits against 
the skips. 

-Heavier shields than those currently used XJ3 X-wings. Enemy 
tactics have in the past ripped shields from New Republic
craft, and the inertial-compensator trick conbatted that
fairly well, though not always successful. The new shields do 
away with the need for expanding the inertial-compensator bubble,
allowing pilots to place their focus more on maneuvering 
and shooting.

-Thicker armor, coated with a new compound of chemicals tested
to deter grutchins. Grutchin swarms will now theoretically be unable
to eat their way through starfighter hulls. 



*The name for the starfighter come from a real-life disease 
which afflicts some coral colonies in Earth's oceans. Yuuzhan Vong 
crafts are made of coral, therefore these new craft are a new, 
perfect 'disease' to unleash against the Vong. I can't take 
credit for discovery of the name, however. I learned of it 
from a friend who proposed the name for a hardcore NJO fan 
fiction Jedi starfighter squadronseries that a dozen people 
and myself are currently writing.