Tobruk class Interface Interceptor
| Tobruk class Interface Interceptor | |
|---|---|
 Early TL-9 Interface Patrol Fighter | |
| Type: BRFI Interface Interceptor | |
| Category | Bigcraft |
| Size | 135 Tons |
| Hull Configuration | Needle Hull |
| Streamlining | Airframe Hull |
| Tech Level | TL–9 |
| Engineering | |
| Computer | Model/1 |
| Jump | J-0 |
| Maneuver | 6.68 G |
| Armaments | |
| Hardpoints | 1 |
| Accommodations | |
| Staterooms | 0 |
| Personnel | |
| Crew | 1 |
| Officers | 1 |
| High/Mid Passengers | 0 |
| Payload | |
| Cargo | 1.25 Tons |
| Fuel tank | 0 Tons |
| Construction | |
| Origin | Third Imperium |
| Year Operational | Unknown |
| End of Service | Still in active service. |
| Price | |
| Cost | MCr80.297 |
| Architect fee | MCrTom Chlebus |
| Statistics | |
| Quick Ship Profile | FIBR-AA60 |
| Images | |
| Blueprint | No |
| Illustration | Yes |
| Source | |
| Also see | Fighter - Spaceplane - Battle Rider |
| Canon | Published, fan design |
| Era | 1105 |
| Reference | Fan: Tom Chlebus |
| Starships are designed with the Classic Traveller format, using High Guard. | |
The Tobruk class Interface Interceptor is a combatant bigcraft, a sort of small battle rider.
- It is a military ship, a Spaceplane, and an Interface Interceptor Fighter.
Description (Specifications)
The Tobruk-class interface interceptor is a relatively low-tech design notable for using a gravitic drive for thrust rather than the more common jets-and-rocket approach. Its only weapon is a laser of the sort used on spacecraft and its sensor suite lets it engage targets quite far away. Multiple squadrons of cooperating Tobruks can take a significant toll on an invasion force, especially one already engaged with SDBs, fighters, and orbital stations.
The Tobruk is designed with atmospheric skipping very much in mind, with a relatively broad wingspan. Ideally a Tobruk will remain in space as long as practical, extending its fuel endurance by powering up its grav drive only to maintain speed, and engaging targets as they rise above the horizon. In practice a competent and determined invader is likely to eliminate most or all interceptors, leading to a “magnificent forlorn hope” mentality among their pilots.
Image Repository
- Rough outlines of this bigcraft from local journalists.
General Description & Deck Plans
Tobruk-Class Interface Interceptor
- Craft ID: Aerospace Aircraft, TL-9, MCr80.297
- Mass: 134.82 tonnes loaded, 101.588 tonnes empty
- Thrust: 900 tonnes thrust, Standard Gravitic drive 6.68 g maximim acceleration
- Power Plant: MHD 20.77 MW Endurance 8 hours 33.232 tonnes fuel & oxidizer
- Airframe: Hypersonic airframe 5,000km/h max, 3,750km/h cruise 350km/h min
- Crew/Control: 1 pilot
- Crewstation, computer-link controls, TL-9 flight computer
- Inertial Positioning, Satellite Positioning
- Basic Life Support
- Offense: Fixed-mount single laser
- Sensors: Radar 300 km short range
- Ladar 3,000 km short range
- High-Resolution Thermal 30,000 km short range
- Commo: Radio 3,000 km short range
Basic Ship Characteristics
Following the Imperial Navy and IISS Universal Ship Profile and data, additional information is presented in the format shown here. The small craft factor indicates the number of squadrons (of ten craft) carried on the ship. Tonnage on the universal ship profile is shown in kilotons (thousands of tons) when necessary. [1]
| Basic Ship Characteristics [2] | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Category | Remarks |
| 1. | Tonnage / Hull | 0-99 tons. |
| 2. | Crew | x1 crew. |
| 3. | Performance | Propulsion: |
| 4. | Electronics | Model/TBD fib ship computer. |
| 5. | Hardpoints | xTBD hardpoints. |
| 6. | Armament / Weaponry | The normal weapons fit-out for it is:
|
| 7. | Defenses | Defensive Equipment:
|
| 8. | Craft / Drones | None |
| 9. | Fuel Treatment | None |
| 10. | Cost | MCrTBD. |
| 11. | Construction Time | TBD months to build, TBD months in quantity. |
| 12. | Remarks | Other Equipment: |
History & Background (Dossier)
Interface interceptors are "neither fish nor fowl." They are aircraft, using lifting surfaces rather than gravitic lift, but they are intended to engage their targets in space. The characteristic mission profile of interface interceptors is to boost just out of the atmosphere at suborbital speed, where they engage hostile spacecraft. Many designs are meant to skip over the upper atmosphere instead of following pure ballistic courses, thus increasing their engagement duration. Since they are not intended to reach orbital speed, reentry is a relatively minor concern, putting little additional stress on the airframe.
As is often the case with specialized weapon systems there is much dispute over the practical value of interface interceptors. Many COACC commanders dismiss them as “neither fish nor fowl” that lack the space capability of SDBs and small craft and are less than ideal for engaging hostile craft within the atmosphere. Adherents point out that interface interceptors provide as much firepower as equal numbers of light fighters, and that their ability to suddenly rise above the horizon inhibits enemy target locks while the interceptors can benefit from local sensor nets. Almost the only point of agreement among such officers is that interface interceptors can be built and used almost as soon as a world can reach space, as indicated by the Terran “Dyna-Soar” design.
Class Naming Practice/s & Peculiarities
No information yet available.
Selected Variant Types & Classes
Military Ship - Bigcraft - Interface Interceptor:
References & Contributors (Sources)
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- Marc Miller, Frank Chadwick, John Harshman. High Guard (Game Designers Workshop, 1980), 20-37. (Design Sequence Used)
- Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
- Author & Contributor: Tom Chlebus
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science
- ↑ Timothy B. Brown. Fighting Ships (Game Designers Workshop, 1981), 10.
- ↑ Timothy B. Brown. Fighting Ships (Game Designers Workshop, 1981), 10.