Description[]
Nimble and armed to the teeth, Stiletto gunships were the primary air support vehicle for the Yanibar Guard. They were used for combat support and patrol duties. Powered by high-thrust repulsorlifts, Stilettos were among the fastest atmospheric combat craft available to the Yanibar Guard. While not as maneuverable as some starfighters, they could hold their own in low-altitude dogfights under 5,000 meters at standard air pressure and composition against most types due to superior aerodynamic design. The elongated tail provided stability, shifting the center of gravity back and providing fixture for the control surfaces.[1]
Stilettos were designed to be small and fast, relying on agility for survival. A very basic shielding unit derived from a droideka gave it some protection against light blaster rounds, but a thin quadanium plating on crucial sections was the primary form of defense. Additional plating was installed near the engines, power reactor, and cockpit.[1]
For weaponry, Stilettos could be equipped with either a beamlaser or a mass driver cannon in the nose turret. Each wing sported a pair of double-blaster cannons and three rockets. While some members of the Yanibar Guard Army argued for more ordnance, adding more weight to the wing would have required structural reinforcement and reduced the performance.[1]
Upgrades in 23 ABY gave Stilettos an anti-missile system, an improved heat-dissipating ceramic plating, an enhanced helmet-mounted targeting system that interfaced with an improved sensor system, and re-engines that allowed them to reach altitudes of 8,000 meters.[1]
History[]
The Stiletto gunship debuted in 8 BBY, wowing General Spectre Kraen and other onlookers with its performance in its test flight. The field trials were so successful that General Kraen immediately ordered 200 on the spot,[2] which kept Kraechar Arms busy producing them that there was a general shortage of spare parts for the Stilettos. However, the airspeeders were robust and soon were flying patrols. Their long combat range of 800 kilometers and service ceiling of 5,000 meters gave them unparalleled mobility and they were less expensive to fly for ground patrols than Shoto starfighters, as well as equipped with better ground-looking sensors. YGF was happy to give up ground patrols with their precious starfighters and Stilettos took over the full ground patrol duties starting in 5 BBY once enough squadrons were available.[1]
The Stilettos received several small upgrades over their first few years of service, mostly relating to improved sensors, weather-proofing, and communications capability. They were popular among Yanibar Guard Army personnel, though many infantrymen complained about the relatively comfort-filled life that the Stiletto pilots enjoyed at forward operating bases as compared to field missions, not to mention prestige.[1]
When the Zann Consortium landed on Yanibar in 4 ABY, Stiletto gunships were key in picking off their artillery pieces and providing close-air support. However, their relatively light weapons were much less effective versus heavier armor and their survivability was questionable in a mass battle flying into the teeth of enemy guns. Many Stiletto pilots were lost, even though the Guard defeated the invasion.[3] Two entire squadrons of Stilettos were eliminated and retired due to heavy casualties, which were not easy to replace due to a requirement that only officers flew the gunships.[1]
Following the battle, the Stiletto received upgrades in the form of two more rockets added to its wing pylons, improved shielding and defensive electronics, and most importantly, an ejection seat for the pilots that had previously been nixed for weight concerns. They remained in Yanibar Guard Army service for years after that, keeping a vigilant watch over the borders of the refuge.[1]
Stilettos saw action in 15 ABY when a group of Yanibar Guard Army commandos requested deployment of a Stiletto Squadron, 3A-1 Aerial, to assist them in relieving a trapped force of Yanibar Guard Marines and Elite Guardians. The 3A-1 Aerial flyers, later dubbed Hellflyers, provided invaluable support with strafing runs and accurate rocket attacks,[2] holding off Imperial attacks and even shooting down several Imperial Lancet-class gunships, as well as extracting commandos who clung to their landing skids. This did much to bolster the Stiletto's reputation.[1] By 20 ABY, 528 of them were active in YGA's ranks and their pilots were some of the most prestigious people in all of YGA. YGM also had their own separate contingent. [2]
In 23 ABY, following a mass improvement effort to YGA, Stilettos were not targeted for replacement. Instead, they received extensive upgrades to improve their performance and survivability. Stiletto gunships were used to great effect in the Saraswan Intervention of 25 ABY, targeting Imperial convoys and even striking fortified positions in daring night raids. They were also used to provide aerial support to friendly insurgents. Only two Stilettos were lost in action, and both of their pilots survived.[1]
When the Yuuzhan Vong invaded, the Yanibar Guard began preparing itself for potentially confronting the extragalactic invaders. Stilettos were largely left alone due to their recent upgrades, but their armor plating did receive a few extra panels, and an improved fire suppression system was added.[1] Stiletto gunships were deployed as part of the Yanibar Guard's defense of Rishi.[4] They served admirably, but were horribly outclassed against Yuuzhan Vong coralskipper fighters and warbeasts, but did well against tsik vai fliers and infantry. Another armament experimented with by Stiletto squadrons was equipping them with incendiary Firestorm rockets, which were very effective against Yuuzhan Vong.[1] During the convoy evacuation of Junro, dozens of Stiletto gunships were hotly engaged throughout the day.[4] They suffered heavy casualties as their pilots dealt with the Yuuzhan Vong for the first time, and were often pushed into risky engagement scenarios. Pilots suffered fatigue and their aerodynes built up damage. Of the 72 Stiletto gunships allocated to the Junro engagement, 21 were shot down, with another 38 heavily damaged. 18 pilots were killed or seriously wounded. However, the convoy was escorted back to the safety of refugee camps near the Yanibar Guard base.[1]
The Yuuzhan Vong subsequently attempted a frontal assault on the Yanibar Guard field base.[4] The Stilettos were thoroughly unsuited for combat of this ferocity, as demonstrated on Yanibar. Despite attempts to only use them for quick flank assaults, they again took heavy losses. An additional 19 Stilettos were lost, including 7 pilots, and another 12 suffered extensive damage. Nearly every Stiletto that participated in the battle was damaged or destroyed, but they acquitted themselves properly in the right scenarios. 11 of the Yanibar Guard Army's highest decoration, the Mark of Ascension, 8 of them posthumously.[1]
Stilettos continued to serve in the Yanibar Guard Army's arsenal after the battle was over and the Yuuzhan Vong War ended, but saw no more offworld action. A reduced number of 528 gunships total was in service by the time the Yanibar Guard departed the stricken world of Yanibar for Atlaradis in 38 ABY.[2]
Behind the scenes[]
The Stiletto gunship's concept was influenced heavily by concepts of the ORCA VTOL in the Command & Conquer universe. It was designed to fulfill the role of helicopter gunships in modern armies. The name was chosen from the common practice of giving weapon names to Yanibar Guard flying vehicles and starfighters, such as "Sabre," or "Javelin." Atarumaster88 originally had a slimmer visual design for the Stiletto, but when he found a picture of the Sparrowhawk gunship from Halo Wars, he realized that the image closely matched his visual identity of the Stiletto and opted to use that to depict the aerodyne instead.