| Vehicles and Vessels
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Planets and Moons
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While the first name that springs to mind when ships of the Force exiles are brought up is the Hawk-bat, this section encompasses more than just that one freighter. Information on any number of ships and vehicles developed by the now defunct Kraechar Arms is provided here as well, all with extensive details on design, development, and history. All of these entries have now been painfully and carefully organized on this page for ease of use.
- Author's note: Organizational icons have been provided to help readers avoid spoilers and find information about topics they are interested in. The icons correspond to the six Force Exile novels, as well as the Yanibar Tales and the Yanibar Guard Sourcebook
Entries
Avatar walker   The Avatar walker was originally designed as a replacement for the aging Challenger and Mauler tanks in the Yanibar Guard Army's arsenal as part of a modernization effort conducted by General Beblos following his promotion of the head of the Yanibar Guard Army in 20 ABY. Work began on a replacement vehicle in the same year and Kraechar Arms submitted several different concepts to the army's review board. In the end, a medium battle walker that was more maneuverable than the late-model Imperial AT-STs but less cumbersome than an AT-AT was selected for development. As the first bipedal design pursued by Kraechar Arms, the design process was fraught with difficulty and setbacks. The design was expensive and complex and the power requirements were astronomical for a vehicle of its size. To reduce the power demands, the crew size was lowered first from three to two and the walker's locomotion was redesigned. Read more… |
Ataru-class gunship   The Ataru-class gunship was the first deep-space capable vessel produced by the Yanibar Guard. Though relatively small and exceedingly cramped, it represented a significant technological leap forward for the fledgling arms company Kraechar Arms. The wedge-shaped gunship was designed with being able to inflict damage on much larger ships with its dozen proton-torpedo launchers. As such, laser weaponry was somewhat limited, though two Shoto starfighters were routinely kept docked on each Ataru to help fend off starfighters. Read more… |
B-wing starfighter Compared to many of the later model Yanibar Guard designs, the B-wing starfighter was unique in that it was not designed by Kraechar Arms. Instead, the design was "acquired" by Yanibar Guard Intelligence during the height of the Galactic Civil War in order to fill a glaring weakness in the Yanibar Guard Fleet's arsenal: that of a heavy, survivable strike fighter. Once acquired, though, the B-wing rapidly became one of the most popular craft in the Yanibar Guard arsenal. Read more… |
Challenger light tank The Challenger light tank was the first armored vehicle produced by Kraechar Arms for the Yanibar Guard Army. While the role of armored fighting vehicle had previously been filled by Clone Wars-vintage droid designs, YGA desired a manned armored platform to support infantry while retaining mobility. The result was the Challenger light tank, a swift repulsor platform designed for combined arms operations. Read more… |
Discblade transport The Discblade transport was one of the first designs by Kraechar Arms. Like the Shii-cho-class transport, it was praised for its performance, unlike early combat designs produced by Kraechar Arms. Rugged, reliable, and simple, it was a hallmark design of Kraechar Arms, serving admirably in its inglorious role. The Discblade was a medium transport, designed primarily for hauling cargo on short jumps, chiefly surface-to-orbit hauls, though it was equipped with a hyperdrive as well. Read more… |
Hawk-bat    The freighter Hawk-bat was one of the most influential ships for the Force exiles. Though not nearly as famous to the greater galaxy in its era as, say, the Millennium Falcon, the Hawk-bat was the ship that brought the Force exiles together, the vessel that set a Jedi Knight named Selusda Kraen and his companions out on a quest to unify and protect the Force-users of the galaxy from the scourge of the Empire. Records newly recovered have provided key insights into the history of this ship and its travels, including the freighter's origins. Read more… |
Jar'Kai-class carrier The Jar'Kai-class carriers arose after an intense 5 ABY budget debate over the future of the Yanibar Guard Fleet. After the devastation wrought by the Battle of Yanibar, funds were stretched extremely tight due to the need to rebuild. The Yanibar Guard Fleet had originally wanted eight Soresu-class Fleet Defenders and three larger warships capable of defeating Imperial Star Destroyers in addition to full repairs and restorations of the ships lost in the battle. However, competing civil and defense priorities meant that Yanibar's government was unwilling to fund such a costly fleet addition. Instead, an alternate study proposed what eventually became the Jar'Kai-class. Read more… |
Javelin shuttle Snub-nosed and ungainly, the Javelin shuttle was the workhorse transport of the Yanibar Guard, responsible for ferrying small numbers of troops and supplies to and from orbit, as well as across planetary surfaces. While the larger Discblade and Wan-Shen transports handled heavier lifting, neither was optimized for carrying personnel, which is where the Javelin occupied its role. Small and heavily-defended enough to deploy infantry into tight zones, Javelins were capable of slipping across hostile territory with an escort of only a few Shotos or Stilettos and coming back unharmed. Read more… |
Juyo-class battlecruiser The imposing flagship of the Yanibar Guard Fleet, the Juyo-class was originally an Imperial warship that was painstakingly salvaged in 3 ABY. Over the next eight years, the ship was rebuilt and extensively modified such that it barely resembled its original form. While the original plans for the Yanibar Guard Fleet had not called for such a ship, its inclusion into the fleet was assured after protracted lobbying by the heads of the Yanibar Guard Fleet. By far the largest ship in the Yanibar Guard Fleet, it was also the most expensive and the most powerful, possessing more firepower than any two other Yanibar Guard Fleet ships. Read more… |
Makashi-class frigate Careful analysis of the Yanibar Guard Fleet structure in 6 BBY revealed that the fleet was lacking a decent small warship capable of fending off missile boats and other heavy starfighters. The Ataru-class gunships were too small to adequately fend off that type of threat, due to their focus on attacking larger ships with torpedo volleys. As such, the Makashi-class frigates were developed to fill that void in the Yanibar Guard Fleet. Read more… |
Mauler heavy tank The Mauler heavy tank was the Kraechar Arms response to a Yanibar Guard call for a heavily armored vehicle to serve as a frontline combat tank and also provide fire support. Unlike previous Kraechar Arms designs such as the ScorpTail APC or the Challenger light tank, the Mauler heavy tank was not a repulsorlift vehicle. Instead, 8 sets of sturdy treads propelled the sizable vehicle along. Large and ungainly, the Mauler was not an elegant vehicle, and the tons of armor it mounted gave it the appearance of a rolling slab of weapons and metals. Nor was it swift—alone out of the Yanibar Guard Army vehicle types during its era, the Mauler was designed to both give and take punishment. In addition to its thick armor, the Mauler also carried energy shields capable of deflecting laser cannon fire, though the shields did not defend against projectiles, rockets, or ballistic weapons. Read more… |
Niman-class cruiser-carrier The backbone of the Yanibar Guard fleet, the Niman-class cruiser-carrier was one of the more popular classes deployed and an essential component of the fleet. Introduced in the formative years of the Yanibar Guard, the ships were designed to effectively counter and defeat the Dreadnaught-class heavy cruisers that saw frequent use by Imperial Navy groups in the Outer Rim, as well as the Kaloth-class cruisers and bulk cruisers frequently employed by pirate or mercenary groups. A significant amount of time was invested into constructing these ships and the result was a highly flexible mid-size warship capable of fulfilling a variety of roles. Read more… |
Sabre starfighter The Sabre starfighter was designed to replace a vehicle that was nearly obsolete when first released, the Shoto starfighter. While the Shoto's meager capabilities were attributed to the nascence of Kraechar Arms during its production, by late 0 ABY, the Yanibar Guard Fleet was no longer willing to tolerate its mediocrity. The success of Rebel Alliance X-wing starfighters against the Empire was further impetus to design a new starfighter. Two years later, the first Sabre rolled off the assembly line. A sleek, aerodynamic craft, the Sabre was designed with atmospheric performance in mind. Its forward-swept wings and smooth lines were reminiscent of Naboo craft, but it was much more heavily shielded and armed. Read more… |
Shien-class assault frigate The recruitment of Jalsinnare Brotherhood into the Yanibar Guard was accompanied by the transfer of their outmoded assault frigates into Yanibar Guard Fleet custody. No sooner had the 530-meter long warships reached the Kraechar Arms docks and been dubbed the Shien-class then controversy broke out over their usage. The assault frigates drew the same sort of criticism as their namesake saber form had when first introduced by the Jedi Order: namely that they were too aggressive and did not fit the military doctrine of the Yanibar Guard. Read more… |
Shii-Cho-class transport Long and boxy, the Shii-Cho-class transport was one of the first starship designs produced by Kraechar Arms, with the first vessel launched in 8 BBY. Significantly larger than any other Kraechar Arms vessel at the time, the Shii-Cho was nevertheless a lightly-armed freighter, albeit a versatile one. It was particularly vulnerable to flank attacks, as its double laser cannon turrets could not cover the length of the ship well and the two turbolaser turrets had slow rates of fire. However, the class was able to get past Imperial weaponry limitations and so became a fairly common sight in certain Outer Rim systems, as more of these vessels were produced than other sizable vessel operated by the Yanibar Guard. The vessels, while hard to maneuver, were relatively fast and, as with most Kraechar Arms products, more heavily armored than typical for a vessel of its class thanks to the expert metallurgy of the Xi Charrians who helped convert half-completed Trade Federation missile frigate hulls into freighters. As such, they were able to take a significant beating before destruction, which gave them time to flee into hyperspace. Docked at the stern of the ship, behind a concealed hatch, was a single Javelin-class shuttle. With the modular construction of its midsection, the vessel could be used as a troop transport, or a cargo hauler, or as a support vessel for larger ships. The six side cargo loading doors of the Shii-Cho made unloading cargo from the cargo decks a relatively easy task. Other uses for the Shii-Cho included as a medical ship, for carrying a molecular furnace for constructing new parts and equipment, mining gear, and even as a salvage/repair ship. Read more… |
Shoto starfighter The small, delta-shaped Shoto was the first indigenous fighter designed and built by Kraechar Arms, and was intended to be a high-speed, agile interceptor. The first squadron of Shotos rolled off the assembly line in 11 BBY. While lightly armed and relatively unarmored, the Shoto boasted a powerful set of deflector shields and had similar space performance characteristics as a TIE fighter. The fighters were fairly inexpensive and could be easily produced, though they were quite small. Read more… |
Soresu-class Fleet Defender The primary capital ship of the Yanibar Guard Fleet, Soresu-class Fleet Defenders were introduced as the Yanibar Guard grew during the Galactic Civil War in order to provide a counter to the Imperial Victory-class Star Destroyers prevalent in Outer Rim service. More modern and advanced than most other ships in widespread service nearby, the Soresu-class served as the primary capital ship for the Yanibar Guard for many years. Read more… |
Stiletto gunship 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. Read more… |
Valkyrie starbomber A sizable flying-wing bomber, the Valkryie was designed to augment the nimble Shoto starfighters by fielding heavy ordnance to deal with larger targets. The first squadron of Valkryies were produced in 9 BBY. To increase survivability, particularly on approach and egress from target zones, the Valkyrie employed similar technology to the Ataru-class gunship to create a reduced sensor signature and paint scheme that made it considerably more difficult to detect a flight of incoming bombers. To allow Valkyries to make long-range standoff precision strikes on single targets, the bombers were equipped with a revolutionary new miniaturized hyperdrive and were well-shielded to again increase survivability. For such an ungainly craft, the Valkyrie handled well in atmosphere, aided by its aerodynamic shape and sophisticated guidance and control system. The flying wing design allowed the craft to cruise effectively at high altitudes and their large fuel reserves gave them incredibly long sublight range and loiter time. The first generation of bombers could make up to 4 hyperspace jumps with the aid of an onboard astromech. Read more… |
Wan-Shen-class transport The Wan-Shen-class transport was a converted and modified as C-9979 landing craft salvaged from a hidden Separatist weapons cache. Kraechar Arms took the old ships back to Yanibar one by one, where Xi Charrian technicians and Kraechar Arms engineers began refitting the ships. While the original ships were designed to be intersystem landing craft designed to ferry large numbers of goods and materiel from ships in orbit to planetary surfaces, the Wan-Shens had a far different role and were altered accordingly. Read more… |