Shield generator

A shield generator is a component that generates protective energy barrier that surrounds most ships in Star Citizen. It operates by projecting a barrier around a ship that protects it from projectiles, explosions, debris, and sometimes air. Shield generators come in multiple sizes, and have varying levels of segmentation (single 'bubble', front/back, quadrant, etc.).

Rapid Charge
Rapid Charge shields have low recharge delay and high recharge value, offset by weaker base shields with lower HP. They are often found in racing ships.

Durable Item
Durable Item shields have reinforced components with strong component HP and boosted shield HP at the expense of a higher signal. They are often found in industrial ships.

Direct Damage Shell
Direct Damage Shell shields have Improved direct fire absorption with reduced splash damage absorb. They are often found in civilian ships.

Splash Damage Guard
Splash Damage Guard shields have Improved splash damage absorption with reduced direct fire absorb. They are often found in civilian ships.

Second Skin
Second Skin shields have Improved overall damage absorption with higher power draw. They are often found in military ships.

Hard Light
Hard Light shields have substantially improved shield HP and absorption with increased Heat generation. They are often found in military ships.

Phalanx shields
Phalanx shields are point defense shields that provides a very strong but limited protective face. They are mostly found in Tevarin ships. They have 100% ballistic absorption and massively increased shield hardening ability.

Airshields
Airshields are energy barrier that traps air but allows other objects to pass through.

History
During the First Tevarin War, Humans launch tubes for fighter and isolated personnel carrier for troop deployment out of the atmosphere. It is an unwieldy and time-consuming process. While the Humans were dragged down by their technology, the Tevarin were freed by it. Localized airshields along the body of the Tevarin dropship allowed the Nauelle to move from ship to space without the need to open a door, which permitted the dropship to move quickly and quietly. After the defeat of Tevarin in the war, the study and use of these airshields on the dropship unlocked vast technological advances in Human development, many of which are still in daily usage today.