Defender

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The Banu Defender is a small two-seat combat ship utilized by Banu to protect their precious cargo in their Merchantman. It is a patchwork design features both Xi'an thrusters, Tevarin shields, and four Singe tachyon cannons. As a result, with ship's light hull, it allows the ship to be agile and fast. Though cargo space is limited, the Defender features modest accommodations for its crew and provides easy access to components.Template:RSITemplate:RSI

Features

Although the shape, hull, and design of Defender remain consistent across all Defender models, but features can be different from different manufacturers. The below features are based on the Human export model manufactured by Jannue Mon-Li.Template:RSI

Dual cockpit

The Defender utilizes the Banu's different style of piloting and co-piloting, where the co-pilot can control the main armament of the ship alongside the pilot in the dual cockpit system of the Defender. If desired, the co-pilot could focus on engineering or other ship matters to free up the pilot's attention. Different from the Human variant, the Defender built for Banu have isolated functions on the pilot seats so responsibilities cannot be shared between pilot and co-pilot. This is because the Banu pilot prefer to specialize in one task, while Human pilots prefer flexibility and an ability to assign functions as needed.

Phalanx shield

The Tevarin Phalanx shield combined with light oxus composite armor keeps the fighter light and fast, which is ideal for quick maneuvering during combat.

Minimalistic interior

With its emphasis on combat, the Defender has minimal cargo space and small sleeping quarters. Engines and components are shielded by cascading spinal shutters. Doors and shutters are molded into the walls to create a smooth, seamless aesthetic while still providing operator access.

History

While the Merchantman boasts a cavernous cargo area, it lacks the offensive capabilities to ward off large numbers of attackers. The Defender is designed to defend and escort the Merchantman. The ship has been around since Humanity's first contact with Banu in 2438, it has changed since then. Since the Banu have traded heavily with other species for hundreds of years, the Defenders have a patchwork design that incoroporates elements of tech from other cultures. In the latest iteration, the shield were originated from the Tevarin's Phalanx shield, and the previous Human thrusters were abandoned because Xi'an's design has superior performance. This approach highlights one of the key points of Banu engineering, if the technology works better for the overall design, the Banu will use it.Template:RSI

The name "Defender" is chosen by individual manufacturers that manufacturers Human variant of Defender in an attempt to appeal to the Human market.Template:RSI

Model

Factory Specifications

Type	Max Size	Size	Manufacturer	Model	Amount
Power Plant	S1	S1	N/A	N/A	1
Shields	S1	S1	N/A	N/A	1
Cooling System	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Propulsion

Type	Max Thrust Rating	Thrust Rating	Manufacturer	Model	Amount
Primary Thruster	TR2	TR2	N/A	N/A	2
Maneuvering Thruster	TR1	TR1	N/A	N/A	12
Retro Thruster	TR2	TR2	N/A	N/A	2

Weapon Hardpoints

Max Size	Size	Manufacturer	Model	Mount	Position	Amount
S3	N/A	Banu	Singe Tachyon Cannon	Gimbal	N/A	4
S3	N/A	N/A	N/A	Fixed	Missile Rack	2

Gallery

Development

The Defender's concept is designed by Jan Urschel (Concept Artist) in collaboration with Paul Jones (Art Director).Template:RSI It was officically revealed in 2017-04-21.Template:RSI

Design brief

Aims	Banu combat ship, nimble fighter Designed as a multi-crew escort fighter/interceptor for the Banu Merchantman
Aesthetic	Banu design with cobbled-together parts from other alien races. Should be using Tevarin shields, for example

Approximate statistics
Length	28 Meters	Longer than the Gladius, but sleeker and has to fit two crew and a small interior.
Mass	18,000 kg	Larger than the Gladius (16,000kg) but lightly armoured.
Crew	2	Seats a dedicated pilot and a support seat. The Banu specialise in their roles, so one usually takes on the role of firing the weapons or managing power/shields, while the other concentrates on flying.
Engine	1 (Medium)	One medium engine which powers four main nozzles, using Xi'an engine technology.
Thrusters	12 x Fixed Thrusters	4 on top, 4 on the sides and 4 on the bottom to cover all angles of movement. Uses fixed thrusters to improve ship agility.
Power Plants	2 x Small	Enough to power all ship systems. It uses one more than most light fighters as it has an interior, additional seat and a larger shield.
Weapon Hardpoints	4 x Size 2 Weapons (Gimbal – Nose) 2 x S3 Missile Hardpoint (4 x S2 Missiles)	Gimballed weapons on the nose for the co-pilot to more easily control (if co-pilot is controlling weapons) while the pilot is flying. Weapons on the nose have fixed gimbal mounts, fixed mounts. Weapons of larger sizes cannot be equipped.
Shield	1 x Medium	Large ship for a light fighter. Uses advanced Tevarin shields as a unique feature of the ship, so these need to be powerful.
Armour	Light	Very nimble fighter. More defensive focus is on the advanced Tevarin shields to keep it light and fast.

Metric & Templates
A list of all components, templates and measurements that the concept artist needs to adhere to.
Animation Templates	Seat template: Gladius (low tech, static ejection seat). Enter/exit animation for the seat: New (entering from the rear, might require a new anim to get in and out of the seat). Enter/exit animation for the ship: None, transport-style entrance via ramp.
Ship Components	Components that need to be accessible behind walls or floor panels, or have the interior built around them: Power Plants: 2 Small (0.5m*0.75m*0.5m) Shield Generator: 1 Medium (0.5m*1.5m*0.5m) Avionics: 1 Small (0.75m*0.5m*0.375m) Coolers: 2 Small (0.5m*0.75m*0.25m) Gravity Generator: 1 Small (0.5m*0.5m*0.5m) Jump Drive: 1 Small (0.5m*0.75m*0.75m) Life Support: 1 Small (0.5m*0.5m*0.25m) Radar: 1 Small (0.5m*0.5m*0.25m) Components that don’t need to be accessed but are somewhere on/inside the ship: Fuel Tanks: 2 Medium (1.0m*2.0m*1.0m)
Interior Spaces	Basic interior space for a crew of 2 to enter, walk around in, access components and access the cockpits.
Cargo	No cargo requirements

Requirements
Separate Cockpits & Ejection	Cockpits need to be doored off from the rest of the interior, so crew aren’t exposed to depressurisation when the ramp is opened. This also prevents the entire interior from depressurising when a crew member ejects from the ship. Keeping the cockpits separate means each crew member may choose when to eject, rather than being ejected when the other crew member is.
Cockpit View – Suggestion	Banu crew work closely together to merge their specialised roles. It would be nice to keep crew members in view of each other from either cockpit
Ejection Capable Cockpit/Seat	Banu seat needs to be capable of ejecting. Cockpit needs quick release/open capability. Clearance for the seat to eject without colliding with the ship.
Support Cockpit & Controls	This cockpit needs to be nearly identical to the pilot’s in terms of screen and UI layout. It needs a joystick for controlling ship weapons. No throttle required.

Naming

According to Ben Lesnick (Director of Ship Concept), the Defender was originally pitched as the "Banu Minuteman" with the idea that it was intended specifically to protect Merchantmen (and larger trade ships) at a moment’s notice. The name had ultimately changed because “Minuteman” is such a specifically American historical reference that it wouldn’t really make sense for an alien race.Template:RSI

Pledge price history

Date	Pledge cost (USD)	Insurance	Availability	Sale
2017-04-21	185 (Warbond - 170)	LTI	Time limited	Concept sale Template:RSI

References

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