Minbari "Wind Star" Fighter:

This fighter is the most advanced starfighter operated by any of the younger races. It can fly rings around Narn and Human starfighter, is capable of very high velocities, and is armed with weapon ahead of any of the other younger races. This fighter was greatly feared by human fighter pilots during the Earth vs. Minbari war and to dogfight with one of these fighters almost always meant death for the human pilot. The fighter is capable of operation in both space and the atmosphere.

The fighter is incredibly maneuverable because it uses a gravity based propulsion system and the fighter also has a powerful inertial dampener. Due to space considerations, the fighter does not have a true internal gravity system and the pilot is perpetually in freefall. Because of inertial dampener, the fighter can make maneuvers that would turn the pilot into jelly without it.

The hull of the fighter is constructed out of a Crystalline material that is much stronger than materials used to make Earth Force Starfuries. Unlike the capital ships of the Minbari and the starfighters of the Vorlon, the fighter does not have shields. Even without shields, the fighter could take multiple hits from Earth Force fighter and anti-fighter weapons before being destroyed.

The fighter has only one main battery, this is three neutron fusion cannons. The cannons are the most powerful fighter mounted weapon that can be fired more than once in a fifteen second interval other than the weapons one the fighters of the Vorlon and Shadows.

This writeup of the Minbari Wind Star uses modified modified starship speed and ranges. See Revised Starship Rules for Phase World for more details.

Model: Minbari Wind Star Fighter
Vehicle Type: Star Fighter
Crew: One

MDC by Location

Notes:
[1] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the fighter down completely, rendering it useless and causing the fighter to crash if in flight in an atmosphere.

Speed:
Driving on the Ground: Not Possible.
Sublight: Using the Gravity drive allows the ship to travel up to 40 percent of the speed of light. The ship can accelerate/decelerate at a rate of 1.5 percent of light per melee
Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum normal speed is mach 12. Can enter atmosphere and leave.
Stardrive: The Minbari Wind Star Fighter does not have a jump drive but can use already formed jump points. If in Hyperspace, The fighter can reach a maximum of 40 lightyears per hour. This means that a Wind Star can cover the Galaxy in about 14 weeks. The ship enters hyperspace by means of a jumpgate.
Maximum Range: Unlimited by all drive systems but fighter only carries three weeks days worth of supplies on board.

Statistical Data:
Height: 28.2 feet (8.6 meters)
Length: 55.8 feet (17 meters)
Wing Span: 28.2 feet (8.6 meters)
Weight: 13.2 tons (12 metric tons)
Power System: Mini Quantum Singularity/Fusion power system (5 year duration)
Cargo: Minimal (Storage for small equipment).
Cost: 50 million to construct

Weapons

1. Neutron Cannons (3): These are special particle beams that fire forward of the ship. While weapons are not as powerful as the Neutron cannons mounted on the White Star, they are still quite powerful. They are very effective against fighters but are not as effective against larger ships. The weapon does more damage to organic targets because of the nature of the beam. The cannons normally fire together
   Mega Damage: 9D6x10 for all three cannons firing together (one cannon does 3D6x10 but cannons will normally only be fired in pair or as singles if one or two cannons are destroyed). Weapon does double damage to organic targets.
   Range: 9.3 miles (15 km) in an atmosphere and 932.7 miles (1,500 km) in space
   Rate of fire: Equal to gunners hand to hand (Usually 4 or 5).
   Payload: Effectively Unlimited.

Special Equipment:

• ECM: The Minbari Wind Star Fighter, like all Minbari ships is fitted with ECM. This ECM prevented targeting systems from Earth Alliance ships from being able to lock on during the Minbari war against the Humans. This ECM prevents targeting systems from ships of the younger races with the exception of the Centauri from being able to lock on. An attacker would be at -10 to strike the ship and only if within visual range (approximately 500 miles). Missiles would have a 90% chance of being unable to achieve a lock on target as well. Rifts Earth and Mutants in Orbit would be treated to be at the level of technology of most of the younger races. While not as advanced as the Minbari, the Centauri are more advance than other younger races. The White Star would have a very small signature but could be detected on sensors. The Centauri would have penalties of -4 to strike beyond visual range. Missiles would also be more effective, at first engagement missiles would have a 60% chance of being unable to achieve a lock, the jamming could be fully adjusted for and the missile could achieve lock normally. Phase World, Macross 2, and Robotech sensors would be treated to be at the level of technology of the Minbari and Centauri. Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek, and Star Wars would also be treated to be at this level of technology. The sensors of the races of the First Ones would not suffer any penalties and would be able to strike normally. This included the Drahk Raider as well.

COMBAT BONUSES: The Minbari Wind Star Fighter is incredibly maneuverable and very accurate. Use the Phase World Starfighter combat (Elite or Basic) skill. These bonuses are in addition to those from the piloting skill.

+2 to initiative
+1 to strike
+3 to dodge

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[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]
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Technical Information from Babylon 5 Technical Manual!
CGI of Ship by Mark Kane. More of his CGI pictures of B-5 Ships at G'Kane at Babylon 5

By Kitsune (kitsune@addr.com ).

Rifts Conversion Copyright © 1998, Kitsune. All rights reserved.