Most associate the Colonial Fleet with the image of fierce Viper Superiority Fighters
and their heroic pilots tirelessly defending the human race from the Cylon threat.
But working in the background, mocked by Viper pilots for its low speed and blocky frame,
is the true workhorse of the Fleet, the ever-reliable Colonial Raptor.
In the History of the Colonial Military, one would be hard-pressed to find a spacecraft
more versatile and dependable than the Raptor.
The Raptor was designed to serve as a Scout, Shuttlecraft, Troop Transport and even a Light
Bomber.
Equipped with a short range FTL Drive, the Raptor would be used to reconnoitre areas
of space ahead of a larger fleet, reporting the size and disposition of hostile forces
before the fleet is placed in danger.
8.6 Meters in length with a wingspan of 5.6 Meters the Raptor was built for function,
not aesthetics and as such lacks the sleek profile of the Viper, this coupled with the
ship’s extreme resilience has earned the craft the nickname “Flying Pillbox”.
The Raptor’s Interior features two compartments, the forward compartment holds the cockpit
and helm controls while the aft compartment plays host to the Electronic Warfare Suite
and passengers.
The aft compartment can be sealed off from the cockpit and pressurized or depressurized
at will, allowing the Raptor to easily deploy EVA teams for the purpose of repair, damage
assessment or even assault.
Raptors traditionally operate with a crew of two, one Pilot and one Electronic Countermeasures
Officer, though their primary function is to control the ship’s electronic warfare
suite and act as the vessel’s co-pilot, ECO’s are also fully trained to pilot the
Raptor in case of emergencies.
Using the extensive countermeasures and monitoring tools installed on the Raptor, ECO’s are
able to jam enemy wireless or optical transmissions, scramble the targeting of guided missiles
and support Viper Squadrons by extending and enhancing their DRADIS range.
The Raptor’s advanced computer systems are also hardened against Cylon Cyberwarfare attacks,
protecting them from the deadly viruses that have claimed so many other Colonial ships.
Though normally armed with only a small complement of Archer Ship-to-ship missiles, the Raptor
carries large hardpoints to which a sizeable array of weapons can be mounted, these heavily
armed variants, known as Assault Raptors carry a pair of fully automatic cannons as well
as two large multi-tube rocket batteries.
Both conventional and assault raptors are capable of carrying Class-D Nuclear warheads,
making them a serious threat to larger Cylon Bases and facilities when properly escorted.
Another feature of the Raptor useful in combat scenarios is the pressurised docking skirt
affixed to the ship’s underside.
A Raptor pilot can use this docking skirt to attach the ship to the hull of a larger
vessel, this leaves the surface of the ship’s hull exposed to the interior of the raptor,
allowing marine boarding parties to cut into the hull of the unsuspecting vessel from the
safety of the raptor’s interior, precluding the need for Spacesuits.
The Raptor’s two fixed sublight engines provide sufficient thrust for the ship’s
usual scouting and shuttle duties, but the vessel lacks the speed and manoeuvrability
to realistically engage in dogfights with hostile fighters.
In light of this the Raptor is equipped with contoured stealth plating intended to reduce
the ship’s DRADIS Signature and avoid detection, the craft also carries a large complement
of decoy drones, flares and chaff pods to help protect the vessel from missile attacks.
The Raptor is also quite capable of Atmospheric flight, adding to its value as a shuttlecraft.
Where models of Viper and Battlestar have been developed and replaced almost constantly
as technologies developed, the Colonial Raptor’s incredible versatility and reliability have
prevented it from being phased out or succeeded for over 40 years.
Whether deployed for Reconnaissance, Transportation, Assault or Search and Rescue missions, the
Raptor is rarely unsuccessful.
And while the ship may never have earned the iconic status enjoyed by its counterpart the
Viper, the Raptor is every bit as vital, if not more so, to the continued operations of
the Colonial Fleet.