Ludicrum Secundus
Class: Light Fighter
Operators: Terran Overlord Government
Mass: 86 tons
Cost: 1,810,400 talents
Engines:
Center Engine Rating (1400)
Thrust: 8
High Thrust Modification: 9
(w/Lasers Replaced)
Shields:
Bow: 50
Right: 30
Left: 30
Stern: 50
Armor:
Bow: 50
Right: 40
Left: 40
Stern: 50
Weapons:
Type (Location)
1 5/2 Laser (Bow)
1 1.5/5 Laser (R Wing)
1 1.5/5 Laser (L Wing)
1 Hardpoint (Bow)
Crew: 1
Passengers: 0
Marines: 0
Extras:
Antigrav
Background[]
The Ludicrum Secundus is a derivative of the TOG Navy's high-acceleration trainer known as the Ludicrum Primus. The training version has no shields or offensive armament, and can achieve acceleration in excess of 13G. The Primus is known as a forgiving craft - highly stable, easily maintained, and an excellent platform for training pilots in High-G maneuvers. The Secundus adds shields and replaces the low-power training lasers with a powerful array of short range lasers.
In 6827, a deep-raiding squadron of Cheetahs from the 1151st Interceptor Wing ambushed six Ludicrum Primuses. The Cheetah squadron destroyed five Primuses and captured one ship intact, along with four of the trainee pilots. In 6829, the 1151st attempted to repeat this feat. As the Cheetahs closed in, the supposedly unarmed trainers turned on their adversaries and opened up with a devastating barrage of laser fire. One Cheetah was crippled immediately. The Renegade squadron commander quickly broke off the engagement, but not before the TOG squadron managed to destroy one more Cheetah.
One high-acceleration training flight is located on Zama. Current intelligence reports indicate that at least one of the squadrons is quipped with Ludicrum Secunduses, while the other three squadrons are issued Ludicrum Primuses.
Combat Evaluation[]
The Ludicrum Secundus is visually indistinguishable from the Primus. Only by observing the acceleration can a pilot tell the two ships apart. The Secundus's main weakness is its short range weapons. Within a range of 45 kilometers, the Secundus is ble to project as much firepower as a Spiculum. Beyond 45 kilometers, the ship's wing-mounted lasers have no effect, and so friendly pilots need only be concerned about the 5/2 laser mounted in the bow. Recommended engagement ranges against both the Primus and the Secundus are 60+ kilometers.