Ship Scout AISN Iret

Iret
Iret
Type	Attack Bomber
Combat role	Scout
Service
Used by	Antarean Imperial Space Navy
Wars	Second Antarean War
Production
Main hull contractor	Foyeri-Labs
Main systems contractor	TCI-Systems
Specifications
Length	18m
Mod slots	1x Primary weapon 1x Hardpoint 1x Chassis 1x Mines 1x Countermeasures
Statistics
Hull	600 points
Armour	500 points
Boost time	5s
Max thrust	1500

The partnership between Foyeri-Labs and TCI-Systems has produced a majority of the drone-designs currently in-service with the Antarean Navy. Utilizing the research done by Foyeri when developing the Qetesh class Light-Interceptor, researchers at TCI were able to develop a heavier attack-chassis for use in attacking enemy capital-ships. The new craft's drone-brain benefited from newer Pseudo-Neural Control Matrices (PNCM), and more advanced propulsion and control systems, which boosted its performance both in isolation, and within larger group-swarms.

Though far heavier then the Qetesh or Bes class, this new drone, dubbed "Iret" for its somewhat reptilian countenance (the snout shaped cowling that protects the drone's sensor-iris), poses a serious threat to larger craft. Though most commonly found in its Type-A configuration, the Iret, like many Antarean Drone designs, is highly modular. Type-A armament includes a pair of Fracas Heavy Missile pods, which allow the drone to launch deadly strikes directly on the armor of enemy capital-ships from close range. This ability, when combined with the craft's high-speed and small profile, make the Iret a serious threat to most larger craft, especially when employed in numbers.

It was later found that Irets suffered tremendous losses when closing to the missile's relatively short firing range, as a result, AISN high-command requested a refit of many of the drones currently in service. In response to this request, TCI introduced the Type-B Armament kit, which swaps the missile pods for paired, micro-plasma cannon turrets for greater range and destructive power. This now made group-swarms of mixed configurations capable of taking down a target's plasma shielding, then quickly destroy the hull itself with relative ease. Since the cannons were turreted, this allowed the Iret greater flexibility in attack vectors. Likewise, the Type-B was also more effective against strike-craft then the class had ever been before.

A newer version of the Iret drone sports anti-fighter missiles instead of anti-capital weapons, these have been successful against fighters, however need to re-arm after useing the missile. Too small for spare missiles they're only really used to quickly wipe off the enemy fighters and leave the clean up to other craft. High expenses on the transport for the missiles has largely made this tactic useless. As the missiles are often more expensive to fire then the fighters it destroys.

The Iret is a heavy-attack bomber without equal in the Antarean Navy. Despite suffering many of the disadvantages which usually plague AISN drones (inadequate armor protection, electronics-failures, ammunition shortages, and operational range deficiencies), the Iret still manages its combat-role with surprising alacrity. Though it does not match up the power of the USN's Scimitar class bombers, it uses its numbers to its advantage and has proven itself a worthy addition to the AISN armada.