(MicroMOC) B20 Bearcat

[TenorPenny]

The B-20 Bearcat

The X-33 Scimitaris an excellent dogfighter and interceptor; it serves with distinction throughout the US military. It lacked the ability to do damage to so-called ‘hard’ targets, such as capital ships and armoured structures. Tomcat-class Strike Fighters could carry a variety of warheads but were expensive and frequently unavailable. USEF engineers at Highpoint were tasked with plugging this capability gap.

The designers created a purpose-built vessel; essentially two high capacity warhead launchers with a fighter-scale ship constructed around them. The resulting ship was as carrier-dependent as the Scimitar – and significantly less agile. Its increased bulk meant carriers could hold only three B-20s for every four Scimitars; a significant trade-off.

And yet the ability to inflict such damage without putting carrier ships at risk was a seductive one to the new tactical thinking coming out of Highpoint. The project chairman, Vice Admiral Devonbrooke, took the first squadron on operation as soon as they were ready.

Her flagship – the USS Ulysses S. Grant – was leading a small strike force deep behind Wun’Tux lines. Intelligence reports hinted towards a durillium mine on an old Illayko colony; a facility hardened against capital ship assault. Devonbrooke didn’t have the requisite force to overpower the defences and – even if she did – bringing one to bear make her plan obvious and allow the Wun’Tux time to prepare.

The obvious answer was the B-20; the Grant’s compliment could slip by the anti-capital ship defences and neutralise the facility. The strategy was full of risk, however. The B-20s might not perform as in simulations. And even if

they did, Devonbrooke knew she would have to deploy most of her fighter cover to escort them in. It would leave her carrier force in peril.

Six Scimitars of the 466th Diamondbacks volunteered to fly cover for the carriers. Even with his knowledge, Devonbrooke struggled with the decision for a day and a half. In the end her Highpoint training won through; the B-20s were prepped.

The Vice Admiral’s main force – with it’s scant fighter cover – proved too tempting for the Wun’Tux garrison. They launched the majority of their forces to engage, leaving a gap the B-20 strike force quickly exploited. By the time the reptiles realised what was happening it was too late – they had left only a handful of Twinfangs to protect their mining complex which were quickly wiped out by the human escort fighters and the forces they tried to bring back from their assault on the carriers were cut down as they tried to disengage.

The B20s were able to deploy their ordinance with high accuracy, destroying the defences and evacuation equipment in one bombing run. With nothing left to defend and frightened by the potency of the new human ships, the Wun’Tux Clanships beat a hasty retreat. By this point, however, the main force was in no state to pursue. The USS Ulysses S. Grant was almost critically damaged, half of the Diamondbacks had been lost. And yet the day was won. The USS Gettysburg was able to approach, deploy marines to eliminate remaining Wun’Tux and rescue the facility’s slave labourers.

The operation was a PR coup, an edited battle report was broadcast to human populations throughout the galaxy. The B-20 was made the star of the show but their pilots (from the 202nd Bearcats) dedicated the victory to the Diamondbacks. Nevertheless, the B-20’s nickname became shrined in legend; The Bearcat.

[LegoPercyJ]

Great micro MOC! I'd love to see more!

[Brick Capone]

Keeping it small and simple.. Very nice.