Bombs Away: The Anvil Gladiator

[Visertonic]

https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/14327-Bombs-Away-The-Anvil-Gladiator

 

A Millennium of Memories: Photos in Flight

 

The top 500 iconic images from the last thousand years of traveling the stars.

#167: The Calm Before the Storm
Date: 2933-05-28 SET
Photographer: Taia Wallen, Major

 

One of only a handful of images of Corin that the Marines have released, the photographer, then Lance Corporal Taia Wallen, had just completed an intensive six-hour zero-g boarding training exercise when she came across this flight of Gladiators waiting on the launchpad. The squadron was in the process of transferring to a Marine vessel headed for an undisclosed combat zone.

While many cite the grain and contrast as contributing to the immediacy of the moment, the pilots are the truly striking aspect of this picture. There is a serenity as they wait to launch into what we can imagine is certain danger. It serves as a testament to the focus and training of the men and women who serve in the UEE Marines.

 

 

 

WHAT MAKES THE GLADIATOR COOL?

The Gladiator is proof that a small ship can pick a big punch. Designed to operate against capital ships and installations, the Gladiator is the UEE’s premiere strike craft. Star Citizen’s world is full of capital ships, from frigates like the Idris to massive carriers like the Bengal… and we want to give you a way to blow them up. With the ability to conduct bombing runs with a manned turret on its back, a skilled Gladiator crew should be able to prove that David can defeat Goliath! Trading some speed and maneuverability for upgrade space, the Gladiator can also be customized for peacetime roles like explorer or support roles such as command-and-control platform.

WHERE IS THE GLADIATOR IN DEVELOPMENT?

The Gladiator was concepted by David Hobbins, who also designed the Javelin and updated the Constellation. It has been in active development at Foundry 42 recently, and is currently on-track to be the next Hangar-ready ship. We expect to make the Gladiator flight ready between Arena Commander 1.0 and 2.0; while it is a multi-crew ship (with a manned turret/RIO seat), it does not feature room to walk around. Since each crewman is locked to their seat, we will be able to put it into service earlier than the Retaliator or Constellation.

 

 

WHAT INSPIRED THE GLADIATOR?

The Gladiator was inspired by the carrier-based dive and torpedo bombers of World War II such as the TBF Avenger and the SBDDauntless. It was initially created for Squadron 42, where you will fly it in defense of the United Empire of Earth, but will also be fully fly- and mod-able in Star Citizen’s persistent universe. We are envisioning two-person Gladiator teams working together to take on large freighters and capital ships together; your partner can man the turret to keep interceptors off you as you focus on dodging flak and completing a torpedo run!

 

ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION

The T3A Gladiator is the UEE Navy’s primary carrier-based bomber. Gladiator squadrons are typically divided by specialty: a carrier may have both a Gladiator torpedo squadron and a Gladiator dive bomber squadron. A back seat is occupied by a tail gunner who also acts as radio operator.

Though a heavy-hitting bomber, the Gladiator has proven easy to modify and thus has become commonplace in the civilian market. The bomb bay can easily be converted for light transport. Many pilots choose to replace the rear turret’s laser cannon with a tractor beam, making it an ideal craft for light salvage missions.

 

KEY TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Gladiator

Focus:

 

 

Carrier-based Bomber

Length:

14 meters

Mass:

11,005 Kg

Max Crew:

2 persons

Cargo Capacity:

0 freight units

Note: Ship specifications are subject to change.

 

 

 

Do I need to buy a Gladiator? 

 

NO! Remember: we are offering these pledge ships to help fund Star Citizen’s development and because of player demand. All of these ships will be available for in-game credits in the final universe, and they are not required to start the game. The design goal is to make additional ships available that give players a different experience rather than a particular advantage when the persistent universe launches. Every sale supports expanding Star Citizen’s overall development, but none are required to gain full enjoyment from the game.

 

// END TRANSMISSION

[白い薔薇]

Welp ... my debit card hates me now v.v added a Gladiator to my list.

[xyphon]

Very happy to read about the gladiator. Its everything I thought it might be and more. Ie able to be convert its bomb bay for light transport use; can be used for salvage missions.

 

Seems to be the less agile, harder hitting and more militarised cutlass.

[Visertonic]

Very happy to read about the gladiator. Its everything I thought it might be and more. Ie able to be convert its bomb bay for light transport use; can be used for salvage missions.

 

Seems to be the less agile, harder hitting and more militarised cutlass.

Measuring in at 14m, it will be considerably nearly half the length of a cutlass. However, the real issue with using the gladiator for salvage missions or anything long range is that the crew are strapped to their seats. As we learned yesterday from CR beds may be used as mobile save points, giving you the option to log out in the middle of space. With the Gladiator's setup, it will be difficult to run long range operations.

[xyphon]

Measuring in at 14m, it will be considerably nearly half the length of a cutlass. However, the real issue with using the gladiator for salvage missions or anything long range is that the crew are strapped to their seats. As we learned yesterday from CR beds may be used as mobile save points, giving you the option to log out in the middle of space. With the Gladiator's setup, it will be difficult to run long range operations.

 

I agree, the gladiator appears to be meant for short range operations and operate off a carrier ship, ie maybe a reclaimer, idris, javelin. From the description of the gladiator and its upgrade slots, it would be highly configurable like the cutlass but will sacrifice internal space (ie bunks, storage, fuel tanks) for being compact and a bomber - hence my description of it as a militarised cutlass.

[Blade]

The hanger view totally caught me off guard, I wasn't expecting it to have that much awesome sauce...I seem to be a lover of all things Anvil and Aegis at this point.

[Dr. Bright]

Reading this helped me realize just how great nice specialization can be for your wallet (unless you're nice is to Pokemon all the ships).

[Leeford]

I chose to get one of these simply due to how cool it will look in my hangar between my Gladius and Super Hornet. I could have afforded the Retaliator for the "bombing" role, but I think it will be cool to trick out a Gladiator in void armor for a most effective stealth bomber.

[白い薔薇]

I did originally melt mine for an SH! ... then well, uhh, got both now I guess D: DONT JUDGE ME!

 

But, like Leeford, the thought of creating a 'stealth bomber' thats small, minimal size yet has the looks to compete with the Tali? a big plus for me.

[Farcaster]

This was my first pledge, back in 2013, and It looks gorgeous in the hangar. Fingers crossed this is flyable soon.