Sidewinder (Oolite)

Sidewinder scout ship
Size (metres, W×H×L)	65 × 15 × 35
Cargo capacity	0 TC
Cargo bay extension	N/A
Maximum speed	0.37 LM
Manoeuvrability	Roll: 2.8 Pitch: 1.6
Energy banks	3
Energy recharge rate	Poor (2.0)
Gun mounts	Fore
Missile slots	0
Shield boosters available	No
Military shields available	No
Hyperspace capable	No
OXP or standard	Standard
Available to player	No
Base price	N/A

Overview

Designed by Faulcon deLacy and built in the Onrira Orbital Shipyards by Spalder and Starblaze Inc. to Galactic Navy specifications for a multi-purpose support craft, the ship began rolling off production lines in 2982. The specification was for a small, mass-produced ship which would be inexpensive to build by the thousand.

Notable Features

While the Galactic Navy still uses thousands of these small ships for reconnaisance and as a light fighter, in recent years this ship is more commonly seen as a trader escort. Value-conscious traders hauling a bellyful of cargo in large ships like the Anaconda use the Sidewinder to make up for the large ship's lack of manoeuverability. The small ship is difficult to hit, but can pack a reasonable punch if equipped with beam lasers. It is also strong for its size, and isn't instantly vaporized by a military laser.

It has no hyperspace capability. The normal technique is for the Sidewinder pilot to keep the ship close to the 'mothership', and then use its wormhole to reach the destination. Being small, many Sidewinders can pass through the wormhole without collapsing it, meaning a trader using this ship as an escort is likely to come out of the other end of the jump with a full compliment of escorts.

The Sidewinder is often sought out by 'guns for hire', often young pilots with good reactions, offering to escort trade ships into dangerous situations. The low cost of the ship coupled with its manoeuverability attracts it to many a pilot who's starting out and looking to make a living without having to get involved in trading.

It is increasingly being found as a pirate escort, too - inexpensive to equip, and if remotely piloted, cheap to lose in battle, pirates have begun to use this ship to attack traders before arriving in their larger, slower and less combat-ready cargo hauler to pick over the remains. Be suspicious of Sidewinders seen alone - since they are not hyperspace capable it is more than likely the ship they came along with is lurking just out of scanner range, and the crew might not have your safe passage in mind.

Custom Paintjobs

Deepspace Sidewinder

Griff's Sidewinder