Tiger Mark I

Tiger Mark I
Size (metres, W×H×L)	?m ?m ?m
Cargo capacity	50 TC
Cargo bay extension	Unknown
Maximum speed	0.5 LM
Manoeuvrability	Roll: 2.0 Pitch: 1.0
Energy banks	7
Energy recharge rate	Unknown
Gun mounts	Fore, Aft, Starboard, Port
Missile slots	Unknown
Shield boosters available	Available
Military shields available	Available
Hyperspace capable	Yes
OXP or standard	OXP
Available to player	Yes
Base price	Unknown

Overview

The Tiger Mk I was originally intended as a replacement for the Asp Mk II. Whilst the Asp remains today one of the most powerful fighters in GalCop space, features of its design, such as its solitary missile pylon show its age. In 3093, the Galactic Navy began tendering for bids to build a replacement vessel, eventually awarding the contract to Cyber Systems Inc of Orzaedve.

The Navy demanded a ship that retained the Asp’s speed and combat performance, but could carry sufficient hardened missiles to successfully engage Thargoid invasion fleets and could also function as a supply vessel.

Cyber Systems Inc were known for their meticulous design principles. Project manager, Dr Zimire Ja Norin was not to be rushed, refusing to release even a prototype version until all systems met his exacting standards. Such was the good Doctor’s perfectionism, it is rumoured that on one occasion in 3095 he ordered a fully functional prototype destroyed, when he discovered his technicians had skimped by using imitation leather rather than hand-stitched genuine Orreedonian deadly goat skin to cover the Command Chair. As a result of such painstaking attention to build quality, by 3098, only a small fleet of prototypes were ready, with a projected unit cost of more than 700,000 Credits.

The Navy bean-counters started to grow concerned at the spiraling development costs of the Tiger, estimated at over ten billion credits. GalCop’s continued funding of the project came under attack in the 3098 editions of “Which Spaceship?”. A series of critical articles beginning with “New Navy Vessel delayed again. Tiger or White Elephant?” and culminating in “Dr Zimire Ja Norin – Slowest designer in history?” caused the top brass serious embarrassment. Navy tacticians considered that the role proposed for the Tiger had largely been assumed by the Behemoth. As a result the project was cancelled, leaving Cyber Systems with a handful of prototype Tigers in their development hangars. Facing financial ruin, the Company sold off their prototypes to the highest bidder at auction.

Notable features

Although the Tiger never made it beyond the prototype stage, most Commanders who have had the good fortune to fly a Tiger agree that it is an awesome multi-role craft. It equals the maneuverability of the Asp, whilst exceeding its performance in speed. Six missile pylons and the ability to mount all commonly available equipment make the Tiger a fearsome combat craft. Its fifty ton cargo bay also makes it ideal as a trade ship or the leader of a pirate fleet.

Not all are impressed however with the Tiger. Whilst even its critics acknowledge the ship’s speed and cargo advantage over the Asp, they point to the ships wide profile as a major design fault, making the ship almost impossible to miss at close range. They also point to the fact that for the price of a single Tiger, five Iron Ass configured Cobra Mk IIIs could be purchased.

Availability

The Tiger is a very rare craft, Cyber Systems Inc only making one production run before the design was scrapped. Tigers do however come up for sale occasionally in the Shipyards of very advanced systems. Commanders should expect to pay in excess of 730,000 credits for the basic model equipped only with fuel scoops and a foward mounted military laser. A fully equipped Tiger could easily set a Commander back almost one million credits. Ownership of a Tiger is therefore exclusive. Pirates flying Tigers should be treated with respect. Any pirate rich enough to buy a Tiger in the first place, should be considered very dangerous and likely to have equipped it as an Iron Ass.

Download

The Tiger Mk.I is found in the Tiger OXP.