*The
stats listed above reflect the older version of the Brigand,
except for the Firepower rating, which is from the Cataclysm
era.
Most battles involving Turanic raiders are small fleet
actions. Standard Raider tactics are to engage a target with
a flight of Bandit Interceptors, which provide cover and
distraction for a flight of Thief Corvettes which dock with
and take over the prize. If any sort of defenses are
expected, however, it is often the Brigand-class Missile
Corvette that provides the quick and deadly striking power
needed to overwhelm any escorting fighters or corvettes.
The Brigand follows standard Turanic Corvette design
philosophy, wedding a heavily armored hull with an
overpowered engine; the price to be paid is a reduction of
crew space and minimal life-support. The twin medium missile
bays are mounted in typical Turanic fashion on either side
of the cockpit. The vessel carries two crew seated
back-to-back; a pilot facing forward and a weapons officer
behind him, both supported by the liquid membrane
environment needed by most Raiders.
Brigands have the most difficulty in dealing with enemy
fighters, which employ high-speed strafing runs and tight
turns that can throw off the heavy missiles. An experienced
Brigand weapons officer will wait until a fighter
decelerates for the return pass before firing off a volley
of missiles; this often guarantees a hit before the fighter
can pick up sufficient maneuvering speed to dodge. Brigands
have the greatest advantage over Hiigaran and Republican Ion
Beam Frigates, which have difficulty bringing their main gun
to bear on the rapidly turning Brigands. Raiders have been
known to employ Brigands in large attack groups of 15 to 20
and attack large capital ships such as Destroyers and even
Carriers. It can be a terrifying sight seeing nearly two
dozen Brigands, each firing twice a second, circling a
burning Carrier as missile after missile slams into her
hull. If significant support doesn't arrive quickly, the
Carrier must choose either surrender or destruction —
there is no other option once the Raiders spring this kind
of surprise.
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