The
two-gun Light Defender was an early version of the three-gun
"Heavy Defender", seen in early screenshots about
a year before the game's release. There was also a
"Light Interceptor," but this eventually became
what we now know as the Scout. The Light Defender, having
little utility, was dropped from the game.
We
can imagine that the Mk.1 Light Defender was a very early fighter
developed on Kharak, but retired before the Mothership
launch because it was made obsolete by the development of
the Scout, which outclassed it in every category. Later,
however, the need for an anti-fighter craft and development
of improved targeting systems and addition of a third gun
brought the Shield back into service as the Mk.3, a venerable but
cheap and reliable defense fighter.
The Shield
series of defense fighters is one the sturdiest front line
designs employed in the Kushan fleet. Drives and weapon
systems have evolved over time, but the basic hull design of
the original Shield strike craft has yet to be surpassed in
terms of economy and durability. A new state-of-the-art
targeting system and an upgrade to the gimbal-mounted turret
systems have been incorporated into the current Mark 3b
version of this classic strike craft, and should serve to
keep the Shield effective in combat for the foreseeable
future.
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