LongRanger-class Star Skiff

LongRanger-class Star Skiff

The LongRanger-class Star Skiff, known as the LR-1 in Galactic Alliance service, was a small, fast Space Skiff used by the Galactic Alliance during the Second Galactic Civil War. During the Swarm War, the Galactic Alliance saw the need for a inexpensive, long range scout vessel to patrol and/or reconoiter the vast reaches of the Galaxy. As a result, during the height of the war, they put in a request to Sienar Fleet Systems to produce such a vessel. Loosely drawing on the design concepts of the Skipray Blastboat, Sienar designers quickly devised the LongRanger-class Skiff. The first prototype of the vessel flew shortly after the end of the war and production started a year later. Early in 38 ABY the first ships were delivered to the Galactic Alliance Defence Fleet. The new reconnaissance vessel boasted impressive acceleration; allowing the vessel to quickly escape enemy encounters, which was usually necessary as it was not heavily armed. Despite its relatively weak sheilding and weaponry, the LongRanger boasted the latest in countermeasure technology, which made the ship nearly impervious to light missile attacks.

In 40 ABY, at the outbreak of the Second Galactic Civil War, a new electronic warfare variant of the LongRanger entered service with the GADF and both variants would go on to serve with distinction in the conflict. Ben Skywalker used a LongRanger-class Skiff to warn the Hapan Home Fleet of Ducha Galney's treachery. Later in the war, A LongRanger-class Skiff discovered the location of Tarvin Calaan's hiding place on Naboo's moon of Rori. A second LongRanger took part in the ensuing Battle of Rori.

LR-1R
The LR-1R was the long range reconnaissance variant of the LongRanger-class Star Skiff. It was more heavily armed than its counterpart with a dual laser cannon turret and four external weapons stations (two on each wing). The outboard weapons pylons were capable of carrying missiles or long range sensor pods while the inboard pylons could carry missiles, long range sensor pods or external fuel tanks. The LR-1R was equipped with a food synthesizer, sanisteamer for crew hygiene and a small bunk for sleeping. These amenities allowed the LR-1R and its crew to operate independantly of the fleet for up to two months.

LR-1E
The LR-1E was the Electronic Warfare variant of the LongRanger and it first entered service in early 40 ABY. The LR-1E had far less weaponry than its counterpart and largely relied on the fleet for its protection. The dual laser cannon turret of the LR-1R was replaced by a scaled down 220-SIG Tactical Sensor Jamming Pod. The LR-1E had two external weapons stations (one on each wing). Each pylon could carry either missiles or external fuel tanks. The outboard weapons stations present on the LR-1R were replaced by fixed Electronic Countermeasure Pods. Due to the lack of a gun, the Gunner of the LR-1R was replaced by an Electronic Countermeasures Officer to operate all of the electronic equipment. The LR-1R's sanisteamer, food synthesizer and bunk space was also removed in favor of additional batteries to power the added electrical equipment. The loss of these features meant that, unlike the LR-1R, the LR-1E was incapable of long-term independant action and was meant to be used in support of the fleet. The LR-1E's impressive electronic warfare capabilties made it an invaluable asset to the Galactic Alliance Defence Fleet, and the vessel proved its worth on numerous occasions in combat with Confederation forces.

Known Ships

 * Rover
 * Chaser
 * Retriever

Behind the Scenes
The LongRanger's picture is actually a Colonial Raptor from the Battlestar Galactica universe. Like the LongRanger LR-1E, the Colonial Raptor serves as an Electronic Warfare vessel in the Battlestar Galactica universe.

The LongRanger-class Star Skiff takes its name from the real-world Bell 206L LongRanger helicopter. A militarized variant of the Bell 206 (the OH-58 Kiowa) serves as an armed reconnaissance helicopter for the U.S. Army. The LR-1R was largely inspired by the OH-58.