starships
CS-244 PORCUPINE

Based on the CS-244 Porcupine, this modified shuttle acts as a mobile launch platform for starfuries. The shuttle's small size and limited stealth capabilities allows the insertion of the fighters to be almost unnoticed. Each shuttle carries up to four starfuries. Unfortunately for the shuttle crew, defense is the vessel is provided only by the fighters it carries. Should the carrier's fighters be obliterated, the shuttle is a sitting duck.

The Porcupine's starfuries are attached to a drop mechanism on the ventral side of the shuttle. This mechanism, when activated, ignites a launching charge that pushes each starfury down in an alternating sequence - accommodating pilot and clearance issues. By doing so, the launching starfuries avoid each other as they maneuver away from the shuttle.