Colonial Raptor (D18)

The Raptor is a vehicle utilized by the Colonial military, usually operated by a crew of two (one pilot and one ECO), has synthetic gravity on board and is controlled by a fly-by-wire system. A versatile craft, it is designed to perform multiple roles, but the Raptor most commonly takes part in reconnaissance and scouting operations.

Crews operate in flight suits and helmets to help protect them against any hull breach. The cabin can also be depressurized and used in space rescue operations. Re-pressurization takes 10 seconds. The forward pilot and co-pilot seats can eject in an emergency as the forward canopy is blown away prior to the ejection. When used in the transport role, a Raptor is capable of carrying around eight to ten adults in addition to the two-person crew. In the assault role, it can carry a squad of some eight equipped Marines.

The Raptor is an angular vehicle built for function, not aesthetics though models are finished in Colonial 'colours' and fairings out of the factory. The forward section consists of a flight cabin with side-by-side seats for the pilot and ECO, with a large bubble canopy providing wide fields of view both forward and side. The flight cabin opens into the main compartment where a workstation containing early warning, electronic countermeasures, and other equipment is manned by the ECO when not co-piloting the craft. Access to the Raptor's main compartment is primarily through a large port-side hydraulic door, and a floor-mounted hatchway provides access through the deck. A pressurized docking skirt can also be extended from the underside, enabling the Raptor to dock to the hulls of other vessels. In assault missions, marines can use this skirt to breech a hull and board a hostile vessel. Aft of the pressurized area are the FTL drive and main sublight engines. Port and starboard stub wings provide additional lift during atmospheric flight, and winglets reduce drag and provide step access to the wings and hull. RCS thrusters are placed throughout the craft for landing, maneuvering and stabilization.

Due to its size and shape, a Raptor is not launched from a battlestar's launch tube, rather, it deploys from the forward end of a flight pod. It is capable of atmospheric flight and its short-range FTL engine allow it to make brief faster-than-light hops. A critical element for atmospheric operations is that to remain airborne the engines must be run constantly to maintain lift and to hover; impacting on fuel consumption and depending on the composition of the atmosphere itself, this can place severe strain on the Raptor's engines.