Iret class drone

The partnership between Foyeri-Labs and TCI-Systems has produced a majority of the drone-designs currently in-service with the Antarean Navy. Utilizing the research done by Foyer when developing the Qetesh class Light-Interceptor, researchers at TCI were able to develop a heavier attack-chassis for use in attacking enemy capital-ships. The new craft's drone-brain benefited from newer Pseudo-Neural Control Matrices (PNCM), and more advanced propulsion and control systems, which boosted its performance both in isolation, and within larger group-swarms. Though far heavier then the Qetesh or Bes class, this new drone, dubbed "Iret" for its somewhat reptilian countenance (the snout shaped cowling that protects the drone's sensor-iris), poses a serious threat to larger craft. Though most commonly found in its Type-A configuration, the Iret, like many Antarean Drone designs, is highly modular. Type-A armament includes a pair of Fracas Heavy Missile pods, which allow the drone to launch deadly strikes directly on the armor of enemy capital-ships from close range. This ability, when combined with the craft's high-speed, small profile and impressive ECM capabilites, make the Iret a serious threat to most larger craft, especially when employed in numbers.

It was later found that Irets suffered tremendous losses when closing to the missile's relatively short firing range, as a result, AISN high-command requested a refit of many of the drones currently in service. In response to this request, TCI introduced the Type-B Armament kit, which swaps the missile pods for paired, micro-plasma cannon turrets for greater range and destructive power. This now made group-swarms of mixed configurations capable of taking down a target's plasma shielding then quickly destroy the hull itself with relative ease. Since the cannons were turreted, this allowed the Iret greater flexibility in attack vectors. Likewise, the Type-B was also more effective against strike-craft then the class had ever been before.

The Iret is a heavy-attack bomber without equal in the Antarean Navy. Despite suffering many of the disadvantages which usually plague AISN drones (inadequate armor protection, electronics-failures, ammunition shortages, and operational range deficiencies), the Iret still manages its combat-role with surprising alacrity. Though it does not match up the power of the USN's Scimitar class bombers, it uses its numbers to its advantage and has proven itself a worthy addition to the AISN armada.