Bes'uliik

Characteristics

Originally, the Bes'uliik was designed to accommodate a crew of three, although this could be reduced to two to allow for a larger payload of weapons or fuel. The earliest production models, however, were flown by single pilots. The design emphasized versatility, enabling the fighter to function as both a planetary attack bomber and a long-range interceptor. The fighter's frame extended fifteen meters in length, with a wingspan slightly exceeding half of that. Its hull featured a sleek, unadorned "V"-shape, complemented by a squared-off tail and a dark gray finish, enhanced by advanced baffled exhausts to minimize its radar signature. All four blasters and the two supplementary weapon mounts were positioned on the underside of the fuselage. The cockpit access was facilitated by a top-hinged hatch for entry and bottom-edged for ejection, along with side hatches bearing the mythosaur logo stenciled in a lighter gray on the prototype. The cockpit interior incorporated cutting-edge display technology and control systems responsive to the pilot's gaze. Furthermore, the fighter could vertically tilt on its tail section, facilitating takeoffs and landings in confined areas, measuring approximately eight by four meters. Toward the end of the design phase, a protective layer of beskar armor, the famed Mandalorian iron, was incorporated. Designers weighed the options of applying it as an external skin or integrating it into a laminated composite spaceframe. The first prototype featured an ultra-thin outer layer of beskar, although the possibility of a thicker layer of solid hull armor was also considered. While this would increase the fighter's weight, there was optimism that a budding alliance with the Verpine engineers from the Roche asteroid field could lead to a technology exchange. This exchange could potentially enable designers to reduce the weight of the underlying spaceframe or improve fuel efficiency.

History

Initially, the Bes'uliik project was known as the Kyr'galaar. Its inception followed the Yuuzhan Vong War, serving as a single prototype to integrate all the innovative concepts emerging from MandalMotors designers. This approach was driven by economic constraints, as their primary focus was on re-establishing the commercial production of existing designs. In 40 ABY, the discovery of a beskar deposit 100 kilometers north of Enceri prompted the realization that the potent armor could be applied to the new fighter. Goran Beviin, Mand'alor Boba Fett's lieutenant, initially suggested this to Fett shortly after the discovery. Jir Yomaget of MandalMotors formally proposed it when he presented the new design to Fett soon thereafter. It appears that around this time, the name was changed to Bes'uliik, translating to "iron beast," to pay homage to the ancient Basilisk war droids of the Mandalorians' warrior heritage (whose name in the original Mando'a was also Bes'uliik). Fett and Yomaget decided that export versions of the fighter would have significantly reduced armor and capabilities. However, half of the production run would be reserved for the "defense" of Mandalore and the Mandalore sector, retaining the full capabilities of the prototype and potentially incorporating even heavier armor.

The initial Bes'uliik prototype was swiftly completed and subjected to testing. Shortly after, four space-worthy and combat-ready prototypes were finalized. These fighters were then deployed as a combat flight, personally led by Fett, to destroy factories on Murkhana in a retaliatory raid on behalf of their Verpine allies. This action also served to showcase the new fighter's capabilities to prospective buyers. Mandalorian confidence in the new fighter's abilities was demonstrated by Fett's advance warning to Murkhana, specifying the targets. Initially, Murkhana responded with standard fighter squadrons, but quickly realized the ships' power, leading to the entire fleet bombarding the small group. Most shots proved ineffective, allowing Fett and his team to complete the raid with minimal damage. Luke Skywalker himself flew a Bes'uliik during the Battle of Uroro Station in 40 ABY, engaging Jacen Solo's personal Star Destroyer.

Years later, several squadrons of this starfighter, under the command of Mirta Gev, were contracted to defend a monolith in the Chiloon Rift, controlled by two Columi brothers. Some of these fighters were destroyed by the Jedi.