Colonial Blackbird
Encyclopedia
The Blackbird is a custom-built stealth
-capable fighter from the fictional universe of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica
series. According to executive producer David Eick
it is not a Viper
, though some parts for the craft were derived from scrapped Vipers.
in the second season episode, "Flight of the Phoenix
". Despite being a capable engineer, the chief has no experience in building Vipers from scratch although he does have a deep familiarity with the Viper and its systems from a maintenance standpoint. The Blackbirds engines are of a more primitive design than the rest of the fighters. In addition metal is at a premium and was needed for repairs on existing Vipers. Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon
suggests that another material be used, and the Blackbird is thus built with a non-reflective black carbon fiber
composite skin making the ship very difficult to detect on DRADIS. The craft is named the Laura in honor of President of the Colonies Laura Roslin
, but continues to be known as the Blackbird. Its external design and hull configuration show a commonality with the Viper series ships, with clipped wings showing a marked dihedral, deleted vertical stabilizer and much cleaner lines in keeping with its sensor stealthing.
, which was used by Starbuck in the ship's initial reconnaissance to determine the function of the Resurrection Ship. In the episode "Resurrection Ship, Part II
", the fighter is shown to have a hardpoint
, which is used to deliver an anti-ship missile used to destroy the FTL drive on the Resurrection Ship.
The Blackbird is briefly seen in the Hangar being prepared for launch against the Basestar of the Rebel Cylons during the Final Five conflict.
Stealth technology
Stealth technology also termed LO technology is a sub-discipline of military tactics and passive electronic countermeasures, which cover a range of techniques used with personnel, aircraft, ships, submarines, and missiles, to make them less visible to radar, infrared, sonar and other detection...
-capable fighter from the fictional universe of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American military science fiction television series, and part of the Battlestar Galactica franchise. The show was developed by Ronald D. Moore as a re-imagining of the 1978 Battlestar Galactica television series created by Glen A. Larson...
series. According to executive producer David Eick
David Eick
David Eick is an American producer and writer, best known as the Executive Producer of Battlestar Galactica, of which he also wrote several episodes with Ronald D. Moore, as well as the re-imagined version of Bionic Woman...
it is not a Viper
Colonial Viper
The Colonial Viper is the primary fighter spacecraft type used by the human protagonists in the Battlestar Galactica fictional universe. Appearing in both the 1978 original series and the 2003 reimagined series, as well as various derivative works, the single-pilot spacecraft are carried aboard...
, though some parts for the craft were derived from scrapped Vipers.
Creation
The Blackbird is designed by Chief Galen TyrolGalen Tyrol
Galen Tyrol is a character on the television series Battlestar Galactica. Tyrol is responsible for the maintenance of the Vipers and Raptors aboard Battlestar Galactica...
in the second season episode, "Flight of the Phoenix
Flight of the Phoenix (Battlestar Galactica)
"Flight of the Phoenix" is the ninth episode of the second season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series. It aired originally on the Sci Fi Channel on September 16, 2005....
". Despite being a capable engineer, the chief has no experience in building Vipers from scratch although he does have a deep familiarity with the Viper and its systems from a maintenance standpoint. The Blackbirds engines are of a more primitive design than the rest of the fighters. In addition metal is at a premium and was needed for repairs on existing Vipers. Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon
Karl Agathon
Karl C. Agathon is a fictional character on the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica TV series, portrayed by Tahmoh Penikett.-Background:...
suggests that another material be used, and the Blackbird is thus built with a non-reflective black carbon fiber
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
composite skin making the ship very difficult to detect on DRADIS. The craft is named the Laura in honor of President of the Colonies Laura Roslin
Laura Roslin
Her first actions include organizing all FTL-capable ships together and convincing Commander William Adama to abandon a retaliatory attack on the Cylons. President Roslin and Billy Keikeya, her aide/press secretary/chief of staff, establish a working office space aboard her transport, renamed...
, but continues to be known as the Blackbird. Its external design and hull configuration show a commonality with the Viper series ships, with clipped wings showing a marked dihedral, deleted vertical stabilizer and much cleaner lines in keeping with its sensor stealthing.
Armament
The Blackbird is generally unarmed and fitted with a surveillance kitSurveillance aircraft
A surveillance aircraft is an aircraft used for surveillance — collecting information over time. They are operated by military forces and other government agencies in roles such as intelligence gathering, battlefield surveillance, airspace surveillance, observation , border patrol and fishery...
, which was used by Starbuck in the ship's initial reconnaissance to determine the function of the Resurrection Ship. In the episode "Resurrection Ship, Part II
Resurrection Ship (Battlestar Galactica)
"Resurrection Ship" is a two-part episode of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series. Part 1 aired originally on the Sci Fi Channel on January 6, 2006, and Part 2 aired on January 13, 2006...
", the fighter is shown to have a hardpoint
Hardpoint
A hardpoint, or weapon station, is any part of an airframe designed to carry an external load. This includes a point on the wing or fuselage of military aircraft where external ordnance, countermeasures, gun pods, targeting pods or drop tanks can be mounted.-Rail launchers:Large missiles and...
, which is used to deliver an anti-ship missile used to destroy the FTL drive on the Resurrection Ship.
Current status
Shortly after neutralizing the Resurrection Ship, the Blackbird collides with a wrecked Raptor and is destroyed. Despite possessing additional materials to make a new Blackbird craft, no new Blackbirds were commissioned, and no explanation has been given for this.The Blackbird is briefly seen in the Hangar being prepared for launch against the Basestar of the Rebel Cylons during the Final Five conflict.
External links
- Blackbird at Battlestar Wiki