Keelback: Difference between revisions

The '''Keelback''' is a [[Ships|ship]] manufactured by [[Lakon Spaceways]]. Designed as combat-oriented variant of the [[Type-6 Transporter]], the Keelback boasts enhanced combat capabilities and the ability to equip a [[Fighter Hangar]] for [[Ship-Launched Fighters]]. To support more weapons, it was also given a better [[Power Plant]]. These improvements reduce the Keelback's internal compartments and maximum cargo capacity, but allow it to better defend itself against [[Pirate]]s. For pilots with a limited budget seeking a sturdy and versatile cargo ship, the Keelback is a solid choice.

The Keelback is advertised as a well-armed trader able to haul large cargoes without the need of an escort, similar to the [[Type-10 Defender]]. Like the Type-10, the Keelback sacrifices cargo space to improve combat effectiveness, though not nearly to the same degree. In comparison to the [[Type-6 Transporter]], the Keelback has 16t less potential cargo space, a rather large amount in the early game. Combined with its higher cost, lower jump range, higher rebuy and generating tougher NPC pirates, the Keelback is not as good of a trader as the cheaper Type-6, but it is more than capable and is still the second best ship at the role in the price range and much cheaper than the [[Federal Dropship]] or [[Python]] as an armed medium trader.

In [[combat]], the Keelback retains the 2 small hardpoints of its Type-6 base model and now has two additional medium hardpoints as well. Compared to ships of its price range, such as the [[Asp Scout]] and [[Diamondback Explorer]], the Keelback has the lowest damage output of the range. It can easily be outgunned by most ships in its price tier and only has marginally better shielding and armour. However, the Keelback makes up for this with its ability to mount a [[Fighter Hangar]]. With the combined firepower of its hardpoints and a [[Ship-Launched Fighters|Ship-Launched Fighter]], the Keelback can easily outperform all ships in its price range in terms of damage output, but this does mean sacrificing a significant amount of cargo space for both the Fighter Hangar and the [[Shield Generator]]. Poor maneuverability and speed make the Keelback ineffective at [[Supercruise]] interdicting. All in all, the Keelback can make for a good [[Pirate]] or [[Bounty Hunter]] for a commander looking to utilise fighters and has a decent amount of space for plundered loot.

As an [[explorer]], the Keelback has less jump range than the Type-6 due to its higher weight. Combined with worse compartment space, the Keelback is a slightly less capable ship in the role than the Type-6.

The Keelback has one role it shines in: [[Miner|mining]]. With its two medium hardpoints, large cargo space, fighter bay for protection and smaller size the Keelback is one of the best ships available for the job and is by far the cheapest ship that is extremely effective in the role. Due to its small size, many rich pilots can still make good use of the ship for its impressive mining potential. Because fighter hangars make for great protection for a miner, it may even be more appealing than ships such as the [[Asp Explorer]] or [[Federal Dropship]].

Overall the Keelback is a multi-purpose ship, capable of exploration, combat, and trading while excelling at mining. Compared to similar ships such as the Asp Scout the ship generally does a much better job but has a much lower jump range. The Keelback is a good option for its price range for a multi-purpose ship.

Two medium hardpoints are located on top of the ship, very close to the cockpit, and two small hardpoints are located on the bottom of the ship a bit further back than the medium hardpoints. One of three utility mounts is located on the nose of the ship directly above the frontal landing gear piece, and two more on top and at the back. The interior is identical to that of the Type-6, however, it has a second seat situated behind the pilot and is capable of [[Multicrew]]. The ship also has unique rotating engine pods on each side that fill in the black gaps that were present on the Type-6, but these do not affect the performance of its thrusters.