Keelback
Template:Quote The Keelback is a freighter ship with enhanced combat capabilities based on a Type-6 Transporter chassis. It debuted in the 1.5 "Ships" update on December 2015. It was first mentioned in a list from the Answers from the Devs where it said it is an upcoming ship.[1]
As this had never been heard of, people speculated that it was an alternative name to the Panther Clipper. However, on a stream David Braben revealed that it is a ship similar to the Lakon Type-6 Transporter, but with better weapon hardpoints.[2] It also has a better power plant at the cost of fewer internal compartments.
Overview
The Keelback is advertised as a well-armed trader; being able to haul large cargos without the need of an escort, similar to the Type-9, and particularly similar to the Type-10.
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, 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. While this is a large improvement; the type-6 has the same damage output as a Sidewinder, so the comparison is rather irrelevant. Compared to ships of its price range, such as Vipers, Asp Scouts, and Diamondbacks, the Keelback has the lowest damage output of the range. It can easily be out-damaged 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 Hanger. With combined firepower of itself and its fighter the Keelback can easily out-damage all ships in its price range, however, this does mean losing a huge amount of cargo space for both Hanger and Shield Generator. The rather poor maneuverability and speeds 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 good cargo space for plundered loot.
As an explorer, the Keelback has less range than the Type-6, due to its higher weight. Combined with worse compartment space, the Keelback is a slightly worse ship in the role than the Type-6.
The Keelback has one role it shines in; as a Miner. 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 hangers 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 T6. These are purely cosmetic, however.
The Keelback has an available 12 piece cosmetic ship kit that can be purchased from the Frontier store, allowing you to "remodel your ship in your personal style". The ship kit is purely cosmetic and does not affect gameplay in any way.
Purchase Locations
| System | Station | Date Seen | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinrarta Dezhra | Jameson Memorial | Always available | 10% discount |
| Brestla | i Sola Prospect | Always available | 20% surcharge |
| KP Tauri | Spedding Orbital | Jul. 12, 2019 | 15% discount |
| G 35-15 | Cugnot Terminal | Jul. 12, 2019 | 15% discount |
| Metzili | Ings Hub | Jul. 12, 2019 | 15% discount |
| Ix | Scully-Power Station | Jul. 12, 2019 | 15% discount |
| Luyten's Star | Ashby City | Jul. 12, 2019 | |
| Lushertha | Cook Ring | Jul. 12, 2019 | |
| Cegreeth | Volta Orbital | Jul. 12, 2019 | |
| Nu Horologii | Danjon Landing | Jul. 12, 2019 | |
| Mizar | Judson Station | Jul. 12, 2019 | |
| STF 1774 | Hill Hub | Jul. 12, 2019 |
Outfitting
- Main article: Outfitting
All ships are highly customisable through the Outfitting menu of Station Services. Listed below is the default load-out for the Keelback.
| Category | Default System | Default Rating | Default Class | Max Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Hardpoint | Pulse Laser | F | 1 | 1 |
| Pulse Laser | F | 1 | 1 | |
| Medium Hardpoint | Empty | -- | -- | 2 |
| Empty | -- | -- | 2 | |
| Utility Mount | Empty | -- | -- | 0 |
| Empty | -- | -- | 0 | |
| Empty | -- | -- | 0 | |
| Bulkheads | Lightweight Alloys | I | 1 | 8 |
| Reactor Bay | Power Plant | E | 4 | 4 |
| Thrusters Mounting | Thrusters | E | 4 | 4 |
| Frame Shift Drive Housing | Frame Shift Drive | E | 4 | 4 |
| Environment Control | Life Support | E | 1 | 1 |
| Power Coupling | Power Distributor | E | 3 | 3 |
| Sensor Suite | Sensors | E | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Store | Fuel Tank [16x] | C | 4 | 4 |
| Internal Compartments | Cargo Rack [16x] | E | 4 | 5 |
| Cargo Rack [16x] | E | 4 | 5 | |
| Cargo Rack [4x] | E | 2 | 4 | |
| Shield Generator | E | 3 | 3 | |
| Cargo Rack [2x] | E | 1 | 2 | |
| Empty | -- | -- | 2 | |
| Supercruise Assist | E | 1 | 1 | |
| Planetary Approach Suite (H) | I | 1 | 1 |
- (L) = Loaned Module
- [x#] = Capacity
- (H) = Requires Elite Dangerous: Horizons, reserved solely for Planetary Approach Suite
Videos
Gallery
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Keelback
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Frontal view
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Rear of the ship
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Top of the ship
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Bottom of the ship, note the enormous fighter bay
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Thrusters are revamped compared to the T6
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The cockpit
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An image of a Wild Keelback In its Natural Habitat.
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Lakon Keelback Blueprint
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Keelback Hangar
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Keelback cockpit
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Keelback with a planet and space
