Blackbird/jp:ブラックバード

The Blackbird is a short-lived, prototype Colonial stealth fighter designed by Galen Tyrol and built by many deckhands and officers on . 
== Overview == 
損失や消耗により飛行可能なバイパーが少なくなっていくことにフラストレーションを感じたガレン・チロルは新しい戦闘機をゼロから作り始める新型のバトルスターと異なり、ギャラクティカにはバイパー製造施設は存在しない。。戦闘機のデザインは物資不足やクルーの改造や想像力で進化していった。そして戦闘機というより偵察機に近い機体が完成した。
ブラックバードはバイパー・ランチ・チューブを使用するように設計されたため、基本的な形状は同じである。バイパーと異なり機動性よりもスピードを優先して作られ武器は装備されていないSee Bradley Thompson's answer to a video effects gaff in "Flight of the Phoenix" where the Blackbird is mistakeningly shown flying about the Great Cylon Turkey Shoot. Thompson confirms that the Blackbird has no guns and its poor maneuverability makes it unsuitable as a dogfighter.が「再生船（後編）」ではミサイル・ランチャーが装備された。カール・アガソンの提案により、ブラックバードは黒色のカーボン合成物質を使用しているためDRADISや肉眼では探知されにくい。バイパーの修理に鉄を節約するためには適切な考えである。
Along with the usual RCS mechanisms for directional control, the Blackbird is powered by four obsolete DDG-62 engines that came from the flight deck of the Baah Pakal. Further, unlike other ships of its size, the Blackbird is FTL-capable.
== Laura and her flight history ==
The first prototype is dubbed "Laura" in honor of President Laura Roslin. Kara Thrace pilots the maiden test flight, where, after some initial difficulties with handling the ungainly craft, she handily eludes her escort, .
The following individuals aid Galen Tyrol in Laura's construction:
* Karl Agathon suggests the use of carbon composite materials for the Blackbird's skin.
* Brendan "Hot Dog" Costanza
* Anastasia Dualla improves communication systems.
* Anthony Figurski
* Cally Henderson
* James "Jammer" Lyman
* Diana Seelix
* Saul Tigh offers the DDG-62 engines.
* Kara Thrace aids in a few design principles and tests the craft.
Colonel Tigh originally denounces the project as frivolous, but later provides assistance in procuring the DDG-62 engines. Others among Tyrol's own deck crew also at first consider the project a waste of time, as noted through their initial reactions to Tyrol's proposal. However, Commander Adama believes that the endeavor offers hope and purpose, and therefore permits it to continue despite the crisis with the Cylon logic bomb that has infected Galactica's systems .
When commissioning a reconnaissance on the Cylon fleet (containing a mysterious ship) Pegasus's CAG Cole Taylor, although knowing of the Blackbird, chooses to use Raptors for his mission despite Thrace's protests. Before his plan can be put into action Thrace, with assistance from Lee Adama, absconds with the Blackbird, claiming she is running a test flight for Admiral Cain. In reality, she undertakes the mission single-handedly without being detected, taking several close-range pictures.
The sudden, unexpected return of this Colonial craft causes it to be mistaken for a Cylon craft, bringing an end to the standoff between Galactica and Pegasus. Thrace transmits the images, and appeals over the comm that she is not a Cylon vessel. From discussing these photos with Gina Inviere, Gaius Baltar eventually details the name and purpose of the Resurrection Ship .
Laura is later piloted by then-Lieutenant in the battle to disable the Resurrection Ship's FTL drive, preventing her escape so that Vipers can destroy it. While Adama is successful, a collision with a disabled Raptor destroys the Blackbird and Adama is forced to eject .
==Notes==
* Since the Blackbird was designed for speed over maneuverability and possessed stealth characteristics, it is logical that an FTL drive was added for reconnaissance capability. An FTL drive might have been salvaged from a scrapped Raptor, such as Raptor 305.
* The Blackbird's ungainly handling characteristics are quite evident during Thrace's first test flight, as she spends the first several seconds out of the launch tube attempting to gain control over the craft .
* Instability actually adds to a vehicle's maneuverability in an atmosphere; an extremely stable aircraft resists any maneuvering. Modern real-world fighters are deliberately designed to be unstable with the flight surfaces constantly adjusted by the flight control system. The Blackbird's controls might have been initially uncalibrated for the plane's configuration (e.g. center of mass), and spent more fuel maintaining a desired attitude.
*Carbon composites are a family of materials used in lightweight or high-temperature-resistant construction, of which a type is used in the nose and leading edges of the wings of NASA's Space Shuttle Orbiter. Carbon composites are somewhat fragile, so impacts (even one from a champagne bottle, which Laura Roslin jokingly attempts to do as she christens the ship) may cause the material to splinter or break. It was damage to this material that caused the destruction of Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-107. 
*Executive Producer David Eick stated in his video blog that the Blackbird is "not a Viper," so it is not classed as a modified Viper model ("Viper Mark VIII," etc), but is an entirely distinct craft.
*The fighter's nickname creates a curious comparison with Laura Roslin, the person for whom it was named. The ailing but influential President Roslin and her rapid, secretive actions in her quest for Earth's location (including diverting Lt. Thrace from her original mission to destroy the Kobol basestar) as well as her savvy political work in "Colonial Day," are humorously similar in perspective to the abilities of "Laura," a structurally weak, but highly agile and initially underestimated stealth fighter.
*From a behind-the-scenes perspective, the Blackbird is most likely named after the SR-71 Blackbird, an actual high-speed reconnaissance aircraft. The SR-71 not only shares the principle but also many design features. These include the engines pointing forward from the wings and also the swept long nose smoothing out on the sides.
==Sources==
Category:A to Z
Category:Colonial
Category:Colonial Craft
Category:Colonial Craft (RDM)
Category:Colonial Military
Category:Colonial Military (RDM)
Category:Ships
Category:Ships (RDM)
Category:RDM
de:Blackbird
* See Also
** props:Blackbird|Blackbird at Props Wiki
** Stealthstar|Stealthstar, a stealth craft
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